What Writing Online Taught Me About Starting Anything

It's been exactly one year since I first started writing online. I published my first atomic essay on 10 October 2021, as part of the Ship 30 for 30 online writing course I signed up for. As the name suggests, the idea is to publish 30 pieces of written content in 30 days.

I'm not writing this issue to sell you Ship 30 for 30. There are no affiliate links here. I'm sharing this because how I got started with writing online is a useful lesson for anyone thinking of starting something. Let's break down the key ideas in the quote above.

Write (build) in public

Many people start by publishing a blog no one reads. After sending a couple of blog posts into the ether without getting any feedback, the author inevitably loses motivation and stops publishing. Been there, done that.

A much better way to start is to write in public. At Ship 30 for 30, we are asked to publish our atomic essays on Twitter. We are also encouraged to form accountability groups amongst ourselves (the people doing the course) and hold each other accountable for keeping up with the one essay a day routine. This worked wonders for two reasons. First, I got immediate feedback in the form of likes, retweets and comments. There are people out there who actually read what I write! Second, I was building a writing streak in public and I didn't want to break the streak. I told the world I'm publishing 30 essays in 30 days and so I will. Even if no one cares that I fell short. I care. And that's what matters.

There is an analogy here for anyone thinking of starting something. Doesn't have to be a writing habit. By building in public, you get feedback for what you're building (absolutely crucial when you're building a minimal viable product), and you make a commitment to the world (and to yourself) that you're going to get this thing built.

Start small

The instructors at Ship 30 for 30 made publishing everyday feel achievable by encouraging us to write atomic essays. Short, single ideas expressed in under 250 words. Usually written in under an hour. It didn't feel that hard. After a few 250 word essays, I noticed it was taking me less time to write, and my essays were getting longer. In other words, I was becoming better and more confident.

The same applies for building anything. Airbnb started with three air mattresses in the founders' loft. Ninja Van started with my mum's company van and driver. Brian Chesky and co didn't launch with a few hundred apartments. Ninja Van could only afford the one van. That didn't stop either company from becoming billion dollar entities.

Write daily (be consistent)

The key to getting better at anything is consistent practice. Applies to writing, sports, language etc. Consistency is a super power, and so underrated. Last week I shared on LinkedIn how I started this newsletter with zero subscribers, but I kept publishing anyway. There are now 417 of you who receive my newsletter in your inbox every week. Not huge, but it's growing! When I wrote the LinkedIn post I had 380 subscribers.

Getting something from zero to one is hard. Many people never get to one because they give up. The ones who do get from zero to one, one to ten, ten to hundred do so because they consistently show up. On good days and on bad days. When they are excited about building a new feature, but also when they have just suffered a setback.

Sharing my first atomic essay here if you're interested. It's not great, but it got me started.

What I Learn From My Kids Everyday

My youngest turns 3 today. I learn so much from him and his siblings everyday.

Adults should learn from kids.

Too often adults underestimate what kids are capable of and assume we know it all. Kids have so many qualities. Not observing kids and learning from them is a missed opportunity.

#1. Beginner's Mindset.

Kids are fearless learners.

From the time they start to turn, crawl and walk, they learn by doing. My wife and I didn't have to teach our kids any of these. They just got on with it. They try, they fail, they pick themselves up, and they try again. Having a beginner's mindset is the key to learning anything. This is why kids pick things up so fast. Adults are inhibited by what we think we can and cannot do.

#2. Grit.

Kids don't give up easily.

It gets annoying sometimes when as a parent you have say 'no' to your child ten times, but kids have a beautiful obduracy about them. They are persistent in their pursuit of everything. Whether it's learning how to ski, finishing a jigsaw puzzle, or folding the perfect paper aeroplane, kids can keep at it for way longer than we might expect. One of the most important qualities a founder needs is grit. Sheer determination to never ever give up. Founders will do well learning from kids.

#3. Imagination.

Kids are endlessly creative.

In his book Lifelong Kindergarten, learning expert and the inventor of Scratch Mitch Resnick observes that kindergarten is becoming more like the rest of school. He argues for exactly the opposite: the rest of school (even the rest of life) should be more like kindergarten. He's absolutely right. Kids have so much imagination and creativity, but schools choose to focus on standardised tests instead of creative expression.

The other day my 3 yo said to me 'I can watch TV'. I told him to ask nicely 'Can I watch TV'. He replied 'TV I can watch'. Beginner's mindset, grit and imagination in four words.

If my first atomic essay resonates, you may want to check out issue 3 of Education & Catastrophe '7 Lessons I Learn From My Kids Everyday'.

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Till the next issue!