Prompts about the work itself

  • Talk through the part of your job you could explain to a new hire in your sleep.
  • Describe a problem you solved this week, step by step, as if writing it up for a colleague.
  • Say which task you've been avoiding and what the first ten minutes of it would look like.
  • Talk about the work you'd do more of if nobody was measuring it.
  • Describe a good day at work this week, hour by hour.
  • Tell the story of a recent mistake and what you'd change in the process, not in yourself.

Prompts about the people you work with

  • Describe a colleague who made your day easier and exactly what they did.
  • Talk through a meeting that went sideways and the moment it turned.
  • Say what feedback you'd give your manager if it were completely safe to.
  • Tell the story of someone who taught you something at work without meaning to.
  • Describe a conversation you need to have this week and how you'd open it.

Prompts for a record of your wins

  • Describe something you shipped, fixed or finished this month and who it helped.
  • Talk about a skill you used this week that you didn't have a year ago.
  • Say what you'd want your next review to mention, and the evidence for it.
  • Repeat a thank-you or compliment you got recently, word for word if you can.
  • Describe a problem you saw coming and headed off before it grew.

Prompts about direction

  • Talk about whether this job still fits the person you are this year.
  • Describe the job you'd want in three years and one thing you could start on now.
  • Say what drains you at work and what gives you energy, as two quick lists.
  • Talk through what you'd ask for if you knew the answer would be yes.
  • Tell the story of how you ended up in this line of work.

How to use these prompts

Talk for a minute on the walk to the bus or the train, so work stays at work. Say names, projects and dates, because they make an entry easy to find months later. When review time comes, search for a project name and the record is already there. Dawn Light's free search covers every word, name and place you've said.

Questions about work journaling

What's the difference between a work journal and a work log?

A work log is a plain record of what you did. A work journal adds how it went and what you think about it. Many people mix both in one place.

How do I remember my wins at review time?

Say one win at the end of each week, with the project name in it. Before a review, search for the project and read back what you said.

Should I journal about work on a work device?

Keep a personal journal on a personal device. Your employer may be able to see what's on a work phone, and you'll want to keep the journal if you change jobs.

Leave work at work

Tap the sun on the way home and say how work went. Dawn Light keeps every word as a dated entry, and free search finds any project or name later.

Get Dawn Light free

Unlimited entries, transcripts, search and iCloud sync. For iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. Works with iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and watchOS 26 or later.