LeStallion
LeStallion
Journal For Productivity - Why Writing Things Productivity Down Might Be Your Brain's Missing Superpower
https://lestallion.com/collections/journal-notebook-for-productivity
Feel like your brain has too many tabs open? That overwhelmed sensation of mental chaos is a modern epidemic, but the solution might be simpler than you think. Journaling—often dismissed as merely touchy-feely—emerges as a powerful, science-backed productivity tool that can transform how you manage your workload, goals, and mental space.
Through our exploration of productivity journaling, we uncover how the physical act of writing engages different neural pathways than typing, leading to deeper processing and better retention of information. The "brain dump" technique becomes a revelation for those struggling with mental overload—by externalizing your thoughts, worries, and ideas onto paper, you gain immediate relief and the ability to analyze, prioritize, and act with newfound clarity.
Goal-setting receives a revolutionary makeover through intentional journaling. Vague aspirations transform into specific, time-bound objectives that dramatically increase your likelihood of achievement. We share practical strategies for breaking goals into different timeframes and creating visual roadmaps that keep you accountable and motivated. The numbered pages and organizational features of quality journals become powerful tools for tracking progress and celebrating milestones along the way.
Perhaps most surprising is how the supposed "slowness" of physical journaling becomes its greatest strength. In our notification-saturated world, the mindful practice of putting pen to paper creates a rare opportunity to disconnect from digital distractions and engage in deeper thinking. Even digital natives and efficiency-obsessed professionals discover that this analog practice enhances focus, sparks creativity, and provides a grounding, satisfying counterbalance to screen-dominated work. Journal now to unlock your productivity potential and discover that sometimes the most effective tools have been with us all along.
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LeStallion offers premium PU leather journal notebooks for writing, dedicated to all those who are pursuing their dreams and goals, or nurturing their personal development and mental health.
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OK, so have you ever like felt that thing where your brain is just like it's a web browser with like a zillion tabs open and they're all like flashing urgent at you at the same time?
Speaker 2:I yeah, I definitely know that feeling.
Speaker 1:I swear, the other day I almost put coffee in my cereal bowl while I was trying to like answer emails and find matching socks.
Speaker 2:Oh, that's multitasking mayhem for sure. A modern day epidemic.
Speaker 1:Oh my gosh. Yes, and it got me thinking. You know, we're always looking for that productivity hack, that magic system, right, but what if the answer is like way simpler than we think?
Speaker 2:What about? You know? Just good, old fashioned journaling. Well, you know, it's funny because journaling is often seen as this kind of touchy, feely practice. You know, yeah, but what's really interesting is that it's actually backed by science when it comes to getting things done.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I've been using a listallion journal for a while now.
Speaker 2:OK.
Speaker 1:You know those journals. They're specifically designed for productivity.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:And I'm finding that some of their features really play into the benefits that we're going to talk about today.
Speaker 2:OK, I'd love to dive into that.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Could you remind us about Lestallion journals for those listeners who might not be familiar?
Speaker 1:Yeah, so they're known for their like, high quality journals. They come in a variety of colors and styles, like hard covers and soft covers. You know all that jazz.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:But the real magic is in the details. So things like durable faux leather covers like they can handle being tossed in your bag. Right 120 GSM paper, which means that the ink doesn't bleed through.
Speaker 2:Oh, that's important.
Speaker 1:That's key for people like me who like to use all the pens.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:And also their price point is actually reasonable. We're talking $19.95 to $24.95.
Speaker 2:Okay, that does make them accessible, then, to a wider range of people. Yeah, who might be a little hesitant to invest in a pricey journal, right. But let's move beyond just the aesthetics.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:How does Lestallion specifically support productivity?
Speaker 1:Okay. So picture this it's Monday morning and your to-do list is longer than your weekend grocery receipt. You've got meetings and deadlines and personal errands, just like the whole shebang. Oh, I know that feeling, and this is where the Lestallion table of contents becomes like a lifesaver.
Speaker 2:Ah, the humble table of contents.
Speaker 1:I know right.
Speaker 2:It's often overlooked, but incredibly useful. Yes so how do you utilize it for productivity?
Speaker 1:Okay. So instead of having one giant to-do list that makes me want to like hide under my desk right, I use the table of contents to categorize. So let's say I have sections for like work projects, or personal goals, or like errands, and maybe even like brilliant ideas okay, you know.
Speaker 2:So that's a great way to break down then overwhelming tasks into more manageable chunks right by creating those separate sections, you're essentially compartmentalizing your mental workload.
Speaker 1:Exactly, and because each page in the Lithostelian journal is numbered, it's super easy to reference back to specific entries in my table of contents. This was a game changer for me, especially with like long term projects.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I can imagine that would be particularly helpful for those who like to revisit their notes. Yes, and track their progress over time. You know, it transforms the journal into this kind of dynamic record of your journey.
Speaker 1:Totally. I even have a friend let's call her Sarah who uses her listallion to manage her side hustle. Oh, wow, and she has like a whole section in her table of contents dedicated to it.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:With entries for like marketing ideas or financial tracking, you name it. And those numbered pages let her easily cross reference different entries. It's like her own little business bible oh, that's amazing.
Speaker 2:That's such a great example of how a simple feature like a table of contents you know yeah combined with numbered pages yeah can actually elevate a journal from just being this passive note taking tool.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:You know, to an active system for managing complex projects.
Speaker 1:Yes, exactly. And speaking of managing overwhelm, one of the biggest benefits of journaling for productivity is this concept of like a brain dump. Have you heard of?
Speaker 2:that? Oh, the brain dump, yeah yeah. It's fascinating because it's not just about getting things out of your head.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:There's like a psychological benefit too.
Speaker 1:Oh, tell me about it. I used to try and keep everything in my head.
Speaker 2:Oh no.
Speaker 1:Which, as you can imagine, led to many a mental meltdown. But then I discovered the magic of the brain dump, and Lestallion's 211 pages really come in handy here.
Speaker 2:Wow, that's a lot of pages.
Speaker 1:I know it's a lot of space to just like declutter my mind.
Speaker 2:Right. So for those who might be new to this idea of a brain dump, could you explain what it actually entails?
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's basically like word vomit on paper. You grab your journal and you just write down every single thought worry to-do item like random idea, anything that's just cluttering up your mental space.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:And you don't censor yourself. You don't worry about grammar, you don't have to make it sound pretty, you just let it all out.
Speaker 2:There's a sense of liberation in that, isn't there. It's like releasing all that pent-up mental energy onto the page.
Speaker 1:It is incredibly freeing. Oh my gosh, yeah. And once it's like out of my head and on paper, it's like I can finally breathe again. You know, I remember this one time I was working on this huge project with like a million moving parts and I was so stressed out I could barely sleep and I finally was like, okay, I'm gonna do a brain dump in my listallion and it was like this weight lifted off my shoulders yeah, that's a great example of how journaling can be a tool for stress management, I think.
Speaker 2:Yeah, by externalizing our anxieties we can kind of gain a sense of perspective and control.
Speaker 1:Exactly, and then, once you've like done the brain dump, you can start to sift through it. You can identify any patterns, prioritize tasks or even just laugh at some of the ridiculous things that you were worrying about.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it becomes a process of reflection and analysis. Then, yes, helping us make sense of that kind of mental chaos.
Speaker 1:Totally, and this is where Lestallion's back pocket comes in handy. I like to like stick little post-it notes in there with action items or key takeaways from my brain dumps.
Speaker 2:Oh, that's clever. So it's not just about randomly purging those thoughts. It's about creating a system for capturing and processing that information.
Speaker 1:Exactly, and that's what makes Lestallion so great for productivity journaling.
Speaker 2:It's not just a pretty notebook, it's actually a tool that's designed to support a more organized and intentional approach to getting things done. Yeah, it's a great example of how the physical design of a tool can really influence our mental process and behaviors.
Speaker 1:Right Now speaking of intentional approaches. Another key benefit of journaling is its ability to help with goal-setting oh, absolutely, which is? Obviously crucial for productivity goal-setting is like. It's like plotting a course on a map yeah without it, you're just wandering aimlessly yeah, exactly, and I used to be like the queen of vague goals you know like be healthier, get organized oh yeah but then I realized those goals were basically useless because they didn't give me any concrete actions to take. You know what I mean.
Speaker 2:It's the difference between wishing for something and actually making a plan to achieve it.
Speaker 1:Right, and so that's where my list allying comes in. Remember how we talked about using the table of contents for different categories? Well, I have like a whole section dedicated to goals.
Speaker 2:Oh, okay, walk us through how you structure that section.
Speaker 1:So first I break down my goals into different time frames, like I have a page for monthly goals, then quarterly goals and then like a whole spread dedicated to my big, audacious yearly goals.
Speaker 2:Oh, I like that, so that's a great way to visualize your progress over time.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:You're not just focused on the immediate future.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:You're creating a roadmap for, like, long-term success.
Speaker 1:Exactly, and then for each goal I actually write it down in a specific way.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:So instead of just saying something like launch my website, I'll write launch my website by July 1st with at least five core pages and a newsletter signup.
Speaker 2:Oh, okay, so you're adding that specificity and a deadline, yes, which research actually shows increases the likelihood of you achieving that goal significantly.
Speaker 1:It's like giving your brain a clear target to aim for Right. And because each page in the listallion is numbered, it's easy to track back to those goals in my table of contents and just like see how I'm progressing. It's easy to track back to those goals in my table of contents and just like see how I'm progressing.
Speaker 2:That's a really clever way to leverage those journal features. Like to create your own personalized goal tracking system.
Speaker 1:I know Right, and you know what. I think this system can work for anyone, regardless of what kind of journal they use. Yeah, but for me the listallion just adds that extra level of like, organization and visual appeal that keeps me motivated.
Speaker 2:There's definitely something to be said for aesthetics and how they can influence our engagement with the tool.
Speaker 1:Totally.
Speaker 2:Like a beautiful, well-designed journal, can inspire us to use it more consistently.
Speaker 1:Oh, absolutely. And speaking of consistency, that's one of the biggest challenges people face when it comes to journaling. I've just gets busy and it's so easy to let that habit slip.
Speaker 2:It's true, consistency is key for any habit formation, but it can be particularly challenging when it comes to journaling, I think.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:You know it requires carving out that dedicated time and space for reflection.
Speaker 1:Right. But that's where I think the Lestallion's durability really plays a role, Because it's made with those high quality materials. It can withstand being tossed in my bag, taken to coffee shops you name it Like it's always there for me, ready whenever inspiration strikes.
Speaker 2:So it becomes like this, constant companion almost.
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 2:A reminder to prioritize that time for introspection and creative exploration.
Speaker 1:Yes, and because it looks and feels so nice, I'm actually more likely to pick it up and use it.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:It's like a little treat for myself.
Speaker 2:There's a certain psychological effect, I think, to using tools that we just like find aesthetically pleasing.
Speaker 1:Brightly.
Speaker 2:It enhances our enjoyment of the task, makes us more likely to stick with it.
Speaker 1:And you know what else I've found helpful. For staying consistent, lestallion actually has a companion app.
Speaker 2:Oh really.
Speaker 1:I know it's not like super fancy, but it lets you set reminders to journal and track your progress. You can even store photos or voice memos related to your entries.
Speaker 2:Oh wow, that's so smart. That's a clever way to kind of bridge that gap between analog and digital.
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 2:Leveraging technology to support the consistency of a physical practice.
Speaker 1:Exactly Because you know, let's face it, we live in a digital world and sometimes we need those digital nudges to stay on track.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:And this app actually integrates really well with the Lestallion's numbered pages. Okay, I can tag specific entries in the app and then easily find them in my journal later on. It's like having the best of both worlds.
Speaker 2:It's a great example of how technology can complement rather than replace more traditional tools like journaling.
Speaker 1:Exactly Now. Speaking of technology, one of the biggest objections people have to journaling is that it's too slow or not as efficient as digital tools, but I think that slowness can actually be a good thing.
Speaker 2:Oh, that's an interesting perspective. Expand on that a little bit.
Speaker 1:So we live in a world that's constantly demanding our attention. You know we're bombarded with notifications, emails, social media updates. It's exhausting.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And I think that constant stimulation can actually hinder our productivity.
Speaker 2:You're suggesting that by slowing down and disconnecting from those digital distractions we can actually enhance our focus and creativity.
Speaker 1:Exactly. And journaling, especially with a physical notebook like the Listallion, it forces you to slow down. Right, you have to physically write things down, which engages different parts of your brain and encourages deeper thinking.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. There's a certain mindfulness that comes with the physical act of writing. Yeah, it can help us become more present, more attentive to our thoughts and ideas.
Speaker 1:Totally, I actually have a story about this. My brother, mark, is a software engineer, okay, and he is all about efficiency and optimization, and he used to like tease me about my old school journaling habit.
Speaker 2:I'm imagining he was a big advocate for digital tools and those productivity apps.
Speaker 1:Oh, absolutely. But then, ironically, he started having trouble focusing at work. He was constantly getting distracted by notifications and he felt like he was just spread too thin across a million different projects.
Speaker 2:A classic case of digital overload.
Speaker 1:Exactly so I finally convinced him to give journaling a try. He was resistant at first, but I was like, just think of it as an experiment and you know what? He was actually amazed at the results.
Speaker 2:Really, what kind of changes did he notice?
Speaker 1:Well, he said that journaling helped him clear his head before starting work, which improved his focus and concentration, and he also found that writing down his ideas and to-do lists helped him prioritize tasks and just stay on track throughout the day.
Speaker 2:It sounds like he discovered the power of intentionality and the benefits of slowing down to create that space for deeper thinking.
Speaker 1:Exactly, and he even admitted that he enjoyed the tactile experience of writing. He said it felt more grounding and satisfying than typing on a keyboard all day.
Speaker 2:You know, there's a certain sense of connection and embodiment that comes with the physical act of writing. Yeah, it could be a very grounding and mindful practice.
Speaker 1:Totally. And you know what's funny? He actually ended up getting himself a Lestallion journal, I know right. He liked the sleek design and the durable materials. He said it felt like a tool that was built to last, which you know aligned with his long term thinking.
Speaker 2:Oh, that's awesome. That's a great example of how like a seemingly simple tool, like a journal.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Can really have a profound impact on our work habits and our overall well-being.
Speaker 1:I think it goes to show that you don't have to choose between analog and digital Right. You can use both to support your productivity and creativity.
Speaker 2:It's about finding the right tools and strategies that work for you.
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 2:Rather than subscribing to like this one size fits all approach.
Speaker 1:Exactly. And you know what else I found helpful for integrating journaling into my workflow, using my listallion for meeting notes.
Speaker 2:Well, that's interesting. Tell me more about how you use it in a professional setting.
Speaker 1:Well, so instead of just like typing notes on my laptop, which can feel really impersonal and detached, you know, I bring my listallion to meetings. And I actually find that taking handwritten notes helps me to focus better and retain information more effectively.
Speaker 2:There's actually research to support that too, you know really the act of physically writing. It engages different neural pathways than typing does okay and that can lead to deeper processing and encoding of information oh, that's so interesting.
Speaker 1:I've also noticed that when I take notes in my list, alley and I'm more likely to like doodle or sketch out ideas, which helps me to kind of make connections and come up with more creative solutions. Plus, it just makes the whole meeting experience less tedious.
Speaker 2:It injects a bit of personality and playfulness into what can often be like a really formal setting.
Speaker 1:Yeah, totally. And then after the meeting, I can easily transfer any like key action items or takeaways to my to-do list, which I keep in a separate section of my Listallion, of course.
Speaker 2:So you're really seamlessly integrating your meeting notes then into your larger productivity system.
Speaker 1:Exactly, and speaking of systems, one of the things I love about Listallion is that they offer a variety of templates and inserts that you can add to your journal. So, for example, they have project planning templates or habit trackers, even gratitude journals.
Speaker 2:Wow. So that's a great way to really customize the journal to fit your specific needs and preferences.
Speaker 1:Right, and it lets you experiment with different journaling techniques without having to like buy a whole new notebook. So, for example, I recently started using their weekly reflection template.
Speaker 2:OK.
Speaker 1:Where you reflect on, like your wins for the week, any challenges you faced and lessons learned, and it's been really helpful for you know, personal growth and self-awareness.
Speaker 2:That's a really powerful practice. I think taking the time to pause and reflect on our experiences allows us to really extract those valuable insights.
Speaker 1:Yes. And make adjustments as needed, yeah totally, and you know what needed yeah, totally, and you know what. I actually have a friend let's call her Lisa who's a therapist, okay, and she actually started recommending Lestallion journals to her clients who are struggling with anxiety or stress.
Speaker 2:Oh, wow, that's interesting. What specific features of the Lestallion does she find beneficial for her clients?
Speaker 1:Well, she loves the fact that they're so customizable.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:So she encourages her clients to use different sections for different purposes, like tracking their mood, practicing gratitude or just processing difficult emotions.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:And she also finds that the durability of the listalien is really important for her clients.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Many of whom have a history of, like you know, starting and stopping journals.
Speaker 2:It makes sense A journal that feels sturdy and reliable. It can really symbolize a commitment to self-care and personal growth.
Speaker 1:Exactly, and she says that her clients who have embraced journaling have seen significant improvements in their emotional well-being and overall sense of self-awareness. It's a testament, I think, to the power of journaling as a therapeutic tool significant improvements in their emotional well-being and overall sense of self-awareness.
Speaker 2:It's a testament, I think, to the power of journaling as a therapeutic tool. Yeah, it can provide that really safe and structured space for exploring our thoughts, feelings and behaviors.
Speaker 1:So I know we've been talking a lot about Lestallion and I want to be clear. This isn't like a paid sponsorship or anything. Okay, I just genuinely love their journals and find that their features really support the kind of productivity journaling that we've been discussing today. But, of course, you can apply these principles to any journal that you enjoy using.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. The key is to find a tool that resonates with you and inspires you to make journaling a regular practice.
Speaker 1:Exactly, and I think it's worth emphasizing that journaling isn't just about, you know, getting things done. It's also about personal growth and self-discovery and even creativity.
Speaker 2:It's a very holistic practice that can really enrich our lives in countless ways.
Speaker 1:Totally, and you know what I think it's something that everyone can benefit from, regardless of like their profession, their goals or their personality type.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's a gift that we can give ourselves. Yeah, a space for exploration, expression and transformation.
Speaker 1:Beautifully said. So, as we wrap up this deep dive into the world of journaling for productivity, I want to leave you with a final thought. What if, instead of constantly seeking the next productivity hack or magic bullet, we simply embrace the power of the pen and paper?
Speaker 2:A return to simplicity, a rediscovery of the profound in the seemingly mundane.
Speaker 1:Exactly because sometimes the most effective tools are the ones that have been with us all along. So grab a journal any journal and start writing your own story. Who knows what amazing discoveries await you within those pages.
Speaker 2:The journey begins with a single stroke of the pen.
Speaker 1:And with that we'll conclude our deep dive. We hope you found it insightful, inspiring and perhaps even motivating to embrace the transformative power of journaling. Until next time, happy writing.