Headlining -Journaling Tool

The fewer the words, the stronger the impression.

“An honest tale speeds best being plainly told.” – William Shakespeare (King Richard III)

Headlines sum up experiences in just a few words. We can write headlines to define any experience. A good headline is typically less than 7 words. If you’re in the mood, have fun with this by playing with alliteration, humour, verse, metaphors, parody, double reverse, rhyming, puns and duality.

If you like this process, start a page for daily headlines and you will eventually have a concise overview of the highlights in your life – your own newspaper!

Here are a few examples of how you might headline a day:

Job interview sparks old fears

Reactions to Sam require more healing

Forgiveness needed and given

Got cross with the boss, but no job loss

EXERCISES

Getting started:

• Write a headline in 7 words or less about yesterday, today and for each day of the rest of the week. Capture a key highlight or memory or feeling.

Go deeper:

• Create headlines to describe situations you typically avoid.
• Label your dreams with a headline each morning.

Reach higher:

• Apply the headline process to your meditations, to a daily spiritual experience or to your experience of your soul.

“If you wish to know the mind of a man, listen to his words.” – Chinese Proverb

• How would you headline your occupation?

Learn about different techniques with these playful headlines for businesses.
twist or double reverse:
A business without a sign is a sign of no business (signs)
Do you own a water filter or are you the filter? (water filters)
rhyme:
Why squint when you can tint? (sunglasses)
Take pride in your ride (travel agency)
pun:
You should be alarmed! (security)
I fix floppy discs (chiropractor)
We look after our key customers (lock smith)
humour:
A flush is better than a full house (plumber)
We check out your shorts (electrician)
play on words:
It’s my interest to save you interest (banker)
I’m a freedom fighter - Do you want more money freedom or time freedom? (coach)
duality, opposites:
Be true to your teeth or they will be false to you (dentist)
You can expect to get more with Les
parody:
I believe in the tooth, the whole tooth and nothing but the tooth (dentist)
Opportunity does not knock, it rings (telephone sales)

Go back and check out our other 50 Journaling Tools.