Why Am I Doing This?

2005-04-07T22:17:00-07:00

Okay, blogging has been around for a while to be sure. During all these years, I have been steadfast in my disdain and apathy towards blogging, deeming it little more than a way for overly extroverted people to drone on about their lives to what they imagine is a vast and enthralled audience. Which is probably still true, but why am I blogging?

Good question. In my haste to sneer at the writing crowd, I forgot that the appeal of blogging is that it is a simple and democratic communication mechanism, and this is the kicker: communication is both essential for any career and it is often the one thing most holding back software developers like myself from succeeding. Tim Bray of course says it better than me in his post Blogging Is Good (a response to the many Blogging Will Get You Fired stories recently). Most relevant in his top 10 list to me are

No matter how great you are, your career depends on communicating. The way to get better at anything, including communication, is by practicing. Blogging is good practice.

and

Networking is good for your career. Blogging is a good way to meet people.

Well put. Having recently understood the importance of networking and communication for career success (as important if not more so than technical skill), I feel it is time for me to recant my ways and give this a shot. Who knows, I may actually enjoy it...

Nimble Code: Why Am I Doing This?

Why Am I Doing This?