The Power of the Pen and Paper - Can it still be utilized in Freelancing?

Have you ever calculated your finances without an excel or formulas? In Japan, many households use the “Household Account Book” method to manage their finances using just a notebook and a pen.

KAKEIBO - A Japanese Method of Financial Tracking

At one time, Japan was one of the poorest countries in the world. Right after the Second World War, every Japanese household could barely afford enough to eat. During this time of destitute, many Japanese practiced "Kakeibo," a simple Japanese accounting method invented by Hani Makoto, Japan's first female journalist. This simple method can realistically help you save 35% of your income. This cinch Japanese method circumscribes four questions: How much do you earn? How much would you save? How much are your expenses? How can you improve things?

Kakeibo - a financial tracking method using just a pen and paper.

Simply, the trick is to meticulously and consistently track how much you earn and spend. But the secret is to do it with a pen and paper.

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Benefits of Handwriting: How Handwriting Can Boost Your Productivity

Studies show that the practice of physically tracking your finances on paper significantly raises your awareness of how much you've spent and how much you have remaining. Handwritten financial records help us become utterly attentive, cognizant and scrupulous about our needs and wants instead of being image-conscious.

Who would have thought that the pen and paper could be so effective?

The Power of the Pen and Paper - can it still be utilized in Freelancing?

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Can it still be utilized in Freelancing?

I decided to apply the same concept to goal setting. I wrote out my goals and listed all my action steps and milestones in my little notebook. Just recently, I started studying and training for Freelancing (Virtual Assistance) Course under Surge Digital Agency and during my coaching sessions, I can't help but write down some notes for future references. I carefully tracked my progress and checked off each lesson and portfolios as I completed and accomplished them. I was amazed how this simple act of recording my actions with a pen and paper raised my awareness tenfold. To my surprise, I had created a modified version of Kakeibo for goal setting and even task tracking.

Amidst the current emerging digital world, there are still traditional ways and methods that we cannot forget utilizing. More specifically, in freelancing. Truly, our tasks and works even communication are all online. A vast of online applications and websites are available for use and access to accomplish specific VA Tasks. However, there are still times that we utilize the power of the pen and paper in tracking and taking down notes, right? This concept and reality made me realize that at this very modern point of time, we still shouldn't underestimate the power of the pen and paper.

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Other must reads: Occupation and Reconstruction of Japan, 1945–52 Retrieved from: https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/japan-reconstruction/

Accessed 11 April 2022 Issa, N. (2021). Kakeibo: The Mindful Japanese Budgeting System retrieved from: https://www.credit.com/personal-finance/kakeibo/

Accessed 08 April 2022. Eaton, E. (2019). Benefits of Handwriting: How Handwriting Can Boost Your Productivity retrieved from: https://www.dumblittleman.com/benefits-of-handwriting/

Accessed 08 April 2022.