The following are some basic instructions
that illustrate how to implement this beneficial writing technique.
Don’t write in storybook or letter form. Write spontaneously,
as though you were thinking and talking at the same time, much
as though you were talking to Dr. Schiff and describing your
weight problem. Allow your thoughts to flow uninterrupted and
unaffected by time, sequence, or orderly progression. Let it
all “hang out” naturally. Any words, phrases, sentences,
or expressions that you may consider unimportant can be extremely
important. Many individuals have similar thoughts and ideas.
These expressions and thoughts may seem ridiculous only because
people invariably don’t understand their confused mental
state and their troubled inner being; they just don’t understand
themselves!
Don’t concern yourself with grammar, correct spelling
or sentence structure since no one other than you will be reading
or monitoring what you have recorded. Do not procrastinate and
say you don’t have enough time --- this is a common excuse
or rationalization.
It is important to express your feelings and thoughts as much
as possible. How do you feel about yourself when you look in
the mirror (or when you look into the mirror of your mind)? What
do you feel and think as you pause to reflect upon your experiences
and those individuals who have a bearing upon your life?
After writing candidly and spontaneously, read this material
over and over again; even read it aloud. The period at the end
of a sentence is not necessarily the end of that particular thought.
Don’t always accept whatever you have written as being
the final thought or conclusion; we often fail to adequately
and completely express our experiences, emotions and thoughts.
Next, question yourself thoroughly about everything that you
have written. Ask yourself HOW? WHAT? WHEN? WHERE? WHY? Be firm
with yourself and respond with candor to all your questions.
However, don’t struggle with yourself and become distressed;
instead, become your own “listening post” and “sounding
board.” You may find it helpful to record the actual questions.
If you become confused and don’t understand, then move
forward by writing about your “bottleneck.” But remember,
make your responses and answers direct and spontaneous.
There are many moments when a thought or idea will suddenly “pop” into
your mind about your overweight problem. Don’t assume you
can store this information in your memory bank or that you can
depend upon total recall at a later time. You will lose many
valuable thoughts and important information if you rely on this “hit
and miss” approach; consequently, it is advisable to carry
a notebook and pen at all times. Write a few notes or key expressions
at the very moment an event or thought flashes into your consciousness.
Later, perhaps that evening, you can refer to those hastily written
notes and fill in the details.
Following through with this writing technique on a daily basis
will become a valuable and gratifying accomplishment. It is YOUR
life, thus, the significance of following through with these
suggestions becomes obvious. Begin now, this very day! When you
become a writer, you become a RIGHT-ER. |
