I have neglected this blog for too long. Frankly, I have neglected reading and writing for too long. I have also neglected the habit of reading a bit each day. I finally picked something up after hearing that Chris Laney‘s book Flying Colors was going to be available this summer. I got a copy and started reading as soon as a could. Chris is a leader I greatly respect, and I knew that he had been working on this book for many years, drawing on leadership lessons he has learned and tying it back to becoming a pilot.

The book was fantastic. It one of those books that as you finish reading you just know you have to come back to later because there is a nuance, connection, contrast, or some other clever literary or plot element that you missed. I will sure come back for another pass.

I had coffee with Chris just this week to give him a big hug and say congratulations on the book. And then of course get him to sign it, and talk a bit about the inspiration and writing process.

My biggest takeaway from that conversation, and a good reminder of something I have heard before, is that if you want to be a writer, you need to get in the habit of writing. Every day if possible. Sure, I compose tons of emails and messages all day long at work. But true creative writing – the process of sitting down and putting ideas onto the screen, then editing and refining – is a skill that takes practice. Dare I say – 10,000 iterations? (more on that comment later as I relaunch my executive coaching practice, Inspired Iterations).

It’s funny – I used to write quite a bit, in my first few years out of the Army. I was just starting my corporate career, and I dove headlong into the world of agile coaching and learning all I could. In order to push the envelope of my own learning and to suck the marrow from every book and article I read, and every conference or webinar I attended, I started writing. I created this blog, and then started to try my hand at speaking. Both of those practices (speaking and writing), each in their own way, created a mechanism for me to synthesize my learning and generate new ideas to put back into the community.

But then the COVID 19 Pandemic hit, and we all went into survival mode. I took on some increasingly challenging roles at work, got busy with the kids, and lost the habit of writing, even once in awhile.

I picked up a copy of Atomic Habits by James Clear, after hearing him featured on of Adam Grant’s Work Life podcast episodes (Building atomic habits with James Clear, 27 June 2023). I am familiar with his work, and at some point skimmed the cliff notes of the book. Now I am reading, carefully, cover to cover, and immediately getting some great inspiration to get back into the habit of writing. (I will be sure to give a recap of my thoughts on the book once I finish).

So, here goes. I am committing to writing a bit more, each week. Perhaps not every day, but I would like to be more regular in my writing practice. Look for more to come, and be sure to follow along here or on LinkedIn.

Until the Next Iteration . . .

Jason