Before you start writing: 4 practices to help you get focused & clear.

There’s a question that comes up at nearly every single workshop that I teach:

“How can I keep my writing focused, clear, effective, purposeful… and stick to the blessed point?”

It’s a great question with an infinite number of possible answers.

But basically, it simmers down to this:

Before you start writing, you have to decide… why you’re writing.

It sounds simple, because it is.

Here are four practices that you can try… to figure out your “why.”

(Try all of them, just one of them, or a groovy fusion of them that makes sense for you & your style.)

BEFORE you start writing…

1. Do the FEEL / KNOW / DO exercise.

Ask yourself:

What do I want my reader to DO?

For example:

I want my reader to FEEL calm and excited about the prospect of writing.

I want my reader to DO these practices, or perhaps just try one of them, the next time he or she needs to write something.

2. Decide: What kind of miracle am I trying to create?

You can write an imaginary note to your reader, saying:

I hope that this piece of writing creates a “little miracle” for you.

Specifically, the miracle of having / getting / knowing / seeing / believing / being able to _____________________.

For example:

I hope that this blog post creates a little miracle for you.

Specifically, the miracle of being able to stay on track with your communication, instead of rambling all over the map.

3. Set a clear, generous intention.

Focus on what you intend to “give”, not just what you hope to “get”.

You can write an imaginary note to your reader, saying:

I hope that this piece of writing makes your day better / makes your life easier / removes a source of pain.

[And, if it’s the right choice for you…] I also hope that this piece of writing will inspire you to _____________________ with me.

For example:

I hope that this blog post will inspire you to set a clear, generous intention before you start writing… anything.

I also hope that this post will inspire you to work & play with me at some point in the future. Say, at an upcoming workshop. Or by purchasing one of my books.

4. Choose ONE big idea… and commit to it.

Ask yourself:

What is ONE big idea, lesson or phrase that I want to ECHO inside of my reader’s mind, when they finish reading this piece?

The ONE thing I really want them to remember?

This ONE thing is essentially the POINT of the piece you are writing. The moral of the story. The takeaway.

The sentiment here is, “If nothing else… PLEASE remember THESE WORDS.”

A couple examples of what that ONE thing might be:

“Kindness is not a joke.”

“You already know everything.”

“All communication begins with an intention.”
—Danielle LaPorte

Your “intention” can be selfish or generous, cruel or compassionate, sloppy or focused, complex or simple.

My advice? Set a good, clean, generous intention BEFORE you start writing.

And no matter where your writing goes, you can relax into the knowledge that you’re rolling in the right direction.

Because…

Love is always the right direction.