Today I want to share with you a defining moment in my career.
It’s not a story I’m particularly proud of, but one that taught me a valuable lesson I still pull from today.
And it has positively affected my writing ever since. So, here goes:
A few years ago, right before a new 3-day event I was hosting for several hundred people, my assistant reminded me that the printer deadline for the attendee binder was in a matter of days.
My face went white. My throat went dry.
Days???
The final presentation and written materials? Now??
Are you joking??
Sadly, she was not joking.
Apparently, through a series of miscommunications, I hadn’t realized that I was supposed to have prepared the binder – several hundred pages’ worth of life-transforming content – by the agreed-upon date.
And the printer needed said materials in just a few short days.
Or else, no binder.
I panicked.
Then I cried.
Then I panicked some more.
But after a few moments of a serious meltdown, and pointing the finger at others, and then at myself, I realized that this reaction wasn’t going to solve my problem.
I realized that to get everything done, I needed to create a new, miraculous content-writing plan.
And I’m happy to report that did it. I wrote it all in less time than some people write a 3-page article.
How?
This week’s 5-minute video shows you how I successfully managed to write a huge amount of content, even under the most pressing of deadlines.
(If I can do it using this formula, so can you.)
What’s so great is that the process I came up with that day (to write in a ridiculously short time what would have normally taken me weeks) is a process that I still use today.
After you’ve watched this video, I’d like for you to tell me in the comments below:
When you write content (or when you do any other important business activity), what is that 80 percent of wastefulness? And going forward, what can you do to streamline, reduce or reuse in order to make wasting time a thing of the past?
I can’t wait to read your response in the comment section below… I’ll see you there!
Sending love,
Fabienne
P.S. Speaking of, maybe you wanted to join me at my 3-day Mindset Retreat next week, but you weren’t able to make it happen. Well, I have good news for you. I have managed for you to be able to eavesdrop on it. Next week, I’m broadcasting a session live from stage and I’d like to give you a free “backstage pass” to the Mindset Retreat to join us from the comfort of your own home or office (all you need is a computer and internet connection). Sound good? You can register for your free backstage pass here. Enjoy!
Comments 21
Such perfect timing as I had to write some content this weekend and am in a panic! The framework you provided Fabienne is going to help me focus and get down to business quickly. Thank you as always for being spot on…now if you want to come over and write it for me, well that would be the bomb!
You will get it done! I believe in you!! :)
Great idea, Fabienne. The “what’s in it for me?” approach really gets to the heart of the matter. I write alot of research-based content and I used to think I had to read all my source material first before I wrote anything. The trouble is that by the time I start to write, I’ve forgotten what I’ve read or even where to go back and find what I’ve read. But I have found that I can just start writing as I research and fitting in new material as I go, and it cuts the time tremendously.
Yes, exactly!! You’ve got it! xo
Truly awesome and totally timely….again! Thank you Fabienne! I just finished a particularly challenging session w/ my clients and I was trying to figure out how I can share the solution to this situation to a wider audience in a very rapid manner in order to best support those who need my information! And then, Voila! There you were in my inbox! SO grateful for you and this information. I’m writing. Like, right now ;-)
Yay! So glad to hear :)
Great thoughts, Fabienne! Thank you :) I’m generally organized but when it comes to organizing thoughts for writing, I tend to get scattered. Having these three questions will certainly help me maintain focus. I might actually be looking forward to my next newsletter!
So glad to hear you find these tips helpful! They changed my life! xo
Amazing Fabienne…totally doable and usable.
Yes, totally doable! xo
Awesome timing ! Have to give a talk tomorrow at 10.30am followed by a quick demo of food prep – to whoever turns up and haven’t started yet at 7pm. Now I feel confident to do it :) Thank you Fabienne :)
You can do it! Sending you positive thoughts :)
Thank you :)
I did it !!
I knew you would get it done! So proud! Now you get to enjoy a work-free weekend (I hope!) :)
Thanks for this perfectly timed reminder. I create a skeleton structure for all my writing, I’ll add these three questions into the creative process for the skeleton. Thanks Fabienne, I love the work that you do.
Juliet, you are so welcome! Sounds like you’re really on top of things — love it! xo
Joining the crowd – the timing on this was great! I need to put some materials together in a short period of time and dreading the process. This is a reminder that it is quite doable. Thanks!
So glad to hear it was a well-timed post! Best of luck with your project. Sending you happy thoughts! xo
Thank you Fabienne. In 4 days I have a preview call to give for an upcoming tele-seminar. I have so much information and I’ve been trying to decide what to include. This is a great help. Thanks again.
You are welcome! Good luck — you can do it! :)