List-making is a favorite journaling technique and is often used to quickly jot down a numbered record on topics like "my beliefs," "my pet peeves," "the things I hate about myself," or "my strengths." However, there's a special type of list technique that moves beyond a simple itemization and into the realm of significant self-awareness.
This special technijque has several names, including table-of-contents, life chapters, and stepping-stones, the latter term used by journaling expert, Ira Progoff. Using this technique the writer lists their most important life events, as though they were chapter headings in an autobiography. Progoff and other suggest keeping the number of items to around a dozen, to ensure the inclusion of only major events.
One writer's listed these items:
1. Brother died when I was three years old.
2. Mom went into the hospital when I was five, and I didn't know why or when she would come home.
3. Grandma died when I was ten, and because of my age they wouldn't let me go to the hospital and see her.
4. Dad died of a sudden heart attack when I was 15. I was with him but couldn't save his life.
5. I fell in love but we lived in different cities and things just never seemed to work out.
6. My step-father died-how could this happen?
7. My long-distance love affair ended.
8. I fell in love again and thought it was for a lifetime.
9. I got married and was happy, at least for a long time.
10. I got divorced. It wasn't for a lifetime.
Is there any doubt that this journal-writer has major issues concerning death and other ending issues? And, do you notice the lack of happy events? After this diarist created the stepping stones, she then wrote about each, realizing how many unresolved issues she carried with her-and how they impacted her ability to be happy.
As you do this exercise several times over months or years, you'll find your choice of events changing. Sometimes your first love affair is the most important thing on the list, and other times it won't make the top 10 or 12 at all. Why? Because the list reflects the issues that cry out for attention.
When you're comfortable with this technique, try using it for specific topics, like the stepping stones of your weight issues, or relationships, or spiritual growth. Don't be afraid to experiment.
Good writing!
Copyright 2004 Patti Testerman
Journal Genie, The Website That Talks Back
http://www.journalgenie.com
You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included and the resource box is left unchanged. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.
About The Author
Patti Testerman is content manager at http://www.journalgenie.com, the only online site that analyzes your writing and then gives you instant feedback. Discover self-defeating patterns, find better ways to communicate in relationships. Contact her at http://www.journalgenie.com
shuttle from O'Hare Brocton .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareNot long ago, I went to an Internet Marketing Seminar.... Read More
It's a good idea to use TextPad because all opt-in... Read More
As a professional copywriter, not only do I do a... Read More
Okay. So I'm not David Letterman. But I doubt if... Read More
The big question. Do you submit directly to the publishers,... Read More
If Ben Franklin were alive today, he would be...uh, very... Read More
Do you want to publish something? An article, a non-fiction... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?By now you should have an idea... Read More
Far too many inexperienced writers create flat, stereotypical characters: the... Read More
On the first day of a bright and shiny new... Read More
You have just completed a draft of an article. It... Read More
Ever wondered how the most successful children's book writers get... Read More
You must write a hypnotic persuasion letter to help you... Read More
Among the various foolproof methods used to boost traffic to... Read More
When you run an online agency for freelance writers, editors... Read More
Recently, I was hunting for a book that would simply... Read More
Your struggling to sell just a few copies of your... Read More
ADAPTATION 101Brimming with confidence, you've just signed the check purchasing... Read More
My Dad has this old joke that goes, "What's the... Read More
Hands up all those who'd like to have a successful... Read More
The creativity of Jaisini is not designed to be preaching... Read More
So you've got your plot outlined, a title lined up... Read More
When attempting to understand Creativity and Innovation, it pays to... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?What a plot is and what a... Read More
You're writing a story set in your local city, but... Read More
Chicago charter limousine service Hickory Hills ..You must write a hypnotic persuasion letter to help you... Read More
"If you want to change your life," Harry Beckwith wrote... Read More
If you are looking for copywriter books, you'll want to... Read More
Think of writing like karate...it's about DISCIPLINE.Writing, like other forms... Read More
In order to be successful with a newsletter, specialize in... Read More
Authors need to write their book according to their target... Read More
You've decided to write your very own Newsletter to promote... Read More
Regardless of what sort of writer you are and how... Read More
We've all seen those ads that grab our attention and... Read More
You send me an e-mail. You tell me you've written... Read More
Your query letter can be a deal maker or a... Read More
Obtaining the skills for writing good business correpondence is important;... Read More
As you set out to create your first niche non-fiction... Read More
What is a freelance grant writer? These individuals have a... Read More
Freelance writer STANLEY BURKHARDT has a passion for animals. He... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?I have said above that if a... Read More
Many writers stare at the blank page or clean computer... Read More
How many times have you forced yourself to sit in... Read More
Ever wonder what an author's life is like? What that... Read More
The big question. Do you submit directly to the publishers,... Read More
Each author has special editing needs. To save yourself time... Read More
Eight or nine times out of ten, picking up and... Read More
I started writing as a way of keeping safe memories... Read More
Ever wonder why we refer to convincing an editor a... Read More
We've all been told that we need to use all... Read More
Writing |