The Artists Way invites us to write without thinking about the words that we are writing – to simply flow. It is suggested that in this simplest form of journaling, we just allow our thoughts to flow and our writing hand to glide seamlessly over the page as we unconsciously write. We are not focussing on the quality of the writing, and neither can we cross anything out or correct – we are simply moving forward.

The 9 meaningful words adaption invites you to identify 9 words – not as you write them, but as you stop and review. This subtle difference can invite an increased focus on deliberate action.

The process is quite simple.

1. Write for a period of 3 minutes in the same style as the Artists Way. Allow your pen to glide over the page and celebrate the ‘art’ that you have created as you write from the subconscious.
2. At the end of 3 minutes, pick up a highlighter, and without reading or engaging with what you have written, highlight THREE words from the text. These three words and the first of the 9 words.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until you have got 9 words (so this would be two writing periods of 3 minutes).
4. You should now have 9 words highlighted in your prose. Write these 9 words down on a new piece of paper

Read through the 9 words slowly and deliberately.

Ask yourself some simple, yet soul-searching questions.

• What are you drawn to?
• What do you notice and feel?
• What do you notice and what are you surprised at?
• What is it that you are aware of?

This method is especially useful for the person with the busy mind, that needs to stop occasionally and listen to the subconscious messages.