The Tiny Tweak to Create Momentum

Let’s talk about journaling. 

I know what you may be thinking. I, myself, have had an on-again, off-again relationship with it for years. “Naval gazing” isn't something I particularly enjoy.

The idea of sitting down with a blank page and a pen may feel intimidating or unnecessary. Most of us hear the word “journaling” and think, “I don’t have time for that”, or “I wouldn’t even know what to write.”

I get it. Sitting with your thoughts can be uncomfortable and feel counterproductive. But…

Let me give you a real example.⬇️

I’ve had a big deadline looming. One I was genuinely excited about. The work itself was interesting, meaningful, and aligned with what I love to do.

And yet, I watched the date creep closer on the calendar while I avoided actually starting. I thought about it constantly. I brainstormed five different ways I could begin. And then I didn’t begin at all.

Eventually, something I was excited about turned into something I dreaded, all because I waited too long to engage.

When I finally sat down and journaled about it, I realized what was really happening. I wasn’t lazy. I wasn’t disorganized. I was afraid.

😣 Afraid of not living up to my own expectations. 

😣 Afraid of letting people down. 

😣 Afraid it wouldn’t be as good as I wanted it to be.

Once I wrote that fear down, something shifted. I could see it for what it was. Pure emotion, not logic.

My past performance told a very different story. I’ve done this kind of work before. I enjoy it and I'm actually good at it. The fear didn’t disappear, but it lost its grip once it was out in the open.

There are certain things I just can’t fully understand unless I take them out of my head and put them on paper. Once they’re tangible, I can analyze them, and share them with someone I trust. Then I can figure out how to move forward.

I’m not trying to play therapist here. And this isn’t about overanalyzing every emotion. Think of journaling as good mental hygiene. A way to untangle your thoughts so you can think more clearly, make better decisions, and stop getting hijacked by noise that isn’t actually relevant.

That’s why journaling shows up throughout my work. It’s one of the simplest ways I know to engineer a breakthrough, because it helps you identify what you actually need to break up with before you can move forward.

🤏TINY TWEEK Challenge

⏱️ Set a timer for five minutes.

🖊️ Write about one thing you’re avoiding right now and why.

🚫 Don’t solve it. Don’t judge it. Just name it.