How “Show Your Work!” motivated me to create my own Website
Why Your Own Space Matters
Creating your own website and maintaining it is a lot of work. And besides, what would be the benefit of it? At least that is what I always thought. Now, of course, after reading “Show Your Work!” I don’t expect that having a website and a blog is easy. But I want to share with you the positive aspects which motivated me to start my own.
And sharing is the right keyword. Because to create your website, to create your own blog, means you share your thoughts and work with others. Now, you might say, that using a platform like Twitter, Facebook or BlueSky lets you share your work as well. And you are totally right. But let’s face it, the attention span on these platforms is hardly any longer than 20 seconds. The algorithms have trained us users to want more and more new stuff. As such, a personal website - your own space on the internet - helps you reach people who want to get to know you without overly relying on social media algorithms.
Sharing the Journey
Say you agree and want your own website. What would you share? “The best way to get started on the path to sharing your work is to think about what you want to learn,” Kleon writes, “and make a commitment to learning it in front of others.” In concrete this means you can talk about what inspires you to work on a specific project today or the influences shaping your work. Another option is to write about the steps you take to further your progress and come closer to your goal. And, of course, in the end you can share the result. But when you’re done, don’t limit yourself to the result. Talk about what didn’t go as planned, what ideas you had to discard and which steps you needed to backtrack. In short, also talk about what you learned along the way. Because even if it does not seem helpful to you now, if you had seen this information a week, a month or maybe even a year or more earlier on your journey, chances are, you would have found it helpful. And just like past you, there are others on that same or a similar journey who will be grateful for what you have to share.
Though, keep in mind, that everything notable you do will lead to positive and negative reactions. The more people see what you do, the more critics you will have. And while some endeavors will fail, it’s important to look ahead and keep doing your work. Don’t worry about what everyone says, just care about what the right people think of you and your work. And, most important of all, allow yourself to enjoy the things you really enjoy. Don’t let others talk you down or make you feel bad about it. There is no point in having guilty pleasures. Celebrate what you enjoy and with time enough people will share your enthusiasm.
Listen to Your Audience
Another factor you should be aware of is that to be heard, you need to listen. Listen to your critics. Listen to what other people say about the topics you cover. Listen to your followers. Everyone - not just you - wants to be understood and accepted. By listening to what others have to say and showing empathy you can spin up interesting discussions and connect deeper with others. And along the way new opportunities will arise. So to share your stories also listen to what others have to say and learn from - and more importantly - with them.
Finally, words matter. Your work does not speak for itself. Others not only care, what comes out in the end, but also about the script and the person which produced the work. By telling stories about your projects, you have a big effect on how other people value and understand them.
Opening Doors to Opportunity
You can’t count on success; you can only leave open the possibility for it, and be ready to jump on it and take the ride when it comes for you.
– Austin Kleon, “Show Your Work!”
I think this quote finishes my motivation quite well. While you won’t know the outcome of starting to create your own website and internet presence, it opens up a new realm of opportunities. Keep at it for long enough and one day the right chance will come your way.
