Improve Your Creativity and Leadership Skills through Journaling

Do you devote time to getting to know yourself truly? One of the first critical aspects that creativity and leadership have in common is that they stem from self-knowledge. Being aware of your competencies, abilities, and areas of improvement will help you detect obstacles and prepare for them. That, in turn, will make you more resilient and allow you to lead an integrated life:

So, how does one know oneself? According to Bill George, self-awareness “is the foundation of authenticity. It’s the ability to see yourself clearly, recognize and understand your moods, emotions, and drives, as well as your impact on others.” That way, you can find your sweet spot, the intersection of your intrinsic motivations and strengths. Being here inspires us to do great things and gives us confidence in our ability to accomplish them. 

We are all human, so we have weaknesses and make mistakes. John Whitmore said, “Coaching focuses on future possibilities, not past mistakes.” Yet, reflection and introspection are highly valued in life; that’s how the decision to become a leader is made (remember: leadership is a decision; leaders are made).

Today, to get to know yourself better, I will share how you can improve your creativity and leadership skills through journaling. I highly recommend you complete the three creative morning rituals I have shared to try this out. 

So, you’ve done your morning fun thing (was it dancing this time?), then you’ve meditated a bit, and now you’re sitting with your not-so-brand-new notepad, this post, and a pen (what color is it? Do you like it?). Now, let’s get to it!

First, swat the creativity mosquitoes away.

After meditation, are there still some intrusive ideas, to-dos, or thoughts flying around your brain? Instead of repressing them, jot them down quickly so you know what they are, why they are worrying you, or simply on your mind. There. Solved. You’ll deal with that later. Hopefully, That will soothe your brain and will be a good start towards clearing your mind. 

A (work) week to self-knowledge*

Now, for each working day of a week, choose one of these journaling prompts and devote a few minutes to it:

Monday - Mental Framework

What personal story do you tell yourself? Please write it down.

Now, analyze: What elements are central to my story? How does that story help or hinder me? Through introspection and feedback, I will change or potentiate these elements or perceptions (write them down) to improve my self-awareness.

Tuesday - Personal compass

My main strengths and weaknesses are__________. They can help me become a better leader by____________. They can help me be more creative by __________.

My main values are____________. They can help me become a better leader by____________. They can help me be more creative by __________.

Wednesday - Evolution

When I was a child, my favorite activity was___________ because it brought me __________. Today, my main motivations are___________. Looking at the future, how can I find my sweet spot, the intersection between my intrinsic motivations and strengths?

Thursday - My people

Who’s on my team? Who can I count on for guidance and support in my journey? Who needs help around me? How can I help them in return? Which baby steps can I start making to empower others and significantly impact the world?

Yes, write it down.

Friday - The real me

How can I live a more integrated life? How can I be the most authentic person I can be? Look at the flower illustration above and list several points of view: intellectual, emotional, physical, relational, spiritual, financial… 

Try it out for a week and see how you feel. Did you have any key findings? Can you give yourself some feedback through these journaling exercises? What have you discovered about your creativity and leadership? Which new paths are opening up that you hadn’t considered before? 

Think about all these questions over the weekend. Or of course, you can always share them with me in the comments, I would love to hear from your discoveries in your path to a more creative, authentic you.

*Source: Adapted from Discover Your True North Fieldbook by Bill George, Nick Craig, and Scott Nook