Inspiring the Reluctant Journaler

 

 

cup of coffee and penYou just love journaling and you know how powerful it can be to unleash the insights and creativity that is often hidden away in your head. Your pen flows across the paper; you are inspired and in awe of what came from YOU!

As a professional, you want to share this compelling tool with your clients, but for some reason they don’t seem as eager as you had hoped. You hear all sorts of excuses why they can’t write. “I’m too busy.” “I’m not a writer.” “I don’t think I want to know what’s deep down inside me.” “What? You want me to journal? Are you kidding?”

Getting your clients to pick up a pen and start writing may seem like a daunting task, but take heart! The brief tips described below will help you engage them without overwhelming or scaring them into writer’s freeze.

 

Try these tips and let me know how it goes.

1.  Have your client try a 5 minute sprint. They can write about anything, set the timer for 5 minutes and stop when the timer goes off. The time will go by quickly.

2. Give your client a list of 5 questions to answer in a notebook. When they return with the answers let them know they just journaled.

3.  Ask your client to write a list of 10 things they like about themselves and a one sentence reflection after they read their list

4.  Offer your client a quote or scripture verse that is relevant to their situation and have them write a few thoughts about it.

5.  Ask your client to keep a tiny notebook in their purse or pocket and jot down their mood and some thoughts each day for a week.

 

Quick techniques such as these will get your clients moving and open up the world of journaling for them. Once they experience the benefits, you never know, they might just keep going!!

 

Kathy Bornarth, MA, LPC

Join our tribe of Christian Journal Writers at www.nacjw.com or visit our sister site for prompts of the week at www.journaling4faith.com.

Feel free to share this post and include the links to our site. Happy Writing!!