Many of us write something on a daily basis. Whether it is a shopping list, texts to family or responses to never-ending work emails, at some point during the day we are contemplating the right words to say what we mean. Writing is a method of communication, but also a skill. It improves our ability to understand how we think and beyond its social value, it is a way to organize thoughts, build credibility and shift perspectives.
There are many different approaches for writing on a personal level and the best part is there are no fixed rules. A multitude of approaches can produce positive results for writers. For those with racing minds, a stream of consciousness approach may be a helpful method, where a notebook becomes a dumping ground of sorts, subconsciously helping to organize the chaos of the writer’s thoughts, helping them to navigate toward a solution. Separately, creative writing allows the writer to craft passages to help expand their imagination and get their creative juices flowing. The approach I prefer to employ? Journal entries detailing the events of the day.
I have found writing to be a great source of introspection. Writing forces one to physically separate themselves from any distraction and focus on the page. I like that. In this way, writing serves as a meditative practice. As I journeyed to France and India over the past two years, I used writing to explore more deeply what I had really absorbed from my daily excursions and how I could apply what I’d learned to my personal and professional life. In a world that moves so quickly, journaling can help capture and retain memories beyond the visual senses. By taking stock of my experiences, I was able to feel a deeper appreciation for the moment and find more meaning.
Writing can also serve as a valuable tool in your professional development. Writing is an invaluable skill, no matter what your profession is, and it can help foster connections with other professionals in your industry and establish your expertise on relevant topics. For instance, I’ve authored two books on leading an insurance agency and consistently share my business expertise in various B2B publications, as well as this newsletter. It empowers you to communicate thoughtfully, build credibility and establish your opinions among your peers. If there’s a business-related topic you feel strongly about, writing about it may not only strengthen your technical ability, but it may also further establish you as a voice worth listening to.
How to Get Started
Those seeking to sharpen their writing skills may easily fall into a common trap – not knowing where to start. So, I want to share three tips to jumpstart your writing journey:
• Put pen to paper (or start typing): The only way to start writing is to sit down and get words on the page or screen. Identify something of interest to you or something in business you’ve wanted to take a deeper dive and set aside time to fully focus on. If the idea of a long-form project seems too daunting, begin by simply reflecting on your day or week to spark ideas. Try to just focus on getting a few words on a page and eventually the rest will follow.
• Be consistent: Whether your goal is to build a blog following or to just begin writing for yourself, remember to be consistent. Writing can be a powerful tool, but consistency is key to developing your skill. Not only will the practice benefit you personally and professionally, but the writing will also inevitably get better.
• Read as much as you write: Those who want to become better writers or establish a practice of writing should not forgo the benefits of reading. Think of writing as an exercise, which requires proper fuel to maintain and improve performance. Every writer looking to improve their skills should read to expand their technical grasp of varying styles. Seek out books, newspapers or magazine articles relevant to your writing interests to stay aware of the existing conversation. Then, go beyond that conversation and read more to widen your perspective.
Whether it is organizing your thoughts into actionable next steps, flexing your creative muscles to shift your perspective or simply staying on top of what happened that week, a consistent writing exercise can lead to deeper learnings to both help ground your personal life and advance your professional life.