Writers don’t think about what we do in terms of power. We use words like creativity, craft, platform, audience, and entrepreneurship.

But power? It’s a concept that seems a little old-fashioned, if not outright outdated these days.

Power is just influence. When you have power as a writer, you can change people’s minds. You can tell a story that has an impact. You can write books, sermons, articles, or other content and know that it can influence other people.

If power as a writer is a good thing, how do you get it? There are many ways, such as having the right connections or even just getting lucky. But those are external situations that you can’t predict or control.

There is only one surefire way to become powerful as a writer. Margaret Atwood, author of The Handmaid’s Tale, said it best: “A word after a word after a word is power.” (By the way, this was the title of a 2019 documentary where she discusses her life and work.)

The meaning of the phrase is pretty obvious: when you put down one word after another, eventually you wind up with something you can share. And when you accumulate those words, and they become books, screenplays, speeches, or other types of shareable content, they can have more power than you can possibly imagine.

Your words have power. So, get out there today and put down not just one word, but a word after a word after a word.

Today’s Challenge: Whenever you write today, remember: words are powerful, and you can use this power for good in the world.

The post Your Words Are Powerful appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

Writers don’t think about what we do in terms of power. We use words like creativity, craft, platform, audience, and entrepreneurship. But power? It’s a concept that seems a little old-fashioned, if not outright outdated these days.

Power is just influence. When you have power as a writer, you can change people’s minds. You can tell a story that has impact. You can write books, blog posts, articles, or other content to influence other people.

If power as a writer is a good thing, how do you get it? There are many ways, and those ways can include having the right connections or, sometimes. even just getting lucky. But those are external situations that you can’t predict or control.

There is only one surefire way to accumulate power as a writer. Margaret Atwood, author of The Handmaid’s Tale, said it best: “A word after a word after a word is power.” (By the way, this was the title of a 2019 documentary where she discusses her life and work.)

The meaning of the phrase is pretty obvious: when you put down one word after another, eventually you wind up with something you can share. And when you accumulate those words, and they become books, screenplays, speeches, or other types of shareable content, they can have more power than you can possibly imagine.

As Tears for Fears sang in their 1985 hit song, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” However, not everybody can write, or even wants to write. That’s too bad because they are missing out on an incredible opportunity to use their writing power to influence other people.

But we know better. We know our words have power. So, let’s get out there today and put down not just one word, but a word after a word after a word.

Question: What do you think about the concept of being powerful because of your words? Does it make you comfortable or uncomfortable?

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If you pick up the book this week or anytime in the future, you’ll see a lot of stories about Elvis’s generosity. He was always giving money to people—sometimes to complete strangers—buying cars for others, or helping people out in some way.

Elvis’s famous generosity was actually a point of contention between him and his father, Vernon, who managed Elvis’s business affairs. Vernon would sometimes say, “Elvis, you’re going to put us in the poorhouse.” Elvis would respond, “At least we’ll be driving there in style.”

One of my biggest takeaways from working on this project was the importance of being generous. This is an aspect of Elvis’s life that doesn’t get much attention among all his music, movies, and other facets of his career.

Elvis didn’t see his wealth and power as something to just be consumed. He also used it to help others. How can you and I do the same? How can we show generosity toward other people in our circle?

Let me suggest three simple ways:

1. Leave podcast and book reviews for people. Every podcaster and author wants to have more ratings and reviews. This is an easy way to make a difference.
2. Send handwritten cards to people in the mail. Remember that people’s #1 emotional need is to feel validated and affirmed.
3. Buy and share books that your friends have published. People will always remember who talked about their book on social media or elsewhere. They won’t forget how you made them feel by your support.

Generosity doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. We could all be more like Elvis and show our support for people in our circle.

Question: Which one of the three suggestions I gave above could you practice today?

The post The Power of Generosity appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

It’s a beautiful analogy for the power of your words. Your words can cut people down to the bone with sarcasm and criticism. Or they can bring life through wonderful storytelling, personal experiences, or inspiring content. The choice is yours.

Question: As you use your words today, will they bring life or death?

The post Will Your Words Bring Life or Death? appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

Dixie is a coach, consultant, and firestarter who is transforming leadership, culture, and creative productivity. She is the author of the fantastic book, Just Blow It Up: Firepower for Creating an Unlimited Life. Dixie is also a contributor at Forbes and Entrepreneur magazines.

I first got to know Dixie when I was writing and editing for The Good Men Project. She is an amazing encourager and coach who helped me learn the ropes of writing for a large online publication like GMP. Since that time, I have continued to see her impact through her writing, coaching, and influence in so many other ways. She has a truly unique way of connecting with people on a real, personal level that is rare in our hectic world.

In this conversation, we talk about the power we have as writers, how to deal with fear, and how writers provide the medium for how we make sense of the world. In other words… you are immensely more powerful as a writer than you can possibly know!

You can connect with Dixie on Facebook and LinkedIn, or ReturnToYourPower.com. Also, make sure to check out her amazing book, Just Blow It Up: Firepower for Creating an Unlimited Life, as well as her articles at The Good Men Project, Forbes, and Entrepreneur.

The post Dixie Gillaspie: The Art of the Heart in Writing appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

There is a good chance that you know someone who has a tattoo, or you have one yourself. What is the purpose of a tattoo? It’s a way to mark your identity.

A tattoo can be a picture, a name, a date, or a symbol. Any of those images can be a reminder to yourself and the world of who you are and what is important to you.

But there is another kind of marking that can define you… scars. A scar represents past trauma or brokenness. It can be visible on your skin or stored inside your heart and mind where others cannot see it.

Your scars do not detract from your power as a writer. Instead, the opposite is true. They enhance your power.

Stephen King said, “A little talent is a good thing to have if you want to be a writer. But the only real requirement is the ability to remember every scar.”

Don’t be afraid to let your scars show through. Those wounds are part of your story. They are giving you life lessons you could not have gotten any other way.

So don’t try to erase the scars. Rather, embrace them as a powerful part of your story.

The post Your Scars Are Part of Your Story appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

There are many characteristics we associate with the image of a writer, such as laid-back, creative, introverted, or imaginative.

But one word we don’t usually use to describe writers is “powerful.”

When you think of power, what kinds of people come to mind? You probably imagine athletes, bodybuilders, superheroes, and CEOs. Those people have a lot of external strength. They have the ability to shape events and make things happen.

However, writers have power of a different kind. What kind of power is this, exactly? The children’s author and teacher E. B. White said, “A writer has the duty to be good, not lousy; true, not false; lively, not dull; accurate, not full of error. He should tend to lift people up, not lower them down. Writers do not merely reflect and interpret life, they inform and shape life.”

As a writer, you have the power to literally shape reality… to impact how people think and see the world… to inform how the public perceives issues… to spark people’s imaginations with stories… to move them to action with your ideas.

Yes, your personality may be shy, introverted, or laid-back. But make no mistake, you have the ultimate power: the ability to change people’s hearts and minds with your words.

The post You Have the Power appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

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In a world of equality and opportunity, we usually talk about power as if it’s a bad thing. But power is like time, money, or any other resource. It can be used for good or for bad.

Writers don’t think about what we do in terms of power. We use words like creativity, craft, platform, audience, and entrepreneurship. But power? It’s a concept that seems a little old-fashioned, if not outright outdated these days.

Power is just influence.

When you have power as a writer, you can change people’s minds. You can tell a story that has impact. You can write books, sermons, articles, or other content and know that it can influence other people.

If power as a writer is a good thing, how do you get it? There are many ways, and those ways can include having the right connections or sometimes even just getting lucky. But those are external situations that you can’t predict or control.

There is only one surefire way to accumulate power as a writer. Margaret Atwood, author of The Handmaid’s Tale, said it best: “A word after a word after a word is power.” (By the way, this was the title of a 2019 documentary where she discusses her life and work.”)

The meaning of the phrase is pretty obvious: when you put down one word after another, eventually you wind up with something you can share. And when you accumulate those words, and they become books, screenplays, speeches, or other types of shareable content, they can have more power than you can possibly imagine.

As Tears for Fears sang in their 1985 hit song, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” However, not everybody can write, or even wants to write. That’s too bad because they are missing out on an incredible opportunity to use their writing power to influence other people.

But we know better. We know our words have power.

So let’s get out there today and put down not just one word, but a word after a word after a word.

The post The Real Source of Your Power appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.