It can be hard to focus on your big-picture goals and values when you’re bogged down by the the day-to-day. But it’s easier than you think to keep your vision and values at the top of your priority list, and a digital journal is a great place to start.
Research continues to show that journaling can help improve your emotional and mental well-being. While there are many apps (not to mention good old fashioned pen and paper) that can help you, Day One is a simple and convenient digital option. If you’re looking to keep your values at hand (literally), try taking a few minutes each morning or at a set point during the workday to write down what matters most to you, whether it’s practicing gratitude, prioritizing family, or making progress on a meaningful work project.
The app is available on your phone, tablet, computer or Apple Watch, and has an intuitive, easy-to-use interface. Day One can track information like the date and what music you’re playing on your device to make each entry more detailed, and lets you add photos and hashtags to your posts to help you organize your entries around common themes. This makes looking back and reflecting on past entries simple, and it could help you stay on track with your future goals, too.
One of the most interesting parts of the app is that you have the option to share your entries with your friends on social media. It’s one way to take a priority that you need some help with, like taking better care of yourself physically or spending more time with friends and family, and make it a shared effort. Having others hold you accountable can be intimidating, but it’s a good way to stay on track and let others know how much progress you’ve made and how far you still want to go.