FOUR PAGES TO A BREAKTHROUGH

By

Lael Johnson

Here is a more complete problem-solving exercise.  If you write quickly, you won’t need to set aside too much time to complete this exercise. Just to jumpstart your problem-solving process. Remember that  journaling is a catalyst for change. If you are at the beginning of your problem-solving process, you may see experience more subtle changes, such as a change in attitude or awareness of an information gap. However, as you continue the problem-solving process, you will begin to experience more tangible changes.  Remember to review these guidelines before you begin your journal work.

Guidelines:

--Create an accurate description of the situation. Remember to be as objective as possible.  

-- Focus on being specific and factual in this description. You will be able to discuss the emotional factors and additional  information later in the exercise.

--Describe the emotional impact of the situation, including your feelings before, during and after the situation. If you aren’t comfortable writing about your feelings, then try writing a list of words that describe your feelings, such as sad, frustrated, lonely, etc. After identifying your feelings  go back and write a mental doodle or picture next to each word or sentence. You may use stick figures, a symbol or a specific image. It’s more important that you create an image, than what or how the image looks to you. Don’t spend more than a minute adding your images.

After you’ve reviewed the guidelines it’s time to start journaling through the exercise.

FIRST:  Choose one topic for your four  page entry.  You may choose one from the past or present. Jot down two problems that have been on your mind in the past week. Choose the one that worries you most. Remember to focus iton only one problem during this exercise.

SECOND:   Write for four pages about the specific problem then stop. (Be flexible her. If you feel finished before four pages, then stop. The amount of time used, is relative to the time you need to finish your description and answers.) Remember to keep your hand writing, not editing allowed, until you feel finished.

THIRD:   Answer the following questions:

What one idea did you become more aware of?

How did you find this awareness helpful?

Did you discover one new action that you might implement? (If yes, please describe. If no, return to the first question and answer it again. If you are unable to answer this question, then take a break and start this exercise, fresh, the next day.)

Did you feel finished at the end of four pages? (If yes, describe why. If no, describe the next step that you want to take.)

Please remember to reread your answers at least once or twice at the end of the exercise. This will reinforce what you’ve already learned about the problem.

Now let’s review this exercise one more time. Reread your guidelines. Complete all actions listed in the first, second and third parts of the exercise. Reread your entry at least once or twice.  Plan future time to either repeat the exercise or to complete actions that  you’ve chosen from completing this exercise. Repeat the cycle again as needed.

Lael Johnson, creativity coach, writer and beader writes several online newsletters covering creativity coaching and other subjects. Copyright 2005, Writer’s Eye Advisory Service, Lael Johnson. All rights reserved.