Thursday, July 21, 2016

How To Start A Circle Journal



What is a circle journal?  It is a way of deciding what you want to prioritize in your life, then making sure that you are working on those priorities.  A good way to start is to think about some goals.  What do you want to be doing in a year?  What do you want to be doing in 5 years?  Now think about some steps you can take to reach your goals.   It is also a way of simplifying your life.  You can choose not to do things that do not work towards your goal.   If you see something that you are doing that does not fit into your plan, you can exchange it for something that does fit into your plan.  An example would be that you notice you overeat every night while watching two hours of tv.  Is watching tv on your plan?  What is on your plan that would get you away from food and engaged in the life you want to live? 

I have listed below some suggested areas for your circle journal.  These are suggestions.  I have a blank form that you can print out that does not include areas, so feel free to write your own.   Feel free to come back at any time and print out more forms. 


 
Grab a 3 ring binder and put some notebook paper into it for your journal.   You will be journaling about your goals, how they relate to your long term goals and anything else you feel like writing about.   Each time you do something to work towards a goal, use a colored pencil and color in an area. 

Circle Journal:
1.        Family and Friends
2.       Personal Development
3.       Spirituality
4.       Finance
5.       Career
6.       Marriage
7.       Fun and Recreation
8.       Giving/Contribution (Volunteering)
9.       Physical Environment
1.   Health and Fitness

Set a goal under each area.  To give you an idea, here are my goals. Your goals should be personal to you.

1.       Family and Friends
Spend at least an hour this week with a friend. 
Call or text someone every day
Make a new friend and follow through
Greet new neighbors and take a welcome basket
Host a block party
Mentor a new mom
Take each kid out for a special lunch

2.       Personal Development
Review Math in Kahn Academy. 
Study flags of the world
Read one book per month
Set personal goals every month and track them
Do something kind to another person
Write specific goals out in steps and track them
Take a class every year

3.       Spirituality
Have a quiet time every day
Keep a prayer journal

4.       Finance
Study one stock per week
Stay out of debt
Save six months expenses for an emergency fund
Buy another rental house
Save to pay cash for new cars

5.       Career
Work more often /Complete Modules for work
Speak at a conference
Work on book at least 3 days per week (if you are writing one)
Start a podcast
Publish at least 1 uplifting blogpost per week

6.       Marriage
Have a date night
Vacation at least once a year
Plan an anniversary celebration
Say “I love you”
Start a hobby together that you both enjoy


7.       Fun and Recreation
Plan a day trip for 2 weekend days each month. 
Travel to Grand Canyon, Canada and Bahamas
Try something new
Teach kids to cook

8.       Giving/Contribution (Volunteering)
Search for a volunteer activity I can do with my older kids
Pay for a stranger’s gas
Buy Christmas presents for a needy family
Be more perceptive about who is in need
Give money to charities
9.       Physical Environment
Declutter
Decorate dining room, living room and master bedroom
Hire a maid to help out
Clean out garage twice per year
1     Health and Fitness
Walk at least 30 minutes per day. Work up to 50.
Learn to like Brussel sprouts and cauliflower


Look at each category and think about where you currently stand.  Is there an area where you would normally score very low?  Do you find yourself so busy with family that you have no time for friends?  Do you find yourself so busy with work that you find no time for proper diet and exercise? 

I will post some of my ideas and pictures of my journal in another thread. 


Free Circle Journal Printout

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5 comments:

  1. This sounds like a great idea. I will have to bring this to the table during our back to school family meeting.

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  2. I have never heard about circle journal. The concept that it entails is not new to me though

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  3. I have never heard of a "Circle Journal" before but I love the idea!

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  4. This sounds like a Different way of having a Vision Board and Then actioning it. I love the Visual style. I also like to Look at what am dong right and then doing more of that! Thanks for sharing

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  5. I've been wanting to do this for a long time, but I haven't had the inspiration. This is great! Thanks for linking up on our #BuJoMojo linky! <3 Katie @ HeyKatie.net

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