“I LOVE reading your blog,” a friend told me earlier. “I keep thinking that I need to start one also. In fact, I think about it all the time!”
“I agree completely,” I said, “but we both know that thinking about it isn’t how it gets done. What’s holding you back, and would you like some help?”
He then related his two biggest concerns… which just happen to be most people’s concerns when thinking about writing and publishing.
1) Will anyone read it, and
2) What should it be about?
**********************************************************************************************************
Now, it may not surprise you that I think everyone ought to be writing— whether they have an audience to read it or not. Writing crystallizes our thinking… hones our arguments… and solidifies our points of view.
Writing expands our world— encompassing our beliefs and our hopes and our dreams. It allows us to work out our challenges— and to share our victories and our losses… our pleasures and our pain.
It connects us with others who have the same joys, feelings, priorities, and fears. And it allows us to work out practically, what we’ve only previously thought about emotionally.
If no one ever picks up your manuscript or manifesto, or clicks on your content, you are still better off for writing- period.
But then again, that’s really not how it works. You may start alone- but you won’t be alone- for long.
**********************************************************************************************************
As unique as we are, our thoughts and experiences are shared by many others… in fact, probably millions.
And as you write— as you speak from the heart— you will attract others to you who feel and think the exact same way. And no pressure— no need for pretense— for by now you know that the days of trying to be all things to all people are gone… hopefully forever.
Life and love and business and impact are about relationships with people. And great relationships are built on strong foundations of common values and experience.
So we write… and we connect… and we give. Then we give some more. And as our seeds are planted, we know that one day the benefits that others enjoyed through our work and our writing will return to us as well.
Eventually, on this earth… planting time leads to harvest time.
Every time.
****************************************************************************************************************
Okay, so what about question number two? What should my friend write about? Yes, what should YOU write about?
We’ll take that up in Part II. In the meantime, please know that I’d love to read your blog!
I look forward to speaking with you soon.
(ARTICLE PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED, REPOSTED AT THE REQUEST OF A FRIEND)
Photo Credit:
Amazing Steve! People love reading stories about other people, especially if they’re from the heart. You have a gift and in simple plain words you are able to touch them without having to write 1000’s of words. Writing does crystallize our thoughts, re-hones them if needed, and gives us a position where we have clarity of thought.
Thanks for the post Steve.
Thanks Chris,
Yeah… the neat thing is we all have the ability to influence and impact tens of thousands of people in our lifetimes, just because of who we are and how we think.
No, let me rephrase that… we WILL influence and impact tens of thousands of people in our lifetimes… the only question is HOW, and whether that influence will be positive or negative.
I know this isn’t news to you, just judging from the sheer numbers of people that you touch through your writings at chriskilber.com and in your social networking. I love your teacher’s heart also, my friend.
Have a great day,
Steve
Wow. I don’t think it was an accident that we stumbled upon each other Steve. One of the best posts that I’ve read in a long time and very inspiring.
I need to write about what makes my heart sing and all those things that I feel so passionately about.
So, that’s what I’m going to do.
Looking forward to hearing more from you…
In response to question two, personally, I’ve found it best to write what you know. When I blog, it’s mostly about daily life, and what’s been going on around me.
I totally agree with you, when you say that it doesn’t matter if people read it or not, it’s just better to get your thoughts out there, and written down or typed out. And eventually, someone will stumble upon it, and hopefully they’ll enjoy what’s written, and they’ll tell others.
This is really great, and I’ll be showing it to some other people, who will most likely give you some input too.
Thank you,
Laura
Hi Bill,
It might have been an accident… but I don’t believe it’s a coincidence!
I’m thrilled that you find value here, and I can’t wait to learn what drives and motivates you… what makes your “heart sing.”
Let’s keep in touch, friend.
Steve
Hi Laura,
Thanks for your message. I think that there are lessons in everything… and not only can they help us in the future, but also teach and inspire others as well.
I look forward to hearing more from you, and I appreciate your willingness to share ideas (yours and mine!) with others.
Have a wonderful day,
Steve