Working Up

I write in a journal almost everyday. I started doing this about eight years ago at the urging or Jerry Weinberg. I was about to attend a writer’s workshop led by Weinberg. He sent out an email telling the attendees several things that we might do to  prepare. Journal writing was one of the things.

I had read about journal writing years earlier in Weinberg’s book Becoming a Technical Leader. I had tried journal writing in 1993. I stuck with it a couple of weeks, then … well you know, it just sort of went away.

In his book, Weinberg urges journal writing on those of us who want to become effective managers. One thing that helps a manager is being aware of ourselves. The journal writing is a tool that helps self-awareness. It is also a test of motivation. If I am unwilling to spend five minutes a day writing in a journal, I am probably not willing to follow any other advice that Weinberg or anyone else provides.

In 1993, I wasn’t willing to spend five minutes a day to change myself. In 2000, I was.

Why Journal? I journal for selfish reasons. Writing in a journal helps me to understand problems I am facing. Five or six times a year I find the solution to vexing situations while writing in my journal. There is something about the time it takes to physically write words on paper and the thoughts I think during that time. Answers come to me.

Just try to stop me from writing in a journal.

What goes in a journal? Anything you want to put in it. Yes, and that stuff as well. And those other things you think about, too.

No one reads my journals except me. Even my wife doesn’t read them. Sometimes I will share a piece here and there with her and others, but only what I want to share.

I record: events, people, to do lists, priorities, hopes and wishes, and feelings about such.

Why do most of us hate to journal? What comes to mind when you hear the words, “Dear Diary”? I want to puke. Many people had bad experiences in childhood with diaries that were supposed to be secret, but someone read them and, well, you know.

And then there is the writing. “I don’t write well.” “I can’t write.” “My handwriting is bad.”

No one cares about that. Scribble, sketch, doodle, make scratches, only use bullets and not complete sentences. It is your journal, you mark it the way you want. You cannot “do it wrong.”

I end with Weinberg’s words from his book:

Starting now, and continuing for three months, spend five minutes each day writing in a personal journal.

Pause now, get a piece of paper, and write down your initial reaction (to the journal assignment). This reaction is an important part of the test. Not only that, but what you wrote on that piece of paper is your first journal entry. If you didn’t write it, you’re already in trouble, but you’re in good company.