I spend at least 30 – 60 minutes per day to read blogs & posts on LinkedIn. Apart from reading the posts on LinkedIn (which is of course a new habit), I also browse through and read other blogs – either individual, community or professionally maintained. I read through the writings of people from all walks of life, related to a multitude of themes; travel, business, life skills, self-development, wild life etc.
Most of the guys writing these blogs/posts are people like you & me – enthusiasts, professionals, consultants, entrepreneurs, students, fresh graduates, small business owners etc. It’s so amazing to go through these posts and learn from the varied perspectives.
I am also a part of this ecosystem. I also reflect on life & work situations and share my perspectives and some experience-based knowledge. There are some intellectually curious people, some inquisitive people and some others who end up reading my posts. Though I feel happy when I see more people referring to my writings, I wonder – Why would anyone read them? I am no expert at all the stuff I write about. Most of my writings (as this one) are just random thoughts about life and stuff that happens around me.
Let me share some reasons why I end up reading other blogs & posts.
- I truly believe that – all of us constantly generate learning’s and are thereby entitled to be a source of knowledge. Earlier, we used to learn from books, and get insights from an expert’s write up in magazines and journals. Now we learn from each other. Isn’t it wonderful?
- It’s easier and less taxing to read through simple messages. Learning from each other is easy. You can relate to every day events & situations. Even if someone shares their thoughts on some technical subject, I am sure it may be easier to appreciate the content as compared to browsing through a book.
- Every day inspirations. I have read some amazing inspiring insights from many people. It’s good to get inspired. As human being, we are always on lookout for new learning’s, new inspirations. It probably is easier to relate to the experience of someone who is likely “one of us”.
- Learning and value addition without putting-in much effort. I get to learn stuff without actually trying. Browse through write ups, read interesting comments, gain insights about people, their thought process etc. If the content is sensible you may be able to relate it to some of your own experiences.
Possibly one of the above mentioned reasons could be an answer to why you are reading this post!! And the above reasons are applicable for the insights & ideas shared by us on other social platforms as well.
Over a period of time, we are gradually coming closer to the true democratization of knowledge.
We don’t need to be branded as an expert to share knowledge. We just need to have an ability to think, reflect, and recount our experiences in a way that can add value to others.
Image Credit: Pexels.com
Note: Published on LinkedIn as Why would you read this post?, on 1st July 2014. Minor update on 4th Nov 2019.
Praveen is the Founder & Principal Consultant of KHEdge, a boutique HR & Business Process Advisory firm. Over last 15 years he has advised & worked with promoters, founders, business leaders, HR leaders in areas of - Business Strategy, HR Strategy, Organisation Design etc.