Because we’re human and it’s hard to be frank with a stranger, we tend to keep personal problems for ourselves. Some people may not even realize that the person they are talking to has the same issues or worries. However, keeping a private note of your innermost thoughts can contribute significantly to personal growth.

You will discover your strengths and weaknesses

Although human beings are a beautiful species, that accomplishment is not enough. The more self-aware you become, the more you will be able to appreciate the things that you have. You might even realize that your friends don’t know the real you or that they don’t understand certain situations like yours. You could then go ahead and share your thoughts with someone who might be able to inspire you to strive for something greater.

You will have a place to record your successes and failures

By recording both your successes and failures, you can have a more objective view at yourself and assess where you went wrong. Being able to notice your strengths will help you hone on that skill even more, but being able to acknowledge your weaknesses will allow you to know what areas of improvement are necessary.

You will be able to see how far you’ve really come

Sometimes when we feel like we aren’t improving, it may be because we are looking at ourselves from the wrong point of view. Looking back at what you wrote in your personal note, you will be able to see how far you’ve come and just how much time and effort has gone into your personal growth. It also helps to remember all of the times that you have failed before so that when the next opportunity arises, you won’t hesitate to take it.

You can reflect on your decisions and make new ones

You might find yourself at a crossroads where you can either stay the same or move forward. You might realize that making the wrong choice would not only hurt you mentally, but it would also affect those around you. Having a private note is one of the best ways to reflect on all of your decisions and choose to move forward whether that means refraining from certain actions or improving them.