First day back to work after the holidays. It being a new year meant updating my daily journal template. I use Noteshelf 3 on my iPad to take all of my notes. There are many alternatives, this is the one that feels right for me.

My template uses a three column layout. In the left hand column, I have a set of a few questions I ask myself in the morning to get myself centered. The right hand column are for details and questions that I address at the end of the day. I leave most of the center open for notes.

2023 Daily Journal Template

To start my day I take the question I thought of the day before and put it in the top left of the page. Often I have already a kernel of an answer after sleeping on it. I then take a moment to focus on gratitude (not everyone’s cup of tea, but important for my mental well being). Next I outline what a good day would look like. I try to really look for a positive outcome, but often just settle for a non-crappy one. Then I outline the one thing I need to get done for the day. It’s too easy for me to get caught up in the moment to moment issues, this makes it easy for me to see at a glance what I’ve decided must be done.

At the end of the day I take time to capture my accomplishments, as it’s important to recognize progress. Then I take stock of my feelings. Often there is something reoccuring that can only be noticed if you write it down and see it repeated. Then I document the things I read, and I read a lot. And, as a balance to the how to make things great I have how it could have been better.

I try to document three good decisions. It’s important as a person in a leadership position to be making good decision. This doesn’t mean they have to come completely from you. Often, good decisions come from hearing what others are trying to tell you. This is a chance for me to review my actions and make sure I’m on the right track. If I identify anything here that needs to be fixed, it’s easier to address it the next day, rather than days/weeks/months later.

Finally, I set out the question that needs to be answered.

I don’t follow this religiously, but I’ve found that these sets of questions, regularly observed, help me stay on track. What do you do for taking notes? What questions do you regularly ask yourself?

A PDF template can be downloaded here.