This is an Awesome Tool for Embracing the Day
Do you have a “I can’t wait to do that” routine that really starts off your day in a positive direction?
Wouldn’t it be nice to track your habits, reflections, and personal challenges all in one place?
About a year ago today, my Aunt Page shared with me The 6-Minute Diary. A friend had sent it to her and she couldn’t wait to share it with me because she knows I love to write my thoughts down and am continuously reflective.
And of course because I love quotes, positivity, and inspiration.
I was sitting on her couch and she excitedly brought it out to show me how simplistic and comforting it was in her life. How no matter what, she would take a few minutes each day to jot down how she felt she was doing. She had just gotten it the month before and already had days upon days filled in. It took me just moments to catch on that this was a must-have diary.
Check it out here.
Reasons Why I’m Hooked:
1. Quote for the Day
Who doesn’t appreciate a little motivation that is almost always relatable and can be your new mantra for the day?
It can be inspiring for sure.
It can also open up new ideas and thoughts about who you are going to choose to be that day. It adds a moment to be more thoughtful. I look forward to this every time I open it!
2. Weekly Habit Trackers
It’s all about self-improvement these days, right? Setting goals and having a way to look back and see our progress. Love these!
The 6-Minute Diary demonstrates how to use each valuable piece of this journal, including the habit tracker. It gets you started in the right direction. And then you take it from there.
I like how it’s not endless. I say that because when I have a whole personal list of habits I feel I need to adopt (or adapt). I would fill that page up! This keeps it focused on a few at time…great idea so we don’t overwhelm ourselves and never meet our own aspirations.
There are three a week, so I focus on three different categories in my life that stand out to me (at the moment).
For example, a project I am working on that I want to make progress on (say 30 minutes a day on my blog or work on one listing for my PoshMark closet).
Another category I usually have is a body goal: morning stretches or squat challenge.
Third category I focus on is usually a reading goal. I like to have a non-fiction book going to keep me learning about great ideas and ya know, get inspiration. So, currently I am reading a chapter a day of Rachel Hollis’ Girl Wash Your Face. It’s awesome!
I like how in The 6-Minute Diary you can establish how many times a week you are challenging yourself to fulfill each particular habit. It also gives space for you to check off the progress you have made (I love checkmarks! I feel so accomplished when making a quick down-up motion on a piece of paper).
Having these set for the week helps me to feel “work week ready” too.
See my post on 10 Habits that Ready Me into the Work Week here.
3. Monthly Check-in
I find myself loving the term “temperature check”. My principal at the school I work uses this phrase and sends us a survey or has a quick chat with us when given a moment to just see how we are doing in different areas and how we feel about things.
It’s beneficial for the whole “body” of the staff to put together positives and areas of improvement needed so we know where to go from here and what could really use our attention. It shows me that she not only values how I am doing, but my thoughts and ideas as well.
Having a monthly survey on myself (all the many parts of me that come together to keep me running smoothly day to day) is important. A quick rating with scale of #1-10 on my overall mood, gratitude, relationships, healthy living areas, creativity, finances, etc.
I love having this in my 6-Minute Diary because it helps me pause and hone in on how I am really doing in present time.
It also gives me the opportunity to compare how I am feeling about myself with past months in order to formulate positive goals for myself.
So thankful for this!
4. Positive Affirmations
I need this section absolutely!
Especially on days when it seems difficult to come up with one thing I feel like I am good at or did well. It challenges me to know myself more and believe in myself.
It gives me the opportunity to write something down that maybe I don’t feel like I am completely there yet on, but am making progress. Adjectives.
One act of kindness I might have done that day is a reminder to myself that I am thoughtful. This encourages me to keep it up because I can note it and it makes me feel good about myself.
5. Self-Challenges (Positive Missions for the Week)
I value the daily section of “This is How I’ll Make Today Great”.
There is also a weekly challenge included there. These are great reminders that not only is it valuable to check in on how I am feeling and things I am thankful for and great experiences of my day, but how I can make a difference in my own days and weeks.
It’s a nice little nudge in the right direction and knock on the door that says, “Hey it’s your life. You have control of so much in it. You can make steps to change things up one day at a time as you see fit.”
6. Gratitude Journal
Three things to focus on a time. It feels great when I can come up with more than that right away, but many days I find myself really thinking about that first one to get myself started.
It is so, so very necessary for our hearts to recognize the beautiful things we have going on in our life at that very moment and morning.
It’s a brief step and absolutely relieving. Brings a sweet smile every time.
7. Weekly Thinking Questions
So as a quick reminder this is a journal just for you….or for that friend you are looking at this for.
Just for that one person to reflect with and feel safe about. No rule about skipping questions and coming back late. No expectation to share.
The “5 Weekly Questions” section is awesome in this must-have diary! Not only does it pop a nice plot twist of the regular routine of your daily notes, but also can really get you thinking. The deep stuff…as deep as you want to go.
I have to admit, there are still a few questions I keep going back to peek at but still don’t feel ready to answer….and that’s okay!
These questions are different each week and some bring a great chuckle to write about.
8. Take Note of Fantastic Moments
This is your daily opportunity to write your good deeds and great things you experienced in The 6-Minute Diary.
Be proud of them and be thankful for them!
Your day had happy moments in them- great reminders when you need a pick-me-up.
9. Two Bookmarks!!!
I absolutely love having more than one bookmark!
It gives me the opportunity to save the day I am currently on as well as open up another spot I like to frequent back to. Like, the habit tracker for the current week for example.
10. Stop and Start When You Want
I appreciate when there are open-ended date options.
I miss days…reality of life, right?
Calendars with set dates for a year I end up missing whole months of writing space because I got caught up and distracted. It feels good in this 6-Minute Diary to start right back where I was. No gaps needed.
Oh, and…very important. Every journalist has their go-to pens, right?
Who doesn’t want a pen that’s smooth and dependable for those daily precious writing minutes?
Here are a couple awesome and fun ones to build this habit with. The first set of pens are all black ballpoint pens with motivating quotes, and the second set are all different vintage colors. Makes it even more fun and motivating! Click the photos to be directed right to them. Happy reflecting, planning, and dreaming!
Who is The 6-Minute Diary Great for?
Who wouldn’t enjoy this, right?
I first received it as a gift and am so very thankful for my aunt thinking of me with this must-have diary.
I gifted this to a friend who was getting married. She’s a busy gal, and this is a perfect quick reflection tool for those moments in the mornings and evenings . . . and those Saturday mornings she gets up just a little bit earlier to enjoy her coffee and “take a breath” time.
I have a few friends at work that I definitely have in mind for a sweet gift of this diary. Being reflective in the workplace – hugely valuable!
Not everyone is a journal kind of a person, and I get that. That’s one of the reasons I like this tool so much. The 6-Minute Diary is not just open pages to stare at not knowing where to start.
It leads. It follows. It inspires.
And…There’s More!!
As a fanatic of this diary and the UrBestSelf Store on Amazon, I, of course aspire to check out what’s next!
Here is what caught my eye already: The 6-Minute Success Journal.
Get a head start if you like!
It is sure to fill us up with motivation to reach goals – I am excited!