We write. Sometimes we write for ourselves and sometimes we write for others. At times, we look at what we wrote and think it sucks. Other times, we can’t wait to read it to someone else. What you write and what you do with it not only decides your future but also profoundly shapes the world.
What?
The world around us is influenced by thoughts, beliefs, and contributions of everyone in it—both famous and infamous—including you. What is your purpose? Your Why? Do you understand what you bring to humanity? After all, nothing will have a greater effect on your level of success, fulfillment, and pure joy of life than the belief that you contribute something that no one else can offer.
I know, with billions of people on the planet, that’s a lot of special purposes. The reality is, it doesn’t matter how famous or well-known we are—it matters that each of us makes a positive contribution in life.
We all run in to patches where the words don’t flow as well. Self-doubt creeps into the psyche. However, when we know our purpose or our “Why,” positive things happen to help us on our path to fulfillment. When you back your writing with a purpose, there’s a strong subconscious commitment to seeing it through.
When you understand your purpose, strange things happen. The universe rewards contribution. The next time you’re stuck, instead of focusing on the part that gives you trouble, refocus your efforts on your purpose … your Why. When you’ve identified that, you’ll find opportunities in front of you. The simple task of shifting your focus from the problem chapter or scene to your “Purpose” will open the floodgates and the words will flow.
Life rewards contributors. What truly separates successful people is that they are contributors. We all define success differently. Regardless of how YOU define success, understand that the payoff is in direct proportion to the contribution you make. That payoff may be in dollars, readers, or happiness. Determine your “purpose” and you’ll find it easier to keep going. If it’s easier to keep writing, you’ll attract more readers and have your fans clamoring for more. Whether you believe in the 1,000,000 word concept or not, the bottom line is, the faster you hit that number … the more you’ve written.
Having a purpose behind your craft will make the road easier. It will give you the confidence to move forward, to take risks and to handle the bumps in the road. Having a purpose will uncover a power deep inside of you that will catapult your writing career to the next level. Here’s what I know for sure, we all have that power. Dig deep to find YOUR purpose and you’ll unleash your potential.
“When you back your writing with a purpose, there’s a strong subconscious commitment to seeing it through.” –
So very true, nicely said! Thanks so much (smiles)
Thanks Felipe, I appreciate the comments.
That’s a great, positive way of looking at writing, and at feeling stuck. Thanks, for a new perspective.
Yvonne, you’re the best.
Great article. Don’t forget the potential of ‘why not’ and ‘what if.’
So true, Charles, so true. Thanks!
Jim, thanks for this inspirational post.
Thanks, Elisabeth. I get jazzed when it hits the spot.
I absolutely know the purpose of my writing. Especially at this time of the year when the bloodthirsty Taiji dolphin drive season is about to start in a few days in Japan. My task is to educate humanity about the true nature of dolphins. Most of humanity thinks dolphins are a kind of big fish. I take it upon myself to show them the truth through my writing.
If the youth of Japan knew the true nature of dolphins I suspect the hunts would stop tomorrow. If more of the youth of the USA knew the truth, the dolphinariums of the USA (which fund the Taiji hunts) would close down very quickly for lack of paying customers.
Most of my short stories are free for this purpose. They are my gift to the oceans. IU helped me to get them out to the world by pointing me in the direction of the Readwave website which has since allowed me to collect almost seven thousand readers from all over the world.
One of those stories is about the white dolphin baby captured in last season’s drives at Taiji. That tiny story alone has now had almost five thousand readers from all over the world and been translated into other languages including German and Hebrew. My dream is to see it translated into Japanese.
Thanks, Tui. Keep living the dream.
An excellent, profound article, Jim. Thank you for the timely reminder.
Thanks, TD. I really appreciate your comments.
Thanks for this, Jim. It’s good to remember that even when we think nobody’s listening, our words help shape the world.
You got it Lynne. It’s pretty amazing when you think about it.
What a great post, Jim. Very inspiring. However, I’m not familiar with the 1-million word concept. What is it?
Thanks, RJ. The concept is an offshoot from the Malcolm Gladwell theory that you have to spend 10,000 hours at something to be great at it, which he wrote about in his book “Outliers: The Story of Success
.”
Meanwhile, some author types have run with that and declared that you must write a million words before you can be great at it. I’m not saying it’s true, but it’s something that has been bantered about.
Awesome post 😀 Very encouraging 🙂
Thanks, Melissa. It means a lot to read your comments.