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 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 mailto:patti@journalgenie.com
EditingExpect, allow, and accept that every first draft will represent... Read More
Productivity begins by recognizing and valuing your brilliance, time, and... Read More
Do you suffer from writer's block? Is there a pending... Read More
With the advent of email communications in the workplace, it's... Read More
If you're a writer, you're in business. It doesn't matter... Read More
Characters in a good novel really carry the story along... Read More
Among the various foolproof methods used to boost traffic to... Read More
I asked several writers how long it took them to... Read More
What a lack of research could do to you.When creating... Read More
There's nothing that kills a scene like hackneyed dialogue. Just... Read More
As in all endeavors, toil is necessary to succeed and... Read More
One morning, you open your inbox and find several e-mails... Read More
10 - You will always have a job. As long... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?It should.A theme is a one-line explanation... Read More
When you write for international audiences, mainly directly in English,... Read More
Sure you can write, but can you write crisp, compelling... Read More
Poems. Just the mention of them makes me smile. Why?... Read More
Great writing transports one vicariously to realms that the reader... Read More
Have you ever written a letter to a friend? Ever... Read More
There are many ways you can generate ideas you can... Read More
One obvious question that can get overlooked in the process... Read More
Since the headline is the first contact your readers have... Read More
Taming the Book Proposal: The BasicsOh, that most maddening of... Read More
FIVE MINUTES ... Is All You Need ........to phone a... Read More
Lately I've been noticing an odd trend amongst the freelance... Read More
When the writing bug hits you, get out your pencil,... Read More
Welcome to the zany ideas of a productive writer. My... Read More
To help build your profile and reputation within a large... Read More
Mixing and mingling with industry professionals is an opportunity that... Read More
Using a ghostwriter to craft your free reprint articles and... Read More
If you find your sentences filled with commas, and they... Read More
If your dream is to get published, the chance is... Read More
Arrogance has a bad rap. We think of arrogant people... Read More
Have you ever wondered why certain writers are able to... Read More
Winning writing contests can provide several advantages to writers. For... Read More
"Do I send samples, a media kit, or just the... Read More
Imagine a three hundred page book was in the author's... Read More
As an aspiring or an established entrepreneur, you are an... Read More
There is no specific formula for children's fiction. There are,... Read More
As a student of Spanish, my goal was to think... Read More
I went to school to be a teacher. In fact,... Read More
Structure in the form of frameworks, work processes and goals... Read More
Written communication is often the first impression you make on... Read More
Be careful when you write.Words you use, sentences you phrase... Read More
Bookcoaching clients come to me at different stages of writing... Read More
People can't believe I did it, but I did. I... Read More
A QUERY LETTER is written to an editor or agent... Read More
Taming the Book Proposal: The BasicsOh, that most maddening of... Read More
Names are important. Names give clues about us, where we... Read More
Every writer expends a great deal of creative energy developing... Read More
You are the only one who knows what being a... Read More
As a child, I loved to write. I can't remember... Read More
Arrogance has a bad rap. We think of arrogant people... Read More
Has the thought run across you mind that you might... Read More
I've been in the communications business a long time?over 25... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?Writing is a creative process and how... Read More
Whether you keep a separate spiritual journal or just want... Read More
First, let's tackle the question that is uppermost in many... Read More
The rejection letter says: "Your story, on the surface, appears... Read More
1. Set aside a time to write and keep it... Read More
Good writing is like sex. Two people are involved ?... Read More
Writing can be more difficult that just compiling your thoughts... Read More
It's a good idea to use TextPad because all opt-in... Read More
No matter what your fifth-grade English teacher says, some grammar... Read More
Mindmapping is better than linear outlining because authors can use... Read More
Many writers write for the experience. Others dream of having... Read More
Writing |