Each week Bill Moore and me brainstorm ideas for The Tech Writer's Tool Kit.
We evaluate every idea and determine how helpful it would be for our subscribers.
The next step involves researching the facts and statistics we cite.
If the data supports our thoughts and recommendations we forge ahead with a new issue of TWTK.
The weekly issue goes through a series of revisions and makes it way to your Inbox each Tuesday morning.
Some of you may read the subject line and decide to come back to it later.
Some of you may open it and read only what interests you.
And some of you may read the issue in its entirety.
But it's what you do next that plays a crucial role in your success.
All the ideas and recommendations in the TWTK are useless if you don't do anything about them.
This applies to all good ideas and plans.
Your goal, idea, plan or dream will only be realized if you take action.
Action is a small six letter word.
But it's the difference between success and failure.
It's action that brings you closer to your goals.
But action, by itself, is not enough.
You must act quickly with a sense of purpose and urgency.
If you can accomplish something today, do it.
Postponing a task or action increases the chance that it won't get done.
Act now and act fast.
Accomplish something today that moves you closer to your goals.
Most of us don't take action because we are afraid of failing.
It is this fear of failure that prevents us from achieving our goals.
What's wrong with failing? It depends on your viewpoint.
Failure can be viewed as an embarrassment, a loss or - the way I look at it - a learning experience.
The key lies in not repeating your mistakes and the willingness to learn from them.
It's like learning to ride a bike.
When you first try it out you are bound to fall.
But you get up and try again.
Five Things You Can do Now to Accelerate Your Technical Writing Success

1. Create a list of your technical writing skills.
   Include everything from writing manuals to creating business letters and memos.
   Also include any supporting skills - such as graphic layout and design.
   
2. Think about how your technical writing skills can help a business.
   This is especially important in today's economic climate.
   Simply saying "I write technical manuals" is not enough.
   Say "I write manuals that improve production speed and reduce production costs.
   "
3. Make a list of companies or businesses you'd like to work for.
   Contact their owners or managers and tell them you want to contribute to their growth or reduce their costs.
   Let them know specifically how you can do that.
   For example, creating online product guides, operation manuals or FAQ lists cut down on printing and paper costs.
   
4. Start writing or collecting samples for your portfolio.
   A portfolio is proof that backs up your claims and adds credibility to your name.
   
5. Practice technical writing every day.
   No matter how busy you are.
   Practice will keep your skills sharp.
   

The above five actions will not cost you nothing apart from your investment of time.
If you are pressed for time, take one step at a time.
But do something today.
Set aside some time in your schedule and devote it to technical writing.
Don't get dejected by listening to the grim economic news.
Remember that as long as there are products and services, there will be a need for technical writers who can show audiences how to use these products and services.
Act now, learn from your mistakes and don't repeat them.
Accept this notion and you will have a steep success curve as opposed to a straight line that leads nowhere.