What words can do

Hey there,

Heads up: I’m hosting two free trainings this week on starting a writing habit. Don’t miss them. Click here to find the time that works for you and register.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what words can do. They can can cut a person down or lift them up. They can overwhelm with beauty or devastate a soul.

I am often searching for the words that want to be said, because when you find them, they mean everything. Jack Kerouac once wrote, “One day, I will find the right words, and they will be simple." My wish is the same.

This weekend, I attended a men’s retreat out in the woods, and for most of the day on Saturday, we sat in a circle, facing each other, sharing the words that wounded us and the ones we longed to hear.

Words like:

You are so lovable.

And:

It’s not your fault.

We all want the right words at the right time, don’t we? Recently, an interview I did on the healing power of words was published as part of a series, and I can’t stress this enough: Words can heal, and they can hurt. So, please choose the words you use wisely, the ones you speak and the ones you write. The ones you post and the ones you publish. Because it’s not just sticks and stones that break bones. Words wound, too.

This, I think, is more important than ever, as a pandemic along with an election year here in America seem to be elevating the tension between all of us. The things we say to one another matter now more than ever.

So, how do we find the right words? The ones we are all longing to hear? Well, it’s very simple:

First, you need a regular writing a habit. Find a place and a time of day when you can begin writing. For me, that’s first thing in the morning, after I get the kids off to school and drink my morning coffee. Maybe for you, it’s earlier or later. But I recommend finding a consistent time and trying to stick with it. When you write, have a goal. Decide when you’re going to be done. I tend to write a minimum of 500 words per day, whether it’s a poem or a newsletter, or a part of a book—it all counts. My goal is to get words down on page. That’s it. Do this enough times, and the heavy lifting loses its burden. Trust what words come, and learn how to organize them. How I do it is I follow a simple system that allows me to capture ideas all day long through random notes on my phone, then taking one of those ideas and translating it into a draft the next day, and then editing an older piece of content from the previous day. I call this the 3-Bucket System, and it’s what works for me.

If you need help with this, I’m hosting another series of free, live trainings this week around creating a writing habit. Click on the time below to register (you’ll be signed up, so only click on the one you want to attend):

Wednesday, August 26th at 1:00 p.m. Central Friday, August 28th at 9:00 a.m. Central

I’ve been practicing a regular writing habit for over a decade, and it—along with my daily walks—is the best thing I ever did for my creativity. I highly recommend it.

Someone once told me that a man who doesn’t trust his strength often hurts people. I believe that. Similarly, a writer who doesn’t know the power of her words can wound many people. So, dear creator, take care with the words you share. Don’t be too brash. Delicately usher your stories and ideas into the world with gentleness and ease, allowing them to land where they need. Practice this art of connecting your heart to that of the reader by crafting something small every single day. There is no other way to learn this.

Godspeed,
Jeff

P.S. What would developing a regular writing habit do for you? Hit reply to this email and let me know. And don’t forget to register for the free trainings!

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