Pilot: Be brave, post your drafts
Putting your thoughts out there can be nerve-wracking. As with many others in the design field, imposter syndrome has served as my personal firewall. But I’m trying a new way of thinking. Throw caution to the wind! Post your drafts! Or, as a dear friend advised—you could just post and never read it again.
I occasionally post mock-arrogant captions on Instagram, feigning influencer levels of confidence. Close friends are familiar enough with the incessant self-deprecation to know that my statement, “But maybe I am the true work of art” (featuring yours truly posing against a backdrop of street art) is mostly, completely disingenuous. One friend suggested I pen all of my posts this way, as a confidence-building exercise. So you can thank her for the incoming barrage of self-flattery.
When it comes to posting actual learnings publicly, fears of criticism and accusations of being self-centred always arise. And so in an act of bravery that should be awarded a medal, I’m shelving the insecurities and giving it a whirl.
Like Olin Miller said, “You probably wouldn’t worry about what people think of you if you could know how seldom they do”.
Here are some other reasons to encourage you on why you should start publishing your own thoughts (it really is just to convince myself):
Scratch an itch
Write to ‘scratch your own itch’, as Tim Ferris advises. Writing about topics you’re experienced or interested in means that there will always be a guaranteed audience of at least 1.
Improve articulation
Writing will help you clarify the knowledge in your head, and how it makes sense to you. Ultimately, it will make you a better communicator. You aren’t setting out to convince everyone that you are the smartest person in the room, but more importantly helping them understand what you are talking about.
Share knowledge
I’ve never come across a helpful YouTube video or book that’s left me thinking, “This person is unbelievably self-centred for sharing their expertise or knowledge”. Anything you publish will be adding to the body of resources available on the internet, and that’s not a bad thing.
Gain knowledge
No one knows everything, even the most experienced or senior thought leaders in the industry. If someone challenges you on your writing or opinions (by the way, always make it clear what is / isn’t an opinion), they may or may not be right, but it’s an opportunity for discussion and adding to your knowledge base.
Finally, what drives you?
I think it’s best to know what’s motivating you to write. For me, it’s to expand on my learning as I go through references and case studies to back recommendations, as well as upskill in mentoring new and curious designers.
I don’t intend to be the next Ran Segall or another person flinging their opinions onto the interwebs, but hey, I wouldn’t turn down a paid gig writing for Medium.
