I've been working on Writing Original Works for over a year.

In February 2023, I first mentioned it. I shared a survey. Since then, I've read hundreds of your responses. I've been able to deeply understand:

1. What you want
2. What I can provide
3. Where that overlaps into something valuable

In this first behind-the-scenes message, I want to share all the details on how WOW overlaps with these three areas to create for you something truly special.

What You Want

Let's start with the biggest struggles you've written:

• I don’t have the time.
• I overthink myself into paralysis.
• I have too many fragmented ideas.
• I'm afraid of having unoriginal or wrongheaded ideas.
• I don't know which ideas are ‘worth’ it and which are just noise.
• I am not organized well enough to do it. But I have enough ideas…
• I don’t know what to write about or what I’m qualified to write about.
• I don’t know how to transition between “connecting” ideas & “creating” them.

When asked how urgent this was, 81% said it was at least urgent:

• 50% – "Urgent, I feel like the world is changing and I have so much to say but keep getting tripped up."
• 31% – "Very urgent, I want to fully jump into the creator economy and lead with my thoughts."

So, if you're reading this and feeling a bit restless, you're not alone.

Here are the answers to: What ideal outcomes do you want from WOW?

• Confidence in my ability.
• I want to unblock my inspiration.
• A couple well-fleshed, thoughtful, essays.
• A feeling of my writing significantly improving.
• Where churning out high-quality work becomes routine.
• I want to be able to write good pieces. Interesting. Creativity.
• I would like to feel more “fluent” in applying the LYT methodology.
• Building more relationships with my peers through my writing.
• Encouragement and a kick in the arse to write.
• Building my portfolio of writing.
• I want to enjoy my writing.

This is the breakdown of what you want to write about:

• 32% - General Thought Leadership
• 30% - Cultural & Historical
• 27% - Knowledge Management
• 24% - Health & Wellness
• 25% - Tech & IT
• 19% - Other

"Other" scored quite high too. It speaks to the uniqueness of people who answered.

What I Can Provide

But I too had to answer a really important question..

What is the one thing that WOW can offer that no one else can?

Here is the answer, as plainly as I can state it:

A reliable process of using linked notes to write original works.

Specifically, how to use linked notes to write spontaneously as a Gardener, and structurally as an Architect—at nearly the same time.

While I stated it simply, the impact of learning and applying this process in all of your writing efforts over your lifetime is almost impossible to adequately state.

What Is Valuable

Between what you wanted, and what I could provide, I forced myself to make sure it was highly valuable. The result is Writing Original Works. This 22-day workshop intensive will be focused on a singular application of linked notes:

to help thought leaders write original works for their audiences.

You will learn:

• A reliable process of using linked notes to write original works.
• A system and skill to write original content that makes more of an impact.
• Practices and strategies that make creative output almost effortless by leveraging the twin forces of emergent & progressive ideation.

• Experience Effortless Emergence: Add what sparks, relate thoughts, and watch your ideas emerge. Then joyfully create new and original intellectual capital.
• Architects & Gardeners: Seamlessly switch between an Architect and Gardener writing style to never get stuck.
• The You'est You: Generate ideas that only you could write, that are meaningful to you, and that you will actually be proud of years later.

Don't worry, I'll talk more about the techniques, exercises, and workshop format in future behind-the-scenes posts—and I can't wait. I just wanted to make sure we are all on the same page first.

Next on "Writing Original Works"...

In our private behind-the-scenes emails about WOW, I'll share how we are developing the structure and curriculum of WOW—making sure it teaches a unique and tangible set of skills offered nowhere else in the world.

If you want to watch that video, along with receiving all the other behind-the-scenes emails for WOW so far, click here to opt-in. 

Best,

Nick

The world runs on ideas. When you share your ideas, it works for you as an intellectual asset, even while you sleep.

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