Write Yourself Right: 5 Writing Tools to Find and Keep Your Focus

Guest Author, Amy Ferguson Hackworth writes:

In your business and personal life, written goals are essential. Making a list is a great beginning, but regularly writing about the life you desire keeps you on track for success. Whether you choose daily or weekly check-ins, writing consistently is key. Use these suggestions, and a page or two, to explore your own plans for a great life and business.

Start from the inside out: be, do, have.

Although it’s tempting to begin with an external goal, write first about who you want to be. Beginning with yourself puts you in a place of power. Don’t wait for an external event to begin being courageous, generous, abundant, or healthy. All these things are within your reach by simply choosing them. Then focus on what you want to do and have. Writing about who you’ll be aligns your values, then the experiences and things you desire will follow.

Be specific about what you want.

Have you taken the time to create a vivid written image of your greatest dreams? Of the best outcome for your upcoming family vacation? Or your ideal job? To get what you want, you must first be clear about what you want. This is essential! Writing specifically about your desires eliminates any comfortable vagueness you might be holding onto, helps you address your fears, and creates a mental anchor to guide your thoughts and actions. Write about exactly what these ideal situations look like, and more importantly, what they feel like. When you do it consistently, those feelings of success energize your goals with unstoppable momentum.

Focus on what you want, not what you don’t want.

This may seem like obvious advice, but have you noticed how often people talk about things they don’t want? “I never have enough money.” “I just can’t get this right.” “Things are too hard right now.” In The Courage to Be Rich Suze Orman suggests a simple question when you find yourself talking like this: “Is that what you want to be true?” If the answer is no, then don’t talk about it like that! Use your writing time as a practice ground for reframing those negative positions. If you’ve got to get it out, do it on paper and be sure your last sentence is a positive one. It takes practice to choose to see things differently, but when you discover the power in that choice, you’ll find the things you want to be true are showing up in your life.

Write yourself out of discouragement, and back into action.

Setbacks and discouragements are learning opportunities, and when we want something greater for our lives, we tend to experience plenty of learning. When obstacles occur, writing helps you see them for what they are. As you explore a challenge or obstacle on the page, you may find meaning you didn’t expect, or that proverbial silver lining. If nothing else, writing regularly about what you truly desire reminds you where you’re headed, and focuses your energy on getting back on track.

Celebrate the beginnings of change.

The greatest joy of writing about the life you desire is watching it happen! It may begin with small shifts in your perspective or a chance meeting that gives you a pivotal answer. Events are bound to occur that move you in the direction of your dreams. You must acknowledge them! Record your gratitude in writing, and more synchronicity is on its way!

If you’re ready to make writing a regular part of your self-exploration and goal-setting, these great books will help you dive right in:

Write It Down, Make it Happen by Henriette Ann Klauser

The Slight Edge by Leo Weidner

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

Overcoming Underearning by Barbara Stanny

Amy Ferguson Hackworth is the resident muse and marketing maven at Justin Hackworth Photography. Two busy boys and a wonderful husband are her greatest joys. Exploring this intersection of writing and personal fulfillment is a perennial passion.