Here are Maritoni’s four main benefits of using a physical journal:
1. Improvement of information retention and speed.
“Week after week, you’ll notice that your physical journal helps you meet your goals, meetings, and deadlines. In fact, physical journals allow you to add more like drawings, highlights and sticky notes that can help the information stand out,” says Maritoni.
Scientists at the University of Tokyo revealed that the act of writing by hand on physical paper, with its distinct, complex, spatial and tactile elements, is likely responsible for improving memory. Despite the common belief that digital devices increase productivity, study participants with paper completed the note-taking task about 25% faster compared to those using digital tablets or smartphones.1.
2. Stay focused on the information you need.
Maritoni highlights the benefits of physical journals: “Your physical journal can help you avoid distractions and get the information you need right away. Unlike digital devices, which can distract you with alerts, social media notifications or news feed scrolling, physical newspapers help you stay focused.”
Research by UK telecoms regulator Ofcom reported that people check their smartphones on average every 12 minutes during their waking hours, with 71% saying they never turn off their phones and 40% said they check them within five minutes of waking up.2.
3. Effective goal setting.
A physical journal is an incredibly effective tool for planning, prioritizing and setting goals.
“I always enjoy physically writing in my journal, and I get so much satisfaction from checking and checking things off my list when the tasks are completed,” says Maritoni.
One study found that those who vividly described or represented their goals by writing them down were 1.2 to 1.4 times more likely to achieve them than those who did not.3.
4. Ease your mind by writing down upcoming or pending tasks.
“Writing is a well-known method of relieving stress and anxiety. If your mind ever feels cluttered, write down all your thoughts and ideas to give them structure and organization. You’ll feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders when you put pen to paper,” says Maritoni.
Writing in a journal or journal is commonly used to express thoughts and emotions, helping to reduce stress and anxiety. This practice can be applied to your work schedule by writing down all appointments, meetings and reminders. If you take a look at your week, you can tackle each day one at a time.
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