I talk about how important it is to me to create something amazing. Even if it's just a 30 minute online talk, it needs to be incredible. All the details matter. From my webcam and mic to the content of the talk to my delivery.

Bricolage

Preparing for the Laravel Worldwide Meetup

I had a pretty great 2020, despite the pandemic. I got a new, amazing job and I got a series published on Laracasts. In 2021, I hope to do more podcasting and grow my new company. I am also rewriting my SaaS product and hoping to grow that business as well.

2020 Recap and 2021 Goals

A while back I finished my Laracasts series "Multitenancy in Practice" and getting that checked off my to-do list was essential to maximizing my happiness in my down time. Here's my story and my recommendation to you that you knock that big thing off your list asap.

The Power of Finishing

A lot of users on Twitter didn't understand why someone would create a Laravel group for women. I think we should celebrate what makes people similar and encourage people to get together with other similar people. We should also recognize and celebrate differences and try to learn from people who have different experiences. The only thing is don't like is pretending we are all the same. We aren't. Let's recognize that fact and move forward with the understanding that both similarities and differences can and should be celebrated.

Recognize and Celebrate Similarities and Differences

When trying to find motivation for doing something where you are inclined to procrastinate, I find it to be very helpful to figure out why that thing is important in the first place. Keep asking yourself "why" until you get deep enough into your thoughts / feelings / emotions. If you can get there, things become much more clear.

Layers and Layers of "Why"

My plan to build my personal brand in the Laravel community is starting to work. I've published a Guest Spotlight on Laracasts, and now I have a full 8-12 episode series coming out later this summer. I'm also on the Livewire core team. None of this would have been possible if I hadn't put myself out there. If you really think you can do something, then don't tell yourself you aren't qualified. Ask for the thing and let someone else tell you no.

Never Tell Yourself You Aren't Qualified

I actually shut down my consulting company and took a full time job, but that doesn't mean I'm not still a creator. I'm still in the business of myself, making sure I can create, learn, and help this amazing company grow.

Be in the Business of You

Over the next few weeks, I am going to build a training course that teaches people how to contribute to Laravel open source projects. I don't think this is going to earn me a lot of money (if any), but I do think it will help me build my personal brand in the Laravel community.

Building a Training Course and My Personal Brand

When I learn something new, I find the best way for me to remember it well is to immediately teach someone else. I can write a blog post, record a video, or just tell what I've learned to someone else. In doing this, I'm not only remembering what I learned even more, but I'm also potentially providing helpful content that someone else may find very valuable.

Learn Something then Teach Someone

When I find myself feeling socially anxious, it is generally because I approaching a social interaction with self-interested motivations. I have found that if I reframe my approach to, "How can I help?" instead of "What can I get out of this?", I am much more comfortable.

How to Overcome Social Anxiety

Bricolage as Webster online defines it is: construction (as of a sculpture or a structure of ideas) achieved by using whatever comes to hand. I took the Predictive Index assessment recently and my profile suggests that I am creative. I don't find myself to be very creative in the sense that most people think (artistic, imaginitive, etc.) but I do know that I have a passion for creating things. I've come to realize that my passion for creating things is one of the key reasons why I am successful in both of my businesses and I'm going to embrace this aspect of myself.

What is Bricolage?

Definition of bricolage : construction achieved by using whatever comes to hand

Intro

Discussions about building two businesses and more by using whatever comes to hand.

hubhopper

Bricolage

hubhopper