Matt Gedye
Try First, Then Write
I get so inspired when I read blog posts where people lay out so carefully and systematically the processes in which they’re solving a problem, or the successes they have trying something new. Whether it be tech, a mindfulness insight, or something else entirely, I enjoy reading the details and the step by step instructions.
“Here’s something that worked for me, and this is how I did it so you can try it for yourself.”
I think this is one the many benefits of blogging, and perhaps more
importantly, a blogging community. It’s motivating, and it makes me
want to share my ideas in such a way too. But I often get stuck early
in the writing as I grapple with how to articulate what I’m working
on, or learning about, in such a way as to make it useful for others.
What I realised recently, is the posts I’m reading are very likely
written by people who’ve either:
1. Seen a project through to completion.
2. Have a thorough understanding of the topic they’re writing about
because it’s become ingrained and habitual over many months and years
of practice.
In many cases, I’ve not achieved either of these things in the
spaces I’ve been so eager to write about. So it’s no wonder I keep
getting stuck. Rather than get dispondent, however, putting my
attention on this issue has enabled me to reframe it, and I’ve
identified two previously unnoticed benefits:
1. The balls in the air that comprise my various projects are still
very much works in progress whether they get written about or not.
I’ll know when the time is right to write about them in a useful way
and until I do, I can simply enjoy the process of continuing to
immerse myself in them, knowing that when I do choose to write, I’ll
have had to obtain a sufficient enough level of expertise to be able
to do so. That’s very intrinsically motivating.
2. In the meantime, I can reflect back on previous expertise and
experiences where I feel like I do have some credibility to write
useful posts that I might otherwise have simply dismissed as “I don’t
do that stuff anymore.”
For what it’s worth, I think writing and record keeping while exploring new territory is extremely valuable for learning. I do this daily. I’m just too much of a perfectionist to share it too broadly while it’s that raw. I’d rather try first and write later.
P.S What I’m doing now.