https://lestallion.com/collections/journal-notebook-for-productivity
Feel like your brain has too many tabs open? That overwhelmed sensation of mental chaos is a modern epidemic, but the solution might be simpler than you think. Journaling—often dismissed as merely touchy-feely—emerges as a powerful, science-backed productivity tool that can transform how you manage your workload, goals, and mental space.
Through our exploration of productivity journaling, we uncover how the physical act of writing engages different neural pathways than typing, leading to deeper processing and better retention of information. The "brain dump" technique becomes a revelation for those struggling with mental overload—by externalizing your thoughts, worries, and ideas onto paper, you gain immediate relief and the ability to analyze, prioritize, and act with newfound clarity.
Goal-setting receives a revolutionary makeover through intentional journaling. Vague aspirations transform into specific, time-bound objectives that dramatically increase your likelihood of achievement. We share practical strategies for breaking goals into different timeframes and creating visual roadmaps that keep you accountable and motivated. The numbered pages and organizational features of quality journals become powerful tools for tracking progress and celebrating milestones along the way.
Perhaps most surprising is how the supposed "slowness" of physical journaling becomes its greatest strength. In our notification-saturated world, the mindful practice of putting pen to paper creates a rare opportunity to disconnect from digital distractions and engage in deeper thinking. Even digital natives and efficiency-obsessed professionals discover that this analog practice enhances focus, sparks creativity, and provides a grounding, satisfying counterbalance to screen-dominated work. Journal now to unlock your productivity potential and discover that sometimes the most effective tools have been with us all along.
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LeStallion offers premium PU leather journal notebooks for writing, dedicated to all those who are pursuing their dreams and goals, or nurturing their personal development and mental health.
For More Info on LeStallion, check out:
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
OK, so have you ever like felt that thing where your
brain is just like it's a webbrowser with like a zillion tabs
open and they're all likeflashing urgent at you at the
same time?
Speaker 2 (00:10):
I yeah, I definitely know that feeling.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
I swear, the other day I almost put coffee in my
cereal bowl while I was tryingto like answer emails and find
matching socks.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Oh, that's multitasking mayhem for sure.
A modern day epidemic.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Oh my gosh.
Yes, and it got me thinking.
You know, we're always lookingfor that productivity hack, that
magic system, right, but whatif the answer is like way
simpler than we think?
Speaker 2 (00:35):
What about?
You know?
Just good, old fashionedjournaling.
Well, you know, it's funnybecause journaling is often seen
as this kind of touchy, feelypractice.
You know, yeah, but what'sreally interesting is that it's
actually backed by science whenit comes to getting things done.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Yeah, and I've been using a listallion journal for a
while now.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
OK.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
You know those journals.
They're specifically designedfor productivity.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
And I'm finding that some of their features really
play into the benefits thatwe're going to talk about today.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
OK, I'd love to dive into that.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Could you remind us about Lestallion journals for
those listeners who might not befamiliar?
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Yeah, so they're known for their like, high
quality journals.
They come in a variety ofcolors and styles, like hard
covers and soft covers.
You know all that jazz.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
But the real magic is in the details.
So things like durable fauxleather covers like they can
handle being tossed in your bag.
Right 120 GSM paper, whichmeans that the ink doesn't bleed
through.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Oh, that's important.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
That's key for people like me who like to use all the
pens.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (01:32):
And also their price point is actually reasonable.
We're talking $19.95 to $24.95.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
Okay, that does make them accessible, then, to a
wider range of people.
Yeah, who might be a littlehesitant to invest in a pricey
journal, right.
But let's move beyond just theaesthetics.
Speaker 1 (01:49):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
How does Lestallion specifically support
productivity?
Speaker 1 (01:54):
Okay.
So picture this it's Mondaymorning and your to-do list is
longer than your weekend groceryreceipt.
You've got meetings anddeadlines and personal errands,
just like the whole shebang.
Oh, I know that feeling, andthis is where the Lestallion
table of contents becomes like alifesaver.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Ah, the humble table of contents.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
I know right.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
It's often overlooked , but incredibly useful.
Yes so how do you utilize itfor productivity?
Speaker 1 (02:21):
Okay.
So instead of having one giantto-do list that makes me want to
like hide under my desk right,I use the table of contents to
categorize.
So let's say I have sectionsfor like work projects, or
personal goals, or like errands,and maybe even like brilliant
ideas okay, you know.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
So that's a great way to break down then overwhelming
tasks into more manageablechunks right by creating those
separate sections, you'reessentially compartmentalizing
your mental workload.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
Exactly, and because each page in the Lithostelian
journal is numbered, it's supereasy to reference back to
specific entries in my table ofcontents.
This was a game changer for me,especially with like long term
projects.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Yeah, I can imagine that would be particularly
helpful for those who like torevisit their notes.
Yes, and track their progressover time.
You know, it transforms thejournal into this kind of
dynamic record of your journey.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
Totally.
I even have a friend let's callher Sarah who uses her
listallion to manage her sidehustle.
Oh, wow, and she has like awhole section in her table of
contents dedicated to it.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
With entries for like marketing ideas or financial
tracking, you name it.
And those numbered pages lether easily cross reference
different entries.
It's like her own littlebusiness bible oh, that's
amazing.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
That's such a great example of how a simple feature
like a table of contents youknow yeah combined with numbered
pages yeah can actually elevatea journal from just being this
passive note taking tool.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
Right.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
You know, to an active system for managing
complex projects.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
Yes, exactly.
And speaking of managingoverwhelm, one of the biggest
benefits of journaling forproductivity is this concept of
like a brain dump.
Have you heard of?
Speaker 2 (04:02):
that?
Oh, the brain dump, yeah yeah.
It's fascinating because it'snot just about getting things
out of your head.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
There's like a psychological benefit too.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Oh, tell me about it.
I used to try and keepeverything in my head.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
Oh no.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
Which, as you can imagine, led to many a mental
meltdown.
But then I discovered the magicof the brain dump, and
Lestallion's 211 pages reallycome in handy here.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
Wow, that's a lot of pages.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
I know it's a lot of space to just like declutter my
mind.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Right.
So for those who might be newto this idea of a brain dump,
could you explain what itactually entails?
Speaker 1 (04:36):
Yeah, it's basically like word vomit on paper.
You grab your journal and youjust write down every single
thought worry to-do item likerandom idea, anything that's
just cluttering up your mentalspace.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
And you don't censor yourself.
You don't worry about grammar,you don't have to make it sound
pretty, you just let it all out.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
There's a sense of liberation in that, isn't there.
It's like releasing all thatpent-up mental energy onto the
page.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
It is incredibly freeing.
Oh my gosh, yeah.
And once it's like out of myhead and on paper, it's like I
can finally breathe again.
You know, I remember this onetime I was working on this huge
project with like a millionmoving parts and I was so
stressed out I could barelysleep and I finally was like,
okay, I'm gonna do a brain dumpin my listallion and it was like
(05:20):
this weight lifted off myshoulders yeah, that's a great
example of how journaling can bea tool for stress management, I
think.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
Yeah, by externalizing our anxieties we
can kind of gain a sense ofperspective and control.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Exactly, and then, once you've like done the brain
dump, you can start to siftthrough it.
You can identify any patterns,prioritize tasks or even just
laugh at some of the ridiculousthings that you were worrying
about.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Yeah, it becomes a process of reflection and
analysis.
Then, yes, helping us makesense of that kind of mental
chaos.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
Totally, and this is where Lestallion's back pocket
comes in handy.
I like to like stick littlepost-it notes in there with
action items or key takeawaysfrom my brain dumps.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Oh, that's clever.
So it's not just about randomlypurging those thoughts.
It's about creating a systemfor capturing and processing
that information.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
Exactly, and that's what makes Lestallion so great
for productivity journaling.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
It's not just a pretty notebook, it's actually a
tool that's designed to supporta more organized and
intentional approach to gettingthings done.
Yeah, it's a great example ofhow the physical design of a
tool can really influence ourmental process and behaviors.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Right Now speaking of intentional approaches.
Another key benefit ofjournaling is its ability to
help with goal-setting oh,absolutely, which is?
Obviously crucial forproductivity goal-setting is
like.
It's like plotting a course ona map yeah without it, you're
just wandering aimlessly yeah,exactly, and I used to be like
the queen of vague goals youknow like be healthier, get
(06:51):
organized oh yeah but then Irealized those goals were
basically useless because theydidn't give me any concrete
actions to take.
You know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
It's the difference between wishing for something
and actually making a plan toachieve it.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
Right, and so that's where my list allying comes in.
Remember how we talked aboutusing the table of contents for
different categories?
Well, I have like a wholesection dedicated to goals.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
Oh, okay, walk us through how you structure that
section.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
So first I break down my goals into different time
frames, like I have a page formonthly goals, then quarterly
goals and then like a wholespread dedicated to my big,
audacious yearly goals.
Speaker 2 (07:28):
Oh, I like that, so that's a great way to visualize
your progress over time.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
You're not just focused on the immediate future.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
Right.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
You're creating a roadmap for, like, long-term
success.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
Exactly, and then for each goal I actually write it
down in a specific way.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
So instead of just saying something like launch my
website, I'll write launch mywebsite by July 1st with at
least five core pages and anewsletter signup.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
Oh, okay, so you're adding that specificity and a
deadline, yes, which researchactually shows increases the
likelihood of you achieving thatgoal significantly.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
It's like giving your brain a clear target to aim for
Right.
And because each page in thelistallion is numbered, it's
easy to track back to thosegoals in my table of contents
and just like see how I'mprogressing.
It's easy to track back tothose goals in my table of
contents and just like see howI'm progressing.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
That's a really clever way to leverage those
journal features.
Like to create your ownpersonalized goal tracking
system.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
I know Right, and you know what.
I think this system can workfor anyone, regardless of what
kind of journal they use.
Yeah, but for me the listallionjust adds that extra level of
like, organization and visualappeal that keeps me motivated.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
There's definitely something to be said for
aesthetics and how they caninfluence our engagement with
the tool.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Totally.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Like a beautiful, well-designed journal, can
inspire us to use it moreconsistently.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Oh, absolutely.
And speaking of consistency,that's one of the biggest
challenges people face when itcomes to journaling.
I've just gets busy and it's soeasy to let that habit slip.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
It's true, consistency is key for any habit
formation, but it can beparticularly challenging when it
comes to journaling, I think.
Speaker 1 (09:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
You know it requires carving out that dedicated time
and space for reflection.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
Right.
But that's where I think theLestallion's durability really
plays a role, Because it's madewith those high quality
materials.
It can withstand being tossedin my bag, taken to coffee shops
you name it Like it's alwaysthere for me, ready whenever
inspiration strikes.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
So it becomes like this, constant companion almost.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
A reminder to prioritize that time for
introspection and creativeexploration.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
Yes, and because it looks and feels so nice, I'm
actually more likely to pick itup and use it.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
Right.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
It's like a little treat for myself.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
There's a certain psychological effect, I think,
to using tools that we just likefind aesthetically pleasing.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
Brightly.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
It enhances our enjoyment of the task, makes us
more likely to stick with it.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
And you know what else I've found helpful.
For staying consistent,lestallion actually has a
companion app.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
Oh really.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
I know it's not like super fancy, but it lets you set
reminders to journal and trackyour progress.
You can even store photos orvoice memos related to your
entries.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Oh wow, that's so smart.
That's a clever way to kind ofbridge that gap between analog
and digital.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
Leveraging technology to support the consistency of a
physical practice.
Speaker 1 (10:18):
Exactly Because you know, let's face it, we live in
a digital world and sometimes weneed those digital nudges to
stay on track.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
Right.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
And this app actually integrates really well with the
Lestallion's numbered pages.
Okay, I can tag specificentries in the app and then
easily find them in my journallater on.
It's like having the best ofboth worlds.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
It's a great example of how technology can complement
rather than replace moretraditional tools like
journaling.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
Exactly Now.
Speaking of technology, one ofthe biggest objections people
have to journaling is that it'stoo slow or not as efficient as
digital tools, but I think thatslowness can actually be a good
thing.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
Oh, that's an interesting perspective.
Expand on that a little bit.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
So we live in a world that's constantly demanding our
attention.
You know we're bombarded withnotifications, emails, social
media updates.
It's exhausting.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
And I think that constant stimulation can
actually hinder our productivity.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
You're suggesting that by slowing down and
disconnecting from those digitaldistractions we can actually
enhance our focus and creativity.
Speaker 1 (11:22):
Exactly.
And journaling, especially witha physical notebook like the
Listallion, it forces you toslow down.
Right, you have to physicallywrite things down, which engages
different parts of your brainand encourages deeper thinking.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Absolutely.
There's a certain mindfulnessthat comes with the physical act
of writing.
Yeah, it can help us becomemore present, more attentive to
our thoughts and ideas.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
Totally, I actually have a story about this.
My brother, mark, is a softwareengineer, okay, and he is all
about efficiency andoptimization, and he used to
like tease me about my oldschool journaling habit.
Speaker 2 (11:56):
I'm imagining he was a big advocate for digital tools
and those productivity apps.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
Oh, absolutely.
But then, ironically, hestarted having trouble focusing
at work.
He was constantly gettingdistracted by notifications and
he felt like he was just spreadtoo thin across a million
different projects.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
A classic case of digital overload.
Speaker 1 (12:14):
Exactly so I finally convinced him to give journaling
a try.
He was resistant at first, butI was like, just think of it as
an experiment and you know what?
He was actually amazed at theresults.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Really, what kind of changes did he notice?
Speaker 1 (12:28):
Well, he said that journaling helped him clear his
head before starting work, whichimproved his focus and
concentration, and he also foundthat writing down his ideas and
to-do lists helped himprioritize tasks and just stay
on track throughout the day.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
It sounds like he discovered the power of
intentionality and the benefitsof slowing down to create that
space for deeper thinking.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
Exactly, and he even admitted that he enjoyed the
tactile experience of writing.
He said it felt more groundingand satisfying than typing on a
keyboard all day.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
You know, there's a certain sense of connection and
embodiment that comes with thephysical act of writing.
Yeah, it could be a verygrounding and mindful practice.
Speaker 1 (13:11):
Totally.
And you know what's funny?
He actually ended up gettinghimself a Lestallion journal, I
know right.
He liked the sleek design andthe durable materials.
He said it felt like a toolthat was built to last, which
you know aligned with his longterm thinking.
Speaker 2 (13:27):
Oh, that's awesome.
That's a great example of howlike a seemingly simple tool,
like a journal.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
Can really have a profound impact on our work
habits and our overallwell-being.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
I think it goes to show that you don't have to
choose between analog anddigital Right.
You can use both to supportyour productivity and creativity
.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
It's about finding the right tools and strategies
that work for you.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (13:51):
Rather than subscribing to like this one
size fits all approach.
Speaker 1 (13:55):
Exactly.
And you know what else I foundhelpful for integrating
journaling into my workflow,using my listallion for meeting
notes.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
Well, that's interesting.
Tell me more about how you useit in a professional setting.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
Well, so instead of just like typing notes on my
laptop, which can feel reallyimpersonal and detached, you
know, I bring my listallion tomeetings.
And I actually find that takinghandwritten notes helps me to
focus better and retaininformation more effectively.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
There's actually research to support that too,
you know really the act ofphysically writing.
It engages different neuralpathways than typing does okay
and that can lead to deeperprocessing and encoding of
information oh, that's sointeresting.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
I've also noticed that when I take notes in my
list, alley and I'm more likelyto like doodle or sketch out
ideas, which helps me to kind ofmake connections and come up
with more creative solutions.
Plus, it just makes the wholemeeting experience less tedious.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
It injects a bit of personality and playfulness into
what can often be like a reallyformal setting.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
Yeah, totally.
And then after the meeting, Ican easily transfer any like key
action items or takeaways to myto-do list, which I keep in a
separate section of myListallion, of course.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
So you're really seamlessly integrating your
meeting notes then into yourlarger productivity system.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
Exactly, and speaking of systems, one of the things I
love about Listallion is thatthey offer a variety of
templates and inserts that youcan add to your journal.
So, for example, they haveproject planning templates or
habit trackers, even gratitudejournals.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
Wow.
So that's a great way to reallycustomize the journal to fit
your specific needs andpreferences.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
Right, and it lets you experiment with different
journaling techniques withouthaving to like buy a whole new
notebook.
So, for example, I recentlystarted using their weekly
reflection template.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
OK.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
Where you reflect on, like your wins for the week,
any challenges you faced andlessons learned, and it's been
really helpful for you know,personal growth and
self-awareness.
Speaker 2 (15:52):
That's a really powerful practice.
I think taking the time topause and reflect on our
experiences allows us to reallyextract those valuable insights.
Speaker 1 (16:04):
Yes.
And make adjustments as needed,yeah totally, and you know what
needed yeah, totally, and youknow what.
I actually have a friend let'scall her Lisa who's a therapist,
okay, and she actually startedrecommending Lestallion journals
to her clients who arestruggling with anxiety or
stress.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
Oh, wow, that's interesting.
What specific features of theLestallion does she find
beneficial for her clients?
Speaker 1 (16:26):
Well, she loves the fact that they're so
customizable.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (16:29):
So she encourages her clients to use different
sections for different purposes,like tracking their mood,
practicing gratitude or justprocessing difficult emotions.
Speaker 2 (16:38):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
And she also finds that the durability of the
listalien is really importantfor her clients.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:44):
Many of whom have a history of, like you know,
starting and stopping journals.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
It makes sense A journal that feels sturdy and
reliable.
It can really symbolize acommitment to self-care and
personal growth.
Speaker 1 (16:57):
Exactly, and she says that her clients who have
embraced journaling have seensignificant improvements in
their emotional well-being andoverall sense of self-awareness.
It's a testament, I think, tothe power of journaling as a
therapeutic tool significantimprovements in their emotional
well-being and overall sense ofself-awareness.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
It's a testament, I think, to the power of
journaling as a therapeutic tool.
Yeah, it can provide thatreally safe and structured space
for exploring our thoughts,feelings and behaviors.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
So I know we've been talking a lot about Lestallion
and I want to be clear.
This isn't like a paidsponsorship or anything.
Okay, I just genuinely lovetheir journals and find that
their features really supportthe kind of productivity
journaling that we've beendiscussing today.
But, of course, you can applythese principles to any journal
that you enjoy using.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
Absolutely.
The key is to find a tool thatresonates with you and inspires
you to make journaling a regularpractice.
Speaker 1 (17:43):
Exactly, and I think it's worth emphasizing that
journaling isn't just about, youknow, getting things done.
It's also about personal growthand self-discovery and even
creativity.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
It's a very holistic practice that can really enrich
our lives in countless ways.
Speaker 1 (17:58):
Totally, and you know what I think it's something
that everyone can benefit from,regardless of like their
profession, their goals or theirpersonality type.
Speaker 2 (18:06):
Yeah, it's a gift that we can give ourselves.
Yeah, a space for exploration,expression and transformation.
Speaker 1 (18:12):
Beautifully said.
So, as we wrap up this deepdive into the world of
journaling for productivity, Iwant to leave you with a final
thought.
What if, instead of constantlyseeking the next productivity
hack or magic bullet, we simplyembrace the power of the pen and
paper?
Speaker 2 (18:28):
A return to simplicity, a rediscovery of the
profound in the seeminglymundane.
Speaker 1 (18:34):
Exactly because sometimes the most effective
tools are the ones that havebeen with us all along.
So grab a journal any journaland start writing your own story
.
Who knows what amazingdiscoveries await you within
those pages.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
The journey begins with a single stroke of the pen.
Speaker 1 (18:48):
And with that we'll conclude our deep dive.
We hope you found it insightful, inspiring and perhaps even
motivating to embrace thetransformative power of
journaling.
Until next time, happy writing.
OK, so have you ever like felt that thing where your
brain is just like it's a webbrowser with like a zillion tabs
open and they're all likeflashing urgent at you at the
same time?
Speaker 2 (00:10):
I yeah, I definitely know that feeling.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
I swear, the other day I almost put coffee in my
cereal bowl while I was tryingto like answer emails and find
matching socks.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Oh, that's multitasking mayhem for sure.
A modern day epidemic.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Oh my gosh.
Yes, and it got me thinking.
You know, we're always lookingfor that productivity hack, that
magic system, right, but whatif the answer is like way
simpler than we think?
Speaker 2 (00:35):
What about?
You know?
Just good, old fashionedjournaling.
Well, you know, it's funnybecause journaling is often seen
as this kind of touchy, feelypractice.
You know, yeah, but what'sreally interesting is that it's
actually backed by science whenit comes to getting things done.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Yeah, and I've been using a listallion journal for a
while now.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
OK.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
You know those journals.
They're specifically designedfor productivity.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
And I'm finding that some of their features really
play into the benefits thatwe're going to talk about today.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
OK, I'd love to dive into that.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Could you remind us about Lestallion journals for
those listeners who might not befamiliar?
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Yeah, so they're known for their like, high
quality journals.
They come in a variety ofcolors and styles, like hard
covers and soft covers.
You know all that jazz.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
But the real magic is in the details.
So things like durable fauxleather covers like they can
handle being tossed in your bag.
Right 120 GSM paper, whichmeans that the ink doesn't bleed
through.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Oh, that's important.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
That's key for people like me who like to use all the
pens.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (01:32):
And also their price point is actually reasonable.
We're talking $19.95 to $24.95.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
Okay, that does make them accessible, then, to a
wider range of people.
Yeah, who might be a littlehesitant to invest in a pricey
journal, right.
But let's move beyond just theaesthetics.
Speaker 1 (01:49):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
How does Lestallion specifically support
productivity?
Speaker 1 (01:54):
Okay.
So picture this it's Mondaymorning and your to-do list is
longer than your weekend groceryreceipt.
You've got meetings anddeadlines and personal errands,
just like the whole shebang.
Oh, I know that feeling, andthis is where the Lestallion
table of contents becomes like alifesaver.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Ah, the humble table of contents.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
I know right.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
It's often overlooked , but incredibly useful.
Yes so how do you utilize itfor productivity?
Speaker 1 (02:21):
Okay.
So instead of having one giantto-do list that makes me want to
like hide under my desk right,I use the table of contents to
categorize.
So let's say I have sectionsfor like work projects, or
personal goals, or like errands,and maybe even like brilliant
ideas okay, you know.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
So that's a great way to break down then overwhelming
tasks into more manageablechunks right by creating those
separate sections, you'reessentially compartmentalizing
your mental workload.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
Exactly, and because each page in the Lithostelian
journal is numbered, it's supereasy to reference back to
specific entries in my table ofcontents.
This was a game changer for me,especially with like long term
projects.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Yeah, I can imagine that would be particularly
helpful for those who like torevisit their notes.
Yes, and track their progressover time.
You know, it transforms thejournal into this kind of
dynamic record of your journey.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
Totally.
I even have a friend let's callher Sarah who uses her
listallion to manage her sidehustle.
Oh, wow, and she has like awhole section in her table of
contents dedicated to it.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
With entries for like marketing ideas or financial
tracking, you name it.
And those numbered pages lether easily cross reference
different entries.
It's like her own littlebusiness bible oh, that's
amazing.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
That's such a great example of how a simple feature
like a table of contents youknow yeah combined with numbered
pages yeah can actually elevatea journal from just being this
passive note taking tool.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
Right.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
You know, to an active system for managing
complex projects.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
Yes, exactly.
And speaking of managingoverwhelm, one of the biggest
benefits of journaling forproductivity is this concept of
like a brain dump.
Have you heard of?
Speaker 2 (04:02):
that?
Oh, the brain dump, yeah yeah.
It's fascinating because it'snot just about getting things
out of your head.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
There's like a psychological benefit too.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Oh, tell me about it.
I used to try and keepeverything in my head.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
Oh no.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
Which, as you can imagine, led to many a mental
meltdown.
But then I discovered the magicof the brain dump, and
Lestallion's 211 pages reallycome in handy here.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
Wow, that's a lot of pages.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
I know it's a lot of space to just like declutter my
mind.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Right.
So for those who might be newto this idea of a brain dump,
could you explain what itactually entails?
Speaker 1 (04:36):
Yeah, it's basically like word vomit on paper.
You grab your journal and youjust write down every single
thought worry to-do item likerandom idea, anything that's
just cluttering up your mentalspace.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
And you don't censor yourself.
You don't worry about grammar,you don't have to make it sound
pretty, you just let it all out.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
There's a sense of liberation in that, isn't there.
It's like releasing all thatpent-up mental energy onto the
page.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
It is incredibly freeing.
Oh my gosh, yeah.
And once it's like out of myhead and on paper, it's like I
can finally breathe again.
You know, I remember this onetime I was working on this huge
project with like a millionmoving parts and I was so
stressed out I could barelysleep and I finally was like,
okay, I'm gonna do a brain dumpin my listallion and it was like
(05:20):
this weight lifted off myshoulders yeah, that's a great
example of how journaling can bea tool for stress management, I
think.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
Yeah, by externalizing our anxieties we
can kind of gain a sense ofperspective and control.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Exactly, and then, once you've like done the brain
dump, you can start to siftthrough it.
You can identify any patterns,prioritize tasks or even just
laugh at some of the ridiculousthings that you were worrying
about.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Yeah, it becomes a process of reflection and
analysis.
Then, yes, helping us makesense of that kind of mental
chaos.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
Totally, and this is where Lestallion's back pocket
comes in handy.
I like to like stick littlepost-it notes in there with
action items or key takeawaysfrom my brain dumps.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Oh, that's clever.
So it's not just about randomlypurging those thoughts.
It's about creating a systemfor capturing and processing
that information.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
Exactly, and that's what makes Lestallion so great
for productivity journaling.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
It's not just a pretty notebook, it's actually a
tool that's designed to supporta more organized and
intentional approach to gettingthings done.
Yeah, it's a great example ofhow the physical design of a
tool can really influence ourmental process and behaviors.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Right Now speaking of intentional approaches.
Another key benefit ofjournaling is its ability to
help with goal-setting oh,absolutely, which is?
Obviously crucial forproductivity goal-setting is
like.
It's like plotting a course ona map yeah without it, you're
just wandering aimlessly yeah,exactly, and I used to be like
the queen of vague goals youknow like be healthier, get
(06:51):
organized oh yeah but then Irealized those goals were
basically useless because theydidn't give me any concrete
actions to take.
You know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
It's the difference between wishing for something
and actually making a plan toachieve it.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
Right, and so that's where my list allying comes in.
Remember how we talked aboutusing the table of contents for
different categories?
Well, I have like a wholesection dedicated to goals.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
Oh, okay, walk us through how you structure that
section.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
So first I break down my goals into different time
frames, like I have a page formonthly goals, then quarterly
goals and then like a wholespread dedicated to my big,
audacious yearly goals.
Speaker 2 (07:28):
Oh, I like that, so that's a great way to visualize
your progress over time.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
You're not just focused on the immediate future.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
Right.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
You're creating a roadmap for, like, long-term
success.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
Exactly, and then for each goal I actually write it
down in a specific way.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
So instead of just saying something like launch my
website, I'll write launch mywebsite by July 1st with at
least five core pages and anewsletter signup.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
Oh, okay, so you're adding that specificity and a
deadline, yes, which researchactually shows increases the
likelihood of you achieving thatgoal significantly.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
It's like giving your brain a clear target to aim for
Right.
And because each page in thelistallion is numbered, it's
easy to track back to thosegoals in my table of contents
and just like see how I'mprogressing.
It's easy to track back tothose goals in my table of
contents and just like see howI'm progressing.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
That's a really clever way to leverage those
journal features.
Like to create your ownpersonalized goal tracking
system.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
I know Right, and you know what.
I think this system can workfor anyone, regardless of what
kind of journal they use.
Yeah, but for me the listallionjust adds that extra level of
like, organization and visualappeal that keeps me motivated.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
There's definitely something to be said for
aesthetics and how they caninfluence our engagement with
the tool.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Totally.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Like a beautiful, well-designed journal, can
inspire us to use it moreconsistently.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Oh, absolutely.
And speaking of consistency,that's one of the biggest
challenges people face when itcomes to journaling.
I've just gets busy and it's soeasy to let that habit slip.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
It's true, consistency is key for any habit
formation, but it can beparticularly challenging when it
comes to journaling, I think.
Speaker 1 (09:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
You know it requires carving out that dedicated time
and space for reflection.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
Right.
But that's where I think theLestallion's durability really
plays a role, Because it's madewith those high quality
materials.
It can withstand being tossedin my bag, taken to coffee shops
you name it Like it's alwaysthere for me, ready whenever
inspiration strikes.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
So it becomes like this, constant companion almost.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
A reminder to prioritize that time for
introspection and creativeexploration.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
Yes, and because it looks and feels so nice, I'm
actually more likely to pick itup and use it.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
Right.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
It's like a little treat for myself.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
There's a certain psychological effect, I think,
to using tools that we just likefind aesthetically pleasing.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
Brightly.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
It enhances our enjoyment of the task, makes us
more likely to stick with it.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
And you know what else I've found helpful.
For staying consistent,lestallion actually has a
companion app.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
Oh really.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
I know it's not like super fancy, but it lets you set
reminders to journal and trackyour progress.
You can even store photos orvoice memos related to your
entries.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Oh wow, that's so smart.
That's a clever way to kind ofbridge that gap between analog
and digital.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
Leveraging technology to support the consistency of a
physical practice.
Speaker 1 (10:18):
Exactly Because you know, let's face it, we live in
a digital world and sometimes weneed those digital nudges to
stay on track.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
Right.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
And this app actually integrates really well with the
Lestallion's numbered pages.
Okay, I can tag specificentries in the app and then
easily find them in my journallater on.
It's like having the best ofboth worlds.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
It's a great example of how technology can complement
rather than replace moretraditional tools like
journaling.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
Exactly Now.
Speaking of technology, one ofthe biggest objections people
have to journaling is that it'stoo slow or not as efficient as
digital tools, but I think thatslowness can actually be a good
thing.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
Oh, that's an interesting perspective.
Expand on that a little bit.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
So we live in a world that's constantly demanding our
attention.
You know we're bombarded withnotifications, emails, social
media updates.
It's exhausting.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
And I think that constant stimulation can
actually hinder our productivity.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
You're suggesting that by slowing down and
disconnecting from those digitaldistractions we can actually
enhance our focus and creativity.
Speaker 1 (11:22):
Exactly.
And journaling, especially witha physical notebook like the
Listallion, it forces you toslow down.
Right, you have to physicallywrite things down, which engages
different parts of your brainand encourages deeper thinking.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Absolutely.
There's a certain mindfulnessthat comes with the physical act
of writing.
Yeah, it can help us becomemore present, more attentive to
our thoughts and ideas.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
Totally, I actually have a story about this.
My brother, mark, is a softwareengineer, okay, and he is all
about efficiency andoptimization, and he used to
like tease me about my oldschool journaling habit.
Speaker 2 (11:56):
I'm imagining he was a big advocate for digital tools
and those productivity apps.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
Oh, absolutely.
But then, ironically, hestarted having trouble focusing
at work.
He was constantly gettingdistracted by notifications and
he felt like he was just spreadtoo thin across a million
different projects.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
A classic case of digital overload.
Speaker 1 (12:14):
Exactly so I finally convinced him to give journaling
a try.
He was resistant at first, butI was like, just think of it as
an experiment and you know what?
He was actually amazed at theresults.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Really, what kind of changes did he notice?
Speaker 1 (12:28):
Well, he said that journaling helped him clear his
head before starting work, whichimproved his focus and
concentration, and he also foundthat writing down his ideas and
to-do lists helped himprioritize tasks and just stay
on track throughout the day.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
It sounds like he discovered the power of
intentionality and the benefitsof slowing down to create that
space for deeper thinking.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
Exactly, and he even admitted that he enjoyed the
tactile experience of writing.
He said it felt more groundingand satisfying than typing on a
keyboard all day.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
You know, there's a certain sense of connection and
embodiment that comes with thephysical act of writing.
Yeah, it could be a verygrounding and mindful practice.
Speaker 1 (13:11):
Totally.
And you know what's funny?
He actually ended up gettinghimself a Lestallion journal, I
know right.
He liked the sleek design andthe durable materials.
He said it felt like a toolthat was built to last, which
you know aligned with his longterm thinking.
Speaker 2 (13:27):
Oh, that's awesome.
That's a great example of howlike a seemingly simple tool,
like a journal.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
Can really have a profound impact on our work
habits and our overallwell-being.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
I think it goes to show that you don't have to
choose between analog anddigital Right.
You can use both to supportyour productivity and creativity
.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
It's about finding the right tools and strategies
that work for you.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (13:51):
Rather than subscribing to like this one
size fits all approach.
Speaker 1 (13:55):
Exactly.
And you know what else I foundhelpful for integrating
journaling into my workflow,using my listallion for meeting
notes.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
Well, that's interesting.
Tell me more about how you useit in a professional setting.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
Well, so instead of just like typing notes on my
laptop, which can feel reallyimpersonal and detached, you
know, I bring my listallion tomeetings.
And I actually find that takinghandwritten notes helps me to
focus better and retaininformation more effectively.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
There's actually research to support that too,
you know really the act ofphysically writing.
It engages different neuralpathways than typing does okay
and that can lead to deeperprocessing and encoding of
information oh, that's sointeresting.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
I've also noticed that when I take notes in my
list, alley and I'm more likelyto like doodle or sketch out
ideas, which helps me to kind ofmake connections and come up
with more creative solutions.
Plus, it just makes the wholemeeting experience less tedious.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
It injects a bit of personality and playfulness into
what can often be like a reallyformal setting.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
Yeah, totally.
And then after the meeting, Ican easily transfer any like key
action items or takeaways to myto-do list, which I keep in a
separate section of myListallion, of course.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
So you're really seamlessly integrating your
meeting notes then into yourlarger productivity system.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
Exactly, and speaking of systems, one of the things I
love about Listallion is thatthey offer a variety of
templates and inserts that youcan add to your journal.
So, for example, they haveproject planning templates or
habit trackers, even gratitudejournals.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
Wow.
So that's a great way to reallycustomize the journal to fit
your specific needs andpreferences.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
Right, and it lets you experiment with different
journaling techniques withouthaving to like buy a whole new
notebook.
So, for example, I recentlystarted using their weekly
reflection template.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
OK.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
Where you reflect on, like your wins for the week,
any challenges you faced andlessons learned, and it's been
really helpful for you know,personal growth and
self-awareness.
Speaker 2 (15:52):
That's a really powerful practice.
I think taking the time topause and reflect on our
experiences allows us to reallyextract those valuable insights.
Speaker 1 (16:04):
Yes.
And make adjustments as needed,yeah totally, and you know what
needed yeah, totally, and youknow what.
I actually have a friend let'scall her Lisa who's a therapist,
okay, and she actually startedrecommending Lestallion journals
to her clients who arestruggling with anxiety or
stress.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
Oh, wow, that's interesting.
What specific features of theLestallion does she find
beneficial for her clients?
Speaker 1 (16:26):
Well, she loves the fact that they're so
customizable.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (16:29):
So she encourages her clients to use different
sections for different purposes,like tracking their mood,
practicing gratitude or justprocessing difficult emotions.
Speaker 2 (16:38):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
And she also finds that the durability of the
listalien is really importantfor her clients.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:44):
Many of whom have a history of, like you know,
starting and stopping journals.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
It makes sense A journal that feels sturdy and
reliable.
It can really symbolize acommitment to self-care and
personal growth.
Speaker 1 (16:57):
Exactly, and she says that her clients who have
embraced journaling have seensignificant improvements in
their emotional well-being andoverall sense of self-awareness.
It's a testament, I think, tothe power of journaling as a
therapeutic tool significantimprovements in their emotional
well-being and overall sense ofself-awareness.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
It's a testament, I think, to the power of
journaling as a therapeutic tool.
Yeah, it can provide thatreally safe and structured space
for exploring our thoughts,feelings and behaviors.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
So I know we've been talking a lot about Lestallion
and I want to be clear.
This isn't like a paidsponsorship or anything.
Okay, I just genuinely lovetheir journals and find that
their features really supportthe kind of productivity
journaling that we've beendiscussing today.
But, of course, you can applythese principles to any journal
that you enjoy using.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
Absolutely.
The key is to find a tool thatresonates with you and inspires
you to make journaling a regularpractice.
Speaker 1 (17:43):
Exactly, and I think it's worth emphasizing that
journaling isn't just about, youknow, getting things done.
It's also about personal growthand self-discovery and even
creativity.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
It's a very holistic practice that can really enrich
our lives in countless ways.
Speaker 1 (17:58):
Totally, and you know what I think it's something
that everyone can benefit from,regardless of like their
profession, their goals or theirpersonality type.
Speaker 2 (18:06):
Yeah, it's a gift that we can give ourselves.
Yeah, a space for exploration,expression and transformation.
Speaker 1 (18:12):
Beautifully said.
So, as we wrap up this deepdive into the world of
journaling for productivity, Iwant to leave you with a final
thought.
What if, instead of constantlyseeking the next productivity
hack or magic bullet, we simplyembrace the power of the pen and
paper?
Speaker 2 (18:28):
A return to simplicity, a rediscovery of the
profound in the seeminglymundane.
Speaker 1 (18:34):
Exactly because sometimes the most effective
tools are the ones that havebeen with us all along.
So grab a journal any journaland start writing your own story
.
Who knows what amazingdiscoveries await you within
those pages.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
The journey begins with a single stroke of the pen.
Speaker 1 (18:48):
And with that we'll conclude our deep dive.
We hope you found it insightful, inspiring and perhaps even
motivating to embrace thetransformative power of
journaling.
Until next time, happy writing.
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