How to Use Writing to Transform Your Thinking

For many of us, the thought of writing makes us feel anxious. Perhaps, many of us associate writing with school assignments. I remember the red ink on my papers. I would often ask myself, 'How can I do what is expected?'

Fortunately, writing that transforms does not need to be graded. In fact, a non-critical mindset is helpful.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A relaxed state of mind
• The usually stuff: paper, pens or pencils or other writing instruments

1. Sitting down in a well-lighted, quiet location. You don't want to be straining your eyes to see what you are writing. Additionally, a lot of sounds will disrupt your ability to allow calm thinking.

2. Brainstorm and freely associate words. Spend a minute or two to write down whatever words come to your mind and then stop. When you stop, don't think.

3. Reflect on your words. Do you see a pattern of meaning emerge? If so, place the words that support emerging meaning together. If more than one theme emerges, identify each theme and group words associated with each theme together. Perhaps some words can be used by more than one theme.

4. Write concepts. Solidify themes and derived meaning into concepts. For example, perhaps one theme is 'a need to get away'. The following words are associated with this theme: travel, break, rest, sleep. The theme translates into "I may need to get away".

5. If you identify with a concept, create an affirmation from it. For example, "I may need to get away" becomes "I will get away".

6. Using your affirmations, reflect on transformation. For example, how does stating to yourself "I will get away" result in transformation? Prior to you thinking along these lines, you may not have thought of a need for a break from your routine or whatever you are doing. Now, you are. Your thinking has changed.

Tips & Warnings

• The above content represents one example how your thinking can be transformed by writing. In a sense, writing in this way is similar to the effort by a programmer to debug a program. We decode our own thinking.
• Learn what your limits are. Don't reflect too much otherwise you may be exhausted. Additionally, we may feel paralyzed by nothing being able to think clearly.
• This document is in beta

[caspita]

on 11/18/2009 It does make a difference when you see your thoughts on paper. Thanks for the aritlce Writing to Transform Your Thinking as it was very helpful.

[sharamiracle]

on 11/17/2009 You apply a great deal of energy into what you share. Great advice.

[barba0727]

on 2/28/2009 thanks for my comment...lol about casual in California, I understand. Thanks for the tips on writting...very helpful now that blogging has become a great way to make cash!5*

[wedgiemyer]

on 2/11/2009 Thank you !!! 5*

[Smireles]

on 2/7/2009 Great article.