Keeping It All In Perspective

Posted by Greg Bond

August 7, 2008

Here are some things that will help you keep things in perspective as you write online:

There are at least twenty more people like you online, all you can do to be better is to raise the quality of whatever it is you are sharing, or share more.
No one cares if you are going to the bathroom, they will not care on twitter either. Use twitter to share quick notes of knowledge and links.
I am addicted to Google Reader. Acquiring knowledge makes you feel knowledgeable. On that note, your knowledge doesn’t do anything if it isn’t accessible to anyone else. Use Google Reader to find interesting things to share. Otherwise, you might as well be watching a soap opera.
There are good days at work, and there are bad days at work. Both will influence how you write. Drink a beer, blast some music, and let the emotion poor out. Blogging isn’t a scientific journal. Missteps not only get more attention, but they make people realize that you are a person to. Let yourself mess up.
Get off topic, once a month.
Your not really that smart. Even if you are, people care more about your approach.
Get everything noted online, somehow. (I suck at this)
Online things are cool, real life is always cooler. Get out and enjoy life. Then come back to the screen and talk about it.
Things that change your mental state, makes for really interesting writing. Things that are interesting to write does not necessarily translate into interesting reading. You may idolize Hunter S. Thompson but you will never be as awesome.
You’ve had many cool experiences. Only 5% are worth noting. Learn to be a better story teller and everything will be a little more interesting.
Laugh at yourself, in the mirror in the morning, at lunch when you are pissed at your boss, and before you go to sleep. Embrace your insignificance.
Over-tiredness can lead to some crazy thinking. Just go to sleep or read something instead of writing. The worst time to blog is when overtired. The best time is right after waking up.
The web is an overwhelming place to dwell. But good friends allow you to ignore the chaos. Remember what the real purpose of this place is: to bring us together from distances. Don’t allow the web to further isolate you.
Smile, and have fun. I don’t need to remind you of your impermanence.