Creating value by writing

Creating value by writing
Photo by Aaron Burden / Unsplash
Different perspectives help us model problems and ideas in new and sometimes exciting ways. They can lead  us to new evidence or help to re-engage our thinking about things we’ve taken for granted. Things like testing software or writing.

Writing isn’t easy but I find it helps clarify my thoughts. Unfortunately putting those thoughts out for public scrutiny sometimes has the effect of keeping me from publishing something that is less than perfect. I know it won’t be perfect but I drag my heels anyways. It doesn’t help that a few of the blogs I follow and admire are written either by PhD’s who write at great length and depth or who are just good writers… But I digress.

A new perspective on writing is just what I got from Steve Corona: writing creates value. It switches us from the consumer to the producer of information, information that can be shared with others or used by us years later. Here are the last few paragraphs of his post on Creating Value by Writing:

The biggest dividends paid from my writing has been the feeling of creating, becoming a producer of information, instead of continuing down the path as a chronic consumer. When I publish my thoughts, I create tangible value that can be shared with others.

And I never run out of things to write about. By keeping my idea muscle strong and writing down 10 brand new ideas everyday, I’ve amassed two entire notebooks filled with topics to write about. 

Creating value through writing has been a huge eyeopener. The people I look up to the most, the Elon Musks and Steve Jobs of the world, they are chronic producers. They make things, execute outlandish ideas, and produce something valuable for the world. For me, writing was just the first step to becoming a producer – maybe it will be yours too?”

I think Steve hit the nail on the head. Many of the people in and out software testing that I look up to create value – either by writing or teaching or building fascinating things. I enjoy the feeling of being a producer of information and I hope it’s my first step as well. Thank you Steve.

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Jamie Larson
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