An idea (self-reflection)

Week 3 of 3: My Top 3 Habits for Personal Leadership

When I was in high school, I started journaling.

A few friends inspired me to start.

They used a journal to write down what they were reading, to reflect, and even to capture prayers.

Today, I journal almost every day.

I typically do it in the morning, and I write down what I'm excited about, what I'm learning, what I'm worried about, and what I'm reading.

I use a simple Moleskin notebook, and each entry is less than a full page (sometimes I go longer on the weekends).

I often use bullet points and shorthand to make it easier (I have terrible handwriting).

And one of my favorite things to do -- whenever I finish a notebook and during my Year-End Review -- is sit down with a cup of coffee and review my journal.

It's always so fun, and I learn SO much about my life!

I see patterns and people that stand out.

I am filled with gratitude to see the relationships that form, the conversations that impact, and the many things I was worried about that ultimately worked out.

Doing this journaling and reflecting gives me incredible insights for living in the present.

And journaling has been shown to increase our self-awareness, one of the key drivers in developing emotional intelligence.

Journaling isn't about writing a novel. It's not about being a "writer" at all.

It's about taking a few minutes to slow down, process your thoughts, and actually hear yourself think.

And here's the crazy part: research shows that leaders who develop this kind of self-awareness:

make better decisions,
lead with more confidence, and
build stronger teams.

Self-Awareness for Leaders

Leadership isn’t just about making decisions—it’s about making the right decisions or quickly adjusting when we are off track.

And that starts with self-awareness.

Studies show that self-aware leaders are more effective, adaptable, and emotionally intelligent.

Yet, according to research by organizational psychologist Tasha Eurich, 95% of people think they’re self-aware, but only 10–15% actually are.

That’s a huge gap.

The good news? Journaling helps to close that gap.

When you reflect on your experiences—especially the tough ones—you start to recognize patterns, spot blind spots, and make adjustments before they become full-blown problems.

How Journaling Increases Emotional Intelligence

Journaling strengthens emotional intelligence in several ways:

Enhances Self-Awareness – Writing about your thoughts and emotions helps you identify patterns, triggers, and blind spots. This builds our internal self-awareness. There are often things we don't know about ourselves until we stop, think, and write. It's weird that effort is required to know ourselves, but this is just how the human brain works.
Regulates Emotions – Processing frustrations, anxieties, and setbacks on paper helps you manage emotions more effectively rather than reacting impulsively. Simply naming the emotion is an important step in being able to self-manage (the second skill in emotional intelligence).
Improves Decision-Making – Journaling provides clarity, allowing you to think through challenges and make more intentional decisions.
Strengthens Empathy – Reflecting on interactions with others helps you understand different perspectives and cultivate empathy in leadership. Leadership is hard because it requires so much of our emotional energy. To truly put ourselves in the shoes of another human takes work, and journaling can help.

How to Start a Leadership Journal (Even If You Think You’re Not a Writer)

You don’t need to be a writer to journal. The key is consistency, not perfection. Here are some simple ways to start:

Choose a Medium That Works for You
- Traditional notebook (my choice!)
- The Five Minute Journal - this is a cool journal that provides daily prompts
- The Five Year Journal - In this journal, you simply write one line a day, but each page has five years of entries for the same day. This can be a cool way to look back to what you were focused on the same day for several years.
- Digital journaling apps (Day One, Evernote, Notion)
- Voice memos
Use Simple Prompts. If you don’t know where to start, try these:
- Beginning of day:
  - What am I grateful for?
  - What am I excited about today?
  - What am I stressed about today?
  - How do I want to show up today?
  - What are my top 3 most important priorities for today?
  - What would make today great?
  - Who do I want to intentionally spend time with today?
- End of day:
  - What did I learn today?
  - What's a small win I had today?
  - What is my top focus for tomorrow?
  - What’s one leadership challenge I faced today? How did I handle it?
  - What emotions did I experience today, and what triggered them?
  - What feedback have I received recently, and how can I grow from it?
Keep It Short and Unfiltered
- Don’t worry about grammar or structure.
- Write for yourself, not for an audience.
- Even 5 minutes a day can make a difference.
Review and Reflect Periodically
- Look back at past entries to see growth and recurring patterns.
- Identify lessons learned and course-correct as needed.

Historical Leaders Who Journaled

Many of history’s greatest leaders were devoted journalers:

Marcus Aurelius – His Meditations was essentially a leadership journal, filled with reflections on discipline, virtue, and resilience.

Theodore Roosevelt – He chronicled his adventures, reflections on leadership, and personal challenges.

Winston Churchill – His journals and writings helped him sharpen his thinking and leadership during World War II.

Leonardo da Vinci – His notebooks were filled with sketches, ideas, and reflections that fueled his genius.

Maya Angelou – She kept journals throughout her life for reflection, healing, and leadership. She often spoke about the power of writing to process emotions, find wisdom, and inspire change.

Each of these leaders used journaling as a tool for wisdom, clarity, and self-mastery—something every leader today can benefit from.

Journaling isn't just a habit. It's a leadership tool.

Start Today. Your Future Self Will Thank You.

If you’re already journaling, keep going. If you’ve never tried, start small. Pick up a notebook, open a doc, or hit record on a voice memo. Just start.

A year from now, you’ll look back and realize how much clarity, confidence, and wisdom you’ve gained.

Are you in?

This wraps up my top 3 personal habits for leadership. Reply to this email and let me know which one you think is most important, or which one you plan to start. I'd love to hear from you! Below is the full list:

Habit #1: Getting Up Early
Habit #2: Having a Weekly Day of Rest (Sabbath)
Habit #3: Journaling

A question

What core values guide your leadership decisions, and how consistently do you uphold them?

A quote and resource

"The world will ask you who you are, and if you don't know, the world will tell you."

—Carl Jung

The Mission

I am on a mission to help thousands of leaders gain clarity, courage, community, and consistency in their lives. Thank you for joining me on this journey!

I'm rooting for you,

Cal

➡️ When you're ready, I can help you gain more joy and deep clarity with my Core Values Mini Course. It has helped over 150 leaders live a truly intentional life. Join here 🎯

Intentional Letter: Know Thyself