Why Write Your OWN Business Journal?

By Bud Katter

A Business Journal is kept and published weekly in almost every large city, like Charlotte, Los Angeles, Phoenix, etc. They record and publish the comprehensive business news happenings, the analysis of the local economy, the announcement of new companies coming to or leaving town, the names of organizations hiring and firing, real estate transactions, people promotions, etc.

Individuals, managers, CEOs, business owners, etc. should be keeping their own Personal Business Journal for their profession career development, self-empowerment and, in the case of small businesses, for the best way to document and assure the continued growth of the business. This journal will be in fact an on-going resume of the business which is readily available for future loan applications, merger discussions, and the Board of Directors.

Two main categories of business journal entries are Facts and Feelings:

• Facts
  • The plans and outcomes of meetings, both internal and external.
  • Documenting goals and successes: yearly, project-oriented, budget, etc. The data for the Annual Report.
  • The recording of ideas for future business “moves”: new markets, future products, new advertising campaigns, etc. as they come to you.
  • How major decisions were made and their results after reflecting back on the outcomes later in time.
  • Feelings
    • A record of meetings with employees; the planned agenda and the actual results.
    • An opinion of business relationships: how are they developing and how can they be improved for the “good of the business.”
    • What focused learning will enable you to better run your business; when can it be scheduled?
    • How is my spiritual and physical life being accommodated in the “rush” to run the business?

Journaling reduces stress and allows us to exercise the highest form of self-expression. We can document our beliefs, our ideas, our progress and our values. It is our sacred space, a record of those thoughts that pass through our mind at a certain moment in time. The Personal Business Journal can be structured or not, regular or not; but the question of a journal entry should be evaluated at the end of every business day.

Pick up a blank journal today and start journal keeping in 2010; you and your business will profit from it.

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