Intentional Action Solution Building

How You Journal Is Up to You

July 7, 2025July 5, 2025 by Mark Eastman

Here’s How I Do It

Over the past few weeks, we’ve talked about what it means to journal and why so few people do it. One of the things I’ve concluded is that guys see journaling more like a diary. Keeping a diary seems more like something a girl would do … not very manly. At least that’s how I used to feel about it. But not anymore.

Now I see my daily routine of journaling as one of the most productive things I do.

It should be less about whether you call it a journal, a planner, or a diary and more about the benefits it provides. It can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. It can be typed on a computer or written on paper.

Some of the benefits:

Process thoughts
Gain clarity
Reflect on experiences
Learn from mistakes
Celebrate successes

There isn’t one process that’s better than the others. It’s about what works best for you. It’s about doing it rather than avoiding it. It’s about starting.

So, where should you start?

I recommend starting simple. Like I said in the earlier post, my journaling started with the Not a Fan study in September of 2013. It was a simple process: a morning quote or verse, a suggestion or question to think on, something at noon to keep me focused, and a space in the evening to reflect. That was it. Nothing deep or profound, just a tool to help me think through my day.

Then after the study was over, I took that simple layout and started my own journal in October of 2013. It consisted of: morning thoughts to get clear on the day ahead, a mid-day pause to refocus, and an evening reflection to look back.

In January of 2016, I added some additional things to my journal. This was in part based on Donald Miller’s “Storyline Productivity Schedule”. It was also just a part of my personal growth. I started tracking a “Life Theme” as I worked to figure out who I was and who I wanted to be. I included a “Scripture of the Day”, started calling my morning thoughts “Revelations”, and added practical stuff like my appointments, projects, and tasks.

Then, in January of 2017, I moved some things around again. I started reading Andy Andrews’ The Traveler’s Gift, and his Seven Decisions became a daily part of my daily routine. I added them to my journal and focused on how those ideas could shape the way I lived each day. I also started asking myself questions at night like, “What did I learn today?” and “What am I going to do with what I learned?”—not just what happened, but what it meant.

Midway through that year, I made some more changes. I changed “Life Theme” to “Life Mission”. I moved the “Scripture of the Day” from the beginning of the day to the middle to give me a second moment daily with God’s Word. And I started reading The Seven Decisions again at the end of the day, not just the beginning.

The next change came in November of 2021 from an Andy Andrews video course about The Seven Decisions. At first, I started the day by writing five things I was grateful for. Later on, in February of 2022, I moved it to the end of the day.

Most recently in January of 2024, I added a “Word of the Year”. This was something our pastor shared with us. She included a related theme and Scripture as part of her “Word of the Year”. So, I did the same.

This brings me to the daily journal that I currently use and it’s probably not the last one. Journaling is like life, we are continually learning and changing. But for now, here’s what my current journal includes:

Life Mission – this was more focused on who God had made me and what my mission in life is
Word for the Year – as randomly drawn from a basket at church
Scripture for the Year – a Scripture that supports the word
Theme for the Year – a quote or say that supports the word
Seven Decisions – link to the reading page – day number – title of the decision
Morning Revelation –
Looking forward today I will – a more precise focus for the day
Things I get to enjoy today – looking forward to the day in a positive perspective
Scripture of the Day – using the YouVersion Bible verse of the day
Mid-day reminder – a mid-day pause to get recentered
Seven Decisions – link to the reading page – day number – title of the decision
Evening reflection – reviewing my day and what stood out to me
Things I did well today –
What did I learn –
What am I going to do with what I learned –
If I could live today over again I would – a way to give myself grace for the things not done, shift my focus from work and worry and reset my mind for the next day
5 things I’m grateful for –

My sharing all this is to show you that YOU TOO CAN JOURNAL.

Start with something simple and build on it. Add new things, remove ones that aren’t beneficial, move things around. This is about helping you to be the best version of yourself. To build on your strengths and work on your weaknesses.

It’s a place to sort through your thoughts and get them aligned and ready to go through the day. Looking back to see what you did well and where you need to do better.

It’s all about building the best version of yourself!

If you would like some help getting started, we are working on a journal template that could be done on your computer or printed and put in a binder. We’re also working on a physical quarterly version. We’ll keep you posted when they’re ready to go. In the meantime, if you would like to get started, set up a free 30-minute meeting and we would be happy to help you.

Wouldn’t You Like To Get More Done?

March 24, 2025March 22, 2025 by Mark Eastman

A Daily Routine Can Help You

Over the past several weeks we’ve been going through the Hero on a Mission online course. This is one of the courses offered by Business Made Simple University designed by Donald Miller. These online courses are great for helping small businesses.

I’ve taken this course before, but to reinforce my business, I’ve gone through it again as a refresher. The Hero on a Mission course shows the importance of having a life plan and incorporating it into your daily routine.

Routines are regular procedures, chores, or duties done at specific intervals. We are creatures of habit and routines will happen to some degree (even if they are unplanned). The key is to not let your routines be unproductive or random.

A routine requires intentional action.

Too many people live their lives mired in regret. They leave things up to fate, wondering why their life feels so meaningless. We shouldn’t give fate control over our lives.

Having a life plan and routine for implementing that plan is how you can take control. An intentional, daily routine will help you focus and stay on track.

A routine can be as simple or as detailed as you want it to be. We’re all different and what works for one person may not work for another.

I’m a detailed person and I like having control, so my routine is a little too intense for some people. My routine is broken into three parts: morning, midday, and evening. The morning actions help me get a clear plan and focus for the day on the things that are the most important to me. The midday portion is a break from the chaos and a recentering. The evening is an opportunity to look back at the day and review.

I use a combination of an Outlook calendar and OneNote action lists for my daily routine.

My daily routine overview:

Morning routine – I start my day with making a pot of coffee and taking a shower to wake up. Then I read my Bible, have prayer time, read the Traveler’s Gift Daily Decision, journal, pack my lunch, review the plans for the day, check emails. Then I review the day’s action list, my calendar, and the action lists for business planning, administration, finances, production, sales, and marketing.

Midday routine – This routine is shorter. It involves eating lunch, watching or listening to something educational, reviewing the Scripture of the day, and journaling.

Evening routine – I review the weekly action plan, the day’s action list, the calendar, and the action lists for business planning, administration, finances, production, sales, and marketing. I read the Traveler’s Gift Daily Decision, check my emails, journal, and pray.

This is a brief overview of my routine. Next week, I’ll break it down into more detail, the tools I use, and how I use them.

Do you have a daily routine?

Whether you’re looking to improve yours…

or would like to create one…

I can help.

Set up a free 30-minute consultation and let’s get started building your daily routine.

You Have More Control Than You Think

March 3, 2025March 1, 2025 by Mark Eastman

It’s Up to You to Take Control

We like being in control of our lives, but most people feel like they aren’t. I contend that we all have more control than we think we do.

Control doesn’t mean you control everything that happens. It means you confidently move forward with your goals and priorities, understanding that there are things that happen that are beyond your control.

This means that you are clear about who you are and what you want. It requires you to take intentional action.

You have the superpower of choice, but you have to use it.

This control starts with being aware that this is possible and understanding what it is and how to get it. Then you have to decide you want control and take intentional action to get it.

Here are 11 small intentional actions that will help you get control:

Clarify your core values and beliefs – Chasing other people’s dreams will pull you in a million different directions. Taking control of your life requires you to be clear on what you want.

Identify internal vs. external motivations – Internal motivators come from within – those dreams that fill you with passion and purpose. They’re determined by your own values and goals. External motivators come from outside of yourself. They refer to the goals and expectations set by your parents, partners, friends, or community. They can also be standards set by society that you feel pressure to live up to.

Create a vision – Visualization fills your mind with a picture of what you want your life to become.

Believe that you can: Overcome limiting beliefs – Most people have an internal dialogue. Many times, this thinking comes from an earlier part of your life. It’s that voice of a parent who didn’t give you enough praise, or that kid in school who was always waiting for you to mess up.

Take personal responsibility – Regaining control of your life means finding the balance between what you can and cannot control and taking responsibility for the things you are responsible for.

Let go of what you can’t control – God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I can’t change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.

Respond instead of reacting – You can’t control everything. But you can control how you respond. Don’t react to situations without thinking first.

Unpack emotional triggers – Self-awareness will help you manage your emotional reactions. When you know your fears and identify situations that make you feel anxious you will be better prepared to control them.

Make a plan of action – Many people get stuck talking about their dreams and never do anything about them. Often we’re waiting to feel inspired. The truth is, inspiration comes through action.

Implement a daily routine – Daily planning helps you get and stay focused on what matters to you the most. It helps keep you on track, removing opportunities for getting caught up in unimportant tasks.

Know when to take a break – Control doesn’t mean cramming in as many tasks as possible in one day. You need to create a balance that works for you.

Implementing these eleven things will help you take control of your life and business.

It’s up to you to take control!

Over the past few months, I’ve written a lot about taking control of your life and business. Here are some of those posts: