You write everyday day. Whether you’re unaware or not, writing is a skill we use in the form of emails at work, text messages to friends, recipes to a family member, maintaining a journal / diary and so forth.

The most consistent trait in all these forms is a clear message to the reader.

The reader can be you or someone else but there is a need to:

• Think before you write

• Understand before and after you write

Both these steps ensure a sense of individuality, ownership and growth. All these three rapidly see an upward trend, when you write.

The 3 Characteristic Benefits

1. Individuality:
   Every piece of writing is different. It varies from person to person even if they write about the same thing. There is a sense of individuality that separates how people write about the same things.
   A good sense of individuality also creates a strong personal brand to potential clients and employees.

2. Ownership:
   You own the words you’ve written. It is proof of your words in physical form. Granted, sometimes you don’t mean what you write, which is why writing is a skill that gets better over time.

3. Growth:
   If it’s about something that doesn’t come easily to you, writing helps a lot. The act of thinking before writing helps enforce clarity. This clarity enables growth of our mental models. Mental models are basically how we understand the world.

Rainar, I don’t have time to write

As I mentioned, we write without knowing it. You don’t have to start a blog or write a book. You can however:

1. Be intentional with your emails:
   Think about the reader. Try to write mails that would make sense to a person who doesn’t have the same information as you. i.e. write objectively

2. Slow down, be mindful:
   Take a couple of minutes before you send that mail or text message. Understanding what it is that you want to say will help you (and the reader).
   It can also prevent potential arguments or awkward moments 😉.

Task: Practice writing your intentions/goals for the day, month and year. Taking a step back to reflect, and convey to yourself what your aspirations are help you gain mental clarity.

Writing intentionally (making time for it) has its own benefits but that’s for another day 😁