10 subtle things the best writers learned to stop doing

I’ve been pounding keys for a living for over a decade.

The consistency was there, but much of what brought me success as a writer had to do with what I didn’t do.

Let me show you what I learned:

Writing for validation.

This is not what good writing or good leadership is about.

You’re writing because you have an important message to share in your style. Many will disagree, and others will love you for what you write.

Write what you know is true, instead of what you believe others would like.

Using complicated words.

Writing is not your opportunity to show off how clever you are.

You’re here to inspire another human to act. This means showing them the way and making them realise how accessible change is.

Overthinking every word.

Don’t allow your critical voice to call the shots too early in your writing session.

That guy is best left to the editing stage later. For now, you must stay loose and allow yourself to flow. Flowing means mistakes come and go. Keep writing. Focus on getting words down in a cathartic way.