Why did I feel the need to start yet another (developer) blog? Isn't there enough content on the topic out there already? And why would anyone care about my thoughts and experiences?

These are all fair questions. But recently, I realised that the answers to all of them don’t really matter.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve found plenty of reasons to finally start a blog (and maybe even explore other forms of content in the future...?). And I thought it would make for a fun topic for my first ever post. So in this post I'm going to go over the most important reasons why I am starting a blog. It might inspire someone to do the same.

1. Building and sharing my personal Knowledge Hub.

Retaining what I learn: Embedding knowledge into memory

Ever since I was young, I have learned best by writing things down Making summaries, writing down key concepts, bullet points and lists all were part of my routine when studying for tests or exams.

As a software developer you have to be a life-long learner. You are in one of the fastest changing fields you can imagine so it's vital for career success. So by writing down the things I learn during my career in this blog I will help solidify that knowledge and understanding in my memory. Maximising the impact of learning new concepts, frameworks, and technologies.

Creating my own knowledge database

During my career I have had to come up with countless solutions to countless problems. I do so on a daily basis. So it's common for the same or similar problems to come my way. By writing down insights and solutions for problems I already encountered I will create my own knowledge database. A resource I can always revisit when needed.

Improving my teaching and mentoring skills

Explaining complex concepts clearly is a skill in itself. In these blog posts I can pretend to explain something as if to a junior team member. The result is that I gain a deeper understanding of the topic myself. Because in order to be able to explain something clearly you have to have a deep understanding of the subject. You can't get by with just superficial knowledge.

Sharing knowledge with the community

By making my learning process public and sharing my knowledge I can give something back to the community. I know how valuable other people's blogs, videos, threads, ... have been (and still are) for my own learning so hopefully someone can benefit from my experiences as well.

2. Improving my communication skills

Strengthening my written communication

Being able to communicate clearly through writing is a vital skill for anyone in the workforce. This is especially true for software developers. Think of all the writing we do on a daily basis.

We start our work by reading descriptions and requirements in the form of tickets. Then we translate that into written code which not only has to work but has to be clear for other developers to understand. Technical specifications, documentation, and code comments are all essential to our work. In today's world a lot of our communication also happens in writing through apps like Teams, Slack, Discord or e-mail.

So by maintaining this blog I'm honing my ability to articulate ideas in a structured and accessible way.

A springboard to verbal communication

While written communication is important, verbal communication is just as crucial. Whether for presentations, meetings, team discussions or networking. This blog will serve as a foundation for improving my verbal communication skills. The ideas and topics I discuss in this blog I can translate into other formats, such as:

• YouTube Videos - Exploring technical and other concepts through video content will push me to explain ideas in a dynamic and engaging way.
• Public Speaking - A long-term goal is to start speaking at meetups and conferences. By first writing down my thoughts in blog posts, I create an archive of potential topics, making it easier to turn them into compelling talks.

By using this blog as a training ground, I’m not just improving my writing, but also laying the groundwork for stronger verbal communication in different formats. And who knows, it might even help tick off one thing from my bucket list, writing and publishing my own book.

3. Personal Branding: Showcasing my expertise and ambitions

In today’s job market, technical skills alone aren’t always enough. I am an ambitious person. I want to work on interesting projects with the best companies and people in a global setting. This blog will be a key part of my personal brand, showcasing my experience, expertise, and ambitions to peers and potential clients.

This blog is a reflection of my personal journey. An archive of my own lessons learned, insights and best practices. By sharing these, I show my:

• Technical expertise in real-world scenarios.
• Experience working on complex projects.
• Ambition to keep learning, improving, and contributing to the industry.

A strong online presence positions me as a passionate tech professional, making sure the right opportunities come my way.

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This blog is an investment in my growth as a developer, entrepreneur, communicator, and mentor. Through sharing my knowledge, refining my communication skills, and building my personal brand, I aim to create something valuable not just for myself, but for anyone who finds my insights useful.

This is just the beginning. Over time, I hope this blog evolves into a space for discussion, learning, and collaboration. Through blog posts, videos, and public speaking, I want to keep challenging myself and stepping outside my comfort zone.

If you’re on a similar journey - whether you’re a developer, a tech enthusiast, an entrepreneur or someone who loves to learn - let’s connect. What are your reasons for sharing knowledge, and how do you approach personal growth?
Let’s start the conversation! 🚀