Client Spotlight: Melissa Carson is a leadership endurance coach and founder of Canopy Strategies, where she works with founders, CEOs, and HR leaders who want to go the distance knowing there is no finish line. A graduate of Pathway to Publication, she wrote “The Best Investment Organizations Can Make Right Now” for Lioness Magazine.

Good morning, ,

I am an avid, if somewhat chaotic, reader. I subscribe to several magazines and usually have at least two books in progress.

I am also an active reader, which is a gentle way of saying, "I write in books."

I underline words I'm not familiar with, put brackets around quotes I am especially intrigued by, and jot notes in the margins. I often remember to look up the words. Some of the quotes make their way into a commonplace book. Others become a part of a reflective writing exercise. I capture quotes and accompanying notes relevant to my work in a research journal. Of course, some of my scribbles are forgotten entirely.

My process is messy and haphazard. That's why it works for me.

I would love to have a leather-bound journal filled with legible script and nature-journal-type sketches. But every time I get myself a beautiful journal, I can't bring myself to write in it because I'm afraid I'll ruin it! And though my penmanship is praise-worthy for the first few entries, that never lasts. And so, I use a plain, spiral-bound notebook from an office supply store.

It doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to work.

But why do I do this? Because this practice helps me interrogate my own ideas and those presented by others. When I come across a quote that intrigues me, I look for a way to add to the conversation. Do I agree with the author? Or do I disagree? Why? And how do I know that my response is accurate? What evidence supports my interpretation? What evidence contradicts it?

Critical thinking takes time, energy, and effort. But if you want to be recognized as an authoritative expert in your field -- if you want to stand out and add to the conversation instead of the nose, it is essential.

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"Now in my class, you will learn to think for yourselves again. You will learn to savor words and language. No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world."

~ Robin Williams as John Keating, Dead Poets Society

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Join the Conversation

The Power of Writing

In this LinkedIn post, I share a short clip from a recent webinar I presented for the New York Public Library's Yoseloff Business Center. In this clip, I talk about why writing's greatest limitation is also its greatest power. Join the conversation.

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Recommended Resource

The SOAR Model™

I developed this model to help my clients write articles that position them as authoritative experts. But I use it all the time to plan my articles, newsletters, and workshops. These four simple questions will make sure that everything you do builds your authority and enhances your reputation. Get your copy.

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Featured Appearance

Podcast: Books Applied

I recently joined Iggy Perillo to talk about the book that has had the greatest impact on my business: Finding the Mother Tree by Dr. Suzanne Simard. What does forest research have to do with writing and building your authority? A lot more than you might think. Take a listen!

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Speaking Engagements

New York Public Library Yoseloff Business Center: Virtual

In this webinar, I will show you how to develop a body of work that demonstrates your authority and opens the door to new opportunities. You will learn why developing a body of work is essential and how it will help you achieve your goals. This webinar is on Wednesday, February 19, from 3 to 4:30 PM Eastern. A recording of the webinar and link to resources will be shared with those who register. Free. Register here.

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Upcoming Events

Writing Practice Guest Speaker: Jason Van Orden

Jason Van Orden will join us to talk about designing a signature method that amplifies your authority, income, and impact. By the end of this 90-minute workshop, you'll have the foundation for your signature method, a roadmap to use it as a catalyst to grow your business, and an understanding of how it is related to your body of work. Join us Wednesday, February 5 from noon to 1:30 PM Eastern. A recording of the workshop and links to resources will be shared with those who register. Free. Register here.

Pitched to Published™

Interested in learning how to write, pitch, and publish articles for high-visibility publications? Join me Wednesday, February 12, at 11:55 AM Eastern for a mini-training on how to determine who you want to reach through your writing and which media outlets share your audience, followed by a Q+A. There is no cost to attend this monthly event. Register here.

Master Class: How to Write for High-Visibility Publications

In this 60-minute master class, I will share the SILVA Method™ and walk you step-by-step through the process I use to help my clients secure bylines in publications like Harvard Business Review, Inc., and TD Magazine. Join me at 2 PM Eastern on Wednesday, February 12. Free. Register here.

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I'll see you in a couple of weeks!

In the meantime, if you have any questions, would like to talk about writing or publishing articles, or you'd just like to get to know one another better, please book a call. I'd love to learn more about your business goals and how I might be of service.

Take good care,