The one simple question for better writing

A quick one this week to keep you in check!

A simple reality check to ask yourself whenever you write something.

And it’s simply this:

Would I bother to read this if I hadn’t written it?

It’s a great home truth when you’re deep in the weeds of a subject or you’re rushing to meet a deadline.

If the answer is ‘no’, go back and edit your writing. Or maybe even start from scratch.

Because real work happens when people read and act on your stuff, not when you’ve written it.

It’s when the project moves to the next stage. Or you win the pitch. Or you get the green light from the board.

And if people don’t read your stuff? Well, then you’re just doing busy work, not real work.

You’re all activity and no action (or all mouth and no trousers as my grandma used to say!)

And I know you don’t want that.