add context + simplify

A friend called me this week to give feedback on my writing. I use the term writing because…for some reason…I’ve never liked the word blog (I’ve got issues, I know this).¹

To paraphrase the feedback…

“Hey, got a minute? I have a couple critiques. There are two ideas you could implement to improve your writing: add context and simplify.”

Wow! I’m grateful for anyone who reads or considers my writing. But to provide feedback… that signals they care enough to help me improve.

My first reaction wasn’t to recoil at the feedback or take a defensive posture. It was to lean in.

Add Context:

“We need more of Matt’s voice in the setting up of the context. For example: ‘Hey, if you’re like me, you might struggle with such-and-such. Here are some tools/techniques I’ve found help me in overcoming such-and-such.’”

Simplify:

“It’s easy to get fatigued reading your posts. Too much is offered. You could turn your current post into five different posts, homing in on one idea. Whatever you have to say that’s the best part, that’s worth it’s own post.”

Man, I so appreciate this feedback.

It takes work to simplify. You have to get good at the invisible art of editing.

Here are a couple resources on simplifying that I’ve found helpful:

• John Maeda’s Laws of Simplicity.

• Greg McKeown’s Essentialism. You can read my notes here.

1. This project (blog…eww) has been my way of taking various inputs and sussing out - distilling - the ideas I’ve found helpful. Not to have a ton of followers. There are plenty of better writers and thinkers you should be following. The act of writing helps me to learn and work through what I’m reading. To mine out what I think is important…and be vulnerable enough to share what I think. Hopefully you’ve found some of the ideas I pass along helpful. And if you’re here reading this, thank you.