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The MAIN THING Journal

 

Over the years, I’ve realized that keeping the “Main Thing” at the forefront is hard! However, it's essential for not only getting the right things done but for finding fulfillment in the journey. I often looked for quick and straightforward tracking tools that would help bring clarity to complex priorities and sharpen my focus on the core purpose behind each goal.

Let me introduce you to my attempt at keeping life’s essentials in focus: The MAIN Thing Journal. This journal is designed to be easily portable. It's quick and easy to fill out, so you can keep it with you and build a habit around recording the things that matter most. Whether you prefer a larger volume for ease in a more comprehensive check-in or the quarterly size for convenience and portability, The MAIN Thing Journal has you covered!

 

I've thought about a digital journal, and I may eventually get there, but for me, the issue hasn’t been the format—it’s been establishing a routine of recording and monitoring the important things in my life. That’s where The MAIN Thing Journal comes in. 

 

Each day, it offers prompts designed to focus your attention on the MAIN THINGS that keep you on track:

• Main Thought of the Day: Capture the central idea or intention guiding your day.
• Favorite Thing That Happened Today: Reflect on the highlight of your day.
• The Thing I'm Most Grateful For Today: Gratitude; just note what you're most thankful for today.
• Tomorrow Will Be a Good Day If: Tomorrow's goal; identify what would make tomorrow a good day.

 

 

Additionally, the journal provides a simple way to track your mood upon waking and before sleeping, with options like Happy, Sad, Angry, Neutral, Tired, or a custom entry.

 

Beyond daily reflections, The MAIN Thing Journal includes a list of metrics to monitor various aspects of your well-being. You can choose to track some items daily and others occasionally, using them as reference points. For example, while I don't measure my waist daily, comparing last month's measurement to today's can indicate whether I should review my eating or excercise habits.

 

Here are the items included, along with ideas for entries:

• Active Minutes: How long were you active today? What activities did you engage in? Did you sweat or elevate your heart rate?
• Ate Well: Did you adhere to your dietary goals? What went right or wrong? Did you enjoy your meals?
• Encouraging Words: Did you give or receive any? What were they? Who was involved? Do you feel encouraged? Who might need your encouragement?
• Hours of Sleep: How many hours did you sleep? What was the quality? What were your bedtime and wake-up times? Did you go to bed 'on time'? Was it restful?
• Learned Something New: Did you acquire new knowledge or skills? Did you read or watch a video? Are you taking a class? What did you learn?
• Meaningful Touch: Did you give or receive any? What was it? Who was involved? Is this your "love language"?
• Meditated/Prayed: Did you engage in meditation or prayer? Was it meaningful? Were you focused or distracted? Did you forget? Was it guided, a reading, or free-form?
• Met with Friends: Did you connect with friends? Who were they? Was it meaningful? Was it planned or spontaneous? Did you enjoy the time? Was it refreshing?
• Screen Time: How much time did you spend on screens? Was it for work, recreation, or both? What was the mix?
• Standing Hours: How long did you stand today compared to sitting? Any pains or discomfort?
• Steps Taken: Do you have a pedometer? How many steps did you take? Were they running or walking steps?
• Time Spent Outdoors: How long were you outside today? Was it for deliberate exercise, fresh air, yard work, or another purpose?
• Took Your Meds: Did you take your medication? Yes, No, or N/A? Do you need a reminder? Are you taking all of it?
• Waist: What is your waist measurement? Are you tracking it?
• Water Intake: Did you consume enough water? Yes, No, or volume of water consumed? What about other beverages?
• Weight: What is your current weight? Are you monitoring it? Are you trying to gain, lose, or maintain your weight?

 

To track physical conditions such as aches, pains, migraines, injuries, or muscle groups targeted during workouts, the journal includes images of generic bodies. You can mark these with circles, Xs, arrows, lines, or notes to create a reference point. For instance, you might note, "That's when I sprained my ankle," "These were 'leg days' at the gym," or "I had headaches in this part of my head on these days."

 

If you believe The MAIN Thing Journal could be beneficial for you or someone you know (with the holiday season approaching), you can purchase a single quarter or a full year on Amazon. I'll keep www.tmtJournal.com updated with links to the latest editions. (Amazon Links and PDF) It's available in quarterly and semi-annual editions.

 

Your feedback is invaluable. If you have ideas to enhance the journal's usefulness, please share them—candid feedback is always appreciated!