Want To Future-Proof Your Career? Try Showing Your Work

Have you ever considered that your job security might depend on your willingness to share your expertise?

With the vast number of influencers, it seems like a super-saturated space where the loudest voice is the most popular. But that is not true.

People of all ages, all walks of life, and all professions who use the internet, technology, and PCs in their work should rethink their approach to thrive.?

And the best way to thrive today is to start to show your work.?

The principle is simple: refining your work helps you become a better professional. Simply put, if we don't share our work in any way, we're not growing.

Writers, painters, musicians, and lately, people from tech backgrounds—all have a common trait that makes them successful creators and drivers of their industry landscape.?

While their individual contributions might seem small at first, they often spark larger movements and shape the future of their fields. For example, the Linux operating system began as a personal project by Linus Torvalds and grew into a global phenomenon powering countless servers and devices. Similarly, the online community Reddit started as a simple platform for sharing links and has evolved into a major hub for discussion and information exchange.

In simpler words, showing your work is the only way to do better work.?

Sharing your work not only satisfies our desire for human connection and interaction, but it also fosters self-realization. It helps us think better, become more resilient to change, and learn by doing.?

For example, when you explain your work to others, you're forced to clarify your thoughts and identify any gaps in your understanding. This process can lead to new insights and a deeper comprehension of the subject matter. Similarly, receiving feedback on your work, even if it's critical, can help you develop a thicker skin and become more adaptable in the face of challenges.

When you create content, the balance of authenticity and professionalism (especially within narrow groups of professionals) is often what sets you apart. Your uniqueness is supported and empowered by others seeing your work, even when it's bad.

It's a lesson we all need to learn: embrace the vulnerability of sharing your work and contribute your unique perspective.

Now, to give you a head start, I would like to focus on a few matters that make or break any career in this age of online connection.

The Power of Public Sharing in Creator Growth

I wasn't initially willing to accept this reality, but it's true—there is no perfect way to create. Content is a never-ending game, and the sooner you start, the better.?

It is a saying that is both scary and empowering, and it goes like this: "The single best time to start sharing your work was yesterday; the second best time is today."

Considering this, how should we leverage content creation in today's digitally driven world??

The digital world offers unprecedented opportunities for impact, reach, and career transformation.

Social media profiles are often the clearest indication of your professional identity when you're seeking new opportunities. Want to explore new business ideas or find solutions to existing challenges? Social media is a valuable resource for that, too. And when it comes to gathering market feedback at scale, social media platforms are unparalleled.

While these platforms offer incredible opportunities, the key is to use them authentically to connect with others and share your genuine self.

The fall of blogs, influencers, and digital marketing fads suggests only one thing—the rise of the authentic self—the one which is real with its curiosities, drivers, and dreams; the one which everybody on this planet deeply is. This suggests a growing preference for genuine voices and real stories over manufactured personas and fleeting trends.?

And this is the reason to start creating online—to express your authentic self using what's best to give and to raise awareness for yourself, in case you need it. Creating and sharing content allows you to connect with others who share your interests, build a community, and contribute your unique perspective to the world. It's an opportunity to explore your passions, develop your skills, and leave your mark.

Creating Content About Work Is Key to Staying Relevant in the Market

Imagine a designer with no online portfolio, a musician with no library of songs, a writer with no publications online, or a developer with no public commits. Doesn't sound so good, right?

These examples highlight a crucial truth in today's market: you need to be visible to be relevant. You might believe your situation is unique, your future secure, and that the market needs you regardless. But the reality is that staying relevant requires active effort and engagement.

In this new era of online connection, relevance is directly tied to visibility. While personal networks and connections are valuable, they are not enough. To truly stay ahead, you need to share your work and make your presence known.

I get it. You might have a network of people. A few friends who might help you get that job or start to sell that idea. But if not? What are you doing?

How are you going to stay relevant and be on the edge of technology, not for the sake of it, but because it's the world we're living in?

The most effective way to achieve this is to show your work.

Show those design sketches and tell people what you want to do with them. Share that research paper you're trying to fill with relevant information. Share that photo you edited yesterday 100% on your mobile phone. Tell people about your current learning path; maybe there's someone who'll help you get there faster. Share your latest coding project or that insightful article you just read.

Now, if you want something actionable from this monologue of mine (or yours!), here are a few steps to consider when deciding to show your work.

Start small: Chances are you don't know what to share about. In this case, think of what sparks your interest and what makes you jump at night (or in the morning). What's the one thing that makes you want to do what you do for work? Is it the people around you, the projects, or the opportunities to make even the smallest impact? Think about it deeply. And identify what excites you most about your work.

Identify themes: Why are you doing what you are doing? Is it because you like the visual impact of a design, the aesthetic of your code, or the strategic line breaks in your writing? Is it because you enjoy creating, optimizing, or advising? Are your skills transferable to others? Think about it deeply. Exploring these questions can reveal unexpected themes and passions that might even lead you in a new direction. Embrace this opportunity for self-discovery.

Find the balance:

This involves considering several factors:

• What you're allowed to share: Be mindful of any confidentiality agreements or company policies that might restrict what you can share publicly.
• What you're able to share: Consider your comfort level with sharing different types of content. Start with what feels easiest and gradually expand your comfort zone.
• Your preferred platform and format: Choose a platform and content format that aligns with your strengths and preferences. Whether you prefer text, images, or videos, there's a space for you online.

Starting small and consistently creating content, even if it doesn't get much initial attention, will help you discover what you enjoy and what resonates with your audience. You might even find that your passions lie in a different direction than you initially thought!

A fulfilling career is built on doing what you love and constantly seeking ways to improve. If you're always looking for more valuable work or feeling disengaged from your current job, it might be time to reassess your focus and explore new possibilities.

Fuel your creativity:

• Creativity is everywhere: There is no right or wrong in content creation. We've been raised to think that our jobs should not be creative, our work should not be known by others, and our personality traits are secondary to the work we do. Wrong! True creativity flows from finding meaning and purpose in your work.
• Find your creative spark: Creativity is not only the realm of painters, writers, or singers—it has a place in every industry, even those you're not even thinking of.

Now, when you start with these steps, you'll quickly find out you don't know a lot about yourself, the job you do, and what it can bring you. This is a healthy stage, but an important one.

By brainstorming or researching what you currently do, you might find very interesting intricacies, tendencies, patterns, and underlying principles that guide your work. This process of self-reflection is invaluable. By understanding yourself and your work better, you can share it more effectively and authentically, leading to deeper connections and greater impact.

While this essay encourages reflection, the core message is clear: to stay relevant, you need to embrace a fresh perspective. And this is a starting over, a good and necessary one. This process of re-evaluation and reinvention is essential for navigating today's dynamic professional landscape.

Now, what comes after you've identified the core pillars of your work and started sharing? You'll start building systems (and I do encourage you to do so).

Effective Content Systems Fuel the Ultimate Creation Power

While the idea of systems might seem a bit technical, bear with me here. Systems help you streamline your creative process, generate ideas consistently, and maintain a regular publishing schedule.

As you create more content, you'll naturally discover areas where you can improve and refine your process. You might find that you're lacking ideas, struggling to organize them, or feeling unsure how to generate new ones. You might even experience analysis paralysis, writer's block, or simply feel like your work isn't good enough to share. This is where developing a system can be incredibly helpful. A system provides structure and support, helping you overcome creative blocks and stay consistent.

A system will not only help you bridge the gaps, but also provide the tools and strategies to overcome them effectively. If you'd like to learn more about building effective content systems, I'm happy to share some resources and insights. Feel free to connect with me.

Systems come into play after you've gained some experience with sharing your work and have started to notice some blockers in your process. These blockers might include a lack of ideas, difficulty staying organized, or inconsistency in publishing. You might also struggle with finding time to create content or feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of platforms and formats available.

But you need to start with the basics. Start by sharing your work regularly, and you'll soon discover the need for systems to support your efforts.

Conclusion

By sharing your work, you're not just building a career—you're building a community, fostering meaningful connections, and contributing to a richer, more diverse professional landscape. Embrace the vulnerability, share your journey, and discover the transformative power of showing your work. To effectively share your work, start by identifying your passions, clarifying your message, and choosing the right platforms to connect with your audience.?

Your unique perspective matters. Share your work, find your people, and together, let's redefine what it means to be successful in the modern world.