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I recently wrote and spoke about living with anxiety. I am always open to new ideas and methods on how to cope with such feelings of uncertainty or negativity. I recently learned about a technique that was shared by a high school classmate, and I was immediately intrigued and ready to try it. ( Thank you Elena)
It referred to as the List of 100.
The List of 100 is a powerful technique you can use to generate ideas, clarify your thoughts, uncover hidden problems or get solutions to any specific questions you’re interested in. The technique is very simple in principle: state your issue or question in the top of a blank sheet of paper and come up with a list of one hundred answers or solutions about it. “100 reasons why I am feeling down”, “100 ways to improve communication” or “100 ways to move up in my career” are some examples. You can literally write about any topic that you feel needs some clarity.
While you may feel that 100 entries seem like overkill - it’s exactly this exaggeration that makes the technique helpful. When I began my list I immediately questioned how I would every get 100 entries, but then, at some point during the exercise, my mind seemed to take over and I felt like I was writing faster than I was thinking. This is was the subconscious mind is activated - meaning the thoughts and feeling that are extremely deep in your 'head' (In laymans terms) . When your subconscious takes over, you will realize many new and surprising answers, and ideas will start flowing again. The list of 100 is a way where your conscious and subconscious "communicate" with each other in the present time that you can witness on paper. With a List of 100 you tend to get more unexpected "ideas", because you catch your subconscious off guard, not giving it any time for its behind-the-scenes editing that is usually then brought up to the surface as "thoughts".
When your done your list, its time to review. I did some research on how to analyze the list and this is what I found:
1-30: These are still your conscious mind, and so called "easy" thoughts
31-70: This is where you may feel like you cant get "over" one thought and you fill find yourself repeating yourself.
71-100: Subconscious is engaged ( the following it a direct quote from a website )" At this point you will already have exhausted most “logical” answers, allowing your subconscious mind to express itself more freely. Don’t be surprised if you get at least one or two really nonsensical or seemingly illogical entries. You may feel tempted to not write them down (“How on earth did I think that?”). Write them down anyway: these wacky entries may sound far from profound, but it’s exactly those items you’re after."
Tips:
Make sure you give yourself quiet and adequate time to complete this exercise in one sitting. Getting up in the middle of your list will "restart" the attempt to get to your subconscioius.
Phrases or single words are preferred
You may notice you repeat yourself and that's okay, patterns may be trying to tell you something.
Here are some other ideas you may want to "list" about. The ones highlighted in blue may be useful for individuals who are struggling with the currently pandemic of COVID-19
100 Things I’m Grateful For
100 Ways I Could Nurture Myself
100 Ways I Sabotage Myself
100 Things I’m Good At
100 Things I Like About Myself
100 Questions I Want Answers
100 Ways To Improve My Life
100 Things I’ve Accomplished In My Life
100 Things I’m Feeling Stressed About
100 Things I’d Do If I Had Time
100 Things I Need Or Want To Do
100 Things I Want To Accomplish In The Next X Months
100 Things To Do Before I Die
100 Things That Are Going Right
100 Things That Are Going Wrong
100 Reasons I Want To Stay Married/Committed
100 Things I Want In A Partner/Relationship
100 Things I Have To Offer To A Partner/Relationship
100 Fears I Am Having Right Now
100 Things That Once Scared Me But Don’t Anymore
100 Reasons To Save Money
100 Things I Miss
100 Sacrifices I Have Made
100 Marketing Ideas For My Business
100 Ways I Can Make Money
100 Ways To Make A Difference
100 Jobs/Careers I’d Like To Have
100 Things I Believe In
100 Achievements (Qualities) I Am Proud Of
100 Things I Value In Life
100 Ways I Help Others
100 Judgments I Make
100 Things I Find Hard To Share
100 Things I’m Disappointed About
100 Things I’m Angry About
100 Things I’m Sad About
100 Things To Do When I’m Depressed
100 Things To Do When I’m Alone
100 Skills I Have
100 Feelings I Am Having Right Now
100 Childhood Memories
100 Things My Parents Used To Say To Me
100 Ways In Which I’m Generous
100 Ways To Be More Productive
100 Things I Hate
100 Things I Want
100 Places I’d Like To Visit
100 Things I’d Like Someone To Tell Me
100 Things I’d Like To Hear
100 Things I’d Like To Tell My Chil
100 Adjectives Describing Myself
100 Decisions Other Have Made For Me
100 Decisions I Made That Turned Out Well
100 Things I’d Do If I Had Six Months To Live
100 Expectations Other Have Of Me
100 Expectations I Have Of Myself
100 Judgments I Haven’t Released
100 Ways To Be More Creative
100 Financial Fears
100 Excuses I Make For Myself
100 Things I Need/Want To Control
100 Fears I Have About Giving Up Control
100 People I’d Like To Meet
100 Reasons Why I Get Jealous
100 Tasks I’ve Been Procrastinating
100 Memories From My Past
100 Things That Nourish Me
100 Things I Haven’t Finished
100 Things I’m Glad I’ve Done
100 Things I’ll Never Do Again
100 Ways To Generate Income
100 People I Want To Forgive
100 People I Want To Forgive Me
100 Things To Forgive Myself For
100 Mistakes I Have Made
100 Lessons I Have Learned
100 Ways To Be Healthier
100 Things That Make Me Cry
100 Things That Make Me Laugh
100 Things I’d Delegate