by Debbie Rodrigues | Aug 1, 2018 | 365 Questions For A Better You
As we reach the 365 Questions For A Better You, the August edition, I talk more about the power of journaling. Allow yourself to shine to become a better version of yourself.
If it’s your first time here, welcome to the 365 Questions For A Better You, the August edition.
Are you already a member of the #PlanWithDebbie Facebook group?
I publish the daily promos there, and you can join the community aspect of this challenge.
Talking about #PlanWithDebbie, I hosted a Journaling Workshop there, and there’s a section exclusively about how you can make the most of the prompts for personal growth.
Journaling for self-awareness
The key to Personal Development is self-knowledge.
By discovering who you are, your weakness, and strengths, you can become a better version of yourself.
And don’t get attached to the beautiful images you see on Pinterest or Instagram.
Let them inspire you, but don’t feel obliged to reproduce them to create an effective journal.
Your journal is whatever you want it to be.
Its content and not its form is what is going to be your game changer.
Some of the tools you can are:
- (Bullet) Journal
- (Old) Notebook
- Planner
- Sketchbook
- Evernote
In your creative process of putting your journal together, you’ll also discover skills you didn’t know you had.
August prompts
213. What do you do when your plan fails?
214. Do you change your mind easily?
215. If you could spend quality time with someone special, who would this person be?
216. What do you believe you deserve in life?
217. How important is it to have dinner with your family?
218. Where do you want to be by this time next year?
219. How do you define love?
220. How do you spend most of the day: sitting or standing?
221. How do you deal with compliments?
222. What used to make you happy when you were a kid?
223. What makes you sad?
224. Is there anything that causes you to stress on a regular basis?
225. If you had more free time, what would you do?
226. What was the last TV program you watched?
227. Pizza or popcorn?
228. What are your plans for your next vacation?
229. What do you do when you have some me-time?
230. Travel destination of your Dreams?
231. What do you generally do during lunchtime?
232. Describe your favorite picture of yourself.
233. When was the last time you cried?
234. How important are lifestyle trends to you?
235. If you could time travel, would you go to the past or the future?
236. How do you draw the line between judgment and opinion?
237. What’s your favorite joke?
238. Do you have the habit of worrying?
239. How frequently do you watch the news?
240. Digital or analog?
241. Do you get up right away or do you snooze?
242. The most important invention ever in your opinion?
243. How do you handle pressure?
Before you go
Can you answer the following question in the comments below, please?
Do you share your journal on social media? If yes, please, leave the link in the comments below.
Read the other posts in this series:
*Some links are affiliates. If you choose to buy anything from them, I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read full disclaimer here. Thank you for your support!
by Debbie Rodrigues | Jul 1, 2018 | 365 Questions For A Better You
We’re back for the 365 Questions For A Better You, the July edition. This month, let’s talk about how you can use different journals for brainstorming.
What a roller-coaster of emotions this year has been!
Since January, life has been shooting surprises my way. I’m not going to lie: it’s been overwhelming at times.
Mainly whenever I’m forced into unexpected changes.
Even though I advocate letting go, I know first hand it isn’t always easy.
The journal effect
I don’t think I’ve ever relied on my journals so much before.
Yes, I’ve been using them for brainstorming forever. But it has mostly been pro-actively.
This time, my journals became my constant working partners.
Daily journal
At the beginning of the year, I was happy with a couple of sentences every day.
As the months passed, I filled more and more pages regularly.
Nowadays, I write at least two pages in my journal. In fact, I already moved from my Lechtturm 1917 to my Erin Condren.
Art journal
Like every year, I put a lot of effort into planning my 2018.
Having to deal with all the modifications, positive and challenging, was a lot for my perfectionism.
I had already put a lot of work on it, but it wasn’t enough.
So I got out of my comfort zone and started showing myself more through my art journal.
Affirmation journal
Don’t underestimate the effects of one affirmation a day.
They’re excellent for visualization exercises as well as to overcome (mental) blocks.
Every single day, I’ve been writing one affirmation on my 365 Notebook. I copy the same sentence the whole page.
If you need inspiration, join my Patreon and get one affirmation every single day.
Vacation journal
For the first time, I decided to put together a scrapbook about my vacation to Brazil.
I took enough pictures and saved various souvenirs. One day at a time, I’m putting together a Traveler’s Notebook about the trip.
The exercise of collecting memories and reviving them is teaching me countless lessons.
Challenge journal
Since I launched the inserts for the 365 Questions For A Better You, I’ve been using them myself on my Filofax.
I must say I can’t wait to start comparing my answers next year.
And talking about the questions, let’s have a look at the July prompts, shall we?
July prompts
182. What does your dream home look like?
183. One thing that is missing from your routine.
184. How is your year so far?
185. Ride a bike or walk?
186. What needs to happen today to make your day perfect?
187. How do you feel about your job/profession?
188. What does your schedule for the week look like?
189. Do you have a bucket list?
190. How important is it to follow trends?
191. What’s your opinion about meditation?
192. Is there someone/something draining your energy these days?
193. Would you like to start a new hobby?
194. When was the last time you surprised yourself?
195. The last inspiration quote you read.
196. How does your ideal morning look?
197. Fiction or non-fiction?
198. What would be the best birthday gift for you?
199. If fear wasn’t a problem, what would you do today?
200. 3 words that define your Intention.
201. One thing you dislike.
202. What qualities you’d like to develop?
203. If money wasn’t an issue, what would you do?
204. Travel by plane or go on a cruise?
205. What keeps you up at night?
206. How do you introduce yourself?
207. Your favorite restaurant.
208. Silence or background music?
209. How many hours did you sleep last night?
210. Do you practice visualization on a regular basis?
211. What grudges do you need to let go?
212. What’s your strongest quality?
Before you go
Can you answer the following question in the comments below, please?
How do you use your journal(s)?
Read the other posts in this series:
*Some links are affiliates. If you choose to buy anything from them, I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read full disclaimer here. Thank you for your support!
by Debbie Rodrigues | Jun 4, 2018 | Challenge, Planning
Discover what I did to create space to make better decisions with journaling when I reached a crossroads in my life. Learn how to stop procrastinating and get more done one day at a time.
The year was 2000, and I was 25 years-old.
After the end of a long relationship, I decided it was time for me to finally go after my childhood dream of studying abroad.
I had started working full-time right after finishing high-school and saved all the money I could.
No parties, no shopping, no trips, nothing.
It wasn’t always a comfortable price to pay, but it was the only way to afford attending college in a foreign country.
When the opportunity came, however, I felt uncertainty. I was about to embark on one of the biggest endeavors of my life.
I was about to deplete the savings I had sacrificed for. And, my loved ones weren’t entirely on board. They felt like I was “abandoning” them – at least for the next few years.
How could I move forward mindfully without regretting it later?
Writing it all out
I couldn’t talk to anyone about my reservations because no one close to me was impartial.
The solution was to write everything I had in my head.
I’ve always found it easier to brainstorm with a piece of paper and a pen in my hands anyways.
It was a huge step in my life, and there was a lot at stake personally and financially.
Even though my home in Brazil would always be there, it was hard to take the plunge and leave.
So, I grabbed an old notebook and started right away.
The process
I took me weeks to get everything out of my head.
Mainly because whenever I wrote about one pro, a couple of cons came up. And the other way around.
Many times, I felt overwhelmed and scared of the Pandora box I had created for myself.
But my writing exercise forced me to think about solutions too.
Slowly, the fear of taking risks made room for certainties.
I formulated a plan A and B as well as C, D, and E.
No matter what I wrote out, I couldn’t anticipate all of the challenges I might face.
But my brainstorming gave me the tools I needed.
Create space with journaling
If you also reached a crossroads, it’s time to make room in your mind to make better decisions.
Grab your favorite journal and let it all out.
Begin by writing about the tasks, projects, and dreams you want for yourself.
Some of the questions you can answer are:
- What are these projects?
- Why are they important?
- How will they impact you and your life?
- What can go wrong?
- How can you fix potential problems?
- Who’s your support system?
- What would make you confident about your choice?
Use these questions to get unnecessary worries out of the way.
Stop wasting your time and energy and start making conscious decisions that will bring you closer to your goals.
Find out what steps to follow next on the 52-Week Challenge For A More Productive You.
Get all the support, motivation, and accountability you’ll need to create space in your life for the things that truly matter.
Before you go
Can you answer the following question in the comments below, please?
Have you ever used a journal to brainstorm?
by Debbie Rodrigues | Jun 1, 2018 | 365 Questions For A Better You
How about using the 365 Questions For A Better You the June Edition to overcome procrastination? Boost your lifestyle one day at a time the pleasant way.
Another month passed and it’s time for the 365 Questions For A Better You the June Edition.
As we approach half of the year, some of us may find it hard to stick to their plan.
Even though we set realistic goals in the beginning in January, it isn’t always easy to leave our comfort zone and change our routine.
And that’s when we face one of the enemies of all dreams: procrastination.
To help you out, I have 3 super simple ideas on how to overcome it one day at a time.
Action against procrastination
Forget the magic pill and start facing the truth: you have to stop delaying making your move.
If the thought of it sounds overwhelming to you, check these following tips:
- Start with 5 minutes
- Have a “Daily 3”
- Don’t overthink
Start with 5 minutes
I know very well it takes more than just 5 minutes per day to be in shape, for example.
However, if you struggle with getting started, 5 minutes is a lot better than nothing.
The same goes for meditation, writing, or any other habit you want to create.
What do you have to lose by investing 5 minutes in yourself?
Time will pass anyway, my friend.
Have a “Daily 3”
Want to improve your lifestyle for good?
Be realistic and keep it simple!
Recently, on my Facebook Group, I shared the Daily 3 things I’ve been doing to work on my Personal Development.
Reading one single page or chapter per day is a lot more doable than reading an entire book.
Not only this approach works, but it isn’t overwhelming either.
Don’t overthink
It took me years to accept the fact we don’t always have to have an explanation.
Note that we must know our Purpose! But it doesn’t mean we must have an answer for absolutely every (little) thing.
Want to make the best out of the 365 Questions For A Better You?
Enjoy it! Don’t treat it as a medical consultation.
If you relax and learn how to enjoy it, you will also:
- develop your consistency,
- overcome procrastination, and
- meet amazing people.
June prompts
Ready to overcome procrastination the mindful way?
Have fun with this month’s prompts!
152. Do you have your meals at your desk or while watching TV?
153. How would you describe your ability to manage stress?
154. When was the last time you visualized yourself achieving your Dreams?
155. Introvert or extrovert?
156. Have you ever skipped breakfast?
157. What would you like to learn if you had the chance?
158. What word do you say the most?
159. Have you ever been a victim of bullying?
160. Your favorite affirmation right now.
161. To drive a car or a motorcycle?
162. How important is physical activity in your life?
163. What’s more important to you: personal life or professional career?
164. What challenges have you overcome recently and how you did it?
165. Are you afraid of leaving your comfort zone?
166. Do you plan for the week or daily?
167. How do you deal with opposition?
168. Do you find it easy to stand up for yourself?
169. When do you feel lonely?
170. Read a book or watch a movie?
171. Who’s the most important person in your life right now?
172. A public figure who inspires you.
173. What inspires your confidence?
174. Do you find it important to keep up with technology?
175. What’s your main source of distraction?
176. Your favorite small pleasure.
177. How impairing is stress in your life?
178. Buy or rent a house?
179. How much time do you spend daily watching TV?
180. How better would your life be if you accomplished your Goal?
181. What’s your Purpose in life?
Before you go
Can you answer the following question in the comments below, please?
What do you to keep up with the 365 Questions For A Better You prompts?
Read the other posts in this series:
