2 million words later
Why I write and what I’ve learned
Hello friends,
Why does it feel like January took six months to end? It’s only February, and I’m already trying to figure out when my next vacation might be.
Join me (on my birthday) as I give my first TEDx talk!
I was honored to be asked to speak at TEDx Atlanta (held at the end of this month) and I would love for you to consider coming! I have a discount code and everything -> JeffH10
And here’s a first look at the cover of my next book, Dream Small
My next book, Dream Small, will be published on the day of my TEDx talk (February 28th). I hope to have it for pre-order soon.
Many successful authors say “write five books, then your sixth will finally be worth reading.” I hope that's the case with Dream Small. 🤞
I write. A lot, it turns out.
I started blogging at the end of 2008. At the time, my goal was to pull my agency into the social media age by blogging, Facebooking, Tweeting, and yes, at times, Tumblring and MySpacing. I had never written much of anything before, but it didn't take long for me to fall in love with the craft.
Since then, I’ve published more than 1,700 posts, averaging more than 100 per year. That number is skewed a bit because I once went through an "I need to blog every day!" phase (you know, as we all sometimes do).
From 2019 to 2024, I published five books, which are bundled together as The Turnaround Leadership Series. In addition, I frequently write blog posts, newsletter-style updates, and annual letters for Purpose Group.
Doing the math, I figure that's around 2,000,000 words (avg 1,000 words per blog post x 1,700 posts = 1,700,000 words) + (5 books x 40,000-word average per book = 200,000) + (Purpose Group content = ~100,000 words).
Ok, yes, that's a lot of words...but, why?
I write for so many reasons, one of which is it’s simply required for someone managing a few different businesses. Shareholders and partners like to get updates, team members need well-thought-out notes now and again, and online content helps businesses grow.
But beyond the necessity of writing, I find that, once in a while, something I write makes a positive impact on someone’s life, and that’s what keeps me at it.
The best example I can think of is a post I wrote in 2011 while building Engauge titled “Find your passion at work.” The big call to action was to either change the place you work (to a role you’re passionate about) or change the place you work (by leaving and going to a new company).
Six months later, an Engauge employee shared that she had been on the brink of leaving the company because she wanted to do something different with her career. But she loved the culture and was heartbroken to have to leave. It never occurred to her that she could see if Engauge could change in order to meet her needs until she read my post. She decided to approach her manager and ask if she could switch departments, moving into a research role. To her surprise, her manager was happy to give her that shot.
She said that if it weren’t for my blog post, she would never have considered whether the company would support that change.
I had no idea she, or really anyone at the company, was reading what I was writing.
So I write a lot. I write books, blog posts, annual reports, management updates, and emails (oh so many emails). It’s a good thing I enjoy it because, at this point, I could argue that the thing I now do most for “work” is write.
A few things I've learned about writing over the last 16 years
Writing can help you pause for a moment. When you’re writing, it’s just you and your thoughts (scary, I know.)
There’s power in finding the discipline to write. It’s hard to make the time, it’s hard to keep momentum, it’s hard to push through writer’s block, it’s just…hard.
Writing helps process ideas and forces thought.
Writing can impact people far beyond your immediate reach.
Writing isn’t for everyone; I understand that. But for those of us who are crazy enough to do it, it can be incredibly fulfilling.
The point
I’m honored that you, from time to time, check out what I write. And for those that make it to the end of a post like this, well, I appreciate you the most ❤️
As always, I hope you're happy.
Recent podcasts
Planting Seeds: Dear White Woman, Dear Black Woman
Planting Seeds: Adventures of a Lifetime (Misogi-style)
Planting Seeds: Ten years of building 48in48