On the surface, it may seem easier to pursue another certificate, add another line to your resume, or polish a few more LinkedIn keywords. That’s the default advice. But I’ve found that the true differentiator—the thing that has consistently opened the most doors in my career and in the lives of those I mentor—is something less talked about: building a public body of work.
For me, it didn’t start with a strategic master plan. It was organic. A blog here. A talk there. Over time, though, the pattern became clear. The more consistently I created public work—writings, talks, podcasts, code, experiments—the more serendipity showed up. People would reach out. Ideas would flow. And opportunities would emerge.
Creating in public does something powerful: it makes you discoverable. It turns your ideas into tiny relationship builders scattered across the internet. They work quietly on your behalf—sharing, connecting, and engaging. They let people find you not just for who you say you are, but for what you actually do and think and build. In essence, your work becomes your calling card.
Kevin Kelly wrote about the concept of 100 True Fans, and I think that framework applies here, too. When you create with consistency and intention, your work resonates. People engage. They share. They connect. You become a node in a larger network. Not geographically constrained. Not bound to a title. But influential because of contribution.
Of course, this isn’t easy. If it were, everyone would be doing it.
The resistance is deep and evolutionary. When you make something public—your ideas, your interests, your perspective—you draw attention to yourself. You leave the crowd. And for most of human history, that was dangerous. Our lizard brains still think it is.
But here’s the truth: life happens at the edges. It happens when you step away from the herd and choose to teach, lead, explore, or question. That’s where the value is—not just in terms of career growth, but in living a more interesting life.
The tools to get started are easier than ever. A blog costs nothing but time and focus. A podcast is within reach with a decent mic and an internet connection. A video or short-form tutorial can find thousands of eyes in hours. The barrier isn’t access. It’s courage. And then—discipline.
There won’t be a singular moment where you “make it.” Instead, you’ll find momentum. The blog post you wrote last year still gets read. The talk you gave finds its way to someone’s inbox. The experiment you published helps someone else start their own.
But here’s the trick: create to help. Self-serving content evaporates quickly. But service-oriented content—something that teaches, guides, explores—can live on. Sometimes for years. Sometimes forever.
And perhaps most important: you get to choose what you create. That’s a kind of creative sovereignty many professionals never tap into. It’s a superpower. And like any superpower, it comes with responsibility.
So here’s what I tell my mentees:
Actions speak louder than words. A portfolio is more potent than a certificate on your resume.
Teach courage. Encourage contribution. Show them that real growth—personal, professional, even spiritual—happens at the edges. Not in the safe middle.
Put your work into the world. Let it work for you. And help others as you do. That’s how you build a life and career that’s not just successful, but truly extraordinary.
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* AI tools were used as a research assistant for this content, but human moderation and writing are also included. The included images are AI-generated.
Not Quite Random 