Day 22: Focus, kid
Not everything is illuminated.
Before we focus on today’s theme, let’s first focus on the fact that you made it to the final week of the 30-day writing challenge.
🎺🎺🎺 It’s the final countdooooown!
“Yes, but I skipped so and so days…”
“Yes, but I didn’t really write for 25 minutes…”
A few people told me they haven’t been writing at all. But they have been reading the emails daily and thinking about the themes. Some plan to do the challenge at some later point. Someone said his goal was to write one thing. All this is valid and great, as far as I’m concerned.
So, no “yes, but…” please. Remember that Shrug & Send is not about perfection.
I never expected everyone to write for 30 days. Nor should you expect that of yourself. You can try, and be damn proud if you do it, but don’t diminish your work on the days that you showed up by focusing on the ones when you didn’t.
Okay, pep talk over. Let’s get this last week started. 🎺🎺🎺
Maybe you’ve noticed this, but when you start sharing ideas publicly, you tend to want to write about everything. Suddenly, every interest, experience, opinion, book, or trip is somehow relevant. Your mind enters “content creator” mode and sees opportunities everywhere.
But that quickly gets overwhelming and confusing for everyone, including yourself.
Instead, focus.
Authority doesn’t come from casting a wide content net. It comes from talking about a few things that you’re really good at and passionate about.
Prompt (pleasure, not homework 🎯)
List three topics you could talk or write about for hours without notes.
Now look at them closely:
Which one makes you light up when you explain it?
Which one do people often ask you about?
Which one feels most relevant right now?
Write about why it matters to you and to others.
If you’re unsure where to start, finish this sentence:
“People often come to me for help with…”
Rules (daily reminder):
☕ Pick a time to write and tie it to a ritual (morning coffee, evening tea).
⏱ Write for 25 minutes — no less. More only if you’re in the flow.
🎶 Music helps (here’s a suggested playlist).
🪑 Show up anyway. Even if you don’t feel like it, stay with the page. Write anything, doodle.
📓 Writing by hand can help you focus (any notebook will do).
✍️ Make it yours. If today’s theme doesn’t click, write about something else that deserves your focus.
💌 Optional: Shrug & Send. Share your three topic ideas with a friend or colleague and ask them for their opinion. Sometimes, others spot patterns we can’t yet see ourselves.
And I’m always here if you’d like to send your musings to someone 😉