Part X Tool Finder
Stuck on the sofa? About to buy something you don't need? Still angry about last week? This tool asks what is happening right now, picks the matching tool from the book Coming Alive, and walks you through it in one or two minutes. Afterwards you note how strong the pull is, so over 21 days you can see if it actually helps you.
What is happening right now?
How strong is it right now?
Done. How strong is it now?
My 21-day log
Saved only on this phone or computer. Nobody else can see it.
What this tool does
It helps you notice which trap the inner enemy — "Part X" in the book Coming Alive by Phil Stutz and Barry Michels — has pushed you into, and guides you through the matching tool, one step at a time. Then it keeps a small log so you can see, honestly, whether the tools help you.
- Black Sun — for impulses (phone, food, shopping, anger)
- Vortex — for low energy and overwhelm
- Mother — for hopelessness after a setback
- Tower — for hurt feelings and "it's not fair"
When to use it
- In the moment — at the sofa, at the checkout, after a bad call. That is when the tools work best.
- At your trigger time — if Part X always shows up at 22:00, open the tool at 21:55.
- Many times a day if needed. The authors say the tools are like a muscle: the more reps, the stronger.
How to read your log
- Before → after: a drop of 1 or 2 points is a good result. You don't need to reach 1.
- Average drop: after 21 days, if your average drop is above 1, the tool is doing something for you.
- Most common trap: shows where Part X attacks you most. Plan around that time of day.
- No drop at all after two weeks? Try doing the tool earlier — before the urge is at full strength — or try a different approach entirely. Not every method fits every person.
What it cannot tell you
This tool cannot diagnose anything. It does not know why you feel this way, and the 1–5 numbers are just your own feeling in the moment. The four tools come from the authors' clinical experience, not from large scientific trials. Our step texts are a short summary in our own words — the book explains each tool in much more depth.
If you have felt low for weeks, struggle to sleep or eat, or feel unsafe, please see a doctor or call a helpline. In Germany: TelefonSeelsorge 0800 111 0 111 (free, anonymous, 24/7).
Questions people ask
What is the Part X Tool Finder?
A free tool that helps you pick the right exercise from the book Coming Alive by Phil Stutz and Barry Michels — Black Sun, Vortex, Mother or Tower — guides you through it step by step and logs how strong the pull was before and after.
Is my log private?
Yes. Everything is saved only in your own browser on this device. Nothing is sent to us or anyone else. If you clear your browser data, the log is deleted.
How often should I use the tools?
As often as Part X shows up — sometimes many times a day. The authors compare the tools to a muscle: the more you use them, the faster they work. Try one tool for 21 days and then read your log.
What if the number does not go down?
That is normal at the start. Try using the tool earlier, before the pull is at full strength. If after two weeks nothing changes, this method may not suit you, and that is fine — try a habit-based approach like the ones in Atomic Habits.
Can this tool replace therapy?
No. It is a self-help aid. If you have felt hopeless for weeks, cannot sleep or eat, or feel unsafe, please talk to a doctor or call a helpline. In Germany: TelefonSeelsorge 0800 111 0 111, free and open 24/7.