The Talmud asks, “Who is wise? He who sees the end from the beginning.” Stephen Covey echoes this in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People when he urges us to “begin with the end in mind.”
Many writers plunge into their work without a clear destination. They don’t stop to think about their goals, but hope their reader will manage to decode the message about which they themselves are unclear. But this approach wastes time and is unlikely to achieve results. Successful writers think about their desired outcome before they even touch the keyboard.
Start by asking: What should readers think, feel, or do after reading this piece? Your answer shapes everything that follows.
- Writing an email to set up a meeting? Don’t vaguely request “Let me know your availability.” Instead, write “Can we meet Thursday at 3 p.m. to discuss project updates?” This specific request drives action.
- Writing a memo about new fire safety protocols? Your goal isn’t to have readers stash the information away with other non-relevant emails. “Please read the following carefully and confirm receipt of this email after you’ve read it” will alert readers that the email is relevant. Then format the content to make it easy to follow and understand.
- Writing a persuasive proposal? Imagine the decision you want readers to make. Then build your argument to lead them there. Address their concerns early. Present your solution clearly. Support it with evidence. Create a path that guides them toward agreement.
Once you clarify your goal, organize your message to achieve it. Map out main points, anticipate objections, and craft a compelling call to action.
For example, you could break down a proposal for a new marketing initiative into the following sections: an introduction to the need for the initiative, the proposed solution, supporting data, and a closing call to action that encourages the decision-maker to approve the plan. By clearly mapping out these sections ahead of time, you ensure that the document remains focused and persuasive from start to finish.
When you start with clarity about what you want to achieve, you create a document that resonates with readers and leads them to the action you desire.
In the end, writing isn’t just about stringing words together; it’s about shaping an experience for your readers, guiding them through your ideas and encouraging a specific result. Whether you’re seeking to inform, persuade, or request, your message will always be stronger when you begin with the end in mind.
So, the next time you sit down to write, ask yourself: What do I want the reader to think, feel, or do after reading this? As you continue in your writing life, remember to think about the end result you are striving for. Focus on that as you organize, plan, and write your document. You will be amazed at the outcome.
copyright 2025 Elizabeth Danziger
Call Worktalk When:
- Companies lose customers due to poor messaging from sales and customer service teams;
- Clients complain about communication from professional service firms’ staff members;
- Employees need to humanize the output of AI-assisted writing programs so it doesn’t sound fake;
- Employees need help developing the right prompts for AI-assisted writing programs to generate more effective outputs;
- Employees waste time repeatedly emailing one another because their messages are unclear.
Contact me at lizd@worktalk.com or 310.396.8303.
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