1. Call yourself a “writer.” 2. Make a big cup of coffee. 3. Put on a scarf or jaunty cap. 4. Buy a big notebook and nice pen. 5. Sit and watch people. 6. Chew on pen. 7. Think a lot. 8. Angst. 9. Marry a writer. 10. Have a couple kids. 11. Go to […]
Writing
Seth Godin spoke today at the Willow Creek Association’s Global Leadership Summit. I love his books, Lynchpin and Tribes. Here’s the goods: Average, average, average. Mass everything is built into our culture. But right now—on our watch—is a revolution. Books, newspapers, music–traditional pillars are crumbling. Now, there are new modes of media. This results in […]
I cannot tell you where she’s from. As North America is waking up, I’m talking to a young woman at the World Assembly of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students in Krakow, Poland. We are in a group from several different countries. Today, we read John 12:20-36 which includes “Unless a grain of wheat falls […]
I need input. I work in leading communications for InterVarsity, trying to find efficient ways to make good things happen. Sometimes we hit it. Sometimes we whiff. But in order to have good ideas and to think at my best, I need to be challenged. My colleagues are great. But an occasional deluge of diverse […]
My new friend Jeff Goins is popping up all over. Last week I find out he knows @paulsteinbrueck, whom I recently met at a conference. Then yesterday I see he’s chatting on Twitter with @ryanhaack, an old pal from college. We both have pieces popping up with @relevantmag. And we both work for quality nonprofit […]
Encouraging words for me today, having tried so many professions (via Seth Godin’s Linchpin): If our young men miscarry in their first enterprises, they lose all heart. If the young merchant fails, men say he is ruined. If the finest genius studies at one of our colleges, and is not installed in an office within […]
I am a ninja, but I often don’t want to do sit-ups. I am a writer, but I often forget to sharpen my pencils. I am a cop, but I often accept bribes. I am a superhero, but I often forget my cape. I am a scientist, but I often swipe others’ ideas. I am […]
It’s a whole new world.
In moving into work with a big, high quality organization, I have to face some of my insufficiencies and idiosyncrasies. But I also have to face those of a big, high quality organization. One colleague recently commented about a project, “We’re not working with concrete here.” So true! A lot of what we do could […]
is that sometimes you have to write. I said this one day to Chrissy, my wife. And now I say it a lot. I don’t know how some folks blog and blog and blog without deadlines and editors. When I’m on a piece for a magazine, there are parameters. There is drive. Some folks have […]