Kieran Drew Profile picture
Jan 22, 2022 19 tweets 8 min read Read on X
Journaling is the most powerful mental habit for writers and entrepreneurs.

But most methods aren’t optimized for results.

Here’s the simple system I’ve used for over a year to create more happiness, self-awareness and success:
Every day you’re bombarded with information. Thoughts are scattered. Life is relentless.

Journaling brings calm to the chaos.

In this thread I’ll show you how to do it effectively (in as little as 10 minutes a day). Image
A note:

At first journaling feels pointless. Most worthwhile things do.

But trust me - the more you do it, the better the results.

You piece together a map of your mind. A log of decisions. Data to guide future action.

This is powerful.

Here’s the setup:
You need 3 books.

This keeps you organised – or else you’ll never review what you record.

You also need some colours. We’re tracking +/- results & energy for optimization.

The books:

1. Daily dump
2. Reviews
3. Business (THE most powerful one) Image
Should you handwrite?

I get the need for digital notes.

They’re faster. Structured. Clean.

But this isn’t what you want with journaling. It’s about slowing down. Exploring. Thinking.

Typing comes at the cost of intimacy and clarity.
Book 1 - The Daily Dump (I know - a great name)

The aim:

1. Practice gratitude
2. Observe your thoughts & clear your mind
3. Track results and energy
4. Stay driven toward your vision

The day begins and ends with this. Image
The morning is for priming and preparation.

Your vision is your north star.

Gratitude is fuel.

Brain dumping tames the monkey mind.

An inspirational quote helps internalise the best ideas from great thinkers.

Daily goal: optional. I prefer systems. Image
The evening is for peace, perspective and progress.

1. Wins

Easy to forget the small stuff – but these add up.

2. Losses

What left you drained? What could be better?

3. Story

Gather stories as you go. This helps you take notice of life. Image
Book 2 - Goals & Reviews

Most people stop at book 1. That’s like running a marathon and quitting at mile 25.

This book is for:

Pursuing your purpose.

Reviewing results.

Lessons for living. Image
One Big Thing

“Are we not more likely to hit the mark if we have a target?” – Aristotle

Every 90 days set 1 big goal.

This ties into your vision – powerful for results.

Interested?

Read this from @TaylorPearsonMe. Life-changing.

taylorpearson.me/how-to-get-foc…
@TaylorPearsonMe Reviews:

Reviews let you recalibrate. It's easy to go through life without keeping track.

Content:

1. KPI from 90-day goal (am I on track?)
2. Wins & losses
3. Energy levels (thanks @dickiebush)

Follow the energy. Follow the results. Image
@TaylorPearsonMe @dickiebush Lessons

Fuck ups and failures are great. They’re an opportunity to refine your operating system.

People spend their life making the same mistakes. Reflection stops the cycle.

So at the end of this book, log your lessons.

Build your blueprint. Image
@TaylorPearsonMe @dickiebush Book 3 - Business:

If my flat was burning down, this is what I would grab.

(and if she’s reading this, my girlfriend)

Why?

Well, you’re likely striving for success. To make a real difference.

This book will guarantee it.

Let me explain: Image
@TaylorPearsonMe @dickiebush The best content you create serves your past self.

"Writing to your shadow"

But without a record, you're guessing.

Here, you document your entire journey.

The doubts. Questions. Pains.

You build an incredibly powerful marketing asset.

For free.
@TaylorPearsonMe @dickiebush Pimp this book:

For each entry, grade your level of clarity.

At your most positive, write about your plans. Your vision.

Why?

The monkey mind is fickle. The journey long.

Recording your thoughts at the best of times will get you through the worst. Image
P.S.
Interested in the idea of the business book?

I recorded a short clip for a client going into detail.

I’m sharing it with anyone interested. If you turn on your DM’s and RT #1 tweet (linked below).

– I’ll send it over.

In summary:

Journal day to day to take notice of life.

Define your vision and set targets to make it a reality.

Use data to guide results.

Document your entire journey online as a creator.

And speak to me in 6 months.

Guaranteed your life has changed.
If you enjoyed this, why not give me a follow:

@ItsKieranDrew

I share ideas on storytelling and writing for the digital age.
And if you're writing online, you'd love my guide.

It's a short e-book that helps you define your niche differently - so you can stand out from the crowd.

Get it here for free:

writersniche.carrd.co

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More from @ItsKieranDrew

Feb 6
If I were an entrepreneurial writer and wanted to stop selling my time…

Here's how I would build my business to make $100,000/year without ghostwriting.

(In 10 simple steps)
Follow the rule of one.

The mistake most writers make is spreading themselves too thin. Like Jack Butcher says, "Early diversification costs later compounding."

The fastest way to six figures is focus.

Follow the Rule of One:

• One problem
• One solution
• One platform
Pick the right problem.

You are paid in proportion to how much pain you solve. Most people pick the wrong problem.

It must be…

• A bleeding neck (a problem people want to pay for right now)
• Something you're passionate about solving
• For someone with money

Don't guess. Speak to people. Listen to their pain. Before you create, validate.
Read 12 tweets
Nov 5, 2024
Over the past 3 years, I’ve grown my email list to 35,000 readers.

It’s the most important part of my business.

But my biggest mistake? Wasting so much time on a ‘value’ newsletter.

If you want to grow your brand and business in 2024 and beyond, here’s why you need to avoid this trap:
When I started writing online, I spent almost two years sharing a ‘value’ newsletter.

Each week, I’d spend hours crafting an information-dense emails rich in steps, frameworks, and blueprints.

They felt great because they got plenty of compliments.

But they suck for your brand and business.

Why?
Most people think teaching was the best way to become an authority and get paid.

“If you give enough useful information, eventually people whip out their wallet.”

But it doesn’t work like that.

Why?

First, everyone is creating ‘advice’ content. It’s useful but unremarkable. You end up a commodity in a crowded market—a terrible position for business.

But the second point is most important:
Read 7 tweets
Oct 19, 2024
David Olgivy was one of the world’s best copywriters.

He once said:

“I am a lousy copywriter, but I am a good editor.”

The secret to great writing is rewriting. Steal my simple 3 step editing system to do it well: Image
First: never publish a first draft.

2 reasons:

1. Your first draft is never a complete thought
2. Writing is thinking on paper. Your best ideas emerge the more you revisit them

Instead:
First drafts fast

First drafts almost always suck. The key is to get it over with.

Write as fast as you can:

- No judgement
- No editing
- No checking social media
- Use [placeholders] when you get stuck

Think of it like vomiting ideas onto a page. Keep writing until you can say no more.
Read 7 tweets
Sep 3, 2024
Yesterday was the third year anniversary of me quitting the rat race.

When I went all in, I hadn’t made any money and had a tiny audience.

Since then:

- Grossed $875,964
- Attracted 241,000 followers
- Built a 35,000 subscriber email list

Here’s the most important lesson I learned about success:
I’d spent ten years and over 6 figures becoming a dentist.

I was terrified of throwing away all that effort. But it felt like an anchor slowly dragging me down.

Why?

Because I wasn’t happy.

On paper, I was doing well. I specialised in cosmetics and worked 6 days a week to ‘achieve success’.

But I couldn’t shake this feeling I was making a massive mistake.

That I was climbing the wrong mountain.

That there was something more to life.
But it took me years to grow the balls to quit.

Going ‘all in’ was the best decision I made.

Not because things worked out—although I’m glad they did (so is my hairline).

But because it showed me how important it is to bet on yourself.
Read 6 tweets
Jul 25, 2024
My favourite resource on understanding human behaviour:

“The Psychology of Human Misjudgement” by Charlie Munger.

There’s a reason Warren Buffett called his business partner the smartest man he knew.

Here’s a breakdown of the 25 psychological biases he shares: Image
1) Reward and Punishment Superresponse Tendency

Never underestimate the power of incentives. People will do crazy things to avoid pain or achieve gain.

“If you want ants to come, you put sugar on the floor.”
2) Liking/Loving Tendency

People will give you 100x more leeway in business and life if you’re likeable. This is why reputation is so important. It’s like the engine of your car. You can’t see it, but it’s the driving force behind all results.
Read 28 tweets
Jul 18, 2024
A philosophy that changed my life:

Stoicism.

I discovered it when I was diagnosed with a neurological tumour and a broken neck. Since then, every great outcome in my life has stemmed from the Stoic’s ideas.

Here are the 7 most powerful:
Don’t aim for happiness.

Most people are unhappy because they base their happiness on externalities. The Stoics instead for ‘Eudaimonia’—a deep-seated joy when living according to virtue:

• Justice
• Wisdom
• Courage
• Temperance Image
The dichotomy of control.

The more you chase things outside your control, the less control you have. Image
Read 8 tweets

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