Focus on One Person

It was the depth of winter and I was sitting in my office in Mongolia, typing on a desktop computer overlooking our classroom.

Outside it was -30 degrees and several people had gone home for the day. But inside I was warm and cozy, drawing a smiley face on the double-paned window to remind myself of how cold it was outdoors. I'd be walking a mile home after work, so I was in no hurry to leave.

I worked in the provincial health department as a public health officer, in my second year as a Peace Corps Volunteer. I had just taught another English class to doctors, nurses and administrators from across the hospital. But now the office was quiet and it was just me, staring at my computer screen.

I had been working on my book on and off for about three years at this point. I called it the Unofficial Peace Corps Volunteer Handbook. It began as a senior project for my university titled Campbell to Cameroon, collecting my learnings through the Peace Corps application and interview process. I had sat on a bench after my official interview and written down all the questions the interviewer asked me. I detailed all the steps of the application and getting in: what it was like to decline an invitation not once but twice, preparing to leave, what Peace Corps training is like, and how the first year differs from the second year. And after all of that, here I was staring at the screen.

Did I even want to finish this book?

When I had started writing there were no books out there to help me through the process. But a year after I started Peace Corps a similar book was published called The Insider's Guide to the Peace Corps. And it was good. Actually it was really good. Dillon Banerjee covered the whole process of getting into the Peace Corps with real depth. My book still had unique and helpful insight beyond his, but it made me lose steam even more.

Why was I writing?

A little bit depressed, I scrolled away from the word document and opened my email. There was a new message from a student named Julie.

Julie was in her senior year and applying to the Peace Corps. She found my website while working on her essays and had a few questions for me.

I wrote back and within a few days we were on Skype together. We talked for a long time. I could tell she would be an incredible Peace Corps Volunteer, she was super engaged on her campus and she had a heart for community service. But on the call she mentioned a lot of people didn't understand what she was doing and it felt like a lonely process. She was discouraged and unsure, should she even apply and would she get in?

I knew she would get in and I remember telling her: definitely apply. You can always say no later if it isn't a fit.

Within a week my entire motivation for the book had turned around.

I had someone very specific I was writing my book for. This was for Julie.

I sent her drafts as I continued writing and once it was finished, I mailed her the first paperback copy that summer.

It was self-published, with a simple handmade cover and it had plenty of formatting issues, but it was done.

My first book was done.

It's easy to be paralyzed when we are working on something that feels big.

And honestly, as more of you join me here, I can feel the pressure building.

Is what I write worth your time?

Is this the right thing to share this week?

Sometimes I get stuck. But this week I remembered Julie. She helped me publish my first book because she needed the answers and I wanted to help.

When I focus on one person, it helps me focus my energy and attention.

Maybe I'm writing for my son as he gets older, sharing lessons I've learned.

Or maybe I'm writing for a friend who reached out with a question.

When I was in high school I had a transformative teacher named Mr. Wilborn who created a class with me called Speech & Debate.

In that class I remember this piece of advice: when you are giving a speech, find someone in the audience and speak directly to them.

I smile thinking back on that now.

It's the same lesson.

Whether I am writing, speaking, listening to a friend or building a new product, focus on one person.

Julie went on to serve in the Peace Corps in Azerbaijan for three years and she was an incredible volunteer. Peace Corps was lucky to have her and they still are. She works in the headquarters today, helping the next generation of Volunteers.

I feel a lot of gratitude for that first book and for Julie.

Because I wrote that first book, I gained the confidence to write more.

And because of that, I'm writing here for you.