Journaling for managers: Esoteric gimmick or serious self-management tool?

What it’s all about

One of the behaviours of highly successful managers is to continuously look for ways to increase their efficiency, improve their emotional intelligence and optimise their decision-making. One method that is increasingly being discussed in this context is journaling. But is it actually a serious tool for self-management, or is it an esoteric gimmick? In this article, we will examine the practice of journaling in depth to assess its potential benefits and its place in a manager’s repertoire.

What is journaling?

Journaling, the regular writing of personal thoughts and experiences, is not a new practice. It has roots dating back to ancient times and was practised by historical figures such as Marcus Aurelius and Leonardo da Vinci. While it has traditionally served as a means of self-reflection and expression of personal feelings, in recent decades it has evolved into a tool for personal and professional growth.

The general benefits

Journaling offers a variety of psychological and neurological benefits. Studies have shown that writing about personal experiences reduces stress, strengthens the immune system and improves cognitive function. These positive effects can be attributed to several mechanisms. By writing down thoughts and feelings, stressors can be more clearly identified and better managed. This leads to a reduction in anxiety and depression. Journaling supports the consolidation of memories and promotes the ability to process and store new information. It helps to reflect on experiences and learn from them. Writing down problems and challenges in a structured way creates clarity and promotes the development of creative solutions.

The benefits for managers

The practice of journaling can benefit managers in various ways. Journaling allows for deeper self-reflection, which helps managers to better understand their own strengths and weaknesses. This supports personal growth and the development of an authentic leadership identity. By writing down goals and regularly reflecting on progress, leaders can define their vision more clearly and pursue it more effectively. Writing down considerations and options facilitates decision-making by supporting a structured thought process and uncovering unconscious biases. Regular writing improves communication skills as it trains the clear and concise expression of thoughts and ideas. This facet is particularly important for managers who need to convey complex information in an understandable way.

But…

Despite the numerous benefits, there are also those who criticise journaling as potentially ineffective or even counterproductive. For example, it is argued that regular writing is time-consuming and distracts from other important tasks. Managers must therefore weigh up whether the benefits justify the time required. However, there is also the danger that managers use journaling to lose themselves in a comfortable bubble of self-reflection without actually tackling any changes. It therefore requires discipline and self-criticism to truly and sustainably benefit from this practice.

The implementation

To overcome the above challenges and realise the full potential of journaling, managers should follow a few best practices. A fixed writing ritual, be it daily or weekly, helps to establish the habit of journaling. A structured approach, such as answering specific questions or following up on certain topics, makes the process more efficient. A variety of analogue and digital media now exist for this purpose.
Journaling is intended as a safe space in which managers can write honestly and without self-censorship. This openness is crucial for self-reflection and personal growth. Simply writing down thoughts is not enough. Managers must therefore regularly self-critically review their entries and derive concrete measures to bring about positive change.

Conclusion

To summarise, it can be said that journaling is far more than an esoteric gimmick. It offers leaders a range of psychological, cognitive and practical benefits that can improve their self-reflection, goal tracking and decision making. However, as with any tool, the benefits depend heavily on the way it is used. With the right approach and discipline, journaling can become a powerful tool in any leader’s self-management arsenal.