The habit of writing

Today is my 100th article. For three years, I have been regularly writing about communications, being a communications professional and team leadership.

I remember how hesitant I was before I posted the first one. Why would anyone care what I have to say? Did I have enough to say? I just started. Most of the time, I am not even sure if people read them, but I persisted.

Then it became a habit. I regularly sit down in the morning over breakfast, in a café while waiting for a meeting or while travelling in the car (like now!) and write. It’s not always a full article, sometimes it’s just a stream of consciousness or rough ideas. Sometimes the words flow easily. Other times the idea is there, but nothing comes out. 

I think it has been really beneficial for me to write regularly. It is not something I have ever done before. I was never really a “writer”. I’m more of a strategy girl. Often when working in communications, there is a misconception that you love to write. For me, I enjoyed developing a strategy or putting together a media release, but I never sat down and wrote for fun.

This new habit has taught me some things along the way:

• It has made it easier to get over writers blocks (which I still get often). Now I just start and know when to walk away and take a break.
• I can now write faster in general. I think because I have learnt it’s about getting the ideas down and polish later.
• Setting goals for me is important. I always have a writing goal like one blog a week or fortnight to hold me accountable. I have never missed a goal, and it forces me to be creative and write no matter what else is going on.
• It has given me more confidence in my writing. Writing has never felt like my strongest skill, but this habit has definitely made me enjoy the process more and feel better overall about writing.
• I think it’s made me a better communicator and stretches me into areas that I am not always comfortable in.

I tell you all this because if you are in communications, I want to encourage you to try it. Write. Not a Ministers brief, website content or a media release. Something just for you (or the big wide world). If you aren’t feeling confident about your writing skills – then write. If you need an outlet for your creativity – write.