I realised this morning that I’ve kept away from the news (main news, not tech) for over a month now. I’m avoiding all news sources at the moment. I can’t do anything about the stories so don’t want to add to my overwhelm.
It’s not made me that much more relaxed now I think of it, which I thought it would but I do have a bit more space to think.
I’ve taken a bit of a step back from creative projects over the last year. I still post here but podcasting, any video plans and my newsletter are all on hold.
I’ve realised looking at others that are achieving creatively I think that my problem is a lack of focus.
I have no real plans for this site and when I’ve done a podcast it always just falls by the wayside to work and home.
I’ve also tried to take on too many projects on at once and not really had a clear path to which is better for me.
So, I’m going to look at what I want to do creatively and focus on one project.
No idea what is yet, any ideas of what you’d like to see?
Back in 2008 I started creating video and sharing it on YouTube. I did well but ultimately decided to stop, video production took ages and I realised I didn’t like being on camera or dealing with YouTube comments.
I started to freelance write for magazines and found my feet being creative in this area instead.
I now feel like a dinosaur in a world where you have to be everywhere to grow. I still blog and freelance write (when I’m offered the chance) and it’s still enjoyable for the most part.
I know I won’t grow my audience and I’m a nobody in the grand scheme of things, I struggle with this fact almost daily if I’m being honest and not far off taking a break I think.
I’ve been blogging since 2010 and not made a lot of it. I’ve not focussed and given it my all and I’m sat here now looking at how much it’s costing me financially thinking I’ll close it down.
I’m not sure where I’m going with this post but suffice to say I’m not in a great place right now.
I have to admit at the moment it feels like I’m swimming upstream with my blogging efforts. I feel that the market has now totally moved away to podcasts and video leaving writers like me in the past. I’ve got (or had goals) of getting reviews units or being invited to events but the likes of Apple and Google seem to focus on video producers and podcasters. This isn’t sour grapes from my part, it’s where the audience has gravitated to.
To keep doing what I’ve always done and expect growth isn’t realistic, it feels like I’m walking down a path with no direction. I enjoy writing here mostly but it’s not fulfilling my goals of making something of this creative endeavour, the time of the blogger has gone. As much as I don’t want to believe it I’m starting to lift my head up and realise to grow my audience I have to change.
I’m still figuring this out along with a lot of other stuff right now but just wanted to share my thoughts on how I’m feeling about blogging right now.
Any comments?
This year I really wanted to try to be more intentional about how I’m using my technology. The first step was to read through Cal Newport’s book on the subject.
I’m in the process of working through a digital declutter, where I’m taking breaks from various activities that have been time sucks or raised my anxiety. I’m also figuring out what my connection with technology is going forward.
For me so far it’s meant spending more time in solitude. What I mean here is more time with my thoughts, not spending time on my own. By dropping habits such as constantly checking Twitter or having an AirPod in my ear listening to something I’m having time being bored. This is essential to letting your brain calm down and process. It also gives you more time to get clarity around your creative projects or life goals.
I’m finding that although I’m only 9 days into this process I’m already finding it a little easier to focus. I’m also a little more relaxed in general. Spending all day working in IT also means I’m on a screen less in the evenings, not much to be honest but less than before.
For me this is what I’ve done
That’s where I am right now, figuring this whole thing out but I’d definitely recommend trying this and seeing how it improves your day, time for projects or general mood.
I’ve been playing with various iPhone models over the last couple of months and settled on the iPhone 7. It’s really helped me be more intentional about my mobile computing and I think helped me get a bit more focus, be in the moment and be ok with my own thoughts I.e. be bored. I’m using my iPhone now as a tool. Most of the time it’s sat on the desk.
What I mean by this is it serves me, not the other way around. I do have apps but not distractions. No social media or news are my main ones missing here. I’m still figuring out how I engage with social media so I’m just off that at the moment. I’ve also noticed I’m in a better mood generally when I’m not engaged in the news cycle.
My iPhone 7 is a phone, a messaging device, a music player and conduit for my Apple Watch (yes, I’m using one again at the moment). It feels like back when I had my Motorola Razr and it’s a nice change.
I’m not advocating everyone to do this but I would say that if you are feeling overwhelmed or want to spend less time on the screen then at least starting off with removing distractions and move them away to your laptop. Things like checking in with social media every Sunday for 30 minutes or keeping your video watching to your TV. It’s important I feel to be ok with doing nothing and let your mind rest, not always engaged.
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about new projects and what I’ve currently got going on. I’m good at starting them with ideas and going all in but struggle to be consistent and keep them going. I currently have this blog, the home screens podcast, a Star Wars newsletter, I play guitar and a small YouTube channel. These are all active projects in my mind.
In a bid to figure out what I want from a creative project I’m declaring project bankruptcy and starting again.
If I’m honest with myself none of these projects have been what I would call successful but I do enjoy sharing my thoughts and want that to continue.
Hmmm, what to do next.
I just wanted to write a small post to say thanks to everyone that has supported the site and reached out to me today. I’m so pleased that there’s a lot more than I thought that enjoy reading my ramblings here.
The overwhelming view is to continue writing and doing that on here, a site that I can call my own and not move to another platform like Medium or just social.
I wrote the post after being knocked back on a couple of large site writing jobs but it’s made me realise that a lot of people that reached out a actually prefer shorter posts like mine.
Thanks again, it’s really appreciated.
I’ve been freelancing on and off for years now but yesterday I hit a notable (for me) milestone by writing about a topic I love on a site that I’ve followed for years.
I was lucky enough to be able (thanks Daryl) to write up a post about Star Wars gaming for techradar. This is a huge site that has a lot of loyal followers and I’m proud to have been given the chance to share my thoughts on games that we’d like to see come to PC from the Star Wars universe.
This is my first post on well known site about my major passion in Star Wars. It means a lot to be able to share my thoughts on it to a larger audience.
Here’s my post, let me know what you think.
I’ve found over the years that I tend to look over at other creative projects wishing that I’d gained some of their success or comparing myself to others. This often leads me down a path of wondering why I’m bothering but as times gone on I’ve come to accept what I’m doing and looking at them for inspiration rather than making me feel down about my own endeavours.
I’m not sure if a lot of other creative people feel this way but for me it’s been too easy to look over and see what others are achieving whilst in my mind my projects are all failures.
I do my best to keep my head down, figure out which projects I enjoy and focus on those rather than try to emulate others or take on too much.
I think that’s why I settled on blogging after realising I just wasn’t that good at video or podcasting. The writing side comes more naturally to me and I feel pretty open about sharing my thoughts here.
If you know what you enjoy doing then stick to it, don’t worry too much about what others are doing and don’t compare yourself.
As you know I’ve been searching for a new day job and there’s a few areas that I’m finding that let recruiters down, especially when so many are out of work.
You’d be amazed at how many companies don’t even acknowledge an application. Some have what you’d expect, an automated email but others don’t even send that. Being out of work in 2021 is anxiety inducing enough and I know a lot of people are applying but for some these acknowledgements mean confirmation of a positive step forward. All companies should have a system to send an automatic email acknowledging receipt of an application.
I’ve applied to a few places and had interviews only never to hear back. The way I’ve found out is logging into the job site portal, this isn’t acceptable. Again, acknowledge via email or text don’t leave someone hanging.
If someone has interviewed please always leave feedback. There’s a lot of people out of work and looking and to get no feedback is pretty demoralising. Hiding behind a job site portal or email isn’t ideal but at least give some positive or room for improvement feedback. Simply saying something like “thanks for the interview, we have decided not to pursue your application but cannot provide specific feedback” isn’t acceptable and doesn’t make you want to apply to that company again.
I’ve had instances where I chase feedback and I’m told we will respond by X, if you make this commitment please follow through.
I’ve been in a few interviews where the job wasn’t what was advertised. I’ve called time short on these, it’s a waste of your time and mine.
When you’re doing a lot of applications and dealing with hiring teams it’s become very clear who the good companies are, the one’s you’d want to work for. They are responsive, communicate clearly and have a documented and most importantly a shared recruitment process. There are genuinely companies that I would no longer consider based on how I’ve been communicated to in this period. It’s been eye opening and a massive learning experience for me to figure out the job market in this current climate.
All of this is really down to good communication. I appreciate it’s hard to reply to everyone but when people are uncertain and anxious it’s reassuring to have some acknowledgment that they are moving in the right direction. I think with so many people out of work right now it’s easy for companies or agencies to forgot there are actual people at the end of each application. Please don’t be faceless and please do better.
As you know I’ve been searching for a new day job and there’s a few areas that I’m finding that let recruiters down, especially when so many are out of work.
You’d be amazed at how many companies don’t even acknowledge an application. Some have what you’d expect, an automated email but others don’t even send that. Being out of work in 2021 is anxiety inducing enough and I know a lot of people are applying but for some these acknowledgements mean confirmation of a positive step forward. All companies should have a system to send an automatic email acknowledging receipt of an application.
I’ve applied to a few places and had interviews only never to hear back. The way I’ve found out is logging into the job site portal, this isn’t acceptable. Again, acknowledge via email or text don’t leave someone hanging.
If someone has interviewed please always leave feedback. There’s a lot of people out of work and looking and to get no feedback is pretty demoralising. Hiding behind a job site portal or email isn’t ideal but at least give some positive or room for improvement feedback. Simply saying something like “thanks for the interview, we have decided not to pursue your application but cannot provide specific feedback” isn’t acceptable and doesn’t make you want to apply to that company again.
All of this is really down to good communication. I appreciate it’s hard to reply to everyone but when people are uncertain and anxious it’s reassuring to have some acknowledgment that they are moving in the right direction. I think with so many people out of work right now it’s easy for companies or agencies to forgot there are actual people at the end of each application. Please don’t be faceless and please do better.
It’s been overwhelming with losing my long time role last year and I have been taking time to figure out what it is that I want to do moving forward. I had been applying for a lot of roles but having taken a step back and a breath I can focus on what I actually want to do.
With this in mind I have made a few changes to the site and some of the services that I can offer given my 20+ years of commercial IT experience.
I’ve updated my ABOUT page now to include clear ways you can support me in keeping the lights on. These include signing up for Patreon (yes I know, I’m trying again), donating via Ko-Fi (thanks to those that have already) and sponsorship. With sponsorship I have adjusted the price to bring it more in line with other sites based on their view counts. This is a great way to get your product or service out to an engaged and excellent audience.
I hadn’t really considered contracting before but it seems ideal for right now, I have a lot of experience and would like to put it to use. Having some variety of both who I work for and what I do sounds exciting to me and I love to help others achieve what they want in their projects. I’ve listed all of my experience on the site here. If you need a techie then please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Freelance writing is something else, kind of like contracting that is an exciting opportunity to pursue now that I am available full time. I have applied to a few roles already and if you would like to have me write on your site please contact me. My current portfolio can be found here.
I’m only really at the beginning of this new journey and it’s taken a couple of months to get my head around it all and in the right place to move forward – wish me luck.
I’ve worked in IT for over 20 years and come across personalities that use their in depth technical knowledge as a form or power and are often arrogant with it.
In my career in large organisations especially I come across these types a lot and the amount they talk down to people or do not help unless you show you already have some knowledge is unbelievable. In the end I just stopped dealing with them and finding people that are open to questions and don’t look down upon you for not knowing all the answers. Being curious and asking questions is part of learning, if you come across these types of people distance yourselves from them. If you work in smaller organisations they don’t last long in my experience but still if you come across them, avoid.
Unfortunately it’s something that I see on some established tech podcasts more these days and it’s an instant unsubscribe.
Referring to forum users (or the very same people you want support from) as idiots isn’t a great look in my opinion. Hubris probably comes along with the territory when you’re a large podcast I expect but I just feel that some podcasters have lost what it’s like to be curious and be a day to day user of technology.
This is a strange post to write now I’m thinking about it but I guess I wanted to vent a little and also just advise that if you come across people that make you uncomfortable in this way disconnect or unfollow for your mental health.
LJPUK 