Milestone! 100th Daily Tip

Can I get a “Yeeeaaaahh ?”

Today is a milestone for the Confident Communicator. I managed to write a Daily Tip every day for the last 100 workdays...Phew! While I’m not reaping huge business rewards yet, writing every day has benefited myself, and others, in many ways.

Putting something out into the world, where it can be criticized, is a risk. I’ve had to be vulnerable. That’s good.

It’s not easy to stare at a screen each morning, knowing what I say has to be accurate and valuable to others.

Readership, reactions, and shares are hard to come by. Growing an audience is glacial. It’s been super rewarding when someone tells me a Daily Tip has helped them. Big thanks to all who share and comment!

100 days ago, the company I worked for eliminated my position after being acquired by a large competitor. I loved that job and would have stayed there until the end of my career, but thankfully, they were good to me, and I had some savings, so I found myself actually answering a question that we all have been asked over our careers: If you could do anything you want, what would it be?

Not a hard question for me. I receive energy by helping people, and when I thought about the best part of my job as a Corporate Communications Director, it was the coaching. When I thought about what got me through all my challenging Climb For Hope mountain climbs, it was the people. Always.

I can’t tell you how many times in my career, I watched people at all levels of organizations (and I mean all) avoid tough conversations, or unnecessarily upset others, or simply be unclear with their expectations. I saw presentations go south, annual reviews flop, and All Staff meetings bomb.

But, whenever people took the time to think about their goal, audience, and message, strategize, and practice, it went really well. It didn’t matter if it was a big presentation or a quick feedback conversation, practice made people confident, and it helped their careers. 100% of the time.

I was inspired to write every day by Seth Godin, who said that doing so pushes you to places you never knew you could go. This happens to me at least once a week, and I love it.

Even in just 3 months, I have discovered and articulated communications techniques that have helped me improve.

Being steeped in this material has helped me be more patient with my wife, kids, neighbors, and dog. I’m less frustrated when things don’t go my way with my clients and prospects. I can objectively look back and know what to improve...without beating myself up.

Writing every day (my “thing”) has made me happier, and I think that’s the lesson I’m taking from this milestone. Fruit doesn’t grow on an unwatered tree.

It takes work, whatever “it” is for you. You have to begin somewhere, intentionally get uncomfortable, and just keep at it.

Thanks to everyone who has supported the Confident Communicator. I have so much more to share.