Doing the Work

The next step in my Google project is to read and reflect on Chapter 5 in The Mentees Guide, entitled Doing the Work.

As part of the idea of keeping the focus on learning, I am looking at the objective of journaling.

Journaling

The concept of making journaling a specific 'to do' appeals to me. To record thoughts and be able to reflect on them. To see my thoughts perhaps in a new light as I come back to them again and again.

Journaling would also be a good way for me to develop those thoughts further as I know I can often go round and round with the same ideas, the pros and cons, the why and why nots and not actually make progress. Journaling is a good vehicle to help me move my project forward by writing to reveal what the next step is and then trying it out.

Could Journaling be Blogging?

Somehow I feel that journaling could be just a brain dump but perhaps by using the discipline of a regular blog as a journal it might mean that rather than a brain dump, it is a creative and disciplined act.  The discipline is both the hard part and the one that I think will generate the best outcomes.

One problem I can see is that I am so busy journaling that I am not doing the work of the project, just writing about it. Currently, I focus on my project once a week for an evening. This is not enough as it is. Journaling as well will mean I need to put more time in! Perhaps I just need to bite the bullet and do it. Just do it!

Some journaling tips from the book

1. As you write, keep in mind three words: head, heart, and action. Include factual material, reactions, feelings, goals, and tasks.
2. Write regularly, after each meeting and in between. Even if you are not a journal person by nature, write something down.
3. Schedule journaling writing time. If you don't schedule it, it will get lost on the back burner.
4. Review your entries regularly. Doing so will help you monitor your progress.

Template

A template to help me in journaling when thinking about a mentoring relationship:

1. The most important work we did today.
2. The most valuable lesson.
3. How will I apply what I've learned?
4. What are the biggest challenges ahead for me?
5. What questions still remain for me.

A regular, (weekly?) journal is a good aim. I can try this for three weeks and reassess if it is working in terms of time input and outcomes. Outcomes would be that I am seeing progress in my thinking and doing.

Learning Opportunities

Where can I get exposure to new learning? I can take opportunities that arise through #GEGNZ, ULearn and other informal learning opportunities. Also, I need to remember to play as I learn lots by just giving things a go.