How writing helped me to pursue my passions and curiosity

I (Ian) have invested a huge proportion of my spare time over the past 40 years in writing and in the essential preparation for writing – like reading, observation, thinking and conversation.  This has led to the publication of five books, a number of professional papers and articles plus a substantial body of unpublished work – some mine alone and some in collaboration with Jess. 

So why have I done this? Essentially because I was curious and passionate about subjects which I considered worthy of exploration.  As I recorded my learnings, observations, experiences and ideas, I developed frameworks for them. Some of those I concluded had potential to be of value to me and to others. So I explored those deeply and they have been published. Many others have been discarded or remain work-in-progress. 

Writings prompted by observations

All my writings have been prompted by observations, such as: 

• The remarkable contributions and achievements by lots of people worldwide who come from humble and disadvantaged backgrounds. Some have been famous public figures, others personal friends or colleagues. We can learn a lot from their examples about thinking big and longer term, working with and leveraging the contributions of others, capitalising on change and the opportunities it brings, and so many other drivers.

• The power of compound growth, described by Einstein as the 8th wonder of the world.  From time to time this power is wonderfully demonstrated in corporations and organisations, the environment, technology and society as well as national and international contexts – good and bad. What has fascinated me most have been the vast array of levers, big and small, which can be pulled to achieve compound growth in business and investment, and in human and social capital.

• The crazy hours worked by many of our most gifted and committed young people and the unrewarding context of much of that work. Many will probably be financially wealthier – but will they be “richer”? Depression rates among young people and young professionals in particular suggest they may not.

• The small amount of time most busy people dedicate to reflecting on their own experiences, interests and futures. Their own story and experiences and the lives of those close to them can be just as exhilarating as the experiences, performances and feelings of soapie characters, film stars and sporting heroes which are accessible 24x7.  Their own lives are far more real and relevant…. and, unlike the soapies, grand finals and thriller movies, they can significantly influence them. (Don’t assume from this that I don’t binge Netflix series from time to time. Nor assume that I spend tons of time reflecting or looking backwards)

Do you have to be an expert in a subject to write about it?

In my experience as a (non-fiction) writer, you don’t have to be an expert in the subject at the outset to ultimately write successfully and effectively about it. But you do need to be passionate and curious about it. You’ll then find your way past the inevitable roadblocks, build relevant expertise and often develop original thinking.

I’ve followed this path in the contexts I’ve described above. I’ve had the advantage that these areas have also been well aligned with my careers as a businessman and as a coach of executives. In fact my writing has contributed deeply to both careers.

Passion and curiosity are fundamental

I’ve also experienced what it’s like to lose passion and curiosity about subjects and have to change direction. I twice discontinued doctorates in the 1970s for this reason. Conversely, some years later I was awarded two doctorates for my work on subjects central to my passions. Being a writer and everything that goes into publishing a body of work is definitely not a neat linear path. It certainly hasn’t been an easy one but it has always been a fulfilling and pleasant one – because it’s always been my choice where my passions and curiosities lead me to devote my energies.

So if you’re motivated to publish something and wondering where to start or you’re passionate and curious about a subject, here are some questions which might help you flesh out a plan.

Ask yourself:

• How do I go about researching my passion more deeply and building a framework for what I learn? Who can help?

• (Having dug a little deeper) is it something I would consider writing about? (even if only privately initially for clarifying my own thoughts)

• (And perhaps in due course) do I have some original thinking to contribute more publicly on this subject?

• Is it something on which I should collaborate with others?

• Is it just a hobby or does it fit with my career? How do I best capitalise on it while still enjoying it?

 Covid-19 Addendum

As a consequence of your current working arrangements, do you have much more free time? (eg saving 10 hours of commute time per week or having less hours of work available to you?) If so, is there a passion you have long wanted to pursue or a subject you have long wanted to research but have always deferred because of time pressure?

What interesting things have you observed in or as a consequence of your new living and working context? Do they trigger passion or curiosity? Would you like to explore them further? If so, then how? 

4 Lenses to help you survive the hurt and disillusion of current politics

Let’s keep it simple. Democracy seems to have gone crazy - globally. You could be forgiven for feeling that we’re all playing our parts in a global 12 month episode of a tumultuous reality TV show - The Apprentice 24/7?

Our favourite learning question, having read a book, had a conversation or meeting, or watched a TV show, is “So what?” How has that book/conversation/show changed our views of ourselves, our relationships or of the world around us?

We’re not political commentators so our aim in writing this is not to dwell on the specific outcomes of recent democracy in Australia, Britain, USA or elsewhere nor of lack of effective democracy in many other places.  Our deep interest is in how individuals, groups and communities learn, grow, build relationships and make effective contributions and worthwhile change. From that lens we note that the democratic process has certainly shown its frailty and new levels of unpredictability; and how consequently we are unable to rely upon democratic government as the core source of the changes we would like to see in our society.

So how has the last 12 months changed you? How do you react to the recent trends of the political process? anger? frustration? lose hope? adopt a victim mindset? become apathetic? not accept the people’s verdict and take to the streets?

The Four Lenses are one way to help you to focus on your own story and your own role – directing your thoughts towards a sense of meaning and your actions towards positive change. You may initially find some of this approach challenging or excessively aspirational, but when you look around your local community you are likely to find people, teams and organisations that are making huge contributions. In writing this we ourselves reflected on the diverse range of people we know who are making an extraordinary impact on the world around them. We hope this sheds some light on a possible framework that you can use to tap into your own unique contribution and as a way to digest and act with integrity through these uncertain times.

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“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead

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Identity Lens

One of the most disillusioning things that has come out of Brexit, the last Australian election and the US Presidential election is that our communities seem to hold such divided beliefs, values and senses of identity. It is easy to lose faith that there is a unified way forward. As a first step in trying to come to terms with this, reflect on what you believe and how you have been changed by the events of the last year?

• Has the last year of global politics upset you? Disillusioned you? If it has, which of your values has it challenged or brought to the surface (equality, empathy, freedom, honesty etc)?
• Are current media and politics impacting how you see yourself? (As a man, are you involved in “locker room talk”? As a Muslim, how do you feel about how you have been portrayed? As a woman has your belief in the progress towards gender equality been set back? How have you been influenced by the global media coverage?)
• How does this make your feel? Try to locate your range of emotions - Is it just anger or is it really fear? Is it disillusion or sadness at a shifting in your belief in what is possible? Is it a sense of frustration in wanting to make a difference? Is it a sense of unity in trying to bridge the division?  
• Might this year’s events have clarified your sense of purpose in the world? Can you identify 1-3 areas that you hope to impact in your lifetime?
• What are your strengths and passions? How do they contribute to the above purposes?

Can you come away with a clear paragraph that distils how your identity has been or can be made stronger through seeing the past year of events?... or a pathway forward to letting this be an event that positively changed how you see yourself and your role in the world? Has it solidified your belief in the need to fight for equality of opportunity or to have your voice heard?

Opportunity Lens

The world needs change and is full of opportunities to make change – including in the areas that really matter to you. The Opportunity Toolkit is about prompting you to spot those opportunities to be the impact you wish to see in the world.

• If you could impact one thing in the next year or over the next decade what would it be?
• What opportunities are already out there to contribute to making this impact? (Don’t try to reinvent existing wheels.)
• Alternatively do you need to create a new approach to achieve this impact? For example do you need to build a local community group that campaigns for this impact or find a way to connect with people artistically to communicate this idea?
• Can you brainstorm with others a range of ways that you could have an impact and find the one that offers the “biggest bang for your buck”?
• Out of the possible opportunities which one has the greatest benefits?
• Which one is most attainable with your available time and resources?
• Do your mindsets and habits open you up to be ready for opportunities to make this impact? Do you have an open mind to listen deeply to other sides of the story?
• Are you sharing your ideas and beliefs in a reciprocal and respectful way? Are you too busy and rushed to really stand for what you believe in?  

Are there one of two clear opportunities for action in your community or organisation that will help to empower you to act in accordance with your values and contribute to positive change?

Impact Lens

If you have identified an opportunity to bring back your sense of agency, how can you work smarter, not just harder, to effect progress and change? 

• Are you willing to take a risk in really backing this opportunity/action?
• How can you make sure your opportunity gets off to a strong start? How much time, energy and attention do you need to invest up front to make this opportunity a success? 
• Who can you collaborate with? Who else is committed to this issue/purpose? Who can you talk to about this project that would have a huge impact on its success?
• Can you envisage success more strongly by breaking your opportunity up into a number of sub-projects or steps? At each step how are you going to make sure that you’re learning and continuing to extend your reach?
• What resources are at your disposal to help you to make the biggest impact possible? (social media, your networks, freeing up more of your time and energy to devote to the project?)
• How often do you have to keep reinvesting in this opportunity in order to help it grow? Is there a way to lower that cost?

The aim of this toolkit is to create a clear strategy to help maximise the impact of your opportunity to contribute given your realistic constraints of time, energy, attention and resources.

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"It's stunning to me what kind of an impact even one person can have if they have the right passion, perspective and are able to align the interest of a great team." Steve Case

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Sustainability Lens

Now you have made an action plan it is time to slow down and reflect again on how this plan can fit into your whole life. Grounding your actions in the reality of your day-to-day will help to make sure that the actions you take will be able to grow over time and not wear you down or burn you out.

• What are the different life roles you are playing at the moment? How will this opportunity and strategy fit with those? Conflict with those?
• What changes do you need to make to ensure you can sustain the momentum over the long term?

Going Forward

Finding a way to move to action can be challenging. It may be helped by thinking globally for inspiration or by focusing locally on what  you can most immediately impact.  We hope this blog has empowered you to  believe that you can make a difference. If you come away with answers to only these four questions this blog will have been a success:

Identity - What has the last year of politics shown me about myself?

Opportunity - How do I take that reflection into one positive opportunity for action?

Impact – How do I create a strategy to maximise the benefits of that opportunity while minimising the strain on my time, energy and attention?

Sustainability – How do I make sure that my actions are fulfilling and sustainable?