DEV Community

Cover image for Lower your expectations when blogging
Jose Gonzalez
Jose Gonzalez

Posted on

Lower your expectations when blogging

Originally posted at: http://www.mindbodysouldeveloper.com/2017/03/18/lower-your-expectations-when-blogging/


I'm sure you are already an awesome developer. You probably have gone thru:

  • the experience of fixing that crazy bug in production
  • met an unrealistic deadline
  • late night or weekend deployments
  • (god forbid) that phone call in the middle of the night

(Even if you haven't gone thru any of these, I'm sure you are still awesome!)

You did your time. You've earned your stripes!

And right so. They don't come easy. A lot of sweat and bloody tears have helped you to be where you are today.

So, you've read my previous post about sucking at blogging and are "inspired". Whooo!!

Inspiration is your enemy

Say what?

Kick that inspiration out of the door. Seriously, do it. I'll wait.

We aren't going for a cheap, quick sprint. We are going for a marathon here.

Inspiration is inconsistent, and super selfish. It comes when it wants, and leaves when it wants.

Do not rely on inspiration.

Even if you write a super awesomesauce post, people may not event read it. If you are lucky, they will probably skim it.

Don't waste your time writing that perfect blog post.

It's an illusion. A trick from your mind.

Lower your expectations

Did you kicked out inspiration? Not yet? Damn, OK. I will wait while drink some TheraFlu (I've a wicked cold).

Ready? Coolio.

Lower your expectations. How?

Let your first blog post be your "Hello World!" example. It's impossible to mess up a Hello World example...or maybe I'm wrong?

Don't be harsh on yourself. Stop asking too much from you. Lower your expectations when blogging.

Yes, you are an awesome developer. But a rookie writer. It's alright. You don't have to be good at everything.

Think: how would a professional writer fumble trying to write code?

You're smart. Otherwise, you wouldn't be good at what you do! Or made it this far in your career.

I bet your first code sucked. But you still had to ship it, right?

Let your first blog post suck. And publish it!

Some topic ideas

Don't know where to start yet?

Here are some ideas:

  • What are you currently struggling with? (Blogging? Write something and ask for feedback!)
  • How did you get started on programming?
  • What was your first programming language?
  • What's your favorite programming language?
  • Do you come from a different professional background? How did you jump from your previous profession?
  • Are you an aspiring young developer?
  • If you could give your younger self some advice, what would it be? (Mine would be:dude, don't go for VB.NET!)
  • Why do you develop? (Besides the paycheck)

Be nice. Be sarcastic. Be funny. Be yourself!

We all love good stories. Tell us yours!

Here's one last tip: If you make a mistake, you can always edit it. No one will know :)


Originally posted at: http://www.mindbodysouldeveloper.com/2017/03/18/lower-your-expectations-when-blogging/


Top comments (0)