Catch All Journal

I've used a Catch All Journal for ages. Its an excellent way to keep random thoughts and ideas from cluttering up your brain...or from losing those inspiring thoughts in the chaos. Kept with you 24/7, its an amazing way of clearing your brain and allowing you to think better. Who hasn't had that wonderful idea for a story, or a business, or just something one didn't want to forget? In my catch all journal, I can find recipes, notes to self, phone numbers, story ideas, article ideas...the list just continues. It has become an extension of my brain. I grab it whenever I need to think something through, want to write something down, or need to clear out some head room.

You can create a catch all journal out of any notebook you have around the house. Personally I like them no bigger then about 5x8, so that you can carry it with you in a briefcase or purse. The idea is to keep it around all the time. You can get some good sized journals at Creative Journals (also comes in blank if you hate lines) or check out Brooke Noel's line of notebooks. There are hundreds of other ones out there as well. But don't feel as if you have to buy a brand new notebook for this. Use whatever you have available first. The only things I recommend is a size you can carry around with you at all times, and spiral bound. Trust me on the spiral bound, it will save you a ton of hassel. Anything else is your own personal preference.

Once you have the notebook you will be using, take out any pre-written on paper. Recycle it or file it, depending on what was on it. Then you are ready to start! The catch all journal doesn't have to be fancy, or immaculate, or set up a certain way. No need for catagories, tabs etc, unless you really want them. Its an extension of your brain, no one else's. I like pretty colors, so I use highlighters for different things so I can easily find them. This is one thing I give you full permission to make as messy as you want.

The important part of the catch all journal is that you review it fairly regularly. I glance over it nightly, to see if anything from the day sparks something, or if I vaguely remember needing to do something. Review at your convience, but do it regularly. I'd say at least once a week, so that your brain knows that the information will be at hand. It really helps keep those racing thoughts down...especially when you are trying to sleep. I find I sleep much better and go to sleep faster when I use the catch all journal, since it gets those extraneous thoughts out of my head. Try it for yourself for at least 30 days and see if it makes a difference.