Creative Problem-Solving: Following Your Stream of Consciousness Written by Patti Prague
You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as bylines are included and resource box is left unchanged. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated. Creative Problem-Solving: Following Your Stream of Consciousness Copyright 2004 Patti Prague Journal Genie, The Website That Talks Back http://www.journalgenie.com Creative Problem-Solving: Following Your Stream of Consciousness Having trouble finding a solution to a nagging problem? Try a well-known journaling technique called stream of consciousness--you may be surprised at creative messages you receive from your inner self. Take case of Shana, an online journaler who had a problematic relationship with a co-worker. When Shana allowed herself “scary” experience of stream of consciousness journaling, she quickly realized her intensely emotional reaction to co-worker was, in fact, related to a similar situation with an ex-spouse. In both situations Shana felt like a doormat--but until her journaling, she didn’t realize two were connected. Stream of consciousness is a style of writing that is uninterrupted, unedited, and unstructured. Typically, a journaler approaches blank page without intention--then simply waits for something to come. However, when used as a problem-solving technique, approach your journaling with a specific intention, knowing that whatever comes out of your subconscious will contain clues to a solution. Once you begin writing, don’t try to make sense of it—just keep writing, ignoring any questions or comments coming from your mind. Remember, this isn’t a mental or literary exercise, but rather an opportunity to give voice to inner you. No matter how silly words seem, just keeping writing. Don’t worry about spelling, punctuation or grammar. Set a 10 minute timer and write until 10 minutes are up. If your mind goes blank, just write something like, my mind is blank, my mind is blank, and keep writing until something else comes into your consciousness.
| | Happiness and Work: Your Life Depends On ItWritten by Craig Nathanson
Early one morning, Robert awoke, made his wife of 41 years some banana bread, took out garbage and called to cancel a doctors appointment scheduled for next day. He wrote a note to remind his wife to pick up dry cleaning. All things considered, it seemed like a normal day. Robert had “retired” four years earlier after nearly 40 years doing what he loved in banking industry. After retirement, his life took a challenging turn. While he remained friendly and encouraging to others on outside, on inside he was suffering a deepening depression. After retirement, Robert couldn’t find anything to replace meaning and fulfillment that work provided him. And this void was slowly killing him. So on that “normal” morning, Robert cleaned up kitchen after finishing baking his wife banana bread. Then he drove himself to parking lot of bank where he had worked all those years. After carefully parking and locking his car, he walked into a local store and handed a note to clerk behind counter. Then he walked outside and shot himself in head. He ended his life with one bullet at 1pm on a blazing sunny day. Robert was my dad. Your happiness is your responsibility A few years back, when I decided to leave corporate America after 25 years, I thought I had learned enough about mid-life and work. After all, I was in middle of my Ph.D research on what happens to mid-life adults when they leave security of nest to follow their hearts and their life’s calling. I had coined a new term, ‘’Vocational Passion,’’ to describe this alignment of passions, abilities and interests. I had started a new on-line community at www.thevocationalcoach.com, and I wrote a book, ‘’P Is For Perfect: Your Perfect Vocational Day’’ in an attempt to boil down this research in a practical 10 step model. Yes, I had thought, with my corporate background, various degrees, new clients, new office, workshops, public speaking gigs and a burning desire to make a difference in world, I had learned enough. I was wrong. The biggest challenges were still ahead. So as I struggle to make sense of his death, I also am finding new strength in my own work, helping others to find meaning and fulfillment in their vocational lives. This is especially so in mid-life, which can be most threatening period of all. When my dad lost his purpose for living, he also lost will to live. Fortunately, most people don’t take this action to end their own life but many people shoot themselves in head emotionally, continuing to work at jobs which no longer provide meaning or passion or fulfillment. It doesn’t have to be this way. With this article, I am hopeful, maybe one life can be saved as a result of acknowledging that depression may be a symptom of not living a life filled with purpose, meaning and fulfillment. As a result, a call to action is a must. As psychologist Carl Jung said, mid-life is a time to listen deeply to your heart. Whether we plan for this or not, midlife can be a period of transition and reappraisal. More inner questioning can occur. Career plateaus can be reached during this period, which drives a need for internal insight and reflection. Those who don’t invest in time for self-reflection in mid-life may experience increased stress and other distress signals. The sense of crisis may vary from one person to next. For those who do experience stress, making changes in mid-life is never easy or without challenges.
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