Fear is a primal emotion associated with a low level of consciousness. Some people think fear is an important part of our survival. It’s not. Caution is what’s important. Caution and fear are not the same. We survive in spite of fear, not because of it.

Fear shuts down our executive functions—our ability to think and make decisions. Fear causes paralysis, kills creativity, and limits our growth.

People who operate from fear are unhappy. Businesses that operate from fear may survive, but they never thrive.

Caution means that you’re aware of potential pitfalls and take precautions when necessary. Caution keeps us alert. Caution doesn’t tangle us up in a web of emotions like fear does. Caution doesn’t hinder our ability to stay relaxed and focused. We can be cautious and still think and act with reason and accountability.

Fear can be pervasive within any person or business. When fear becomes our default position to act, think, talk, and make decisions, we are debilitated.

Caution is used only when needed, like after a fruitful brainstorm where many ideas are created. Caution helps Black Hat your ideas, searching for the potential pitfalls you missed in the idea generation stage of the creative process. In fear, creative ideas are rarely discovered.

Let go of fear and utilize caution when appropriate. The benefits you’ll reap are beyond measure.

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Leather-bound journals carry their own energy. A journal beckons you from a simpler time when privileged thinkers had access to proper writing instruments like papyrus, ink and a feather.

A journal is a place to record the unusual ideas that traverse your mind, whereas a diary is used to capture your innermost thoughts about each day. A journal is more of a companion along your life journey, a sounding board and a place to record the Muse’s messages. Through your own words and those chanted by others, a journal provides you with a constant stream of inspiration.

For thinkers and writers, a filled journal is more precious than money, jewelry or other material possessions. Like a family heirloom or work of art, a filled journal cannot be replaced.

When I stay at a hotel, I always make sure my journal is not stored in my luggage. If someone wants to steal from me, let him take my bags and everything else. They don’t want a used journal filled with my ideas anyway.

Of course, those ideas captured in your journal aren’t really “yours.” They were given to you for a time and it’s up to you to determine which ideas you want to use—in your writing, your work and your life.

Computers serve an invaluable function in writing, communicating and creating. But they can never replace the mysterious quality of a leather-bound journal. At least, I hope they don’t for future writers. The journal has been a vital tool for great thinkers and writers since antiquity.

My journal of choice? The pocket size Moleskine Ruled Notebook. It’s not real leather, but it’s durable, fits in your back pocket and is still large enough to write comfortably. Apparently, Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso and Van Gogh used this moleskin-style journal. It works beautifully.

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