Having a place to write, and having an audience who expects your work on a regular, consistent basis is a great way to develop a writing habit because it puts the pressure on you to deliver. And that’s what professionals do—they deliver on time.

One of the challenges, however, is that you can produce words that don’t come from a place of passion and meaning. When you’re writing on schedule, it’s easy to become a bit of a robot, cranking out words on demand.

There has to be a balance. Passion and regularity. Meaning and discipline. The fire of writing, but also the consistency of lighting that fire.

F. Scott Fitzgerald said, “You don’t write because you want to say something, you write because you’ve got something to say.”

So, what is it that you want to say?

If you feel consumed by the demands of a writing schedule, take a moment to dig down deep and really think about what you want to say. Don’t let it get lost in the shuffle of schedules and expectations. Don’t quench the fire because I know you’ve got something important to say.

Question: What do you really want to say to the world through your writing?

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But how do you actually go about doing this? Let me give you an example and then let’s talk about some simple ways to get clear on your message.

Here’s an example that you’re already familiar with because you’re listening to this podcast. The core message of the Daily Writer, which is my “brand” so to speak, is this: a regular writing habit is the foundation of everything else you want as a writer. Nothing else will happen until you write regularly.

Here’s the trick: I don’t think it is a matter of creating your message. It’s a matter of identifying it. You already know what it is. It’s the thing you talk about, write about, and like to research and think about.

You can also identify it this way: What makes you upset? What breaks your heart? What injustice or wrong do you want to correct in the world? This helps identify your passion.

Your core message is where your passion, your knowledge and gifts, and people’s needs come together. If you can figure out a message or core idea that meets all those, then you have a winner.

And when you hit on your core message, it must have an element of transformation built into it. How does it change people? How does it benefit their lives?

If you don’t know what your core message is, then your readers won’t either. Take a little time to put some thought into this, and it will have a radical impact on your writing.

Question: What is the message or topic where your passion, knowledge, and people’s needs

The post How to Identify Your Core Message appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

Having a place to write, and having an audience who expects your work on a regular, consistent basis is a great way to develop a writing habit because it puts the pressure on you to deliver. And that’s what professionals do—they deliver on time.

One of the challenges, however, is that you can produce words that don’t come from a place of passion and meaning. When you’re writing on schedule, it’s easy to become a bit of a robot, cranking out words on demand.

There has to be a balance in there. Passion and regularity. Meaning and discipline. The fire of writing, but also the consistency of lighting that fire.

F. Scott Fitzgerald said, “You don’t write because you want to say something, you write because you’ve got something to say.” So what is it that you want to say?

If you feel consumed by the demands of a writing schedule, take a moment to dig down deep and really think about what you want to say. Don’t let it get lost in the shuffle of schedules and expectations. Don’t quench the fire.

Daily Question: What is the one single message you most want to convey to the world through your writing?

The post What Do You Want to Say? appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

Everyone feels writer’s block sometimes. The next time you aren’t sure what to write about, try combining two things you love.

If you love teaching and movies, write a book about how to use movies in the classroom, or write a series of blog posts on famous classroom scenes from the movies.

If you love science and gardening, write about the science behind how to make a home garden successful, or write an article for a science magazine about new methods of gardening.

If you love technology and marketing, write some articles or blog posts about different technologies the best marketers use today.

If you love children’s books and running marathons, write about how families can run together, or write a children’s book about running.

Author Dan Miller writes, “Passion is the intersection of multiple curiosities.” You won’t find your passion by following someone else’s path. Follow your curiosities and blend them in interesting and unique ways. You’ll not only stand out among other writers, you will also feel more excited because you’re approaching everyday topics with your own special twist.

The post What Should You Write About? Try This. appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

As writers, there is a constant pressure to conform to what we think others want from us. This influencer writes about a certain topic and has had a lot of success, so we feel we have to do the same. That writer has a specific style, so we try to mimic it, because we won’t be successful otherwise. Another person we respect just published a book that did very well, so we wonder if we should jump on the bandwagon also.

In the midst of trying to find your own voice, it is easy to get so enamored with other people we admire that we forget what made them successful in the first place: they found their unique voice and the topics they cared most about, and then they kept working at it until they carved out their own niche.

You can do the same thing. Sure, you can learn from other writers, and we all should be learning constantly. But you don’t need to mimic anyone else or try to copy their style. You have your own unique perspective and identity that the world needs to hear.

C. S. Lewis gave a great piece of advice when he said, “Write about what really interests you, whether it is real things or imaginary things, and nothing else.”

If there is a topic or style that you love, there are others who love it also. Never apologize for what you love. You will do the world a great service if you lean into your interests and show us why we should love it, too.

The post Don’t Apologize for What You Love appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

He has worked with the best of the best in the online, entrepreneur, and leadership space, including Ray Edwards, Brian Tracy, Lewis Howes, Shutterfly, Jeff Goins, and many more.

Matt is not only a cool guy with a killer business sense—he’s also working on a new book about turning your passion into a business. I’ve asked Matt to come and share his insights about creating a business and what he has learned from some of the amazing people he has worked with.

You can connect with Matt through his website, podcast, programs, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Clubhouse, Instagram, or email. If you want to contact him personally, you can text him at (260) 217-4619.

The post Matt McWilliams: Turning Your Passion Into a Business appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

Have you ever said to yourself, “I really wish there was a book on so-and-so topic?” 

Maybe it’s a nonfiction book about a topic you are interested in. Maybe it’s a story you would love to read. Maybe it’s a book of certain recipes you would love to see in print. 

The topic doesn’t matter. What matters is that you would love to see that book… but nobody has created it. 

The fact that you want the book, but it doesn’t exist, means it is a book you must write.

If it is a book that you want, other people will want it as well. The wonderful thing about our modern age is that you can connect with people with all kinds of niche interests. Whatever you are into, there is someone else out there who has the same tastes. 

Your first thought is probably, “Who am I to write this book?” But that question is irrelevant.  

The real question is, “Who are you NOT to write this book?” 

Your passion and your interest in the subject will carry you through. If it is on your heart to write that book that nobody else has written, then consider that the universe’s way of telling you to get to work. 

The post The Book You Must Write appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

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If you were to make a list of the most creative people from the last hundred years, Steve Jobs would be close to the top of the list. As the co-founder of Apple, he was in large part responsible for many of the devices and apps we use today, such as the Mac, iTunes, the iPhone, the iPad, and lots of others.

Especially in his later years, he was adored and admired for his visionary approach and his absolute refusal to go along with the status quo. But he wasn’t always the cultural icon that he is today.

In 1997, Steve Jobs has been gone from Apple for twelve years after a painful exit in 1985. Now that he was back in command trying to turn the struggling company around, there was no magic bullet, no surefire gimmick or product that would help make Apple successful again.

He began to search for the marketing agency that would help put Apple back on the map. Steve Jobs was looking for the perfect message that would communicate Apple’s renewed vision.

This process culminated in the now-famous “Think Different” commercial, which featured Jobs giving a narration over images and clips of people such as Albert Einstein, Jim Henson, Martin Luther King, Jr., Amelia Earhart, and many others.

Today, whoever is listening to this, whoever is tempted to settle for the status quo, whoever wants to live an ordinary life … if you’re a little bit crazy, this is for you.

We’re not going to make a difference by doing the same things as everybody else. Be bold, be different, be willing to be misunderstood by other people. That is not just the price of BEING different … it’s the price of being a creative writer who MAKES a difference.

Here’s to the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world.

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