Friday Notes #60 — I Read, I Learn, I Write, I Share

Introspection is my thing, so much that I created this website and newsletter. This week, while working on the next edition of my monthly newsletter, I reflected on why I’m doing all this. It didn’t take long before I could find an explanation. Crafting a new edition of my newsletter forces me to read more often and regularly. Since my newsletter touches subjects like climate change and privacy protection, a lot of reading is needed each month to select content for inclusion in the newsletter. So, I learn new things that I want to remember, I write down notes that eventually make their way to an edition of the newsletter. So, let’s go back in time.

From 2009 to 2013, I was an indie iOS developer with three applications on the App Store. As you might guess, it required a lot of hard work, countless readings into Apple’s API documentation, human interface guidelines and specialized websites on the subject. When I read technical documentation, I always tend to write summaries or quick notes to help me perfect my understanding. I rarely write for others; I write because it helps me better integrate my readings and learning experiences. Writing acts as a process of knowledge internalization. The same goes for my introspection sessions. Writing makes my introspection exercise more beneficial and probably long-lasting.

On sharing. When I started developing for the iPhone, I wanted the world to know about my journey of designing, coding, publishing to the App Store and promoting my applications. So, I created a website on Google’s Blogger platform to publish articles about my discoveries my journey as an indie iPhone developer. Fast-forward to today, and here am I, sharing my thoughts, the conclusions of numerous introspection sessions.

Different times, different contexts, same pattern. Now you know why I’m doing all this.

Starting this week, I'm adding a new feature to this newsletter series: “What did I learn this week?”. With all my readings during the week, I often learn new things along the way. I want to pick one thing I learned and share it with you. So, let’s do it.