Would you like write the your life as however you wanted it to be and see it come true? Imagine having that sort of control over your own destiny and mind-set.
Many psychologists believe humans live inside the stories they tell themselves, and use those stories to define the world around them. In other words, those who see themselves as heroic antagonists persevering to win over evil and hardship, do seem to become more successful overall.
According to Jordan Peterson of Self-Authorship:
“People who spend time writing carefully about themselves become happier, less anxious and depressed and physically healthier. They become more productive, persistent and engaged in life. This is because thinking about where you came from, who you are and where you are going helps you chart a simpler and more rewarding path through life,”
Writing your own obituary may seem morbid, but it is a form of ‘future authoring’ which allows you to write the story of the rest of your life.
J.K. Rowling is a grand example. The author of the famed Harry Potter series is richer than the queen herself, and even donated 40 million to charity to be taken off the Forbes’ billionaire list.
Twenty years ago Rowling was an unemployed, divorced single mother who confessed to feeling like a failure at everything, and battling both depression and poverty.
Inspired on her train commute, Rowling used self-authorship in the most powerful way, penning a heroic and archetype-rich children’s tale that would soon make her one of the wealthiest women in the world.
In this tale, Rowling wrote of Dementors – gliding, wraithlike demons that feed on human happiness to generate feelings of depression and despair in any person in close proximity. To Rowling, these creatures symbolized manifestations of her own despair from troubles such as her mother’s diagnosis and subsequent passing of M.S.
J.K. invented a hero in Harry Potter to defeat these dementors, and in doing so became an equal victor over her destiny by using self authorship to conquer her own inner demons.
If the power of journey writing can result in a transformation of such a kind, what will it do for you?