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.

As a coaching recommendation and reminder I want you to make sure to pace yourself when you work through any journal exercise. Each question can have an enormous impact on your creative process, depending on your expectations and the amount of change that happens. Don’t try to write too much, but do finish each exercise, or at least the first two questions, if you must stop. Remember that working through journaling exercises will prompt change to occur, either at the time you are writing or sometime after. I hope that you will find freedom from your most pressing creative problems!

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