Perspective Pad Reminders
As Presented in the "Perspective Pad" Program <download pdf>

Now that you have a Perspective Pad (journal), you will need some reminders to keep writing. If you follow most, if not all of these suggestions, you will be writing more. By writing more, you will become much more aware of yourself and your surroundings. Don't worry if you don't write every day. It's more important to be consistent, even one to two times a week is fine. There are no rules, just write, write and write.  

• Clip That Article - so you liked the article that your mother cut out for you to read. Allow it to keep on giving by putting it into your Perspective Pad. Once you tape it in, put your thoughts down in your Perspective Pad about the article. When you read it again, it will bring a smile to your face because your mom was so thoughtful. Also, any article or photograph you see in a newspaper or magazine can and should immediately, be pasted into your Perspective Pad.

• Always Have Your Perspective Pad - if you make it a habit of constantly having your Perspective Pad with you, then you will find time to write. How many occasions have you been at the doctor's office or waiting in a very long line at your local warehouse store? Imagine if you could write a mere 10 minutes in your journal three times a week by just having it with you. If you add that up on a yearly basis, it's 26 extra hours of writing! You will not only become a better writer for doing this, but you'll be a lot more aware. And if you don't feel like writing sometimes, your Perspective Pad makes a great seat cover so you won't stain your trousers or your dress.

• Practice What You're Going to Say - go ahead and write down what you are going to say to your prospective employer in your Perspective Pad. It will allow you to get much more focused. What you say in your Perspective Pad will serve as a reminder for you during the interview. What about when you're going out on a date, but you're feeling a little nervous? Yes, write in your journal to calm your nerves. You will be more relaxed when you write in your journal and connect with your thoughts. The bonus is that you'll be a lot more fun on your date.  

• Add a Little Humor - do you sometimes stare in wonderment at some of the really funny people you happen to see? Maybe there is a man dressed in dark shocks up to his knees, oversized khaki shorts and coke-bottle glasses and he's not a member of the British Army in North Africa. Write down how funny you think this guy looks in your Perspective Pad. It would be great to share your story with your friends and family. Also, when something funny happens to you, write it down. It will bring a smile to your face when you reread it later, and encourage you not to take yourself so seriously.

• Write a Poem - Perspective Pads are perfect for writing poetry. Once you write that first bare line as Pablo Neruda said, you'll be on your way to establishing the force of momentum. You say that you have never written a poem? Start rhyming a few simple words that you know in consecutive short word bursts or sentences. Learn how to write Japanese poetry called Haiku . It doesn't take much time and is perfect for writing in your Perspective Pad when you have less than 10 minutes.

• Important Items at the Top - when you think of something that you really want to do, write that item at the top of the next page. Also, when you are practicing your writing momentum and you come upon a really cool idea, write that down at the top of another page. Pretty soon you'll have a lot of 'to-dos.' The great thing about this is that you can access them rather quickly by just looking at the tops of pages. When you start a new journal, you can write all of your uncompleted but important 'to-dos' at the beginning. This will give you a sense of accomplishment and allow you to move closer toward what you want to achieve.

• Bring it to Your Next Meeting - when you have to go to that meeting that requires your participation, but not your voice, bring your Perspective Pad with you. You will be surprised at how many ideas will pop into your head when you aren't trying. Be quick about it and capture them in your Perspective Pad. Also, some meetings have slow times that don't require your concentration. If you have your journal or Perspective Pad, you can get in a few more minutes of writing or compose the outline for your monthly newsletter article.

For more information please contact Leading with Focus directly at 301-654-3010 or info@LeadingwithFocus.com .