Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
So you're ready to
dive into this whole
motivational journaling thing.
Huh, that's awesome.
I bet you've heard it canreally like I don't know boost
your motivation, help you figureout your goals, maybe even
uncover some hidden creativity.
You've got in there.
But then you sit down with yourjournal, stare at that blank
page and suddenly bam, it's justyou and that blinking cursor of
(00:20):
doom.
Not exactly the most inspiringstart, right?
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Oh, tell me about it.
That blank page intimidation isa real thing.
But that's actually where thosewell-designed prompts can
really be game changers.
It's not about writing somekind of masterpiece in there,
it's more like you know.
Think of those perfectly placedtrail markers at the beginning
of a hike, guiding you towardthose exciting discoveries
without like getting lost in thewilderness of your own thoughts
.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
Okay, I like that
analogy.
And, speaking of well-designedprompts, these Lestallion ones
we're diving into today, they'regrouped by the outcome they're
going for, which I think isreally cool.
You've got self-discovery, goalsetting, daily inspiration,
even overcoming obstacles, andcultivating a positive mindset.
It's almost like choose yourown adventure for your brain.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
It's brilliant what
they did.
It's like each prompt is a minimental workout right, Targeting
specific areas for growth.
We're not just passivelyjournaling, we're actively like
engaging with these targetedquestions that are designed to
help us unlock some prettypowerful insights.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
Like a mental boot
camp.
I'm into it.
So let's just jump right infirst category Self-discovery.
This first prompt asks reflecton a time when you overcame a
significant challenge.
What did you learn aboutyourself through that experience
?
Seems simple enough, but what'sthe strategy behind it?
Speaker 2 (01:34):
So it's all about
tapping into those I did it
moments, the ones we often buryunder all those everyday
stresses.
Think about it Our brains,they're kind of wired to
remember negative experiencesmore vividly than positive ones.
Survival mechanism right.
But this prompt, it forces usto pause, revisit those moments
(01:56):
of triumph, not just as events,but as like evidence of our own
strength, our own resilience.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
So if you're someone
who struggles with self-doubt,
this could be a good one to likerevisit whenever you need a
little confidence boostabsolutely.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
It's like creating a
mental highlight reel of your
own.
You know badassery.
You've handled tough stuffbefore.
You came on the other side andguess what?
You can totally do it again.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
That's incredibly
empowering okay, yeah, that's
resonating all right.
This next prompt in theself-discovery category feels a
little different.
Describe your ideal day fromstart to finish, what makes it
perfect and how can youincorporate more of these
elements into your daily life.
This one feels almost I don'tknow indulgent, like I can just
daydream on paper and call itself-improvement.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
Well, it is a form of
daydreaming, but with a purpose
.
Think of it like this when youallow yourself to really imagine
that ideal day, what you'redoing is you're unconsciously
revealing your deepest values,your priorities, right?
Maybe your perfect day involves, I don't know, spending hours
in nature or having these deepconversations, or just having
these bursts of creative energy.
This is telling you somethingabout what truly matters to you,
(02:57):
even if your everyday lifelooks nothing like it.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
I see.
So it's not about magicallytransforming my Tuesday into
like a tropical getaway.
It's more about identifyingthose elements.
Maybe it's that morning hike,or maybe it's dedicating 30
minutes to painting and seeinghow I can, like realistically,
weave them into my existingroutine.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Exactly, and here's
the cool part Research actually
shows that even taking smallsteps towards a more congruent
life, one that aligns with yourvalues, can lead to a huge boost
in your overall motivation andwell-being.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
Small tweaks, big
impact.
I like it.
Okay, this next self-discoveryprompt is a classic.
Think about a person whoinspires you.
What qualities do they possessthat you admire and want to
cultivate in yourself?
I feel like we've all got thosefigures we admire, but this
goes beyond just listing theiraccomplishments.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
Right, because here's
the thing we're often drawn to
certain people, not just forwhat they've achieved, but for
how they've achieved it, youknow.
So this prompt pushes you toidentify those specific
admirable traits.
Is it their like?
Unwavering work ethic?
Is it their I don't knowinfectious kindness, their
ability to just stay cool underpressure?
(04:07):
By naming these qualities,you're making them more tangible
, more attainable in your ownlife.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
So it's less about I
want to be a Nobel Prize winning
scientist and more about I'mdrawn to the scientists'
relentless curiosity anddedication to their research.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Precisely, it's about
shifting your focus from the
what to the how.
What they achieved is inspiring, yes, but how they embody those
admirable traits, that providesa roadmap for your own growth.
Speaker 1 (04:30):
I love that shift in
perspective.
Okay, moving on to the goalsetting prompts, things are
about to get a little moreaction-oriented.
This one caught my eye.
Think about your careeraspirations.
Where do you see yourself infive years and what can you do
now to start moving in thatdirection?
I can already feel the gears inmy brain turning.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
It's a classic for a
reason.
This prompt is all abouttransforming like wishful
thinking into strategic action.
Instead of just saying you know, I want to be a writer, it
pushes you to actually map out atangible path from where you
are now to where you want to be.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
So, instead of just
that vague writer goal, you'd
start outlining like thespecific skills you need to
learn, the connections you needto make, maybe even like the
writing samples you need tocreate to get there.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
Exactly, and it
encourages you to break down
that seemingly dauntingfive-year goal into smaller,
more manageable milestones.
What can you accomplish thisyear, this month, even this week
, to move you closer to thatvision?
That's how you turn ambitioninto action.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
Okay, this is really
making me think I'm already
feeling more motivated, andwe're just getting started.
But before we dive into moreprompts, I think it's time for a
quick break.
We'll be back in a flash withmore insights from Lestallion's
motivational journaling prompts,right here on the deep dive.
All right, we are back and I amready to keep this motivation
(05:48):
train rolling.
This next category, dailyinspiration, is full of those
little prompts that pack asurprisingly powerful punch.
This one really stood out to meBegin each day by writing down
three things you're grateful for.
How does this practice changeyour outlook for the day?
It seems so simple, maybe evena little cliche, but does it
actually work?
Speaker 2 (06:04):
It really does, and
the science backs it up.
You see, gratitude is more thanjust a feel-good emotion.
It's an active rewiring of ourbrain chemistry.
By consciously focusing onwhat's good in our lives, even
seemingly small things, we shiftfrom a scarcity mindset to one
of abundance.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
So instead of
starting my day grumbling about
traffic or stressing about adeadline, I could jot down, say
how much I love that first sipof coffee, or a funny text from
a friend, or even just thefeeling of sunshine on my face.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Exactly, and those
small shifts in focus have a
ripple effect.
Research shows that practicinggratitude regularly can lead to
increased happiness, improvedsleep, even stronger
relationships.
It's like building yourresilience muscle, one grateful
thought at a time.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
I'm starting to think
of it like those choose
kindness signs, simple reminderswith a surprisingly profound
impact.
Okay, let's dive into anotherdaily inspiration prompt,
because this one reallyintrigues me.
Think of a motivational quotethat resonates with you.
How can you apply its messageto your current situation?
I feel like we see quoteseverywhere these days, but how
(07:08):
can we make them less dot,fleeting, less like something we
just skim past on social media?
Speaker 2 (07:13):
This prompt is all
about taking that passive
consumption and turning it intoactive reflection.
It's asking which quote trulyspeaks to your soul.
What is it about that specificmessage that grabs you and won't
let go?
Speaker 1 (07:26):
So instead of just
liking a quote on Instagram, I'd
actually write it down, maybeeven reflect on why it resonates
with me.
For example, if I'm grapplingwith self-doubt, I might write
down Eleanor Roosevelt's quoteyou gain strength, courage and
confidence by every experiencein which you really stop to look
fear in the face.
And then I could explore howthat applies to a current
(07:46):
challenge I'm facing.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
Exactly.
By actively connecting thequote to your own life, you're
transforming it from a fleetingpiece of wisdom into a powerful
personal mantra.
You're not just admiring thewords, you're integrating them
into your own narrative.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
All right, I'm
feeling inspired.
Okay, let's move on to theovercoming obstacles category,
because, let's be real lifethrows us curveballs.
This prompt feels especiallyrelevant.
Describe a fear that's holdingyou back.
What steps can you take toconfront and overcome this fear?
That can feel pretty daunting,though.
Where do you even begin?
Speaker 2 (08:20):
You begin by dragging
that fear out of the shadows
and shining a light on it.
You see, fear thrives in thedarkness of vagueness.
This prompt is all about takingthat big, scary feeling and
breaking it down into smaller,more manageable parts.
By naming the fear specifically, you strip away some of its
power.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
So instead of just
saying I'm afraid of failure, I
try to pinpoint the specificfear behind it.
I'm afraid of failing to launchmy business because I'm worried
about what others will think.
Suddenly, it feels lessoverwhelming.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
Exactly.
Once you've articulated thefear clearly, you can start
brainstorming actionable stepsto address it.
Maybe you need to researchsuccessful entrepreneurs who
overcame setbacks, talk to abusiness mentor or even just
reframe failure as a valuablelearning opportunity.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
It's like that quote
courage is not the absence of
fear, but action in the presenceof fear.
Okay, let's tackle anotherprompt in this category, because
I have a feeling our listenerscan relate to this one List
three challenges you've overcomein your life.
How did you do it, and whatstrengths did you discover in
yourself.
This feels like a powerfulreminder that we're more
(09:26):
resilient than we sometimes giveourselves credit for.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Absolutely.
It's so easy to get caught upin current struggles and forget
about past triumphs.
This prompt is like creating ahighlight reel of your own
resilience.
By revisiting those moments,you're reminding yourself that
you've faced adversity beforeand guess what?
You came out stronger on theother side.
Speaker 1 (09:46):
It's like building a
mental trophy case of our own
inner strength and by analyzinghow we overcame those challenges
, what skills we used, whatmindset we adopted, we're
essentially building a toolkitfor navigating future obstacles.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
I love that analogy
Because those inner resources we
tap into during tough timesdetermination, problem solving,
even a sense of humor don't justdisappear.
They become part of our arsenal, ready to be deployed the next
time life throws us a curveball.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
This is making me
want to grab my journal and
start writing down all my pastvictories.
Okay, we've covered a lot ofground already, but we have one
more crucial category to explorepositive mindset.
These prompts feel like abreath of fresh air, reminding
us to savor the good stuffamidst all the chaos.
Here's one that's sure to put asmile on your face.
Describe a recent experiencethat made you smile.
(10:33):
What was special about thatmoment?
Speaker 2 (10:35):
In a world that often
prioritizes productivity and
achievement, this prompt is agentle reminder to slow down and
appreciate the small joys.
It's about cultivatingmindfulness, that ability to
truly be present and savor thosesimple yet profound moments
that spark joy in our dailylives.
Speaker 1 (10:51):
So it could be
anything from a hilarious
conversation with a stranger toa breathtaking sunset to
savoring a delicious meal, andby writing about it we're
essentially reliving thatpositive experience and
anchoring it in our memory.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
And here's the key by
reflecting on what made that
moment special, you gain adeeper understanding of what
truly brings you happiness.
What were the ingredients thatmade that experience so
delightful?
This awareness can then informyour choices and actions,
helping you create more of thosefeel-good moments in your life.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
I'm starting to see
how all these prompts connect.
It's not just about venting ourfrustrations or setting
ambitious goals.
It's about cultivating a deeperunderstanding of ourselves, our
strengths, our values, whatbrings us joy, and then using
those insights to create a morefulfilling life.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
Exactly, it's about
becoming the most intentional,
empowered version of ourselves,one journal entry at a time.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
It's like we're
piecing together a roadmap to
our own happiness.
Okay, before we get too carriedaway with our metaphorical road
trip, let's wrap up with onefinal prompt from the positive
mindset category, and this onereally packs a punch List five
things you love about yourself.
How can you celebrate thesequalities every day?
List five things you love aboutyourself.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
How can you celebrate
these qualities every day?
I love this one.
It's such a powerful exercisein self-love, especially in a
world that often bombards uswith messages about what we lack
.
It's so easy to get caught upin self-criticism, but this
prompt throws the brakes on thatnegative self-talk and says,
hey, you are pretty awesome.
What are those inherentqualities that make you uniquely
?
You?
Speaker 1 (12:23):
It's like giving
ourselves permission to
acknowledge and appreciate ourown awesomeness, which, let's be
honest, we could all use alittle more of.
But it goes beyond just makinga list, right?
What does it mean to activelycelebrate those qualities in our
daily lives?
Speaker 2 (12:35):
It's about aligning
your actions with your values.
Maybe you listed creativity asone of your strengths.
How can you infuse morecreativity into your day-to-day?
Maybe it's experimenting with anew recipe, taking a different
route to work or simply allowingyourself 15 minutes of
free-flowing doodling.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
So it's about
recognizing that those inherent
qualities kindness, humor,determination, whatever
resonates with you aren't justthings to check off a list.
They're worthy of beingcelebrated and expressed.
They're part of what makes youamazing.
Speaker 2 (13:04):
Exactly.
And here's the thing when weactively celebrate those
qualities, when we live in a waythat honors our authentic
selves, we naturally attractmore of what we love into our
lives.
It's like radiating a certainenergy that draws in like-minded
people, opportunities andexperiences.
Speaker 1 (13:21):
Wow, that's a
powerful thought.
Okay, we've covered so muchground today, from facing our
fears to celebrating ourstrengths.
I'm feeling incredibly inspired, and I have a feeling our
listeners are too.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
Me too, it's been a
fascinating deep dive into the
power of these motivationaljournaling prompts.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
They're more than
just writing exercises.
They're tools for unlocking ourpotential, cultivating
self-awareness and, ultimatelyliving more intentional,
fulfilling lives.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
And the best part is,
you can keep revisiting these
prompts, exploring differentones and uncovering new layers
of meaning each time.
It's a journey of continuousgrowth and self-discovery.
Speaker 1 (13:58):
And your journal
becomes a trusted companion on
that journey.
So, as we wrap up this deepdive into motivational
journaling, we want to leave youwith this Remember those
Lestallion prompts encouraged usto see our journals not just as
a record of the past but as atool to shape our future.
What one small action, inspiredby what we discussed today,
will you take today to startshaping yours?