Writing a Career Journal can be a great way to record and reflect. Here are 5 things to write about in your free-writing section of your career journal (and add to your personal prompts list).
Write a list of attainable goals at the start of each day
Break down your larger goals into smaller attainable things. Write down a couple of things that you want to accomplish that day. This might expressed as a list of “goals” or as a “to-do list”. I personally write myself a things I must do before the end of the day list.
Keep a record of your ideas
I have an entirely separate notebook for this as I am always constantly having ideas (and they are not always work related). However, you should use your journal to keep track of ideas so that you can go back to them later at a more convenient time.
Write down advice from colleagues
One of the things I always use my Career Journal for without fail is as a place to write words of wisdom and other pieces of advice that are shared by friends and colleagues at work. I also do the same with more general advice that I might read or listen to.
Write Your Plan
At the beginning of the month and week, I also use my Career Journal to plan what I have scheduled and what I would like to schedule in. Particularly if it is career or business development related (although sometimes it is also about ensuring that I have enough me time).
Write down your daily/weekly accomplishments
Write down the positive things that have happened or that you’ve achieved. This might be things that you got down, things your learned, conversations you had etc. Whatever made you smile or made you happy – write it down to reinforce that positive feeling.