Some people think it's a waste of time to keep a journal, and for some, they can't live without it. This blog talks about the benefits of keeping a journal. Read on, you'll be surprised to know the benefits it could bring to your life.

1) Getting Things Done

When you write your to-do-list it makes it more legit rather than the list just stuck in your head. Writing it down makes you more aware what needs to get done, and oh the joy of crossing it out once you've done a particular task! With so many things that can happen everyday, expected and unexpected, we often forget what we have to do. When you wake up in the morning, make it a habit to journal your to-do-list. If you keep doing this every morning, and you stick with this habit - this will eventually become a part of your morning routine. The Freedom Journal by John Lee Dumas, is designed to help and guide you accomplish your goal in 100 days. If your main focus is achieving a specific goal(s), I highly recommend this one.

RELATED: 8 Ultimate Daily Routines For Success - Set Your Life For Success

2) Gaining Gratitude

Whether you're working or studying or both, whether you have kids or you don't, it's hard not to get caught up in this hectic world we live in. There's always too many things to do whether it's work, meet up with a friend, meeting with your boss, drive your kids to school, or visit a family member, groceries, and getting your workout in. When you're busy the days just fly by and we forget to reflect on the good things that happen on a daily basis. I mean there has got to be at least one good thing that happens to you everyday, right?! When we write things down such as 'things that made today great' we reflect on these things, and naturally we become thankful and grateful. At the end of your busy day try writing down the positive things that occurred that day. If you do it everyday, it will become a habit and you will gain gratitude and maybe start looking at things differently in a positive way. Again, make it a part of your routine. Having a great routine is what shapes you to become the person you want to be.

3) Self Control

Journaling gives you a chance to write down what your weaknesses and strengths are. It gives you a chance to dig deep within yourself; admit your flaws. It's okay to have flaws and shortcomings. There is no such thing as perfect, no one is perfect. Writing down and reading your mistakes, or things you wish you could've done gives you that opportunity to look back and make things better and improve on yourself, how you handle things, etc. The more you journal the more you're going to want to write about the good things in your life. Seeing the 'bad' and unsuccessful events in your journal is never a pleasant sight but look at it as your next thing to improve on.

4) Stress Reliever