How I work on any problem statement

Be it writing articles, playbooks, or a strategic plan, it all starts with writing.

So, here’s a step-by-step guide of how I approach my work:

Step 1: Start writing. Be as aimless and meandering as needed. This is brain dump.

Step 2: Research: books, articles; the internet. Dump in a doc.

Step 3: Read it all. Find patterns and ideas. Write these as you read them.

Step 4: Talk to colleagues, friends, peers about these disjointed thoughts. Write them.

Step 5: Form a 'Table of Contents' narrative — it's akin to writing 5-6 mini-headlines, with one main one.

Step 6: Write cohesively, from memory, based on what you've learnt so far.

Step 7: Take a break. Build inter-connected ideas across your notes, and check for gaps.

Step 8: Break. Don't go back to it for at least 2 days.

Step 9: Re-visit from a fresh perspective, edit. Be ruthless. Play devil's advocate.

Step 10: Take a break. Final piece ready for review/feedback.

Step 11: Cast a wide net to get feedback. Don't accept it all, but important to get differing opinions. The best ideas/feedback come from unexpected places.

Step 12: Re-look the draft. Edit again.

Step 13: You have the final product.

Bottomline: Write more. ✌️