When used properly, a daily journal is one of the best tools that you can use to be successful in any area of your life. I began writing a journal about two years ago, and it is what keeps me focused on what I want in life, my goals, what I need to do to get where I want to be. A journal forces one to be honest with himself and to write a record of what he did with his today. A well kept journal acts as a log of our time and can be looked back on in the future. Personally I write a journal entry every night before I go to bed. When I write, I include a record of what I did with my day, and list what I want to have done by the end of the next day. In this way, I can look at my goals from the day before and compare them to reality. Of course goals aren't always achieved, but the journal makes me keep myself accountable. I am forced to look at what I have to do which often helps. It's also helpful to list longer term goals occasionally as well and to occasionally reflect on them.

Heres an example- A few weeks ago I decided that I wanted to write at least one story a day on Steemit*. I wrote out my plan that night, and got up early the next day inspired to write. I also mentioned my long term goals on the platform. When going to bed that night, I felt accomplished as I had achieved my goal from the day before. I also wrote about what else I did. I went cliff jumping, "what an awesome experience", I thought. I watched youtube for three hours "probably could have used that time for something productive", and I attended a family dinner, "pretty solid day". Because I wrote this down I realized what was and was not good about the day and how to fix it in the future.

Of course keeping a journal is not going to guarantee success, but it is going to make it a little bit easier, at least for me, and I would highly recommend trying it.

![IMG_8887.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmVt2tMt2VSzFff7r3Kp6t2Afm2Y2dZmjiLe9gaRHeJ6od/IMG_8887.JPG)
A pic of my journal

Thanks for checking out my stuff and be sure to FOLLOW for more.

--Aaron

*I am actually posting daily! Its been a week so far