Goal Gal Deb Eckerling Kicks Off National Journaling Week

Journaling for Decision Making
and Problem Solving

By Debra Eckerling, author and Goal Chat Gal

April is National Journaling Month.

 

When people think of journaling, they typically think of the traditional use: Writing down what’s going on in your life – your actions, activities, and emotions - for tracking, reflection, and healing. 

One of my favorite ways to use a journal is for decision-making and problem-solving. . 

 

From career and partnership opportunities to plot and character development, journaling helps you get those ideas out of your head and onto the page, so you can look at things objectively and make plans.

 

Professionally, do you need to decide: 

● Between job offers?

● Whether a joint venture is a fit for your business?

● If you should take on a particular client? 

 

Creatively, do you need some insight into:

● Plotting options

● Character arcs and traits 

● Working through a scene, conflict, or conversation 

 

To gain clarity, try my Directed Journaling technique. Directed journaling is stream-of-consciousness writing spurts, focused on a specific theme, issue, or problem. 

 

Here’s how Directed Journaling works:

In your electronic calendar, schedule between three and five 15-minute sessions over a few days. Be sure to set a reminder. 

 

When you get the alert for your appointment, set a timer for 15 minutes, and start writing. Note: While there are benefits to writing by hand, if you are more likely to complete the process by typing on a computer, go for it!

 

During each journaling session, focus on the question, decision, or challenge at hand. When you do your journaling, think outside the box. Be as logical and as extreme as possible. Your journal rants are for your eyes only. And don’t worry about repeating yourself. The trick is to get everything out of your head and onto the page.

 

Here’s the Trick

Do not read any of these journal entries until you have done the brainstorming several times.

 

Once you have exhausted your thoughts on the subject, then you may read the journal entries. 

As you go through them, make a note of the ideas you repeat – those are what you are most drawn to. You may also come up with solutions that seem to come from left-field. That’s what happens during this process. 

 

Final Thoughts 

Journaling enables you to open yourself up to all possibilities and look at them objectively - whether it’s for a creative or professional venture. As a result, you are likely to come up with a successful solution, comfortable decision, or feasible plan that sets you up for success. 

 

About Today’s Guest Blogger Debra Eckerling: 

Goal strategist Debra Eckerling is the award-winning author of Your Goal Guide and founder of the D*E*B METHOD® for goal-setting simplified. A speaker, corporate consultant, and workshop leader, she offers personal and professional planning, event strategy, and team-building for executives, entrepreneurs, consultants, and companies. Debra has spoken on stages for TEDx, Innovation Women, SCORE LA, and more, and is the host of the #GoalChatLive show and The DEB Show podcast.

 

MORE ABOUT THE BLOGGER 

Carolyn  Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning #HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers including the multi award-winning The Frugal Book Promoter (https://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromoIII), now offered in its third edition by Modern History Press. She is also the author of" How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically." She has two booklets in the #HowToDoItFrugally Series, both in their second editions from Modern History Press. "Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers" (https://bit.ly/LastMinuteEditsII) and "The Great First Impression Book Proposal" (https://bit.ly/BookProposalsII) are career boosters in mini doses and both make ideal thank you gifts for authors. The one on writing book proposals is also available as an Audio Book. "The Frugal Editor" (https://bit.ly/FrugalEditor), recently released in its third edition, is the winningest book in the series. Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it help them understand what is needed to convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is "A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques" (https://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). In addition to this blog, Carolyn helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at https://TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor (https://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com). Learn more and follow for news on her new releases direct from Amazon at https://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile.

Take Good Care of Yourself: Write! And Laugh!

You all know how I love guest posts. I love to spread the love, talent and wisdom around. (-: Georgia Richardson (also known as Queen Jaw Jaw) not only has good advice but her work is a model for using humor in your work. Enjoy!

Writing – Celebrate your life!

By Georgia Richardson

If I had a dime every time someone said, “Oh you’re a writer. I’m going to do that some day,” I would be a rich woman; or at least wear better underwear in case of a wreck. Sorry Mom.

When you commit your thoughts to streams of words, you will invariably learn things about yourself, and along the way, you will grow as a person and as a writer. It doesn’t matter what kind of writing you want to explore, whether it’s poetry, that novel in your head, or god forbid, humor; writing is an immediate gift you can give to the one who matters most; YOU. It is a celebration of sorts, and shouts to the world...I matter.

Isn’t that what everyone wants?

For those scared to begin, take comfort in knowing your writing doesn’t have to go public. If you love to write, and writing helps express your feelings, then why not follow that inner voice that craves the extension? Talk about a stress-reliever! Write about your hard day at work, your relief at passing that exam, your husband’s love affair with his lawncar (lawn mowers with cup holders, headlights, a horn, etc), or your waistline needing its own zip code. Whatever emotional event passes through your day, write it down and release the tension. Now you have a history trail, or in some cases, blackmail. Yes dear, Friday you promised you would go shopping with me TODAY. See? I wrote it down. Busted!

Time is probably the biggest excuse used by would-be writers; yet everyone has the same twenty-four hours. Investigate where your time is spent and you might be surprised to find that time is irrelevant. If you want to see a movie, go on vacation, or phone a friend, you always find the time. Why not squeeze in a few minutes each day to begin writing?

If you can’t produce the world’s greatest novel, then why bother, right? Very few writers I know are on the New York Times Best Seller List, yet there are millions of wonderful books, articles, and blogs available for escaping reality, for entertainment, or for learning something new. I once fixed a toilet via a “how-to” article on the net, which led to an article about the joys (insert rolling eyes) of grandchildren. Did you know there isn’t one toothpaste tube on the market that will flush? Writers never know when inspiration will strike. Or grandchildren, for that matter.

If writing one genre leaves you flat, then try another. Maybe poetry holds your voice and makes your heart sing. It could be non-fiction; how-to articles, copywriting, or even writing catchy jingles for cereal boxes or greeting cards. Discover which one(s) speaks to you. Break free of the mindset that novels are the only path and you could find a new, exciting, and often profitable way of highlighting your abilities.

Writing publicly isn’t for everyone, and if that doesn’t appeal to you, try journaling. One major benefit is that writing thoughts down can bring clarity to problems that often seem to swirl around in our heads like a carousel. Seeing the problem in print can often bring you to place of understanding; an awakening or “A-ha!” moment.

Journaling is also very important as it is an imprint of your life. Where would we be today without the records of those passed on before us? You may think, “Oh, but what if someone reads this?” I say, wouldn’t it be sad if someone doesn’t. They would be missing a golden opportunity to know the real you. Nonetheless, if this concern persists, there’s always time capsules or bank vaults, or better yet, that best friend who will pinkie swear to swoop in and grab your secrets should you transcend to a better place.

Remember, writing is a choice and a very valuable tool in getting to know yourself, and to celebrate your life. I get a high every time I complete an article, write a blog, or even send a humorous email. I’m higher than a kite right now. Where’s my Oreo’s? I must celebrate!

How will you celebrate your life?

Author Biography

Georgia Richardson, official humorist for the National Association of Baby Boomer Women (NABBW), is also a motivational speaker/gablogist, Southern humorist, author, and stretcher of the truth. Better known as Queen Jaw Jaw or JJ, her work has appeared in GRAND magazine, Chicken Soup for the Soul magazine, Woman's World, Guidepost online, BOOMER—for Central Iowa, Boomer Magazine, Missouri, Shoals Woman and a host of other regional and national magazines.

Her debut book, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Throne, consists of every day life experiences with just a twist of the imagination. Her second book, an anthology, Pink Jasper- Gems from the Journey, was written by Georgia and five other women across the United States, Canada, and England. Amazingly, these women have never met. Mixing her sharp sense of humor with everyday life observations, the Queen says, “Every single story is true, honest injun… I'd rather walk on my lips than tell a lie.” Visit her Queendom where you can read all about her Lunch Hour Specials. Don't forget to “paws” a while and see what her good friend and writer-dog Trixie, a.k.a., da Trixster, has been up to. E-mail her at gjawjaw1@bellsouth.net


-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books for writers, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. Her FRUGAL book for retailers is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor . If your followers at Twitter would benefit from this blog post, please use the little Green widget to let them know about it:

Journaling, Memoir, Fiction, History and Promotion for YOUR Book

Those of you who drop by regularly or subscribe to this blog know that one of the reasons I'm a shamesless promoter is that I know my resources can be your resources, too.

So, this blog is dedicated to Paul Bruno, The History Czar. He recently interviewed me for his show. We talked about my family history and how it inspired my multi award-winning novel, This Is the Place.

Listen to the interview at http://www.careerczar.com/mp3/career030510.mp3 .

And here's the benefit to you (other than the brilliant interview, of course!). Contact Paul if you can find a history slant in your own book! He's at PaulBruno@cs.com and he and his producer are tons of fun to work with. You'll see what I mean when you listen to the podcast. (-:
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books for writers, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. Her FRUGAL book for retailers is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor .

If your followers at Twitter would benefit from this blog post, please use the little Green widget to let them know about it:

That Book Inside You? Yes You Can Write it and Publish It. Learn How Free!

I want to remind you that publisher Patrika Vaughn, talented Toastmaster award-winner Allyn Evans and I are teaming up to present a free teleseminar to writers who want to tell their own stories, as memoir or as fiction. Thus it is for genealogists, journalers and story tellers everywhere. It is titled "How To Write Your LIfe Story."

I'll share my experience turning my family's genealogy and stories into my award-winning novel This Is the Place and how I used the leftover stories from that effort in a book of creative nonfiction short stories, Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered. I hope my experiences will inform those inclined to publish their stories but who need more information about how that might come to be. I even used family memories in my chapbook of poetry, Tracings.

Patrika is author of How to Write Your Own Life Story or Your Family's Saga available as a CD set. She will talk about how to turn this material into a book, covering:

1) why you should write it

2) how to go about it (even if you've never before written anything but emails)

3) how to make it interesting to others


The teleseminar will be moderated by Alyn who is also the author of Grab the Queen Power: Live Your Best Life, based on her own experiences.


Writers are invited to listen and come prepared with their questions at noon on July 12th EST . Call 1-218-936-7999. When prompted use this access code: 390175. If asked participants may need this pin number: 2823.

The teleconference will be available as a podcast afterward at :

Authors' Coalition, www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress/podcasts_&_radio.htm
The ACapella Publishing site, www.acapella.com/
Allyn Evans' site, www.allynevans.com
On Allyn's Queen Power site, www.queeenpower.com .
And on Carolyn's Resources for Writers page at www.howtodoitfrugally.com

Those with questions may contact Patrika at acappub@aol.com

The seminar is offered as a service to the writing community through the auspices of Authors' Coalition (www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com) and Vaughn's publishing firm, A Cappela Publishing (www.acapella.com).

We three would love it if you could (or would!) pass this information to your fellow writers. How about your fellow critiquers and writing club members? (-:
h
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author THIS IS THE PLACE; HARKENING: A COLLECTION OF STORIES REMEMBERED; TRACINGS, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER: HOW TO DO WHAT YOUR PUBLISHER WON'T; and THE FRUGAL EDITOR: PUT YOUR BEST BOOK FORWARD TO AVOID HUMILIATION AND ENSURE SUCCESS.
Her other blogs include TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com and AuthorsCoalition.blogspot.com, a blog that helps writers and publishers turn a ho-hum book fair booth into a sizzler.