Consistency and dedication in writing, even when the ideas don't flow, can lead to breakthrough moments and clarity.
Creating a focused writing routine, free from distractions, can help in refining the writing and developing ideas.
Deep dives
Developing a Writing Process
The speaker shares their personal writing process, which includes dedicating two hours a day to write. They wake up early, find a quiet space, and put on classical music to help focus. During this time, they do not respond to distractions like texts or social media. The speaker emphasizes that they genuinely enjoy this writing routine and look forward to it each day. They also discuss their method of rewriting, starting with getting their thoughts on paper and then going through each sentence to refine the writing.
Planting Seeds of Ideas
The speaker highlights the importance of sitting in front of the computer for two hours, even on days when the writing doesn't flow. They learned to forgive themselves for not being productive every session, understanding that it takes time for ideas to develop. By dedicating consistent time to writing, the speaker believes they are planting seeds of ideas that later flourish in their subconscious mind. Inspiration often strikes outside of the writing routine, such as during a walk in the park, leading to breakthrough moments and clarity on what to write next. This process involves forgiving oneself for the blank moments as they are still part of the writing journey.
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A Detailed Description of the Speaker's Writing Process
WHO AM I: Vitaliy Katsenelson was born in Murmansk, Russia, and immigrated to the United States with his family in 1991. After joining Denver-based value investment firm IMA in 1997, Vitaliy became Chief Investment Officer in 2007 and CEO in 2012. Vitaliy has written two books on investing and is an award-winning writer. Known for his uncommon common sense, Forbes Magazine called him “The New Benjamin Graham.” He’s written for publications including Financial Times, Barron’s, Institutional Investor, and Foreign Policy. Vitaliy lives in Denver with his wife and three kids, where he loves to read, listen to classical music, play chess, and write about life, investing, and music. Soul in the Game is his third book and first non-investing book.