Mental Health Moments: Using The Wand Method To Reach Clarity

⌛  By Kaylin R. Staten ⌛ 

A couple of years ago, I discovered Hilary Rushford. Ever the devoted, always-learning entrepreneur, I was instantly drawn to Hilary’s business and style tips. In 2020, I’ve been using the Elegant Excellence Journal to help me streamline my goals and objectives while giving myself the grace to adjust my aspirations if needed.

Listen to the You’re Welcome podcast where Hilary outlines her Wand method.

The Wand method is based on Brooke Castillo’s Self-Coaching Model, or CTFAR: Circumstances, Thoughts, Feelings, Actions, Results, and Circumstances. This cognitive behavioral thought model allows people to recognize and change unhelpful thought patterns.

Hilary uses The Wand process to “add magic to powerful thoughts”:

• MY: My FACT: an event, situation, circumstance, trigger

• W: Whereby I THINK: belief, opinion

• A: And thus, I FEEL: emotion

• N: Next, I DO: action, behavior

• D: Delivering the RESULT: outcome

(Source: Elegant Excellence Journal)

I love a good writing exercise that allows me to brain dump all of my thoughts and feelings, as well as see where I am in reaching my aspirations. I consider the Wand method a timesaving, click-your-ruby-slippers magical moment every week. I focus on one personal and one professional event each week so I can delve into the heart of matters. It helps me redirect my focuses as needed, which aids me before I reach the bottom of my dark plummets into my anxious black holes.

The first part, the fact, is a neutral statement. Often, we tie emotions to this part, so it’s important to look at it from a more objective -- and less subjective -- lens. 

Here are some of my real-life examples to get you started, if you’re interested in trying out this method in your own journal or another platform:

PERSONAL EXAMPLE

M: We’re having a boy! 

W: I don’t know how to raise a boy.

A: So, I am nervous that I will not know what to do.

N: I will focus on being the best mom possible.

D: I won’t let fear stand in my way of being the mom I know I am meant to be, regardless of the baby’s sex.

PROFESSIONAL EXAMPLE

M: I have an unhappy client, and I’m not sure why.

W: I think that I have done something to upset him/her.

A: So, I feel anxious and that it’s my fault because he/she is generally unhappy.

N: I outreach to this client to directly address this situation.

D: I learn that it’s not about me, but it’s about something else going on in his/her life. Thus, the anxious thought pattern is put to rest.

JOURNAL PROMPT: How can you use The Wand Method to help you personally and professionally this week?

Please note: These blog posts are not clinical, although we will provide symptoms and other information. These posts are based on my experiences with anxiety and mental health in general. If you or someone you know needs help, visit a website like Mental Health America to learn more.

Mental Health Moments blog posts are every other Tuesday of the month. Our CEO and contributors highlight what it's like to live with a mental health disorder and continue to fight the stigma through storytelling.

Kaylin R. Staten, APR, is an award-winning, accredited public relations practitioner and writer based in Huntington, WV with 18 years of professional communications experience. As CEO and founder of Hourglass Media, she uses her compassionate spirit and expertise to delve into the heart of clients’ stories. She is a recovering perfectionist, mental health advocate, wife, Luke’s mom, cat mom, and Leia Organa aficionado. Connect with Kaylin on LinkedIn.