I posted a blog on LinkedIn the other day and Riccardo, one of my connections/friends, commented: “Where do you find time to come up with such amazing pieces of writing?” I immediately thought – great, thanks Riccardo! You’ve given me the topic of my next blog. So where do I find time? If you love writing as much as I do, you will always find time. Author, scriptwriter and creative … [Read more...] about Write for the hell of it, and other tips from an old-school journalist
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Strenuous striving for satisfaction vs calm cultivation of contentment
I am fascinated by words and their meanings – both original and contemporary. I like to look at words from all sides and reflect on their impact – on me personally as well as collectively. Two words that have registered with me a few times over the past week are content and its close relative, contentment. The French origin of the English word contentment dates back to the mid-15th century … [Read more...] about Strenuous striving for satisfaction vs calm cultivation of contentment
Why you have to let the white space speak
A few years ago, I read an interview with one of Obama’s speechwriters. I’ve forgotten their name, but I’ll never forget their quote: “You have to let the white space speak.” It’s a quote I often share with participants in the public speaking trainings I facilitate, to illustrate the value of pacing and pausing, and the fact that the space we put around our words is as important as the words … [Read more...] about Why you have to let the white space speak
Communication vs expression. What’s the difference and why should you care?
I’ve been in the business of communication for 40 years. During that time, I have often been paid to express myself. This may seem like a strange thing for me to write. But there is a difference between communication and expression – and I’ve been reflecting on what it is and why it's important. If you’re a regular reader of my blogs, you’ll know that I often like to start with the … [Read more...] about Communication vs expression. What’s the difference and why should you care?
How to stop worrying and start living: a tribute to my friend Julia
For most of my adult life - and maybe even before that – I thought of myself as a worrier. Even during periods of my life when things were going smoothly, I used to become suspicious and find something – anything – to worry about. But a couple of things eventually shifted that mindset. One was a quote by the spiritual teacher Ram Dass, who said, “Worrying is like praying for what you don’t … [Read more...] about How to stop worrying and start living: a tribute to my friend Julia
Where did it all begin? And where will it go from here?
I was recently invited by narrative photographer and film-maker Riccardo Sai to discuss origin stories - what they are, how to tell them, and how you can use them to promote your business. You can watch the whole interview below. It has been a while since I tried to tell my own origin story. There's a version on my About Me page - but I think I could improve on it. So I sat down yesterday and … [Read more...] about Where did it all begin? And where will it go from here?