For the past few weeks, we’ve explored the habit of reading and how it expands our minds, deepens our understanding, shapes our character, and prepares the younger ones for the life ahead of them. But as powerful as reading is, it is only half of the story. The other half is writing.

I can imagine you saying, “what have I got to do with writing?” And you would be correct to some extent. Not everyone desires to be a writer in the sense of writing books and becoming best-selling authors or thought leaders of sorts. However, don’t we all have reasons to write something or the other? Whether you are a lawyer, engineer, businessman or consultant, you’ll need to communicate in writing at one time or the other, and I’m saying that the much reading you have done will play a large role in how well you are able to communicate your thoughts.

Let me tell you a story.

I grew up with a couple of friends turned brothers with whom I shared fond memories of past times. One of them read books like his life depended on it. He read everything literary! From the novels of Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, Nuruddin Farah, Salman Rushdie, Charles Dickens, George Orwell and Marie Corelli to the poems of William Wordsworth and other romantic and even metaphysical poets. He also read biographies and historical books of the revolutions that have shaped the world. I know this because we shared this passion and exchanged books on a lot of occasions.

But this guy did not just read books; he read newspapers and magazines like he had to answer questions on them in an examination and that his life depended on passing those examinations. The only difference is, he wasn’t reading any of these things because he needed them for academics. He was one of those people who made up their minds to study medicine very early in life, so reading was leisure for him—something he merely enjoyed doing! But unknown to him and those of us around him, he was investing in a future that today sets him apart amongst his contemporaries!

Today, my friend is a Professor in one of the most delicate areas of medicine, but when he writes, whether professionally or socially, you would bow at the quality of information he has about literally every area of life. But more than the information that he shares, you would marvel at his command of the English language and the allure of his prose. His words are elegant, and his every writing convinces without effort.

What am I saying here? Reading is not just about absorbing knowledge, it is also about shaping the mind to express the knowledge you have acquired with clarity, persuasion, and depth. The reservoir you build through reading inevitably spills over into your writing, whether in a report to your boss, a proposal to a client, a post on LinkedIn, or even a book you might one day decide to write. The truth is that every professional writes something—letters, proposals, briefs, reports and what have you. And concerning writing a book, my advice to you is never say never!

So, when next you pick up a book, think beyond the pleasure or information you’re gaining in the moment. Think of it as equipping yourself with the vocabulary, the cadence, and the insight that will strengthen your voice on paper. At the end of the day, writing is how we preserve ideas, influence others, and leave a mark. It may be that very thing that would set you apart amongst your peers one day in the future that you do not even yet imagine.

In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing more thoughts on how we can all move from simply reading to confidently writing; not necessarily to become published authors (though some of you may be), but to communicate better, to persuade with elegance, and to capture the richness of our ideas. Reading fills the well; writing lets others drink from it. And pouring into other’s people cups from the abundance in your possession is the very essence of life, in my opinion.

So, here’s my challenge to you this week: take one idea, insight, or reflection from something you’ve read recently and write about it. Don’t worry about perfection, focus on expressing your thoughts clearly. Share it in a journal, a note to a colleague, or even a post online. The goal is to practise moving from thought to expression.

And if you want guidance on turning your reflections, experiences, or expertise into clear, compelling writing or even into a book, lets talk about it, even before I come back to you next. Hit the reply button and lets talk about it.
Start today and let your words begin to leave a mark.
Have a great week ahead.