Journal Prompts - A Yes/No Exercise

I’ve always been big on giving my clients journal prompts because there is something inside themselves that wants to come out. As their guide on this part of their personal growth journey, sometimes I can see what the correct journal prompts would be for them to help them uncover what’s wanting to come to their awareness. Following is an example of one of those journal prompts I assigned to a client:

Maia,
Thanks for the little journal prompts exercise on yes/no. I have done this one before, but your twist to fold the page in half, do the “no” side first, and then the “yes” side, without seeing the “no” side, was a little different. When I did it, I had the page open and allowed myself to “respond” to each negative or positive statement as I was writing. The value of the way you suggest is that you don’t make excuses, you write down the negatives as a total list, and then you go to the positives, which may or may not be about each point on the other list. Of course, with both versions of the yes/no exercise, one writes down immediately “what I know right now” because it is usually quite clear, and sometimes even while only beginning the (first) negative list, what the outcome will be.

Here are mine:

On being a minister - "The road to hell is paved with good intentions!" I have paved a path which has taken me somewhere I don't want to be. I could use [my husband] as an excuse, but the bottom line is if I really wanted to do it, his wants would not be a factor - I would respect him and also do what I wanted. Instead, I feel pulled, and want to put the "blame" on him - I don't want to do it, either, but feel obligated. This is not what I thought it would be like. I don't want to do it, and need a way to exit gracefully.

On being a life coach - What I know right now is that I have a few fears around coaching which don't "hold water". I'm not getting paid as a minister, so why do I worry about getting clients? They come, or not. They see the value, or not. We're all free here. If they want to be coached, they pay. It doesn't have to be a long-term relationship. What are their goals? Let's get in and get it done. I mean that - sounds like Dave Buck! I know more than I am usually willing to admit. I'm not perfect - I've made mistakes, and I've come through them to the happy, sane, pleasant, fulfilling life I'm living now. I will always be a learner and a seeker, and I am willing and ready to engage in coaching in order to share this with others.

Again, Maia, I am eternally grateful. Thank you!

Anita Marbois

Isn’t it lovely to have a job where a few journal prompts brings such awareness and such lovely gratitude?