Why You Must Write
Even if writing isn’t part of your job description, you should find time to write.
Writing is underrated. I didn’t realize this until I began writing. Similar to exercising, it’s difficult to understand the benefits until you actually do it. Being able to send an effective email or a thoughtful note is useful, but there are far greater benefits to flexing our writing muscles. Here are a few reasons why you should start writing on a consistent basis:
- A good writer is a good communicator
- A good writer is a good thinker
- A good writer is a good organizer
- A good writer is passionate
- A good writer is a producer
- A good writer is accomplished
A good writer is a good communicator.
When you write, you must consider how the the audience will perceive your message. Because you aren’t engaged in a real-time conversation, you can craft your words carefully to achieve just the right effect. This is why people often prefer writing an email over making a phone call to describe something complex or emotional. Writing is often the best option in these situations, but even when the circumstances require speaking in person, the practice of writing will help you perform better off-the-cuff, too. Improving your writing skills naturally sharpens your communication skills in general.
A good writer is a good thinker.
Writing forces us to think critically. To describe something, we need to have knowledge about whatever we’re describing, as well as the necessary vocabulary to describe it effectively. Whether it’s non-fiction, fiction, an article, or a novel—critical thinking is, well, critical. I used to write product specification documents for our engineers at my startup. It was insanely hard. The documents had to be clear and concise. There was no room for ambiguity. Word choice was very important. Cutting content away was also just as important as the clarity of the content that remained. How to get better at this type of stuff? Just keep writing. I was never satisfied with my spec writing skills, but I did get better over time.
A good writer is a good organizer.
How long should your piece be? Should you open with a summary of the content to follow, or leave the summary for the end? How does the first paragraph relate to the next? How does it relate to the last? Should you break your thoughts up into smaller sections, or does the material flow better in fewer, larger sections? When you write, you’re organizing your thoughts. It helps you understand how you think, and how others think. This organizational skill is incredibly important, and directly applicable to any project you might be working on.
A good writer is passionate.
Writing simply to write will naturally guide you to your passions and beliefs. It can be incredibly enlightening. When we’re caught up in the hustle and bustle of the day, it’s easy to lose track of our interests. We quickly become preoccupied with the task at hand, and the never-ending to-do list looming in the back of our minds. Take time to sit down and write about something you care about. It will force you to discard the distractions of the day. Thinking critically only happens through focus, and writing forces this focus. You may not realize your passion until you start experiencing it through writing. It sounds strange, but give it a try.
A good writer is a producer.
There are two types of people in this world—Producers and Consumers. Consumers consume content. Producers produce content (yes, of course you can seesaw between both). When you write, you put yourself in the producer category. This is empowering. Sharing your knowledge, your thoughts, and your creativity with the world creates value. Do you want to be the person on the stage, or the person in the audience? The person being interviewed on TV, or the person watching from your living room? The published author, or the reader? If you want to be the first guy, you need to be a producer. Writing is a great way to put yourself in that category.
A good writer is accomplished.
In today’s digital world, writing is one of the most accessible ways to build personal credibility and clout. When you write publicly, you’re sharing your knowledge. You’re sharing your passion. You’re sharing yourself. You’re also demonstrating your ambition and your initiative in being a Producer. While the entrepreneurial ecosystem most noticeably champions the principles of the Doerocracy, the entire world is beginning to thrive on it. The internet has given us all a platform to bring value to billions of people with the click of a button. Why not use that power to your benefit?
About Me: www.jtev.me
