Beth Chase Blog

For women who are visionary leaders.

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I recently read about a study where 46 college students at the University of Texas, Austin, were asked to write about life events for 15 minutes for four consecutive days. Some were told to do expressive writing and others to write about trivial matters.

In the six months following, the students who wrote about their stressors and traumas took fewer pain relievers and visited the health center less frequently than those who wrote about trivial subjects.

Similar studies have recorded physical benefits for conditions including sleep apnea, asthma, migraines, HIV, and cancer.

In addition, expressive writing has been found to lower stress and anxiety. A recent University of Chicago study found anxious test-takers received better grades on an important exam when they wrote about their feelings before the test, compared to their peers who did not write beforehand.

Therefore, finding the time and will in your day to write appears to be an important part of staying healthy.

Here are a few tips from Sam Horn, author of our Write Well, Write Fast, Write Now course:

• Create a daily ritual. Tell yourself, “For five minutes every morning I’m going to grab a cup of tea and sit down to write.” Sit at the same place each time, and it will eventually become a habit.
• Find a journal that feels right in your hands. If you don’t already have one, go to your local bookstore and find one that speaks to you. Maybe its cover features peacocks… horses… or a fine leather.
• If you don’t know where to begin, do an Internet search to find lists of engaging questions like the Proust Questionnaire. Or begin asking yourself questions: What was something good that happened yesterday? What am I afraid of? What do I really want to say?
• Write whatever comes to mind. Let your thoughts flow onto the paper. The faster your pen moves, the truer your thoughts are, because you are not censoring them.

Write out your thoughts daily while they are fresh and top of mind, and you may soon find yourself reaping the benefits of this nourishing ritual.

Remember when I asked executive directors if 2014 was an awesome or challenging year for them? Well, over 200 responded. Here are the results of this survey.

• 46% agreed that 2014 was an exceptionally challenging year and “I look forward to seeing it in the rear view mirror of my life.”
• 53% agreed that 2014 was an awesome year filled with enriching experiences and “I will look back on this time with a smile on my face.”

I love “never give up” stories. Here is one that a friend sent me today about Sylvester Stallone and I decided that I just had to pass it on to you. Enjoy…

– Begin –

Sylvester Stallone grew up in and out of foster homes.

As a young adult he had to sell his dog for $25.00 to help turn on his electricity.

Two weeks after selling his dog Stallone wrote the Rocky script in nearly 20 hours straight.

He peddled the script relentlessly.

Finally, after being rejected over 1500 times, Stallone was given a nod by United Artists for $125,000.

BUT – only if Stallone would NOT star in it. Stallone refused.

He was subsequently offered $250,000 and $325,000!  But he would not accept unless he starred in it.

Finally they compromised.

They would allow him to play the role of Rocky, but would only pay him $35,000 and a percentage of profits as a concession. He accepted.

Incidentally, Stallone’s first purchase with his $35,000 windfall was buying his dog back for a whopping $15,000!

Rocky cost $1,000,000 to make. It grossed over $200,000,000!! His sequels grossed over a billion dollars!!

Never Quit!

-End-