Continued to take personal inventory ? For how long ?

[SloganJack]

Hi How often ? Do we take these personal inventorys. How do you work this in to our daily program, I have heard AA's say it must be written down, i struggle to seek my own answers from doing this. Does the answer come with practice by writting an inventory every day and night. ? Look forward to hearing your views on this.

[dgillz]

I do not believe step 10 to be another full blown inventory like what you do in step 4. The way I treat it, as I am turning in for the night, I review the days events and see if somewhere along the line I did the wrong thing, or failed to carry AA principles inmy affairs that day.

How long do you do this? Forever. There is no step that says "Congratulations, you have graduated, don't let the doorknob hit you in the a$$".

Or as a buddy of mine says, there is no step that says "And then were-gained power over alcohol".

[SloganJack]

Thankyou for your comments. It has been suggested to me to take written inventorys and do it all the time with paper and pen. Write down the problem or feelings and look and see were i have been full of fear or selfish or inconsiderate. But what im saying is sometimes i find it really difficult if im full of these character defects or maybe not it can be difficult to come up with a solution at the end of inventory.

A lot of the time im not in contact with another human being and feel that theres no need to do an inventory and look at myself. AA's are saying it is not something you can do in your head i struggle to write anything down am i doing this correct or am i beating myself up for this not been done correct.

ive been sober since Feb 09, and out of everythnig to do with the program this writting down every day and night is difficult and i dont do it all the time and im told i should always work steps 10,11 and 12. Ive never sponcered anyone yet but ive did service in other ways. Is my own recovery in danger by this ? why do i feel resistence to take pen to paper everyday.

[freya]

For me, taking personal inventory everyday is absolutely essential. I mean, how else am I going to avoid piling up a big heap of unaddressed "garbage" that will sooner or later lead me right back into the same kind of thinking and acting that brought me into recovery in the first place??????

In most cases, taking a daily inventory -- or a spot inventory -- is pretty easy for me. Actually, it's pretty much habitual and reflexive as soon as I start to feel uncomfortable about something and/or disconnected from HP. The only time I write stuff down is if I can't easily and/or exactly put my finger on the problem and what's underlying it...because writing it down and, often, talking about it with someone else helps me to work it through and analyze it more thoroughly and carefully.

But, it seems to me like, for anyone who is relatively new and for whom taking daily/spot inventory is not a habit and who is not yet used to really looking at and dealing with his/her own sh*t as it comes up in daily life, writing it down is a good way to get in the habit and to learn how to really work through and understand exactly what is going on with him/herself when he/she behaves in ways that are not consistent with good recovery and/or the desire to live a HP centered life.

For now, you might really need to get input from your sponsor or some other trusted program person in order to really "work things through" and figure out what you need to do to address/amend stuff....but the longer you practice doing this, the more you will be able to just quickly and easily do it for/by yourself and the less often you will need to seek other's input.

But, really, the importance of taking your inventory on an at-least daily-basis cannot possibly be overstated. The better you get doing this, the less often you will need to be doing huge 4th, 5th, 8th and 9th Steps.

freya

[dgillz]

I don't really know how to respond. I fired my first sponsor because he rejected my first inventory because I typed it on my computer into MS Word. He told me to use pen and paper. My response was if AA had started during colonial times, would I be required to use a feather quill and ink well to write my inventory?

As my first inventory,it actually left a lot to be desired but the shortcomings of my first inventory had to do with content, not how it got written in the first place. That is a classic example of disagreeing with ones sponsor, when called for.

I do think we need to do steps 10-12 forever. I do not think we need to sponsor people, but 12th step work - carrying the message to others - is important.

Just MHO. Good luck and keep posting.

[freya]

One more thing -- as a former English professor, I can 100% guarantee you that people worrying about getting things down right -- in the sense of "correctly" -- on the first draft is the #1 cause of sh*ty, boring, pointless writing. When you are writing something that is basically for your own use, the sole purpose is to get it out of your head and onto a paper. This does not need to be some kind of big, time-consuming, stressful activity. You can just say to yourself: "I'm going to write for 5 minutes, without stopping, about whatever issues/things/behaviors came up for me and/or were problematic for me today."

Then just do it.

Sit there and write.

Do not stop; keep your pen/pencil moving constantly for the 5 minutes.

Do not think about spelling or grammar or handwriting or even making complete sentences. Just get the cr*p out. If it turns out that you have to share it with someone and you're the only person who can read it, then, fine, read it to that person. If that person can't handle it and expects for you to hand him/her some perfectly written sterling prose, find another person to help you. This is not about your becoming a renown writer or pleasing somebody else; this is about your staying sober -- physically, emotionally and spiritually!

.....and I can also promise you that it will be much, much easier if you stop trying to find reasons why you can't or shouldn't have to do it and just get on with doing it.

freya

P.S. The things you do that hurt yourself are every bit as important and subject to inventory as the things you do that hurt others. And, just FYI, isolating would be one of them.

[AW2486]

Originally Posted by SloganJack

Hi How often ? Do we take these personal inventorys. How do you work this in to our daily program,

I try to do this every night using the Big Book & the 11 step "when we retire at night" suggestions.

The Big Book gives clear directions on the 10th step. I did not know that and worked the 10th step using my own interpretation for along time. When I started using the BB directions it made a big difference in my sobriety.

I really like Sandy B on the 10th step. If we find our selves disturbed in any way, time to inventory, and work the steps.

[Mark75]

When I am unsettled or anxious about something going on, anything... that's when I take inventory... On some days it may be constantly, other days I may have to remind myself to do so...

But very important is that prompt admission if we were wrong... that is the point right?

Being at peace with the world and ourselves allows us to be in constant contact with God... For this reason my spiritual fitness demands the 10th step.

Mark

[Stereosteveo]

Wow those are super-great posts #4 and #6 Freya. Thanks for the English professor perspective. I've heard of and use the "freewriting" method, but never heard it explained so clearly.

THIS site has a 10th step guide I like.

While we're at it THIS site has some great 4th step guides and worksheets that we can also incorporate into the 10th step. (Scroll 1/2 way down to the 4th step links right in the middle of the page.)

[Alike]

Originally Posted by SloganJack

Hi How often ? Do we take these personal inventorys. How do you work this in to our daily program, I have heard AA's say it must be written down, i struggle to seek my own answers from doing this. Does the answer come with practice by writting an inventory every day and night. ? Look forward to hearing your views on this.

Continued to take personal inventory ? For how long ?

If a spot check inventory Step 10 is undo-able due to confusion a written personal inventory sure can help.

To seek the past is all about discovering TRUTH
To live in the present without always having to tell someone the truth takes rigorous (manifesting, exercising) honesty.

Honesty and truth are two opposites

Truth = past and pertains to the past "after" its done
Honesty = present and pertains to the present before it's done

I do not subscribe to the illusion that if I tell someone the Truth it makes me honest - Its like a thief claiming goodness for returning what they stolen.

Telling someone the truth can make one feel good for a while.
Being honest one can feel good within all the time and not have to worry about going around and having to tell others the truth it's a freedom beyond people.

To develop a relationship with God is what being true to thy self is about. Having to tell someone the truth to make oneself feel good rather than developing charter is what the outside menacing force is about that's why I like A.A.'s ways a "PERSONAL" inventory and remember when someone else tries to help you with it the real insanity is that "THEY WERE NOT EVEN THERE". Personal bb. see to it your relations with him(God) is right and great events will come
A promise of A.A. is that we will intuitively handle situations that use to baffle us - are these extravagant promises ?
Yes for people who are always having to tell the truth to someone, no for the ones that can be honest with themselves (be true to thy self)

[intention]

Originally Posted by Alike

that's why I like A.A.'s ways a "PERSONAL" inventory and remember when someone else tries to help you with it the real insanity is that "THEY WERE NOT EVEN THERE".

However willing I am to be honest with myself and with God, when something is inside my head, I cannot always see the truth of it.

Sometimes with Step 10 I need to write down the inventory on paper. By doing that, the truth can be revealed to me. Sometimes I need to talk it through with someone else. Just by saying the words out loud the truth can be revealed to me........or sometimes it is the words the other person says back to me that reveal to me the truth. The other person doesn't need to have been there. The inventories are not about the events themselves - they are about how I think and behave.

At Step 11 in our nightly review it says "Have we kept something to ourselves which should be discussed with another person at once?"

[least]

From what I understand, this means 'daily'. Taking your inventory every day. I try to do something like that every night at bedtime: thank God for my day and determine if I messed up and, if so, how I can make it right. Taking our own inventory seems to me to be an ongoing process, to keep us growing and improving, and to keep us in 'today'. Just my interpretation of it...

[Alike]

Originally Posted by intention

However willing I am to be honest with myself and with God, when something is inside my head, I cannot always see the truth of it.

at once?"

Hi intention
Glad were here can you give an An Example?

Try to trust in God first then yourself - it can get better
Sometimes one cannot be still - but if one can be still and pray for the wisdom to know the difference the answers will come if your relations with him is right.

It seems illogical, nonspiritual and quite insane and was good at all three from time to time to "be true to thy self" when looking for the truth from another.

I try to share his strength and hope gave up the secrets long ago it has surely been an experience .

[CarolD]

Continued to take personal inventory ? For how long ?

In the begining ..I did do my nightly inventory with pen and paper.
My brain was foggy...I needed the structure....

After a couple of months...and ever since ...I do it mentally.

I end the nightly inventory with prayer.
Been working great for me for 20+ years.

To do a Step inventory....I do still use pem and paper
out of the BB. I do those when I feel out off balance.
Again.....I end in prayer....

[Allstardood]

...for a newbie to comment.

I've really only just begun to do my 10th step work... reviewing daily, in writing, the "pre-resentments" and character defects has revealed some common patterns. Recognizing, after doing this for only 2 weeks, those patterns let's me change the behavior WAY FASTER now. So, before, the FEAR would fester and bubble - and now I discuss it immediately (or nearly so) and move on.

I'm grateful for this step and the simple phrase, "How can I help you with that NOW?" It keeps me in the moment...

Thanks from a new guy.

[Music]

Originally Posted by SloganJack

Hi How often ? Do we take these personal inventorys. How do you work this in to our daily program, I have heard AA's say it must be written down, i struggle to seek my own answers from doing this. Does the answer come with practice by writting an inventory every day and night. ? Look forward to hearing your views on this.

Step 10 gives exact directions on how to begin and end our day. Do it as often and as long as you like.

[CarolD]

Allstardood.....Welcome to our recovery community

Thanks for sharing what is working for you.

[Alike]

Quote:
Continued to take personal inventory ? For how long ?

As long as you have personal willingness !!!!!!

[soberxxx]

This is also the way i was taught..

[GreenAces]

I do it every night... Well almost every night.. progress not perfection right? lol I write down my inventory in my journal towards the end of the night and sometimes if it sparks during the day if I feel I have wronged something or someone and I feel an urge that I need to write it down than I do so and reflect on it later in my inventory and meditations.

[soberxxx]

"I do not believe step 10 to be another full blown inventory like what you do in step 4. The way I treat it, as I am turning in for the night, I review the days events and see if somewhere along the line I did the wrong thing, or failed to carry AA principles inmy affairs that day.

How long do you do this? Forever. There is no step that says "Congratulations, you have graduated, don't let the doorknob hit you in the a$$".

Or as a buddy of mine says, there is no step that says "And then were-gained power over alcohol".


This quoted from "DGILLS" above was also the way it was explained to me....

[daveinmd]

I read that at night we were to divide our things we did well on one side of a column and what we still need to work on in the other. pray for guidane of what we are lacking and below these I wrote my plan for working on my defects of charactor I'm still practicing.its working for me...congrats on getting to step 10...thats where I am

[keithj]

Originally Posted by daveinmd

...and below these I wrote my plan for working on my defects of charactor I'm still practicing.

Glad it's working for you. Funny thing is, if we were to ask 10 people about this, we'd probably get 10 different answers.

Me, I just follow the directions as they are written in the BB, and God can deal with my defects for me. My plan, and only action in that area, is willingness and readiness.

[sugarbear1]

The time I get irked is time for the tenth step. That includes 4 through 10 immediately. I can't function when any mental obsession/resentment begins.