Christmas All Year Using Gifts of Creativity and Persuasion in Writing
On January 13th, the LinkedIn Learning Blog, noted the top two soft skills for 2020 are #1 creativity and #2 persuasion.[1] Whenever I think about writing grants or other reports, these two skills seem to surface for me. For many of us, the very thought of writing a grant may stir up feelings of fear and anxiety. Perhaps even hearing the word “grant” gives you the same panic you may have experienced for an upcoming exam. But let’s re-consider those skills of creativity and persuasion along with writing a grant application. Grant writing can offer a balance between creativity and persuasion. It can enable you, and me, to approach the task of writing with a fresh, exciting, and positive outlook. The same holds true whether you are writing a grant or a book.
As 2020 started off with a roar, a local author, J. Paige Straley, contacted me about his book Jack’s Christmas.[2]He wanted me to write a testimonial. So I had to approach this request from a creative, yet persuasive manner. This is an exhilarating adventure for children of all ages. As I read the story, I realized how Paige Straley used the skills of creativity and persuasion to leave you with a warm, cozy feeling of belonging; something we all long for and need in our lives. For parents, caretakers, and teachers, Jack’s Christmas allows children to experience the often, neglected art of rhymed poetry in a delightful story of nature. Teachable moments abound with themes such as safety and security, perseverance, science, and natural environments. Jack comes alive as he slips and slides his way home. And what a heart warming, home coming it is!
I am grateful to have joined Jack as he takes his exciting trail home. And I am equally grateful for creative writers that bring the warmth and joy to writing.
This year, take a look at some of the opportunities on GrantsAlert awaiting you to be creative. Grants can grant you the opportunity to bring new and exciting learning to your students. Choose one or two grants to pursue. This is a great way to jump-start yourself into the joys of grant writing. Start small and then use your creativity and persuasiveness to write a proposal. It all comes down to explaining what you believe in for your project and how you can persuade the funder to invest in your creativity.
Is grant writing worth the time and effort? Yes! Keep writing and keep submitting grants. Send me a note, under contact us, and let me know your progress. It would be lovely to read something that said, “Yes, Dr. Love, I got a YES. Yes, we loved your creative project and yes, we will be sending you the money. “
[1]https://learning.linkedin.com/blog/top-skills/the-skills-companies-need-most-in-2020and-how-to-learn-them
