Creative Problem-Solving: Following Your Stream of Consciousness
Small business entrepreneur self help article by Patti Prague
about problem solving with Journaling

Small business resources for self help business entrepreneur problem solving with Journaling recruitment, internet business and make your own web site business resources, free job vacancy staff recruitment services, business and consultant small business development self help resources and books for business entrepreneur problem solving with Journaling.

Having trouble finding a solution to a nagging problem? Try a well-known journaling technique called stream of consciousness--you may be surprised at the creative messages you receive from your inner self.

Take the case of Shana, an online journaler who had a problematic relationship with a co-worker.

When Shana allowed herself the “scary” experience of stream of consciousness journaling, she quickly realized her intensely emotional reaction to the 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 the two were connected.

Stream of consciousness is a style of writing that is uninterrupted, unedited, and unstructured.

Typically, a journaler approaches the 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 the inner you.

No matter how silly the words seem, just keeping writing.

Don’t worry about spelling, punctuation or grammar.

Set a 10 minute timer and write until the 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.

Wonder what another journaler’s stream of consciousness writing looks like?

This is a sample from a writer dealing with guilt over infidelity in a relationship:

broccoli, sting beans, rage, rivers, rockets, take me to the end of the world and drop me off the edge, oh columbus of mine with blueberries in your hair and apples in your eyes……

cheeks of rosy red i am iam iamiamiam. skyrockets, fuses, short fuses burning til they can’t be stopped, racing madly through space trying to catch up with yourself. get off the damned train……

ribbons wrapped throughout my white matter, red, blue, green and yellow, trailing sadness and madness and get-even-ness. hearts a breakin, heads a breaking, hearts open and arrows leaking bloody mass you are. …..

orange is the color of my true love’s courage, black is the color of my loyalty and fidelity. pull the arrows out without leaving a scar, can you? …..

bears watch over us as we sail through dragon-filled deserts, pyramids of shimmering green and gold and malachite, crystal balls guard the entry……..

Although this may sound like gibberish to you, to the journaler, it contained several clues about the depth of her guilt, as well as insight into what brought about the infidelity.

Like dreams, the symbols in a stream of consciousness journal session, are often best interpreted by the dreamer himself.

If you’ve never done stream of consciousness journaling, don’t be afraid to experiment with different approaches.

For example, pick a topic--any topic--and writing everything you can think about it.

Like fishing, or bicycles, or cats, or fans, or canyons.

Frequently, when writing about a seemingly “random” topic, insight -- those ah-ha moments—will appear that actually solve a problem you weren’t even thinking about.

What are you looking for?
Try a local search of our site for your answers

	Web www.strategic-services-com

Create your own profitable web site business … simple & fast!

=================================================

DISCLAIMER: The business entrepreneur self help resources on this site are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. While all attempts have been made to verify information provided in this publication, neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for errors, omissions or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein. There is no guarantee of validity of accuracy. Any perceived slight of specific people or organizations is unintentional. This website and its creators are not responsible for the content of any sites linked to.

The contents are solely the opinion of the author and should not be considered as a form of advice, direction and/or recommendation of any kind. If expert advice or counseling is needed, services of a competent professional should be sought. The author and the Publisher assume no responsibility or liability and specifically disclaim any warranty, express or implied for any products or services mentioned, or any techniques or practices described. The purchaser or reader of this publication assumes responsibility for the use of these materials and information. Neither the author nor the Publisher assumes any responsibility or liability whatsoever on the behalf of any purchaser or reader of these materials.

Go to business entrepreneur business resources home page for more small business entrepreneur and web site business entrepreneur articles, e-books and resources for the small business entrepreneur owners, consulting services, business entrepreneur executives and business entrepreneurs. More consultant and small business resources are being loaded every week, so bookmark this site to check later for more small b business entrepreneur and make your own web site business entrepreneur resources.

=================================================

Back to Top of page


Back to Small business make your own web site business Resources home page