I know I’m not the first person to write an article telling you that journaling about your goals is going to help you reach them. You’ve probably heard this advice plenty of times before, but that’s because it works!

Think about it — journaling and writing down your goals is just a matter of making a plan. Trying to reach your goals without a plan is like trying to survive a Cleanse Day without IsaDelight® chocolates (pretty impossible, right?).

Science Backs Goal Setting and Journaling

Research shows that individuals who write down their goals are significantly more likely to achieve them than those who only think about their goals. The chance of success climbs even higher when those individuals write down goal-driven actions. Individuals who write down their goals and actions and track their progress are the most likely to accomplish their goals.

As you can see, the effectiveness of journaling and tracking your progress has been well-documented. But if you still don’t believe me, here are four more reasons you should give goal journaling a shot.

Why Should You Journal?

1. Journals Are Written Records of Your Success

So many of us fixate on “failure” and give up on goals before we’ve even really started. But, if you write down your goals and track your progress all the way through to success, you’ll have a written record of everything you have accomplished. The next time you feel like you’re not making things happen, you can look back on your journal and remind yourself that you’re actually pretty awesome at reaching your goals.

2. Journals Keep You Organized

When you use your journal as a goal planner, you can see where you’re spending your time and prepare for the days, weeks, and months ahead. Having a visual of what you need to do and when you need to do it will keep you on track so you can procrastinate less and accomplish more. With the new Daily Wellness Program available on the IsaLife™ app, you can set up your schedule and create a daily checklist to keep you motivated.

3. Journals Force You to Think About the ‘Why’ and ‘How’

When you write down what you’ve done each day to accomplish your goals, you’re forced to ask yourself the deeper questions, like:

  • Why did that make reaching my goal easier?
  • How did that action aid my progress?
  • Why didn’t that work?

The answers to these questions will help you identify your successes and mistakes. You may even find this process therapeutic.

4. Journals Put Your Goals on Paper and Hold You Accountable

There’s an even bigger lesson behind journaling than learning from your successes and mistakes — journaling teaches you to keep the promises you make to yourself. Whether your goal is to lose 10 pounds or simply fold that pile of laundry, writing it down will remind you to follow through. This process will teach you to create achievable goals, keep your promises, and trust yourself.