Last Updated on May 11, 2021 by Kari
My biggest problem is getting things done. I never seem to have enough time in the day to work a full-time job, spend time with my wife and dogs, and work on my music goals. Because of that, I haven’t seen the progress with my goals that I want to see. Obviously my job pays the bills and takes priority. And my wife and dogs are equally important. It’s not that my music isn’t important – it is extremely important. It’s just never able to be the priority. My wife knows that I’m not making the progress I would like, so she bought me The 5 Second Journal hoping that it might help me move closer towards my goals in music. I’ve been using it for a few weeks, so I wanted to share my thoughts about it and whether or not it is really helping me get sh*t done as it claims to do.
What Is The 5 Second Journal?
It’s a journal created by Mel Robbins, a motivational speaker who is also the author of The 5 Second Rule. I haven’t read that book yet, but I have watched a ton of videos by Mel Robbins. I was watching her videos before my wife surprised me with The 5 Second Journal, and I really liked her advice and approach to living a better life, so I had a feeling I was going to at least kind of like this journal.
I was right.
The Biggest Thing The 5 Second Journal Has Done For Me
It’s removed the clutter and helped me accomplish something every single day.
Before, I would drive myself crazy trying to pick one thing to do.
Should I practice? Record a video? Learn more about the equipment I’m using?
Usually, I wasted my time dedicated to music wondering what I should do, and then I would go to bed pissed off that I had accomplished nothing for the day and was no closer to my goals than I was when I woke up.
The 5 Second Journal helps keep me focused on my specific goal and what I need to accomplish for the day. I don’t need to worry or make any big decisions about what I should do after I write in my journal. I know that I need to do one specific thing, and I use my time more effectively because of that.
How It Helps Me Remove The Clutter
It’s so simple, but so effective.
Every morning I write out my goal for the day – what I want to accomplish. Writing it out imprints it in my mind somehow and I go through my day knowing exactly what my target is for the day.
On some days, I start to get overwhelmed while I’m at work thinking about everything I should do. Then I open up The 5 Second Journal, and I instantly calm down with the reminder of what I need to do and where my focus needs to go.
It Only Takes A Few Minutes Each Morning
The 5 Second Journal doesn’t take 5 seconds, but it doesn’t take more than 5-10 minutes either.
I don’t have extra time in the morning, and I already get up really early. So, my wife took over the duty of feeding the dogs in the morning so that I can have those 5-10 minutes to focus on my journal.
If I can find the time, anyone can find the time!
Other Benefits Of Using The 5 Second Journal
Besides focusing on one thing that I need to do for the day, the journal has helped feel more in control of my life. Instead of feeling scatterbrained during the day, I feel on target. Instead of feeling distracted, I feel focused.
The Challenges: Each day there is a challenge. These are things that are achievable to do in a short time. Somehow accomplishing the challenges makes me feel like I got stuff done too.
Mood Awareness: The journal promotes mood awareness and helps you understand why you feel like you do. Then, it helps you come up with ways to improve your mood. An improved mood always helps me get more things done in my day.
Keeps You Grounded: One of the benefits I’ve found is that the journal keeps you grounded. I feel like my feet are planted firmly on the ground during the day and I’m more in control of what I’m doing. I used to feel like I was bouncing around from one idea to another all day and totally out of balance.
Helps You Focus On Gratitude: At my core, I’m a grateful person. But, before the journal I didn’t get a lot of chances to express it. Or maybe it just wasn’t a habit of mine. Either way, the journal helps me express my gratitude first thing and for the rest of the day.
Stops Overwhelm: This is a big one for me. When you work full-time, have big goals outside of work, have an amazing wife and awesome dogs, and enjoy getting out into nature, it can be overwhelming when you think about giving enough time to everything. The 5 Second Journal has definitely helped stop overwhelm and made me realize that I can do one thing towards my goals each day and make progress while also giving my time and energy elsewhere.
The Only Thing I Don’t Really Benefit From
There is an hour by hour section, but I don’t really use it fully. I do use it to write down things I want to remember here and there, though.
Write In Your Journal First Thing
The earlier you sit down and write in your journal, the better. I find that if I do it first thing, I start my day off right. I feel focused and ready for the day right from the start, which has helped reduce stress over the day.
For the first few days, I tried doing it a little later in the morning after I got to work. It was still effective if I could sit down and do it, but at work I had all my work issues on my mind already and wasn’t usually in the right mood to sit down and reflect. Also people pop into my office or talk outside of my office, which is really distracting when you are trying to focus on something so personal and important.
I recommend you do it first thing at home when it’s quiet.
Who Will Benefit From The 5 Second Journal?
Anyone who wants to go after long-term goals, but is struggling to get stuff done.
This journal helps you chunk down your goal to doable steps that help you move closer and closer towards your goal each day.
I knew where I wanted to go but spent most of my time not knowing how to get there. This journal helps me take action that moves me along and pushes me towards what I want. Step by step, day by day.
Yes, It Helps You Get Sh*t Done
I can honestly say that The 5 Second Journal helps you get sh*t done like promised.
The journal helps you sort out what’s most important and then do it. When you start using the journal, there is no more doing nothing because you are too overwhelmed or distracted. There’s no more making excuses. You know what you have to do and why you have to do it and then you just do it.
If there’s anything you want to ask me about The 5 Second Journal, please ask in the comments below. You can buy The 5 Second Journal on Amazon here or in a bookstore near you (or at least near me!).
I’m a musician and artist obsessed with metal. I’ve been playing guitar for over three decades, and I’m not bored of it yet. You can find my guitar videos on YouTube, thoughts on Twitter, and pics on Instagram.
i wake up early morning 3:30 am and meditate and then i start to study for like 2hrs. at around 6 i go for a workout and then i get ready for my day. can you suggest me when will be the best time for journaling. is it right after i wake up at 3:30? or after i get ready for work?
If you’re talking about The 5 Second Journal, I would recommend right after you wake up. It’s supposed to set you up for your day, so since your day starts at 3:30, that would be a good time. But, I personally do things when they feel right to me. So, since I find it easiest to meditate without activating my brain too much, I would meditate first and journal before studying.