Which Evernote template should you use based on your reflection mindset?

Journaling helps you maintain focus and keep your mind clear. Starting a new habit, like journaling, is a lot easier when you don’t have to work from scratch. That’s why Evernote offers useful templates that lay out your first steps super clearly.

Take this quiz to find out which templates best fit your personal reflection mindset!

Which of the following matches your journaling structure the best?

I like to use prompts to help guide my writing.

I prefer a blank page, then just start writing my free-flowing thoughts.

I enjoy making lists, so I don't have as much pressure to write full sentences or complete thoughts.

I don't journal often, so I prefer some structure to help me look back and reflect.

I write down ideas as they come to me and wait until I feel I have enough for an entry.

How often do you like to journal or write reflectively?

Daily

Weekly

Monthly / Quarterly

Yearly

Sporadically

What topics do you typically focus on when you journal or reflect?

Professional development such as goal-tracking

Personal development such as self-improvement

Life goals & achievements

Thoughts & feelings

I focus on multiple of these topics listed

Is there a time of day you prefer to journal and reflect?

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

I don't prefer a specific time

How do you incorporate your previous journaling or reflection entries?

I like to read through old entries before I start a new one.

I like to read through old entries after I have written my new one.

I scan my old entries occasionally when I need to reference something I wrote about.

I use my old entries to help me write performance reviews, resume updates, and other professional writings.

I don't look back at old entries.

I like to look through old entries when I am feeling nostalgic, such as the end of the year.

Daily Mental Health Journal

Studies show that journaling can help you reduce anxiety and depression by giving you a safe space to express your thoughts—in fact, just the act of putting anxious or dark thoughts into words helps you put them aside so you dwell on them less often. Whether you're putting down your thoughts and feelings, "post-gaming" the outcome of a project, or just letting your mind wander across the keys, writing as an act of reflection is a useful—and easy—way to maintain focus and keep your mind clear.

Created in a partnership with online therapy resource Talkspace, this template makes it easy to prioritize your mental health every day. It includes fields to write about how you’re feeling every day, to note that day’s weather (often a contributing factor to mood), and to recall what you’re grateful for—all techniques that therapists recommend to help manage depression and anxiety.

To learn more about journaling in Evernote, visit https://www.evernote.com/how-do-you-evernote

Gratitude Journal

Tune into the positive events of your life with gratitude journaling. It is as simple as writing done a few positive things you are grateful for, especially in the midst of a difficult situation.

Change a negative outlook and overcome stress through the power of gratitude journaling as needed! This template gives you a little structure to start writing out your gratitude lists, and can be fully customized to fit your needs.

To learn more about journaling in Evernote, visit https://www.evernote.com/how-do-you-evernote

Weekly Plan and Reflection

Start your week with a peace of mind knowing you are prepped and ready. Weekly planning is helpful to identify what needs to be done, how much time you have to do it, and can reduce Monday stress and Sunday scaries. Journaling doesn't necessarily have to be about what has happened in the past.

Focusing on the future, even just one week at a time, can help you achieve your goals, stay organized, and be prepared for the week ahead.

This template is full of different sections and prompts to help you think critically about your week ahead, and reflect on the week prior. Customize it to best fit your needs by adding or removing sections, changing colors, or even rearragning the order!

To learn more about journaling in Evernote, visit https://www.evernote.com/how-do-you-evernote

Goal Setting

Goal setting is one of the most common journaling methods, but can sometimes be the trickiest to execute well. Setting goals sounds simple, but there are many common mistakes with goal setting that can do more harm than good. Here's a few tips on goal setting to use with this Evernote template:

Frame your goal as a positive and avoid negative words. Instead of saying "Stop eating sweets" try "Substitute sugary foods with healthier options".
The goal should be important to YOU, not anyone else. Setting goals around someone else's expectations can lead to letting yourself down in the long run.
Make sure the goal is specific. Instead of saying "Read more books" try "Read 2 books per month." This way you can be more accountable to your goals.
Set a goal that is completely within your control. "Winning the lottery" isn't exactly a goal you can make happen, but if you can, please share your secret!
If you are new to goal setting, don't set unrealistic goals. It is OK to start small. If you don't currently workout at all right now, setting a goal to workout 7 days a week is not likely to be attainable and failure can lead to a negative mind and giving up.

Remember, you can always change your goals. You can increase, decrease, add, delete. You are the boss of you! Goal setting is a great way to focus on a few specific things at a time, and this Evernote template can help you plan your goals and keep track of your successes and opportunities along the way.

To learn more about journaling in Evernote, visit https://www.evernote.com/how-do-you-evernote