The Advice That Changed My Writing Career

“This computer stuff will never catch on”. That’s what my first boss said, way back in 1980-erm. Despite his Luddite tendencies, he sent me off to a publishing course, lighting a fire in my brain that would never be extinguished.

When I returned to work, I dusted off the computers that were sitting there serving as bookshelves and started teaching myself DOS (yes, that’s how long ago it was). Then I started looking for ways to integrate those computers into our workflow.

It soon became clear that if I wanted to learn more, I had to move on. So I did, taking a job with a Canadian publishing company, who introduced me to the Mac. The attitude of our geeky computer trainer couldn’t have been more different.

“Play with it; you won’t break it,” he said.

That set me on a lifelong path of playing with stuff on computers and online. I had a lot of fun, and along the way I learned a lot. I was an early user of a bunch of software and apps we now use all the time.

The happiest day of my life was when I was able to turn this play into paid work, reviewing web software for Appvita. Sure, the reviews had to fit a particular format, but it gave me an excuse to play.

Even today, that advice from my first computer trainer resonates with me. It’s a great approach to life and business, because if you try new things you always learn and grow.

If you try new things you always learn and grow.

It's made me great at finding information and resources, testing them out to see what they can do, and sharing them with others.

Here's my big takeaway:

Don’t be bound by the status quo

If there’s something you have always wanted to try in your business, try it. In most cases, it’s better to do something than to do nothing, to take a risk rather than remain bound by the status quo.

If I’d listened to my first boss, I’d have shelved that new knowledge I gained and continued doing things the way I always had.

Thankfully, I listened to the second guy, taking the first step to my current writing career.

Have you ever had advice that changed your life? What was it?

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This is an updated version of How a Luddite and a Geek Helped Create Tech Sharon.