Writing Routes to Reinvention

Written by: Joanna Young
September 1, 2008

Making a link between writing and reinvention seemed like a bit of a challenge - until I thought about some of the ways I’ve used writing and the written word to change direction in my own life - maybe even to do a little bit of reinvention.

Here are some of the ‘write it down to make it happen’ approaches I’ve used over the years:

Look into the future: write a letter or a diary entry from your future self maybe 10, 20 or 30 years into the future. You might write about the kind of day you’ve had, who you’ve seen, what kind of work you were doing, what you could see out of your kitchen window as you ate your breakfast or cooked an evening meal… And as with all of these techniques the more specific you can make it the better. Once you’ve started to describe it you can start to move towards it and to bring it into reality.

Write ‘as if’: start writing (letters, journals, blogs) ‘as if’ you were already living the life you want to be living. It makes it seem more real to you and sends a signal to your unconscious mind that this is the direction you want to be moving in. I did this for my recent house move - I started a private blog written as if I’d already made the move. It helped me to believe this new reality was possible

Looking back: some coaches get you to think about the obituary people might write about you - or the obituary you’d like them to write. Might sound a bit morbid but taking some time to think about the specific things you want to have made happen, the kind of life you’d like to see described - the kind of person you want to be remembered as can help you to shape your future self (or rather, make sure you become the person you already are)

Make yourself a job offer: when I left my successful, high-paid (high stress, burning me out) job I knew I wanted to leave but found it hard to make the final jump, especially when I was moving into an unknown world of travelling, volunteering and working for myself rather than a smooth transition into more paid employment. I experimented with writing myself a very detailed job offer, including a person specification (surprisingly the person they were looking for sounded just like me!) and setting out all the benefits the ‘job’ would bring. (It might sound a bit crazy but I wrote myself a job acceptance too - a commitment to the new life I was creating for myself)

Write down what you want: think about a situation that’s important to you and focus on what you want to happen - then write it down. Again make it specific, include details about where you are, who you’re meeting, things they might say, things you’re eating, smelling, seeing out of the window… You can power it up even more by writing about why this matters: what will happen next and then what good things - for you, and the wider world - will unfold as a result.

Write your values: writing the things that are important to you, writing about your values and beliefs, especially if you do it over and over (for example, through a blog)… well I think that’s probably the single biggest way you can help to reinvent yourself - or rather, to become the person you really are. It’s a powerful form of affirmation: writing, over and over, about the things that matter to you, that shape you, that make you what and who you are

I’m still learning about some of these techniques. If you’re interested you might want to explore Write it Down, Make it Happen by Henriette Anne Klauser. She has lots of different techniques you can try and oodles of stories about people who’ve written things down and then seen an uncanny resemblance to the future that’s unfolded.

There are different theories we could put forward as to why these techniques might work. Maybe it’s a signal to our unconscious minds. Maybe it’s a signal to the universe or some higher power. Maybe you’re sceptical (like me!) but have still found (like me!) that writing some of these positive futures down does help us to move into them, to create them, to make them happen.

Has writing things down played a part in your own adventure in reinvention and making things happen? I’d love to hear more if you’ve a story to share!

Joanna Young - Coaching you to write with confidence | http://www.thecalmspace.com/about#joanna

Comments

4 Responses to “Writing Routes to Reinvention”

  1. We’re talking about Reinvention : The Calm Space on September 1st, 2008 2:05 pm

    [...] in your own adventure in reinvention and making things happen?” Take a read of her article at The Writing Space and please let us know your thoughts - we’d love to hear from [...]

  2. Chris Owen (Pink Apple)No Gravatar on September 1st, 2008 2:57 pm

    OO Joanna I LOVE the idea of you and your job offer and acceptance.
    Hmm DEFINITE food for thought, even now several years down the track.

  3. Angela EsnoufNo Gravatar on September 2nd, 2008 11:22 am

    I can attest to the power of the written word being an agent for change. I have locked myself in a room for 2 days now and mind-mapped my heart out, enjoying every minute and writing a new business plan. Interestingly, it’s not all business. I have discovered my business goals must be, and are, aligned with my personal goals, aspirations and values. It’s envigorating stuff.

    But every now and then I must take a break, that’s when I sneak out to read The Calm Space.

  4. Joanna YoungNo Gravatar on September 3rd, 2008 6:19 pm

    Chris, always happy to provide food for thought.

    Angela, your mind-mapping sounds fascinating! Hope you make good progress with it

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