Why I blog

ByElizabeth Harrin Last updated: General

So I got tagged by Christine Kane. Which means I have to come up with five reasons why I blog. After not very much thought, here are my reasons:

1. Because I wrote a book

Many bloggers start off by web publishing and then move into traditional publishing, in the Petite Anglaise and Random Acts of Reality way. I did the opposite. Perhaps it’s not very altruistic of me, but I wanted somewhere where I could promote my book and also discuss topics that didn’t make it in. So much research I did never actually made it on to the printed page, and research I’m doing today might not either – so I wanted to make sure I could put it out there.

2. Because of the connections

I could have stopped after my book was published, but this blog has now been operational over a year. I have met some interesting people and been invited to do some interesting things that perhaps I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to otherwise.

3. Because project management needs demystifying

I get the feeling many PMs would like to keep project management methodologies a closely guarded secret. My view is that if you have ever organised a party or moved house, then you have managed a project. Being paid for it just makes it a job rather than something we do naturally. Part of the reason I started this blog is that I believe project management relates so closely to our day-to-day lives.

4. Because most of the voices out there are male

And they have relevant things to say. But most of the organisations I have worked with and for have a high proportion of female project managers. Where are we on the web? While I hope that everyone, male and female, reading this blog will find something of interest, one of my goals is to present a female-centric view of project management.

5. Because I’m a writer
Regular readers will know that as well as my book (OK, this is the last time it will be mentioned in this post, I promise) I also write magazine articles and sit on the editorial board of Projects@Work. Writing this blog helps focus my ideas and structure my week. It forces me to write something (sometimes, anything). This is a good discipline for a writer.

So that’s why I blog. Why you read it, well that’s a whole other story…

Elizabeth Harrin wearing a pink scarf

Project manager, author, mentor

Elizabeth Harrin is a Fellow of the Association for Project Management in the UK. She holds degrees from the University of York and Roehampton University, and several project management certifications including APM PMQ. She first took her PRINCE2 Practitioner exam in 2004 and has worked extensively in project delivery for over 20 years.
Elizabeth is also the founder of the Project Management Rebels community, a mentoring group for professionals. She's written several books for project managers including Managing Multiple Projects.