When I was a teenager, my dad corrected my speech and writing constantly. After school, I’d conclude my recount of the day’s events, “…and…you know…it was…like…literally…awesome”. “Was it awesome or was it ‘like’ awesome?” he’d ask. In the same vein, “did it literally leave you in awe – with respect and fear and wonder – or are you just telling me it was a good thing?”.
As you can imagine, this rarely landed well. Yet – as with so many parental teachings that feel pointless at the time – his emphasis on the precise use of language has served me well. I now make part of my living through writing, aware that concision is not only a more effective way to communicate but signifies respect and consideration for the recipient. “I have made this longer than usual because I have not had time to make it shorter” apologised Blaise Pascal back in 1657.
Writing is sharing. It can inspire change. It’s therapy. It’s also exposing and this is the reason why it has taken weeks of procrastination, encouragement and a leap of faith to land where I am today: introducing the Free Range Thinking blog.
To gather momentum, I’ll publish daily blogs this week. After that, I’ll appear when I have something interesting to share. Each time, I’ll communicate in 350 words or less.
I’m a legal industry die-hard and an advocate for remote work, playing my small part in changing law for the better. I’m a pragmatist and a realist. I’d rather walk two-steps-forward-and-one-step-back than stand still, waiting to leap. Change through people is what gets me going. I write from my home office on a hill just outside Perth, Australia. I’m a proud Brit who loves my new home Down Under. I’m fortunate in almost every way yet can find life challenging at times.
Reader, if this resonates, look out for my orange and green posts appearing on your feed. If you’re not sure, give it a try: reading 350 words is hardly a huge investment. You never know, once or twice I might surprise you and get close to being…like…literally…awesome.
