journaling

Overcoming setbacks

I think it’s a good idea to create an evidence journal. Write down the moments when you faced something difficult and came out on the other side. The human brain has a natural negativity bias. It tends to remember situations where things did not go well more vividly than moments of success, and under stress, this bias is amplified. The stress response narrows focus, increases self-doubt, and can trigger thoughts of inadequacy, overwhelm, or performance choking.

An evidence journal helps counter this pattern by reminding the brain of facts rather than feelings. It creates a tangible record of resilience, competence, and progress. And this wiring is human, not gendered. Our brains respond to stress in similar ways, regardless of gender differences.

“The best way to control the cattle is to give them a big pasture.”
— Shunryu Suzuki

The benefits of journaling

A few weeks ago, I was reminded of how rewarding journaling can be for setting you up for each and every day. A journal is different from a diary as it’s a tool for recording and logging your personal growth. While you shouldn’t suppress your thoughts, I think should be positive. It’s important when faced with challenges, focus on what you learned or what went right, rather than dwelling on the negative.

There are no barriers to journaling, take 5 minutes every day to write down in your journal:
1.         What am I grateful for today?
2.         What is my most important task for today?
3.         What noteworthy event happened yesterday?
4.         How am I feeling today?
5.         What is working well right now?
6.         What could be improved?