Why writing makes me a better professional

Lately, I've started reading a lot — about entrepreneurship, career, development, programming, and many other subjects that interest me. And that has awakened me to how important writing is.

I've always liked writing, but I haven't managed to dedicate as much time to it as I'd like. I had a block: out of the many attempts, I thought I didn't have much to say about such subjects. At least nothing interesting enough that someone would want to read. Even so, I started this blog and have been getting some feedback from my microscopic audience. :)

I decided to include writing as part of my routine. It wasn't easy at all, and it still isn't, but I realized that reading and writing have been making me a better professional, showing me different points of view and giving me my own ideas and conclusions.

In this super-populated world of information, we feel pressured to stay on top of the news, especially in the technology field. The important thing here is to consciously choose which information you want to consume. Make choices and dedicate time to them. Don't open 10 browser tabs or walk around without paying attention. It's also important here to give yourself time to digest what you consumed instead of always chasing the next novelty.

Another big difficulty was organizing ideas, putting them down on paper. They came and went and it seemed there was no time to give them attention. So I started organizing ideas into notes, even if they were blank notes. For me, that made the difference, because even if at the moment they arose I didn't know what to write, they were there, so that when inspiration showed up I could start writing.

Research — another crucial item, included in the writing process — brought to light the answer to "Do I have enough knowledge to talk about this?" The answer is usually "No." That isn't a problem: I can write what I know and, if I hit gaps in the middle of writing, I just need to research. The purpose changed — the question is no longer "I have to study this" but "I need to find this information to write this article." That sounds much more assertive, doesn't it?

If there is something good and powerful in the act of writing, it's the freedom it gives you. I started this article after a day of work, sitting on the bed, while listening to an online radio, free from the restrictions of working hours or location. A few minutes and I had already written six paragraphs. A few more minutes for research and revision and it's done.

A free mind is more creative, has more space for new concepts, and has wings to fly along new routes.

Freedom will also get you out of your comfort zone. Of course, you don't need to throw yourself desperately out of your comfort zone — that will end up consuming you and leave you suffering from anxiety and stress. The tip here is to walk along the edge and advance gradually.

The act of writing is transformative, and it does more good for the writer than for the reader. Writing has helped me grow and bring more clarity to many ideas that were incubating.

Did I inspire you? What do you think about starting to write?