Learning Never Gets Old (DBW 2024-02-17)

Learning Never Gets Old

It’s been a goal for several years to write (or help write) a book on a topic I love. While I can’t share details yet, there’s some movement on this dream and I’m excited about it. And I’m even more excited that I get to do it alongside someone that I’ve respected for a long time and has a lot more experience at this book thing.

However, there’s one thing I didn’t anticipate. Writing a chapter in a technical book requires a different set of skills than presenting on the same topic to a room full of people. Crazy, right?

The first chapter that I’m working on has taken me quite a while to complete. The chapter is about a topic that I’ve presented numerous times. I think the slides are clear and I finish the session with a step-by-step demo using a heavily commented script that attendees can download and try on their own later. In person, the flow of the presentation feels like it makes sense, and each section of the talk connects nicely as I go. But translating that content into a book has stretched my brain more than I expected.

The first big difference is that I can’t rely on interacting with the reader in the same way I do in a live presentation. Readers can’t hear the questions or comments from other readers in real-time like they can in a presentation. And I don’t get to narrate and the content in quite the same way. In short, I’ve had to quickly learn that the correct progression of information, along with just the right amount of detail, is key to making the content accessible in a static, written form.

At the same time, it’s causing me to rethink how I present and teach content in all the various ways I have an opportunity to do so. I’ve been teaching in one way or another for more than 25 years and I’m encouraged when I continue to learn more ways to improve at this craft. I love learning, helping others to learn, and building community around these technologies. And every opportunity I take to improve provides new opportunities to continue this journey and I’m thankful for that.

What about you? Where have you been stretched recently in your specific spheres of expertise? How have you reacted to opportunities for growth? Do those challenges excite you? Don’t shy away from the challenge and never stop growing!

Ryan Booz

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