Journaling at work: Grow ideas, unleash creativity and boost productivity

By Stephanie Lamie

Journaling is a fantastic way for your staff to unwind and foster inspiration. It’s a form of self-care. And it can help your team grow personally and professionally. Journaling positively impacts long-term memory opens in new window, creativity, focus and understanding of unfamiliar concepts. If you’re looking for ways to encourage your team to journal so they can reap all the wonderful benefits, we offer ideas.

Jot down thoughts

Jotting down everything in your mind, without censoring your thoughts, first thing in the morning improves clarity and helps unleash creativity opens in new window. Encourage your staff to take five to 15 minutes in the morning to journal the thoughts swirling in their brain. Documenting these thoughts before associates come to work is ideal, as it helps them start the day out right. Remind your team not to edit their journals. The goal is to “brain dump” on paper. Give each staff member a hardcover Modena^® Journal Book and Verve Ink Pen to encourage daily journaling. After a month or two of writing down their thoughts, ask staff to share some of what they’ve discovered. You may be surprised by all the new ideas your team generates by letting their thoughts flow freely onto paper.

Start a gratitude journal

Gratitude journals are used to document things you’re thankful for. Being grateful has emotional, social and career benefits. Gratitude can increase happiness, improve decision-making and help people find meaning in their work opens in new window. Help your staff make the most of gratitude journaling with these tips:

• Be specific about what you’re grateful for (ex. “Amy helped me brainstorm a new headline” vs. “A coworker collaborated with me”).
• Include what you’re grateful for at and outside of work.
• Make gratitude journaling a weekly, if not daily, habit.
• Write about happy, unexpected surprises.

The eye-catching Lucca Bound Journal Book with Pen has a unique colorblock faux-leather and cork cover. Give one to each new staff member and let them know you’re grateful to have them on the team. A Linen Hardcover Journal Set is another attractive option. Hand these out to employees as a Thanksgiving gift and encourage them to document their gratitude this season and beyond.

Journal during down time

Encourage staff to take advantage of down time at work to journal. With a soft leatherette interior, the Sutton Journal Padfolio is a classy gift to inspire work journaling. An Americana Leather-Wrapped Journal is a unique-looking journal that your staff will love opening. Promote creative thinking with a prize drawing for the best process improvement, customer service idea or productivity tool discovery. Reward the team member who comes up with the best idea with a Moleskine^® Smart Writing Set.

Create a productivity journal

Some journals can be designated just for reaching goals and being more productive. To do this, encourage staff to start by analyzing themselves. Ask them to answer questions like, “What time of day am I most and least productive?” “What makes me feel refreshed?” “What mentally drains me?” Give staff a Corded Paperboard Journal with Pen or Recycled Spiral Journal with Pen to record their answers. Knowing yourself better is the first step toward increasing your productivity.

Once staff members complete their personal analysis, have them document quarterly goals as well as steps they can take to accomplish those goals. Remind staff to keep track of their progress and setbacks so they have a better picture of what works and what doesn’t. Employees can also jot down inspirational quotes and thoughts that motivate them to be more productive.

Draw and doodle

Journals aren’t limited just to writing. A visual journal is a place to doodle and draw. If you have employees who prefer drawing to writing, make their day with a Silver Blossom Notebook Set. Encourage staff to take out their visual journal anytime they’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed—or when they just want some creative inspiration. Drawing can help reduce stress and increase mindfulness opens in new window. A Colored Pencil 10-Pack can add color and vibrancy to employees’ visual journals. Looking for a unique doodle book? Check out the Griffon Notebook with Neon Gel Pen. The black pages and neon pens will really bring out their creative side.

Benefits that start “write” now

By encouraging staff to journal at work, everyone benefits “write” away. Gratitude journals, productivity journals and visual journals make journaling perfect for multiple situations. Enjoy!

Stephanie Lamie

Stephanie Lamie is a senior merchandising category manager who has been with 4imprint for 28 years, including 21 years in her current role. She oversees several product categories, with her largest areas of focus being writing instruments and tradeshow displays. Stephanie enjoys discovering new products, tracking industry and retail trends, partnering with suppliers and learning more about sustainability. She began her 4imprint career as an expediter before moving into sales, claims and corporate programs—experience that gives her a broad understanding of the business. As an expert in all things pens, she uses her deep knowledge of 4imprint’s departments and customer needs to bring the very best writing utensils and tradeshow products to the market.

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