This quote, “The last thing we decide in writing a book is what to put first,” reflects the process of writing and organizing thoughts. The idea is that when we begin writing, we often don’t know where to start because we have a multitude of thoughts, ideas, and perspectives. As we continue to write, refine, and develop our thoughts, we gain a clearer understanding of what is most important and what needs to be emphasized. Only then do we decide what should go first to make the strongest impact on the reader.
This can be likened to a journey where the destination is known, but the starting point is uncertain. The process of writing enables the author to map out the journey, and only after understanding the entire landscape can they determine the best place to start.
In today’s fast-paced, information-overloaded world, this principle is especially relevant. We often have a multitude of tasks, ideas, and goals, and it can be overwhelming to decide where to begin. However, if we take the time to map out our thoughts, priorities, and strategies, we can gain a clearer understanding of what is most important and where we should focus our efforts first.
In personal development, this concept can be applied to goal setting and personal growth. Often, we have a vision of who we want to be or what we want to achieve, but we don’t know where to start. By taking the time to reflect, plan, and organize our thoughts, we can identify the most important steps to take first in our journey towards personal growth.
This quote, therefore, serves as a reminder that it’s okay to not know where to start. The important thing is to start somewhere, and as we progress, we will gain a clearer understanding of where we need to focus our efforts.