At a Journal Workshop by Ira Progoff (Sci & Eng Lib RC480.5.P7
Stated aim is to discover hidden resources in ourselves, to learn to draw on what Emerson called "self-reliance," the progressive strengthening of our inherent capacities" which is " self-sustaning and self-amplifying" (15). A journal is an excellent self-testing device to keep us moving towrds our goal.
Progoff suggests starting with a period log, a description of now (however you define that: perhaps with starting a new job, having a child or losing someone close to you). What events have happened? What has been going on physically, artistically, politically?
Twilight Imagery seems to be about capturing images in that famously creative period between sleeping and waking, when presumably you are conscious enough to "set" (or maybe remind your brtain you already have) a problem, but not awake enough for the judgemental mind to operate (or at least to dominate).
Daily Log: not a diary of events so much as notes on the quality of experiences (87)
Stepping Stones: events that come to mind when thinking back, both happy and painful, not to dwell on them, but as a way to move into the future. List at least 8 but not more than 12; try to choose ones that have the most meaning now. Let them come in any order (you can rearrange them later), and list them with a few descriptive words. Later pick one (later ones tend to be more useful, especially ones in which you had opportunities or decision to make. Start by finishing the sentence "It was a time when I...." Try to put yourself back in that time. What moods, images or metaphors come to you? What were your hopes and beliefs then? Who was important to you?
After the foundation is laid, Progoff recommends carrying on dialogues with persons, works (as if there were persons), the body, society, events, dreams, people who represent wisdom (both real/local, i.e., people you may have actually met, as well as heroes/spiritual teachers who represent something bigger).
Intersections: roads (not) taken. What seeds have not yet grown?
Another useful journal technique is What Color is Your Parachute? Richard Bolles (HF 5383 B56 1990). It's aim is different, however.
This book is designed for those transitioning from one career to another, but college to work counts. I'd like to tailor it slightly, inquiring not so much what is a good career for you, but what is your true life's work? You'd hope these would be the same, but usually they are not. What could you be most creative and happy doing?
His concept is essentially to do an inventory of what you have done well and enjoyed (the two are pretty much inseparable, right?) and then figure out what skills were involved, then figure out where you can use those skills. You can choose to make this an exploration (maybe even fun) or chore, but it's essential in any case.
He has you compose eight lists, starting withe the easiest:
1. Setting: In general, I do my best work in places with these characteristics (geographical).... Then do one more spoecific: At the workplace, I like... List 3 places that fit.
2. Spiritual or emotional setting: I believe X about life in general, and X about my life in particular...Thus, my work must involve (what behaviors)/respect (values)...
3. Skills: list 5-8 things you like to do with a) people b) things and c) Information. Then write some words that describe your style when doing them.
4. What kinds of people do you like to work with? As clients? as co-workers? (as bosses?)
5. What kind of information do you like to work with? (print? video? diagrams?) What do you like to do with the info? (collect? organize? corroborate?) How do you like to use it? for what? What fields of knowledge do you like?
6. What kinds of things/materials do you like to work with? e.g., Natural? high tech? antique? cloth? Sports gear? etc.
7. Immediate Outcome: make a product, offer a service to people, gather and distribute info? All 3? my long range goals to accomplish before I die are...
8. The least-most money you want/need to make? What other kinds of rewards do you want?
By pulling all this disparate information together, you can see patterns and thus what's important to you (almost like the ratios of the Pentadic analysis) Note that this is a very cursory overview of both books; if you're at all interested, go to the source/book.
Some more general ideas for using journals:
http://journal-writing.webdjinni.net/journal-writing-tips/writing-styles.html
questions/sugggestions? email me pmmckerc@ucsc.edu
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