Sitting around with friends over dinner, talk often turns to blogging and podcasting. They know I have been blogging for a while and that I was one of the first 20 podcasters and they often want to know more about both pursuits. One of the most typical comments from my friends, though, when I tell them that they should be blogging and/or podcasting is, “I don’t have anything to say!” What?! Are these the same people who can give me detailed dissertations on the native lizards of California? Are these the same people who can recount every ride on every rollercoaster they have ever ridden? Are these the same people who can get off on an hour-long rant about why you should never do X, Y and/or Z?
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The fact is, we all have something to say and, more importantly, there are others out there in the world who want to hear it. This could be one of most defining aspects of your career, too. It is by actively sharing our information that we gain experience, network connections, friendships, new jobs and more. If you are constantly “hiding your light under a bushel”, how do you expect others to get to know you? More importantly, how do you expect to grow as an entrepreneur or employee? Be proud of what you know and show it by sharing it with others.
Now I know what some of you may be thinking, because I have heard it from my friends, as well. “How important can it be? I haven’t invented anything new. I haven’t created my own company. All I have done is collected up a bunch of information about a particular topic.” To which I always reply, “…and your point is?” Whether you are creating new information, divining new information from old or collecting up large resources of information, it is still important. Inventing new ideas, new products and such isn’t the pinnacle of worth. Otherwise, why would libraries be so important? Aren’t they just collections of information? How about a museum? Some of our culture’s most important resources are collections of raw data that can be used in new ways.
Perhaps you know everything there is to know about the history of your city or state. I can guarantee you that people will come knocking on your door because you have become the expert in that area. Your collection of information is the place to start instead of each individual starting all over at the beginning. Even more, because you have collected up so much information, you will naturally start to connect disparate pieces together. Maybe no one has even seen item A and item B together before. Perhaps you are the first person to ever realize that this part fits exactly into that part. You can never tell where your actions will take you.
These are the beginnings of an improved career, or even a new career. I would say that some of the luckiest folks are those who are able to turn a hobby or interest into a money-making career. There are dangers, sure, but when you start letting others know what interests you most, you might just find that someone is willing to pay you for that knowledge.
So, what do you have to say? I think every person has something unique to offer, just as we are unique by our very existence. Imagine how boring the world would be if we all looked and acted the same. I would question whether the human race could ever survive such a fate. It is our individualism that allows us to find a place in the world.
This week, if not today, I want you to got out to Blogger.com, Vox.com, MySpace.com, WordPress.com, wherever you feel most comfortable and start a blog to collect your most important thoughts. These might be simple thoughts on your own life and family, or grand designs for mankind. Whatever the content, though, getting started with sharing your information is the goal. Sure, your blog will change over time. You will select new topics, new thoughts, a new focus — you might even create different blogs to focus on different types of information. The important thing is to get started. “Let your light so shine before men!”
Everyone has something important to say and the Internet has provided us all with a way to say it…and be heard by other, like-minded people. Unleash your ideas, thoughts, fears, inventions, accomplishments, voice and pen on the world and you will quickly find a community of others who share your thoughts…or disagree completely. Either way, you have found a way to let people know who you are and what you find important. You might also find a new career along the way.
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