If you’re a professional writer, freewriting frequently means not getting paid. The other form of freewriting is to let your mind spill out on the page. I discovered freewriting (the second form) many years ago and have used it to teach creative writing, business writing, and leadership. You may already use a form of freewriting when you take time to ponder problems. Chances are you don’t take the time to write these ponderings down.
Let me introduce you to freewriting as a leadership tool. When you finish reading this blog, pick up a pen or pencil and find some paper. Or, if you prefer, just sit at your computer and start the process. Many purists will say it has to be actually writing with pen and paper, I find it works both ways.
Next, sit for a moment or two and take a few deep breaths. It helps to clear the mind and free the mind. When you’re ready, start writing … whatever comes to your mind. If it’s your grocery list, let it flow. Chances are in a short time something of importance will rise to the surface. A few years ago a colleague of mine took my writing course and had harsh words for me after the first freewrite. The conversation was something like this: “I hate you.” To which I deftly replied, “Pardon me.” He went on to explain that he’d been writing articles for two years for a particular magazine and had slaved over every one of them. My introduction of the freewriting process had killed that. He wrote the first draft of an article in 20-minutes. Four years later he is still using the process to turn out great articles.
As a leader have you ever had a problem, plan or situation you needed to solve and the answers just wouldn’t come? Try the freewriting process and you’ll be surprised at the answers that wait in your head to be discovered.
For a couple of great resources, check out: Writing With Power by Peter Elbow; The Artists Way by Julia Cameron
Garth Roberts
www.garthroberts.com