3 Strategies for Using Your Journal to Problem-Solve

Problem-solving is a skill we begin practicing in infancy. 

Problems never go away. Our strategies for solving them change with age and practice.

Use journaling as a strategy for dealing with frustrations, problems, and negative emotions.

Even if you don't journal daily, writing your thoughts gives you an opportunity to record them and revisit them.

Whatever is on your mind, think about what you control and start writing. Write until you feel you have your situation well-defined. Consider all aspects.

Try one or more of these three strategies:

List your specific questions about your situations. Answer the ones you can. Make a list of who you could ask to answer those questions you can't.

List strategies and tools you have used in similar situations in the past. Will they work for this new problem? 

List tools to explore and possibly invest in. Chances are you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.

Once you have everything written, make a plan of action.

Actively working on your frustrations or problems will lead to a solution.

Time with a pen in hand tames your frustrations and problems.