Robin Sieger Blog

"I wish I could write a book". I cannot recall how often people say that to me upon hearing that I have written three books. My sage advice is "just start", however they have the usual excuses, no agent, no advance (my favourite excuse) no time, not good at English, bad grammar, waiting until they retire.

I don’t think writing a book is a big deal, it is not proof of intelligence, a valid point of view or appeal, it is however a lot of work. Thomas Edison once said "Most people miss opportunity because when it appears, it is dressed in workmen's overalls and look like hard work".

When I write I outline the points I want to make and then set about putting it onto paper, and often my train of thoughts goes off on a tangent and I find myself developing a theme I had not explored before. The next day when I review what I wrote the day before I have on more than one occasion scratched my head with a look of severe puzzlement on my face thinking to myself "What the heck is that all about?"

The keyboard is where you type, not where you create. The thinking and logic has to be in place, the keyboard is the tool for getting it all down. Just as a car will only take you where you direct it through your actions and preplannng, so too, the keyboard is just a tool.

The same is true for meetings, sales calls presentations and other areas where we connect to others and seek to influence. The preparation is the secret.

I am a keen wannabe chef, I have worked in kitchens and often entertain at home. When I worked in restaurants, started as a pot cleaner and years later was 'acting' head chef when the real chef was off. I was taught the two golden rules of cooking. Use the best ingredients you can afford, and prepare everything before you start to cook. How often have you been half way through cooking something when you discover an ingredient which you have not got, or you misread from the book?

So for those who tell me "I wish I could write a book, cook a five course meal for ten people, speak in public, or any other of a multitude of desires". I will no longer say just start (because without proper preparation, they will quickly get dismayed and give up), I will now say "prepare all you will need, then start".

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