Blog Working Philosophy

Working on your own projects helps you build specific knowledge, they're what compound knowledge into skill, skill which can't be taught in courses.

What should you work on?

The hard part is you've unlimited options. The best part is you've got unlimited options.

One method is to find the ideal company and ideal role you're going for. And then do your research.

What does a person in that position day-to-day? Figure it out and then replicate it. Design yourself a 6-week project based on what you find.

Why 6-weeks? The worst case is, if it doesn't work out, it's only 6 weeks. The best case is, you'll surprise yourself at what you can accomplish in 42-days.

If you're still stuck, follow your interests. Use the same timeline except this time, choose something which excites you and see where it goes. Remember, the worst case is, after 6-weeks, you'll know whether to pursue it (another 6 weeks) or move onto the next thing.

Now instead of only having a collection of certificates, you've got a story to tell. You've got evidence of you trying to put what you've learned into practice (exactly what you'll be doing in a job).

And if you're wondering where the evidence comes from, it comes from you documenting your work.

Where?

On your own blog.

Why a blog?

We've discussed this before but it's worth repeating. Writing down what you're working on, helps solidify your thinking. It also helps others learn what you’ve figured out.

You could start with a post per week detailing how your 6-week project is going, what you've figured out, what you're doing next. Again, your project doesn't have to be perfect, none are, and your writing doesn't have to be perfect either.

Post Overall Structure

What are you working on this week? Write it down, share it with the team. This not only consolidates your thinking, it gives your team an opportunity to ask questions and offer advice.

Set a reminder for the end of each day. Have it ask, "What did you work on today?". Your response doesn't have to be long but it should be written down.

You could use the following template.

  • What I worked on today (1-3 points on what you did):

What's working?

  • What's not working?

  • What could be improved?

  • What I'm working on next:

  • What's your next course of action? (based on the above)

  • Why?

  • What's holding you back?