Task 2b: Journal Writing Experience

Which of the 9 suggestions have really made me think and is there one i'd use again? What have i, been surprised by, returned to, and have there been any common themes?
When i started my Journal "Description" was the natural style i fell into without even knowing it at the time. My journal was, and still is to an extent, a bit of a log rather than a journal, merely noting the activities of the day and where they took place (despite my best efforts - I'm getting better though).

On occasions i would also touch on "Reflection" in terms of mentioning thoughts i was having and how i was feeling about everything.

On one of my last entries i have tried "Evaluation". I remembered about this technique just at the end of writing, and on reading back over what i had written, I ended up adding a number of useful points. These additions were related to my daily to do list and how i was managing it. The learnings i made really helped me realise the adaptations that would be of most benefit to adopt, to improve the system i was employing to get the most out of the next day.

I don't really want to try "Graphs, charts & diagrams" as i don't think that it will work or help me. Saying this though i have just started using colour coding on my daily planner to more easily see where I'm spending my time. In a few weeks i will be able to go back and review the number of hours spent on work (earning money), fun activities, BAPP and my business etc. Perhaps this, when combined with my journal, I'll be able to see the recipe of the above that make me feel most productive, happy or otherwise. I do use charted information to motivate and monitor my fitness, business stats and budget monthly money. So in actual fact, after thinking, and writing about it, I have just convinced myself that maybe this method could be of some use.

I have not used the "What if?" technique. After reading through Jo Bradley's Blog I got the idea of using my journal pre-emptivley. I can use the "What if?" to predictively reflect, and thereby form insights, on events i am about to have (I'm sure that this will have a name which i will discover as i further read up on this subject) before they happen. Although you cannot predict future events, having clearer objectives and given reflective thought to those you know about, will most likely mean that you will be able to get more out of the experience and be in a more resourceful/tuned in state for those that are unexpected.

I am intrigued by the "Another view" as I'm sure it will be an interesting exercise, if not a little challenging, and I look forward (dread) to finding out the results. I shall try this one tonight.

The suggestion I am most reluctant to try (but i will anyway) is the "List" approach. I spend every minute of every day following lists (never ending lists) and i am concerned what effect this will have on my, newly forming and fragile, free creative and reflective self. Also what will be the outcome if it is merely a list of thoughts, suggesting that it will be nothing more than a series of un-answered questions or noticing. Again I have just answered my own question. I have just realised that it is likely to be in the reviewing of the Journal, and its many different types of writings that the connections will be made.

I'm glad I did not let myself be closed minded towards these technique as they could, on "reflection" (check me out reflecting), turn out to be very useful tools.

You can't see the wood for the trees. 
By capturing these thoughts, yes, i may make some connections and learn about myself whilst doing it, but it is much more likely to be in the overview of all the entries that proves most helpful.  Consistency of journaling and time will at some point afford me the ability to step back and see the overall/whole picture that will make sense and hopefully see the answers I'm looking for - as clearly as when the camera zooms out from Rolf Harris's seemingly random brush strokes to reveal the whole painting and therefore its subject.

Common Theme?
The common theme that i keep coming back to suggests that I can, despite feeling that i am very open to new ideas, be quite resistant to new ways of doing things. I know that having conviction in your decisions is important to success, but there is a line i was not aware of before, that crosses into being more of a hinderance, than a helpful character trait.

Final thoughts.
Interesting how the very writing of this Blog is actually acting as my Journal and helping me reflect - ask questions, challenge my current thinking/ ideas and connect the dots.

However there has been no "How can i apply or how have i applied this to my own practices" certainly none that i am aware of. I will be asking my self this question at the end of each Journal writing session from now on to see if i am able to tap into this untrained section of my task orientated brain.

I am still struggling to dig down into my thoughts to ask what does this mean and how can i use it. To be honest i did not really know that that is what we should be doing until reading for the 12th time the module handbook. Maybe now i have identified that i am missing something (and that i can at times be a bit closed minded) i can start to look for it (and stop doing it).

Stay safe - Phil