Key Point: Write! You HAVE to self-author. Of course you don’t “have” to do anything you don’t want to, but I’m imploring you to take the time to try it. Something like this is probably going on in your head right now… “Rubis… When the heck do you think I’m going to find the time to do this?” Ok… Read first, and then let’s see where we end up.
Remember the grade school boy named Jack in my recent “Love That Dog” blog? Referencing that most glorious children’s book, young Jack heals himself by writing poetry about the tragic loss of his companion and loving pet. In my most recent blog I discussed the contribution to achieving self-defined success based on the idea of “writing” an intentional story of oneself connected to self-purpose and an evolving idea of the future. And in writing my blog, I know that the biggest benefactor has been me. In the leadership work I’m doing to help a thriving, aspirational company evolve, I’ve attempted to make writing part of our personal development system.
My conveyance to you until now has mostly been an emotional appeal based on some research and my personal insights. Then by total happenstance, last week, a thought leading colleague introduces me to Dr. Jordan Peterson who is conducting break through research on personal development. Dr. Peterson is a mega-influencer in numerous areas pertaining to personal growth and the following is what Peterson has to say about SELF WRITING based on superb research:
“Writing about uncertainty, past, present, and future, has multiple benefits. Such benefits do not appear bound by conventional categorical domains, as they encompass psychological well being, physical health, cognitive ability and task performance.
It appears possible that writing, which is a formalized form of thinking, helps people derive information from their experiences that helps them guide their perceptions, actions, thoughts and emotions in the present. Drawing specific, causal conclusions about life’s important events may also help reduce the burden of uncertainty and threat that may remain active, emotionally, even years after a traumatic event occurred.
Clarifying purpose and meaning into the future helps improve positive emotion, which is associated with movement towards important goals, and reduces threat, which is associated with uncertainty and doubt, and which may be experienced as hopelessness, despair, and lack of meaning.”
While the profound benefit of journaling has been around for years, this advanced work by Peterson and other scientists is more targeted and refined. This is BIG! I’ve looked at the underlying research and the evidence is lightening bolt clear. But most of us need some guided facilitation… Some framework based on this good science. So the following is very specific, immediately applicable, action you and I can intentionally take NOW:
Character Moves:
-
- Go to this self authoring site. Check out the research and scientists behind the work.
- Watch Dr. Jordan’s eight-minute video below. Make your own determination if this is worth adding to your development system.
- Please consider investing in the self-authoring series. You can DO THIS AT YOUR OWN SPEED and TIME. Make it a journey of joy NOT just another thing to do. Make it a gift to yourself and not more cluttered burden. (Please note I have NO commercial or financial relationship with this site or any of Peterson’s work at all).
- To help you complete the self-authoring, consider downloading this wonderful little application, Carrot, to make it even more fun and to help you build a habit system.
- Go self write.
Self-authoring in The Triangle,
Lorne