After so many years of reading, doing and guiding people in personal growth exercises, my journaling methods evolved organically to include some of the most effective ones.

Whenever I’m feeling down, I know I can now quickly change my state by breaking out my journal and following these simple steps.

1. Release The Negative Emotions.

Open the floodgates. If you need to bitch, just let it rip. Write about what you’re feeling and why you’re feeling this way.

2. Focus On What You Want Instead.

After you’ve let go of the negative, it’s time to focus on the positive. What do you want instead for your life? How would you rather feel, what would you rather want to have?

3. Imagine What Wild Success Would Look Like.

Now, just let yourself dream and dream big. Think about your life 3 years in the future and imagine you’ve just had your best years yet. Write down what wild success would look like. What would your finances be like, your relationships, how would you be feeling daily, what would you be doing?

4. Remember How Great Things Already Are.

And finally, end your journaling session with a closing paragraph of gratitude. You know what you want for the future and you’re focused, now what are the dreams you’re already living and the treasures you already have?

The next time you find yourself caught up in a blue funk, simply break out your journal, a paper and pen or a new document on your PC and follow these 4 simple steps to re-energize yourself.

Photo by netjer-lelahell.

P.S. For more on positive journaling, read Christine Kane’s Gratitude Journals and Why They Work.

For the uninitiated, a vision board is a poster with images of what you want to have, do and be in your life. The idea behind this is the same as putting your goals, tasks and intentions in a place where you see them everyday; you make it easier to attract these things into your life.

It was easier and more fun than I thought. I bought a cheap board from Ikea, a few magazines, printed some inspiring photos, got it done and now it’s hanging in front of my desk.

You’ll see a Macbook, a symbolic photo of gold bars, very healthy salads, nice shoes, a buff physique, a beautiful room, an inspirational Al Gore, my lovely girlfriend, me at the center of it all…and yes, that iPhone.

How I Attracted an iPhone into My Life (Sort of)

If you’re reading this from the US or Europe, the iPhone hasn’t been officially launched in Asia yet. The official word from Apple is that it’ll be here in 2008, which could be a long wait yet since we don’t know exactly when in 2008. But I think it’s absolutely gorgeous – how could anyone not want one?

The wild thing was that 2 nights after I put my board up with my iPhone picture on it, I bumped into someone on the train – using an iPhone! I started a chat with her and found out that she and a group of her friends have all been using the iPhone, she even gave me a shop to check out where they were selling iPhones.

I promptly went to the shop (it’s on the 5th floor of Funan Shopping Mall) to have a look at the iPhone. Not only did I see it, I also got to hold it. And after that, as I was meeting a friend for dinner – I saw another iPhone at another shop we walked past!

It was iPhone mania!

How to Create Your Own Vision Board

Now, maybe you don’t want an iPhone – I wouldn’t too right now because I’d rather wait for the official release, but it was a very interesting experience of the vision board for me.

To create your own vision board and attract your own ‘iPhone’ – something you want to have, do or be in your life – Christine Kane has written a great guide on how to make a vision board.

She also shares how she envisioned a house into her life in Vision Boards: A Quick Story. And to help you get started, check out these beautiful vision boards from her workshops.

Vision Boards – An Inspirational Gallery

Vision Boards – Another Inspirational Gallery