I have spent a lot less time on LinkedIn this year. Mostly because what I’ve enjoyed spending more mental energy on is not advice for Product Managers, but instead about my creative outlets and how they intersect with my work at Buffer & the evolution of social platforms.

As I’ve said before, I think it’s more important for knowledge workers to have outlets that they’re intrinsically motivated to work on, than to solely focus on being the best PM or marketer or whatever. A diversity of outlets, a diversity of things to explore & sink teeth into, makes you a more well-rounded and creative and adaptable thinker, and I think that pays dividends in the long run.

I did a lot creatively this year. I made and released more music in a year than I’ve done my entire life. Some people even financially supported it. I even went on tour for the first time (not for myself, but filling in on bass with a band I’m close with). I deeply appreciate the small number of folks who’ve listened to my music releases this year, and I’m grateful that, as a 36-year-old dad, I have a life/work situation where I can do these things.

I just put out my final release of 2024: an album called RUINED CASTLE. This is an album that’s been stuck in my head since ~2018 and for various reasons (mostly impostor syndrome, a common topic on LinkedIn!) it never saw the light of day until this week.

I also wrote 3500 words about the narrative arc it forms with my other music, and the 15+ year history of the musical ideas that form it.

Links to both in the comments, if you so dig. 🙏