Natural Structure
This is part of The Writing Playground series, where we use TED Talks as a playground to learn how to make our writing (that’s right: writing!) more impactful. To make the most of this article, …
writing
The Perfect Metaphor
This is part of The Writing Playground series, where we use TED Talks as a playground to learn how to make our writing (that’s right: writing!) more impactful. To make the most of this article, …
Good Distractions
Writing requires focus. Writing is not a technical activity. It certainly has some technical aspects, but for the most part, writing and thinking are inseparable. When you write, you think, you process, you read and …
When a Written Monologue is Better Than a Spoken Dialogue
Not everything can be done “offline” using async communication. When done right, real-time face-to-face meetings can have immense value depending, of course, on the nature of the discussion and its goals. Many things we typically …
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Write to Notice
Let’s start with an experiment or, even better, an experience. Pick an object you can see and maybe even touch, no matter where you are, and describe it in exactly one sentence. Make the sentence …
Complete, or Incomplete, That is the Question
Would you read half a book? A good book, that is. Would you read a quarter of an article you find interesting? I guess the answer is no. I know I wouldn’t because I, like …
The Perfect Writing Tool
Writing is simple. Well, from a technical perspective, it is. All you need are a pen and paper. But while this simple setup has some advantages, most of us use digital writing and publishing tools. …
Disrupt Yourself
Everyone is looking for an idea that will disrupt something. Innovation alone is no longer impressive, so it seems. You must radically change an entire industry or a business segment to make it. At the …
Toy Story, Part 3: Lego
Lego is an engineering wonder. Each Lego brick has a shape and features that enable it to connect to other bricks. You cannot reshape it, but you can combine it with one, two, or thousands …
Toy Story, Part 2: Play-Doh
Play-Doh is the complete opposite of a Mr. Potato Head. When you buy it, it has no particular shape other than the shape of its packaging. In fact, it is not even a toy — …