Blog Post Title One (Copy)

Day 1 of Writing Every Day: I'm Not a Writer.

I'm not a writer.

Not because I can't write. As you can see, I can write just fine. I know how to spell, use the right grammar, and generally know the difference between their, there, and they're (though the whole "i before e" rule still throws me for a loop now and again.)

And it's not that I don't like to write - I actually find it to be one of my favorite activities, helping me to sort through the tangle of thoughts in my mind, giving clarity on my endeavors, and helping me hone loose thoughts into solid arguments.

And it's not that I haven't accomplished great writing feats. With five full-length books written and over a million copies sold, I clearly have the pedigree. Most people would look at my writing accomplishments and laugh at the preposterous nature of the opening line to this monologue.

Maybe you think I'm being humble, or making a joke, in my assertion that I am not a writer. I assure you, this is not the case. So let me fully explain and, in doing so, I hope it helps you as well in your own life.

The simple truth is: I'm not a writer because I do not write regularly. That's it. You may think I'm arguing semantics here, but the truth is far more important than it appears on the surface. Because it is a matter of identity.

A Professional football player may win a Super Bowl and will forever have the identity of a "Super Bowl Winner." But when they cease to play the sport, they are no longer known as a football player, but rather a former football player. This is the difference between a "fixed" identity and a conditional identity. A fixed identity is one that does not change with time, because once an accolade has been achieved, it is forever acknowledged.

But most identities are not fixed, but rather, they are conditional based on current status or action. You cannot seriously consider yourself an athlete when you haven't played a sport or exercised in years. You may have been an athlete at one time, but that time has passed.

Being an author: that is a fixed identity that can't be taken away now that I've written a book. "Author" is now a fixed piece of my identity. But writer: this is a conditional identity.

And what conditions make it true?

I must write, of course.

But how much?

Obviously, there is no law or rulebook that defines how much I must write in order to consider myself a writer, just as there is no rule on how much a baker must bake in order to be considered a true baker. But deep down, I know. I am not a writer because I do not write like a true writer would write.

Who cares, you ask? Why does it matter if I'm a writer?

It doesn't. Not unless writing is an activity in which I feel will improve my life to a significant degree. And it's for that reason I must be a writer. Not only do I feel called to be a writer, and not only do I get a lot of satisfaction out of writing, but writing makes nearly all other aspects of my life work better. I generate ideas for podcasts, youtube videos, and social media posts. I am able to organize my thoughts for keynote speeches. I am able to logically put together arguments and firm up positions in my mind that help me teach better, lead better, and live better. So I must write.

Which is why this is day 1 of forever. I write every day. Why? Because that's what a writer does. Am I saying every writer writes every day? Of course not. But they write a lot more than I'm currently writing, so I will write every day. And today is day one.

So why does this matter to YOU? After all, I could have written this and shown it to no one but myself. Why did I write it for you as well as myself?

Because there are identities that you need to adopt in your life as well.

Maybe it's the identity of being a good father or mother or husband or wife? Being a parent is a fixed identity, but being a good one? That is conditional on the actions you take.

Maybe it's being an athlete. Or being kind. Or being a leader, investor, or mentor.

And maybe you believe you are that thing, and maybe you've been telling everyone around you that you are that thing.

But maybe it's a lie - like me being a writer. Maybe you've confused a conditional identity for a fixed identity.

In other words... are your actions consistent enough to award yourself the identity you've been claiming?

If not, something needs to change. The identity or the actions.