📰 The Purpose of This...

This edition is about something very practical:

How to start writing when you feel stuck.

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Sometimes the hardest part of writing is not the typing.

It is knowing how to begin.

You need to write a short email.
Or explain something clearly.
Or respond to a confusing message.

You know what you want to say.

But the first sentence does not come.

Many years ago, I worked for a consulting company.

We wrote proposals often.

They taught me a simple trick.

Whenever you were stuck, you wrote:

“The purpose of this _______…”

The blank might be proposal.
Paragraph.
Letter.

You just filled it in.

“The purpose of this proposal is…”
“The purpose of this paragraph is…”

It was surprising how often those five words got things moving.

They gave you a place to start.

That is very similar to how I use ChatGPT today.

Not as a replacement for thinking.

But as a starting assistant.

Recently, I needed to send a short message about a billing question.

Instead of staring at the screen, I typed:

“Help me write the purpose of this email. It is about a billing charge. Keep it calm and clear.”

ChatGPT gave me a draft.

Not perfect.

But enough to begin.

I adjusted it so it sounded like me.

Then I sent it.

ChatGPT is especially helpful when you already know the point, but need help getting started.

You still decide:

ChatGPT helps you begin.

You remain responsible for the final version.

The next time you feel stuck writing, try one of these:

Write:
“The purpose of this message is…”

Or ask ChatGPT:
“Help me write the purpose of this message.”

Then see what happens.

If the only result is that you feel less stuck, that counts.

We are not trying to automate life.

We are simply trying to make starting a little easier.

And easier is allowed.

See you at the bank. 💰
Bob