This is great - loved it. I benefit a lot from journaling "somewhat daily" and have been working on that for several years now. However, the part that overwhelms me the most is just how many thoughts come up as I start writing. And I've wondered if there could be a better process to structure the whole effort (and I don't mean writing very well or professionally or anything like that). I've looked at some writing courses (Stanford continuing ed, etc) but haven't tried them yet. Did you find anything useful -- mainly putting some structure to your thoughts so your point comes across easily?
I struggle with the same thing. This is why I have "twenty or thirty works in progress". In fact, the reason I have this substack is because I had many half completed articles. Having a forcing function to publish made me focus on finishing and polishing rather than starting new things that came to mind.
I have not taken any courses, but I have a writing coach who helps me with editing and when I get stuck that I work with for a bit each month.
"Ask a friend for feedback or hire a writing coach to help you get clarity around what you are writing." Curious how you've found those friends? As you "level up" so to speak, I've found your writing and the feedback you may be looking for often does as well. I'd love to find a writing group for women to proof work. I'm curious how you look at this, as having someone sign off on something, especially something that may have a very broad audience, is really helpful for me when it comes to publishing more often.
Hi Deb, Thanks for the actionable tips. I believe that writing can introduce you to yourself, better than any other tool I know of. However, I believe sharing online makes me uncomfortable. Since you mentioned that you were an introvert, what made you put yourself out there?
These are some great tips to make writing a life long habit. I have loved writing since my school days and in the past few years I have started using my writing skills at work to communicate and collaborate on ideas that need discussion as well as to just not have to repeat the same notes several times to different people like you have mentioned above. However, I struggle with organizing my writings. I have notes written in almost every app you can think of. Do you have any tips on organizing writings? If you ever plan to write about your organization strategies, I would love to read it.
I want to write, more for what you describe as formalizing thoughts on what you observe. I want to publish, more to make writing a habit than to impress anyone as a writer. Your idea of setting a goal of writing 200 words is a good one and I'll start there. Thanks Deb. PS: I love reading your articles.
I love this! When I transitioned off of Pay By Group and to Facebook, one of my investors said “write down everything you learned ASAP or you’ll forget it!” I did that, and felt great about it, but now after reading your post I realize I should be doing that all the time! I’ve learned so much during my first several months at FB, lessons that apply to folks across Product in and out of FB. I’m sure at least one person out there could benefit from my learnings. Thanks for the inspiration, and let’s catch up soon!
We forget more than we remember, so writing things down captures the essence of those lessons. I often go back and read something I wrote and I don't recall the details of what happened even just a few weeks or months later.
Hi Deb, thank you for sharing your wisdom. This post could not have come at a more pertinent time for me. For as long as I can remember, I've been terrified of writing. Just the thought of writing makes me sick to my stomach. And oftentimes, it feels absolutely suffocating. It was refreshing to read that someone as accomplished as you also struggle with writing. It gives me hope. I will take your advice and write every day.
One way I find that works for me is to dictate into Google Recorder or Otter. Voice to test apps can help you get past the intimidation of getting something on paper. I was on my exercise machine, and the idea for Blossoming in New Soil came to me. So I dictated it into Recorder and then took the text and completed the note in just 45 minutes. I had been talking to Yuji just an hour or two before I showed him the write-up!
Thanks for sharing this perspective. I always thought of writing as something that 'writers' do. I underappreciated the skill of capturing even my own thoughts and opinions as an instrument to clarify things in my head. What kind of tools do you use to capture your thoughts/journal? I would love to know. I have a hard time using pen and paper. I have privacy concerns with using an app/web platform, This deadlock leaves me doing neither .. Maybe I should just start somewhere!
Everyone can be a writer. I use Recorder for voice to text and I always have Google Docs open. I used to write in a journal, but I found that it was hard to find entries later. So with Google Docs, I can search for anything. I write my thoughts, but mostly around topics, so I am less worried about privacy in that way.
Yes! You inspired me to start writing, and it's been so helpful but it can feel very vulnerable sharing publicly. I enjoyed discussing product topics in the Women in Product group which was a safe space, but now turning some of those into longer form posts is challenging me to add rigor and organization to my thinking and the process itself has been rewarding. I have tons of half posts though, and you made me feel better to know you do too!
It reminded me of an amazing book about the psychology of making art, Art and Fear, that I thought you might enjoy. Here's a quote from it:
“Making art can feel dangerous and revealing. Making art is dangerous and revealing. Making art precipitates self-doubt, stirring deep waters that lay between what you know you should be, and what you fear you might be.”
The safest thing is to not write and not share, but life is about connection. So I choose to be vulnerable and open, and it has created a lot more conversation and closeness with those around me. Take the risk and put yourself out there. You won't regret it.
Thanks for this very poignant reminder, Deb. I work in tech partnerships but I've long harbored a dream of being a "writer". This is a helpful nudge that instead of daydreaming about being a writer, I should just sit down and write!
I have found the most important part of being a writer is to write, even if you do it just for yourself. But for almost every role, writing is a critical part of thinking through problems and sharing information.
Deb, is there any good books / articles that you'd recommend on simplifying written communication?
This is great - loved it. I benefit a lot from journaling "somewhat daily" and have been working on that for several years now. However, the part that overwhelms me the most is just how many thoughts come up as I start writing. And I've wondered if there could be a better process to structure the whole effort (and I don't mean writing very well or professionally or anything like that). I've looked at some writing courses (Stanford continuing ed, etc) but haven't tried them yet. Did you find anything useful -- mainly putting some structure to your thoughts so your point comes across easily?
I struggle with the same thing. This is why I have "twenty or thirty works in progress". In fact, the reason I have this substack is because I had many half completed articles. Having a forcing function to publish made me focus on finishing and polishing rather than starting new things that came to mind.
I have not taken any courses, but I have a writing coach who helps me with editing and when I get stuck that I work with for a bit each month.
"Ask a friend for feedback or hire a writing coach to help you get clarity around what you are writing." Curious how you've found those friends? As you "level up" so to speak, I've found your writing and the feedback you may be looking for often does as well. I'd love to find a writing group for women to proof work. I'm curious how you look at this, as having someone sign off on something, especially something that may have a very broad audience, is really helpful for me when it comes to publishing more often.
Hi Deb, Thanks for the actionable tips. I believe that writing can introduce you to yourself, better than any other tool I know of. However, I believe sharing online makes me uncomfortable. Since you mentioned that you were an introvert, what made you put yourself out there?
Hi Deb!
These are some great tips to make writing a life long habit. I have loved writing since my school days and in the past few years I have started using my writing skills at work to communicate and collaborate on ideas that need discussion as well as to just not have to repeat the same notes several times to different people like you have mentioned above. However, I struggle with organizing my writings. I have notes written in almost every app you can think of. Do you have any tips on organizing writings? If you ever plan to write about your organization strategies, I would love to read it.
I want to write, more for what you describe as formalizing thoughts on what you observe. I want to publish, more to make writing a habit than to impress anyone as a writer. Your idea of setting a goal of writing 200 words is a good one and I'll start there. Thanks Deb. PS: I love reading your articles.
I love this! When I transitioned off of Pay By Group and to Facebook, one of my investors said “write down everything you learned ASAP or you’ll forget it!” I did that, and felt great about it, but now after reading your post I realize I should be doing that all the time! I’ve learned so much during my first several months at FB, lessons that apply to folks across Product in and out of FB. I’m sure at least one person out there could benefit from my learnings. Thanks for the inspiration, and let’s catch up soon!
We forget more than we remember, so writing things down captures the essence of those lessons. I often go back and read something I wrote and I don't recall the details of what happened even just a few weeks or months later.
Hi Deb, thank you for sharing your wisdom. This post could not have come at a more pertinent time for me. For as long as I can remember, I've been terrified of writing. Just the thought of writing makes me sick to my stomach. And oftentimes, it feels absolutely suffocating. It was refreshing to read that someone as accomplished as you also struggle with writing. It gives me hope. I will take your advice and write every day.
One way I find that works for me is to dictate into Google Recorder or Otter. Voice to test apps can help you get past the intimidation of getting something on paper. I was on my exercise machine, and the idea for Blossoming in New Soil came to me. So I dictated it into Recorder and then took the text and completed the note in just 45 minutes. I had been talking to Yuji just an hour or two before I showed him the write-up!
Thanks for sharing this perspective. I always thought of writing as something that 'writers' do. I underappreciated the skill of capturing even my own thoughts and opinions as an instrument to clarify things in my head. What kind of tools do you use to capture your thoughts/journal? I would love to know. I have a hard time using pen and paper. I have privacy concerns with using an app/web platform, This deadlock leaves me doing neither .. Maybe I should just start somewhere!
Everyone can be a writer. I use Recorder for voice to text and I always have Google Docs open. I used to write in a journal, but I found that it was hard to find entries later. So with Google Docs, I can search for anything. I write my thoughts, but mostly around topics, so I am less worried about privacy in that way.
This is so powerful! Thank you for shedding light on how writing and journaling can be a part of a holistic wellness lifestyle.
I hope that writing can transform your life as much as it has done for mine.
Yes! You inspired me to start writing, and it's been so helpful but it can feel very vulnerable sharing publicly. I enjoyed discussing product topics in the Women in Product group which was a safe space, but now turning some of those into longer form posts is challenging me to add rigor and organization to my thinking and the process itself has been rewarding. I have tons of half posts though, and you made me feel better to know you do too!
It reminded me of an amazing book about the psychology of making art, Art and Fear, that I thought you might enjoy. Here's a quote from it:
“Making art can feel dangerous and revealing. Making art is dangerous and revealing. Making art precipitates self-doubt, stirring deep waters that lay between what you know you should be, and what you fear you might be.”
The safest thing is to not write and not share, but life is about connection. So I choose to be vulnerable and open, and it has created a lot more conversation and closeness with those around me. Take the risk and put yourself out there. You won't regret it.
Thanks for this very poignant reminder, Deb. I work in tech partnerships but I've long harbored a dream of being a "writer". This is a helpful nudge that instead of daydreaming about being a writer, I should just sit down and write!
I have found the most important part of being a writer is to write, even if you do it just for yourself. But for almost every role, writing is a critical part of thinking through problems and sharing information.