An Idea Develops

For a long time, I had been thinking about truth. I had read a lot about it and to be honest, it means a great deal to me. When I started Harrison Brands, I had the time to reflect and think about what I wanted it stand for, but more importantly, why I needed to do it.

Throughout my career, I always questioned, and thought, and then questioned even more. It often got me to beyond the purpose. The brief was never always write. What were the clients really after? To know this and to understand them, all this probing would sometimes eventually get to a truth about the brand. What this did to me was quite amazing. My creative thoughts were going crazy, but within the parameters and boundaries of what we could and should be delivering for the client. My best work always followed.

It was this revolutionary break that led me to understand how the power of truth could manifest itself into something that turned out to resonate so well with others. In turn, this made me question the fundamental truths about truth itself.

Years ago, I thought there might have been a book in there. But, I didn’t know where to start.

Making a Start

We were on the 4th redesign of our website. As I matured in business, I became a lot clearer on what made us different and where we could provide the best solutions for our clients. I also became increasingly angry with the presence of greenwashing in advertising and comms. And, the use of inflated claims, bullshit empty promises on sustainability credentials. All of this side stepped the one that mattered. The truth.

So, I started writing a little about the Truth for our website. When I spoke to others, this piqued their interest. Why Truth? What is all really about? I was speaking to others, explaining this and just got deeper and deeper into it. The stories started to unfold and I had to start writing about it. It was cathartic.

As I started writing an outline, a story arc started to develop. This became a prompt for me to start on each chapter. Thoughts came streaming out of my head into a Word document. Further ideas were generated. I was on a flow.

Structure is Key

I am sure everyone works differently, but I, for one had to have some structure. So, broadly speaking, I broke the structure of the book into 3 sections, each with 4 chapters. Ain’t that neat? See, I am in love with neat numbers and, no way could envisage 13 chapters? No, a neat number like 12 was perfect for me.

3 sections: the first on truth and why we need it. The second is on my own personal journey into truth, and finally a section on why truth matters and how others can use it to heighten their own understanding and skills such as creativity.

How are things going?
Well, to be honest it started really well, I wrote so much and completed the middle section. And now, a pause before I throw myself into the first section. I know what I need to write about. But, the strange thing is, my thoughts are continuing to develop. I have to come to terms with that this book is all about my thoughts here and now. I am bound to be in different place entirely as these thoughts develop and grow. But that is no reason to stop!