Last week I went on a Wordless Walk, as I do twice a month. (You can join me!) Sometimes, when I’m walking, I do a little exercise that helps me solve my problems.
I close my eyes for a second and take a deep breath and let it out. Then I open my eyes and notice whatever my eyes first land on. It could be a bird, a rock, or a squirrel. Whatever that thing is, I ask myself, “How is my problem like this thing?”
It sounds a little woo-woo, but it works.
Last week I was mulling over the problem of the book I’m trying to write. I’ve given myself until the end of this year to have a complete first draft and it was already the end of August and I had just under 50,000 words written. I was thinking I didn’t have enough time to get it done.
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and opened my eyes. They landed on the path in front of me through the woods.
There’s nothing there, I thought. Try again.
So I closed my eyes again, took a deep breath and opened my eyes. They landed on the path in front of me through the woods.
Nothing, I thought.
Then it hit me. My eyes kept landing on the path!
Now I get it! How is my writing this book like the path in front of me? Immediately answers started to come.
- The path keeps going.
- I’m on the path.
- I know the way.
- Keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Since that day, I’ve been very focused on my book. I’m scheduling time to write and I have daily word count goals (which I’m meeting!) and a project word count goal. I’m managing my fears about putting this book out there because I keep seeing that path through the woods. I’m going to keep going until I’m done.
You don’t have to be walking to do this exercise. Try it when you’re sitting at your desk or while you’re brushing your teeth. Think of a problem you are having and see what comes up. Try it with a small problem first, or the biggest problem in your life.
This exercise works because our brains love metaphors. Any time you ask yourself “How is this like that?” your brain will start coming up with answers.
- How is my need for sleep like this coffee mug? It’s solid and strong but it can be empty and need to be filled up.
- How is my child leaving for college like this butterfly? It’s gorgeous and it can fly! Flying is what it does.
Try it yourself and you will bring to your consciousness something you are ready to know that will help you solve your problem.