Why I Write

I have a small anniversary. I have published 50 articles.

Not so long ago, I was surprised to discover that I have at least two categories of readers. The first category says that they really like my articles and that I should continue to write. It was pleasant and unexpected because I thought no one was reading me.?

And the second category asks me what's in it for me. To be honest, I don't fully understand it myself. That's why this time I decided to go into the matter since I have this small anniversary.

1. I started learning Italian and continue to learn Spanish. The main challenge for me is not learning a new language, but maintaining others. Yes, I use English in my work every day but the vocabulary is usually the same. I asked myself what I could do in English that I would really like and continue to do it as long as possible. I've wanted to keep a blog for a long time. That's why I'm keeping it in English, and not in my native Russian.
2. I am always told that I write well. I can clearly put my thoughts on paper. This activity just gives me pleasure.
3. This is a kind of challenge. I write every week no matter what. It requires tremendous willpower and self-discipline. Just imagine. Over year, I have to write and publish about 50 articles. Hence, it is necessary to come up with 50 ideas and bring them to life. Then I need to find time to write and edit them. Sometimes it's just a couple of hours, and sometimes it's a few agonizing days.
4. The blog helps me to comprehend the received information. I read quite a lot, and I have a billion thoughts in my head all the time. When I write I focus my attention on one topic. For example, I understand a book much better if I don’t just read it but write a review on it after reading.
5. As other recruiters, I am often asked the same questions. For example, how to nail job interviews, what to ask interviewers, how a hiring manager can help the recruiter. Sometimes I can simply share a link to a specific article.
6. Since recently, candidates often start their emails or calls to me with the words "I read your articles, and then I saw that you published this vacancy." I have to admit that initially it was not my goal, but now when I know that my blog helps me directly in my job it inspires me to keep writing.
7. I work for a large international company and it is clear that not all colleagues know me. However, now my colleagues, with whom I have not worked before, know me because of this blog. It may not be useful to me in any way but I'm glad someone finds my articles useful.
8. I became more open. It feels like I'm having a conversation with my friends. It was very difficult for me to write on some topics at first. It may seem insignificant to some people but for me it feels sometimes like baring my soul.
9. I have to be in good shape if I want to write regularly. For example, I continue to read a lot and communicate a lot with people because I am constantly looking for new ideas that I can write about.
10. I feel like I'm growing personally. There are people who know everything about themselves. I am not that kind of person. I know a lot about other people but when it comes to me, I can be surprised to discover something new in myself. This blog allows me to understand myself better. For example, I realized that I was a perfectionist, but with this goal ― to publish an article every week ― it is impossible to remain a perfectionist. I sometimes have to post terribly clumsy articles in my opinion which still should be polished and polished.
11. At the same time, my self-esteem has increased. I discovered that I turned out to be an extremely purposeful and stubborn person. You have no idea how hard it is sometimes to force myself to start writing. Especially when it is a tough week and there is no free time at all, so I have to carve out a few hours on the weekend. And still, I'm such a badass, I write every week. Way to go!
12. Like-minded people. Yes, probably not many people read me, but I'm not chasing popularity. Those remain who can relate to my experience and who want to discuss it. I would not have met these people without my blog. It is an indescribable feeling when someone from another corner of the earth reaches out to me and is sincerely interested in the topic of my article.

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