A Daily Exercise That Can Revolutionize Your Writing

daily writing exercise

Today’s guest post is by Ed Cyzewski (@edcyzewski). It’s adapted from Pray, Write, Grow: Cultivating Prayer and Writing Together.


Two years ago I started tracking the low points and high points from each day before going to bed. I noted if I was encouraged or discouraged. I gave thanks for my day and wrote down what gave me energy. I shared what left me feeling restricted or trapped, as well as what kept me awake at night.

This daily moment of self-reflection started out as a first step toward prayer, but it soon grew into an essential exercise that also revolutionized my writing. In a matter of months I had the clearest picture of my mental state, anxieties, and fears since I started writing regularly in 2005. I finally saw the accumulated impact on myself, my family, and my writing career from my bad habits, fear of impending failure, and worries about money. It was both alarming and empowering—I at least knew why I struggled with anxiety so much.

The method of self-reflection I used (and continue to use) is called the Examen.

The Examen was first developed as an invitation to prayer by St. Ignatius Loyola in the 1500s. The basic Examen begins with a guided reflection to help practitioners become more aware of God and then transitions into a series of reflections on the good and bad parts of the day. I started practicing it because:

  1. I’m a busy parent who struggles to find time to pray.
  2. The Examen is available as an iPhone app that walks users through the process and even tracks their progress. Who can resist a new iPhone app? Right?

I’m not trying to trick anyone into praying here. If you’re a writer who is inclined to pray or curious about prayer, then the Examen may be the life-giving practice you didn’t know you needed. If you aren’t interested in prayer, the Examen provides tools for self-reflection that can make you more focused and self-aware as a writer.

Two years into practicing the Examen daily, I don’t know how I could have tried working as a writer without it. Publishing is a roller coaster of elation and despair, social media is full of distracting and toxic debates, and freelance writing rarely offers anything resembling long-term security. The daily struggle to find writing time, actually writing during that time, and then persevering through the trials of editing and the unfamiliar territory of publicity is draining. Seeing a promising project founder or fail can prompt doubt, fear, and even considerations of giving up altogether.

Without self-reflection writers are at the mercy of fear, insecurity, and discouragement. Those unable to face and overcome these obstacles will either give in to despair before walking away from it all or quietly suffer. I believe many writers, including myself, have chosen the latter.

Here’s how I use the self-reflection of the Examen to grow as a writer.

Identifying the Barriers and Discouragements in My Writing

The Examen offered the bracing reality check that I needed. You could say that I’d been limping so long as a writer that I forgot what it’s like to walk pain-free. The Examen helped me face the sources of my struggles. Here are just a few:

  • I worried about money way too much. I wasn’t enjoying my work and my family because I worried about doing one more thing to bring in extra income.
  • I measured success in tiny, almost petty, increments—especially on social media.
  • Writing brought discouragements and even failures, but I also needed to persevere because it gives me life and energy.
  • I started to notice that the times I felt the most anxiety about developing new writing ideas were also the times my busy schedule prompted me to cut back on reading and free writing.
  • I feared failure to the point that I was afraid to innovate and try new things.
  • I had a tendency to remain mentally engaged with my work even during my free time. The Examen helped me face how weary I’d become without dedicated alone time each week completely disconnected from my work.

Each of the challenges above could be addressed by changing my writing routine, how I measured my success, and which projects I took on. While I definitely prayed about these challenges (I won’t get into that here), seeing my weaknesses also helped me take steps to overcome or bypass them. That is, after I got over the initial shock of recognizing how much of a basket case I’ve been!

Providing Relevant Writing Topics

Facing my “dark side” through the Examen has also provided some concrete direction for my writing topics. By identifying the areas where I struggled, I started to see friends and colleagues on social media who mentioned similar experiences.

For instance, I noticed a regular theme in my Examen where I mentioned worry about the direction of my life. As I wrestled with my insecurities about writing and the need to have some sort of viable career, I noticed the same struggles in those around me. When I reached my own place of resolution, I was able to write about my process for others.

Since I’m already typing my answers into the Examine app each evening, it’s simple enough to paste or retype a few ideas into a note that I can pull up the following morning. By the time I sit down to write, I frequently have one or two ideas to pursue for a little free writing, a blog post, or an article.

On Further Examen-ation

I originally thought that the Examen would primarily serve as an important act of self-reflection leading to prayer. However, I currently can’t draw a clear line of distinction between my prayer time and writing time. The two are closely connected to each other, complementing each other and building each other up.

If you already pray and write, the Examen is well worth 5-10 minutes of your time each day. If you only write, the Examen provides the kinds of questions you should ask yourself every day, even if you don’t include its spiritual elements. You’ll never know how much you’ve needed this practice until you give it a shot.

Where to Find the Examen

There are many versions and pamphlets available online. I use the “Examine” app (Apple store only) that begins with a simple invitation to become of aware of God’s presence and then asks a series of questions about what is encouraging about my day and then a series of questions about what is discouraging. The questions are as simple as, “The relationships or events that encouraged me were…” or “I am kept awake at night by…”

Any practice of the Examen should include reflection on our days and awareness of our emotions. We could distill the Examen into these key steps:

  1. Become aware of God’s presence.
  2. Review the day with gratitude.
  3. Pay attention to your emotions.
  4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
  5. Look toward tomorrow.
15_02_13_PrayWriteGrow copy

I recommend using the app or a print out as an initial guide and picking two or three questions that especially resonate with you. Then you can add more questions as you grow used to practicing it. Even taking a moment each day to determine whether or not you’re discouraged or encouraged, as well as identifying the reasons why, can be immensely enlightening and liberating.


This post is adapted from Pray, Write, Grow: Cultivating Prayer and Writing Together. The ebook is available today only as a $.99 pre-order. From March 11–13, 2015, the ebook will be available for $1.99. 

You can also buy the print edition.

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CathyDulingShouse

Thanks for this. I appreciate your transparency about the struggles as well as the victories. I can see why these steps give you clarity. When I do “morning pages” which Julia Cameron describes in “The Artist’s Way,” I have some of these same positive results. I’ve gotten several articles published based on the ideas that pop up. One of my challenges is consistency. Morning pages work well for me but then I will stop doing them because I get busy, or whatever. Have you had trouble keeping up this habit, especially in the beginning? I’m going to try the app you mention.

Ed Cyzewski

Morning pages are a great idea. The Artist’s Way is a great book that my wife absolutely loved.

I have a few thoughts, but it’s hard not knowing you personally or your specific situation. First, I would say that the writing needs to happen first. So, for instance, I generally try to do some prayer before I boot up my computer or check social media in the morning. I also try to do some free writing at some point before I get to work. Also, I think just the act of doing some writing is important, even if it’s just jotting down a few ideas. It’s like the Seinfeld productivity tip where you add an “X” to each day on the calendar. The habit of doing something over and over again builds momentum, so even if you just write a little, that’s a win in my eyes. Word counts and such are worthy, but some days we just need to jot down a few notes and call it at that.

amreade

This is one of the best blog posts I’ve read in a very long time. It’s encouraging, inspiring, thought-provoking, and gives me an action I can take right now to improve my writing, my mindset, and my time management. Although I don’t have an i-device, I’m going to have a look at the links you provide to online pamphlets, etc. Thank you very much!

Ed Cyzewski

Thanks for your kind words! See my comment below to Porter with some Android ideas.

And I’m so glad you see how deeply everything is connected. It can be so empowering to realize how a few small adjustments to our time and mindsets can bring significant changes.

T.O. Weller

Thank you for such a beautiful post.

I’m not sure your list of challenges means that you were ever a “basket case” … it means that you’re human … that WE are human!

So often we hesitate to share the things we struggle with, for fear that it will somehow diminish how others see us. But every time I witness someone being honest, just as you have been, I see generosity and connection. We’re all just a little less alone.

The Examen is a practice that I’ve never heard of, but it sounds similar to a number of meditation practices that spark self-reflection and gratitude. No matter the label, I needed reminding of its importance to my day.

Again, thank you.

Ed Cyzewski

Exactly! Thanks for your kind words. And we spend so much time saying, “I don’t know what to write about.” I say, “Well, what are you afraid of?” “What keeps you awake at night?”

Porter Anderson (@Porter_Anderson)

Ed, thanks for this, and good to see you again! Do you know of an Android app comparable to the Examen for iOS?
Cheers,
-p.

On Twitter: @Porter_Anderson

Ed Cyzewski

There are a few Examen apps in the Android store, but I haven’t used any of them:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cilans.jesuit.prayer
http://www.theprodigalfatherproductions.org/app/

There’s always the DIY hack where you set a reminder for a certain time every day to walk through a few self-reflection prompts. I don’t know what you would use on an Android device because I basically just live my life waiting for Steve Jobs telling me how to do things on my MacBook, iPad, or iPhone. 😉

Valorie Grace Hallinan

This is a remarkable post. Many thanks to Ed for writing it and to Jane for bringing it to us. I look forward to checking out the app and trying it. Very glad to have also discovered this excellent and compassionate writer.

Ed Cyzewski

Thanks so much! One of the key messages in Pray, Write, Grow is that we best connect with each other (and God) through our vulnerable points. It’s an approach that transforms pain rather than brushing it away or denying its existence that gives me a lot of life.

Design Inspiration

Great post! I really hate writing patient. However, I started my blog few years back and since then I’ve started to write. Now I get the hang of it and it’s pretty interesting. The more you read the more you can write 🙂

marcymckay

What a brave post, Ed. Thank you for your honesty. I’ve never heard of Examen. I journal everyday, but making myself slow down is another story. I know it’d help me, my writing + life if I did it more, but I seem to have two speeds: ON and OFF.

I appreciate your sharing what a difference it’s make in your life. Thanks for sharing.

Ed Cyzewski

I totally get the “on and off” thing. I think my speeds are fast and crash. Ha! I think that’s where developing a ritual like the Examen or morning pages helps. You force yourself to stop regularly until they become a habit and then they start to bring their own rewards that you crave. Then you’ll have a better sense of when you need to step back and stop. The Power of Habit was a life-changing book for me in that regard. I read it and thought, “Holy crap, he’s writing for businesses, but this is what monks have been doing for centuries!”

Marcy Mason McKay

Thanks for responding and for the laugh, Ed: fast and crash! Ha. Anyhoo, it’s interesting that you mention Morning Pages, because that’s actually what I meant by journaling. I’ve done them (almost) everyday for 19 years. I can just tell it’s time to take it up a notch and Examen might just be right for me.

Stephanie Guerra

Thanks for the great post. It speaks to the interior work of writing and the fact that our spiritual and mental states greatly affect what we produce. I signed up for your newsletter–looking forward to more.

Ed Cyzewski

The idea of “interior work” is so helpful. It really does feel like “work.”

chaplaineliza

Excellent stuff, Ed. I have been writing daily for many months. In 2014, I had a daily blog, A Year of Being Kind: 365 Days of Service (ayearofbeingkind.wordpress.com). This year, I am striving to write in another blog daily – matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayer. (matterofprayerblog.wordpress.com) Now that I’m observing the Lenten journey, my blog is focused on that. But, I want to try to focus on a different way of praying each month in 2015.

Yes, the Examen is a superb way to “examine” life at the end of the day. I’ve used it myself from time to time.

Over a number of years, I have been trying different ways of prayer, and one works for me for a while. It’s great! Until it stops working. And then, I change to another type of prayer. Praying through writing is pretty consistent, though. I can always pray through words. And examining my day before I go to sleep? That is (almost) always useful. (For me, anyway.) Thanks again for the great idea, so specifically directed toward writing, yet beneficial in all areas of one’s life.

Elizabeth @chaplaineliza

Ed Cyzewski

Prayer certainly does evolve over time as we enter into different seasons of our lives.

jpchoquette

So helpful. Feeling very un-tricked and rather inspired. Thanks for this insightful post. Did you find it difficult (or do you now) to keep up with the practice?

Ed Cyzewski

Thanks! It is certainly a choice I have to make every day, but now that I know how badly I need the Examen, I’m pretty motivated to do it and to even make it a priority each evening. If I skip it, I can usually tell the difference in myself.