My 5-Minute Journaling Routine
What's been helping me focus in a distracting season.
This summer, I realized something uncomfortable: I was working more than ever… and getting less done.
Maybe you’ve felt a similar distracted feeling before. I kept bouncing between ideas, suffering from shiny object syndrome, and watching my output tank. It felt like I was always working but never actually moving the needle.
So I went back to something I’d fallen out of: journaling.
For context, I’m typically not a big “journal-all-your-feelings” kind of gal. But, this simple routine has noticeably improved my focus and my productivity, so I knew I needed to share it with you guys ahead of the New Year. I walk through these 4 step each morning before diving into work for the day:
#1. Gratitudes + Proud Moments
I write down five things from the last 24 hours I’m grateful for or proud of. It’s a quick way to remind myself that things are going better than my brain sometimes claims.
#2. The Vision
I clarify my long-term (5-ish year) vision using three present-tense affirmations. I focus on:
Who I want to become
How much I want to be earning
How I want to be spending my workdays
As an example:
I am a confident, creative professional.
I make 20K a month.
I work 4-6 hours/day.
This keeps the big picture right in front of me.
#3. Currently Committed to
These are the bigger moves that will bring your long-term vision to life. I recommend keeping them focused on “on-the-business” tasks (not client work) and choosing projects you can realistically complete within the next 90 days. So ideally, these will stay on your daily list until they are completed.
As an example:
Update my website.
Create a valuable freebie.
Get back into the flow of content creation.
#4. Today’s Top Three
The three things I will finish today. Some days they’re tied to my “Currently committed to” checklist, some days they’re client work, and occasionally… laundry. Honestly, whatever moves life and business forward.
That’s it! Maybe it sounds too simple, but I’m convinced this routine has been skyrocketing my output over the course of the last few months. I’m definitely keeping it up into 2026 and beyond.