#Wellbeing 5 - Writing for rejuvenation
Mark Griffin MBE
Using purpose to unlock people's potential - taking them from success to significance. Master Facilitator / Coach / Speaker / Moderator.
Context
Rejuvenation is important both physically and mentally but this weekend’s article is about mental rejuvenation. There are a number of ways I like to do this but today, I’m writing about writing!?
For me, writing represents is a little ‘me time’, a quiet space to read, research, reflect, to organize, distill and share my thoughts. It’s been a therapeutic process in a way as I always write about things I care about and never share / recommend something unless I’ve tried it myself.
What
I’ve been pretty consistent writing on LinkedIn since 2017. I started off with 4 articles each month on a topic, I then moved into more personal and professional experiences through a “thinking, feeling, saying, doing” framework. Now, given my purpose and performance work, I’m still in that personal and professional hybrid space as they are so closely connected.?
The key for me is to write about things I care about and believe in. These are the things that trigger my curiosity, passion and align to the impact I’m looking to have- so they have the most meaning to me. That’s not necessarily the best marketing or promotional approach for eyeballs or even engagement but it serves a dual purpose for me- mental rejuvenation and the possibility that it benefits others who care, by sharing.
Writing of course offers so many options each with their own unique approach and benefits. It can include journaling, storytelling, poetry, fiction, research, business and academic writing, for example. Plus a bunch of different styles designed for the end audience- inspiration, humor, perspective, shock, fear, etc.
I suppose my chosen area is a hybrid of personal and business writing around insights I care about, have experience with, and are designed to inspire action in others.
So, if writing is something you enjoy or want to try as part of a rejuvenation practice, start with what you’re genuinely interested in, care about and want to learn more about / practice better.
Why
Writing provides me with some time and space to think, read, learn, reflect, practice and share. In a world where I’m with the kids from 5/5:30am - 8am and again from 5pm - 8pm, carving out some ‘quiet time’ enables me to be me again and to think like an adult.
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I find the process cathartic and rewarding. It provides me with clarity, another way of expressing things on my mind and a tool for simplifying the complex or distilling down things into practical take-aways. It helps clear by head, refuel my energy (without using up too much) and provides a vehicle for expressing the possibilities that energize me. Plus, if it benefits anyone else, that adds to the reward. I get notes from folks time to time thanking me for sharing certain articles / posts and that just continues to reinforce why I write- both for me and for them.
In short, writing is one small application of my purpose, to: "create opportunities that inspire people to go-forward as the ultimate version of themselves."
It also enables me to lean into something I’m not naturally good at. I was never great at English during my school years and certainly my grammar has never been perfect, or vocabulary never super-advanced. In my mind, it's all 'good enough' and 'fit for purpose'. For example I have a 'one take' rule on my videos. I prepare a script but I don't have multiple cuts at it. Writing wise, I tend to simply write how I speak: authentically, passionately and honestly. Hopefully that resonates with some.
How
The big ‘how’ to writing for me is having a content framework or calendar. Without this I can be sitting thinking about what to write for ages, whereas a framework enables me to focus on something relevant and specific.?
The first framework I referenced above was structured by topic, so I knew I was advancing forward a theme over 4 weeks. My second framework was only theme based and the subject matter was picked weekly 'on the fly' based upon whatever was relevant in my life around that theme at the time (e.g. what am I feeling / doing). My current content framework is similar, in that it provides me options for 6 posts / week although I tend to aim for 3-4. The flexibility means if I have capacity to write (and create one short video post / week), I know what the theme is already. If I miss one, it’s not the end of the world.
I also formally block some content creation time each week and while it's not enough for 6 posts, I don't need to post that often and indeed my audience wouldn't have capacity to read it all anyway!
Right now, I have:
In any event, if writing is something that may appeal to you, create a simple framework, consider your style (and audience needs if that’s a particular focus), pick things you care about, and have a go. As you can see from my examples, you don’t need to be good at it to enjoy it and benefit from it and it can still benefit others!
Happy writing!
#Purpose #Passion #Performance #Wellbeing #Writing