Expand Your Self

Expand Your Self

The Expand Your Self series, is a set of posts that explore the concept of self-expansion and its impact on personal growth and development. The series delves into various aspects of self-expansion, including the importance of stepping outside one’s comfort zone, embracing new experiences, and fostering a growth mindset. Each article in the series offers practical tips, insights, and real-life examples to inspire readers to embark on their own self-expansion journeys.

Go to all series

Expand Your Self

Learning to crawl when everyone else is running

by Jesper Nielsen • 7 minutes to read

Everyone is running with AI. But what happens when you skip the part where you learn to crawl?

Over the past year, I have shared posts about Vibe Coding and using AI as a superpower. I have been written about building instruction files for GitHub Copilot and creating Microsoft Copilot Cowork skills. All of those posts share a common theme: AI is most powerful when you teach it how you work.

But here is the thing nobody tells you - you cannot teach AI how you work until you understand how it defaults. And understanding the defaults means slowing down enough to notice them.


Read more

Learning to maintain a healthy speaker profile

by Jesper Nielsen • 14 minutes to read

When was the last time you looked at your speaker profile and thought, “This actually represents who I am”?

For years, I have been speaking at conferences, user groups, and community events. I submitted session proposals, stepped on stage, refined my talks, and moved on to the next one. But somewhere along the way, I neglected the one place where my speaking identity lives publicly - my Sessionize profile. If you have read my earlier posts about exploring public speaking and submitting session proposals, this post is the natural next step: what happens after you build the habit of speaking and submitting - and how do you keep your speaker profile alive and honest.


Read more

Learning to build a LinkedIn posting strategy

by Jesper Nielsen • 18 minutes to read

Have you been telling yourself for years that you should post more on LinkedIn?

For as long as I can remember, I have known that being visible on LinkedIn matters. I have read the advice, seen others do it well, and nodded along to every “you need to build your personal brand” article that crossed my feed. And yet, for years, I did almost nothing about it. Not because I disagreed with the idea, but because I kept overthinking it. What should I write about? How often? What if nobody cares?


Read more

Exploring Vibe Coding as a Superpower

by Jesper Nielsen • 14 minutes to read

Do I use AI to create code, write scripts, and draft blog posts? Absolutely, and I encourage you to do the same - if you are ready to use AI as a learning companion rather than a shortcut.

In my post 5 reasons you should explore vibe coding, I introduced the concept of Vibe Coding and why it matters for IT professionals. Since then, I have noticed a recurring debate: some argue that using AI to generate code is “cheating,” that it diminishes the value of traditional coding skills, or that developers who rely on AI are taking shortcuts that undermine their credibility.


Read more

5 reasons you should submit a session proposal

by Jesper Nielsen • 10 minutes to read

What is stopping you from hitting that submit button?

If you have ever considered sharing your knowledge at a conference, user group, or community event, you have probably felt that familiar knot in your stomach. The fear of rejection, the imposter syndrome whispering that you are not ready, and the vulnerability of putting yourself out there - these feelings are universal. But here is the secret: submitting a session is where the real growth begins, long before you ever step on stage.


Read more

5 reasons you should explore Vibe Coding

by Jesper Nielsen • 12 minutes to read

Have you heard about Vibe Coding?

If you have been anywhere near the tech community lately, you have probably stumbled upon the Vibe Coding term. It is one of those concepts that sounds almost too casual to be revolutionary, yet it is reshaping how you approach coding, scripting, and automation.


Read more

5 reasons you should explore public speaking

by Jesper Nielsen • 15 minutes to read

Public speaking might seem intimidating at first - whether you are presenting to a new client in a meeting room or stepping up on stage - but it can become one of the most fulfilling experiences you will ever have. It does not matter if you are an introvert, a skilled communicator, or somewhere in between; exploring public speaking brings rewards that go far beyond the spotlight.


Read more

5 reasons you should start a blog

by Jesper Nielsen • 8 minutes to read

Have you ever thought about starting a blog?

Do you have a passion for cooking, gardening, or photography? Do you want to share your insights on personal development, productivity, or wellness? Do you just want to document your daily life and connect with other people who share your interests? Starting a blog might be for you.

Whatever your motivation, blogging can be a rewarding and fulfilling hobby. It can also help you develop valuable skills, express your creativity, and build a supportive community. In this post, I will share with you five reasons why you should start a blog and how to make it a success.


Read more

5 reasons you should promote yourself

by Jesper Nielsen • 7 minutes to read

If you are a tech professional, you know how competitive and fast-paced the industry is. You need to constantly update your skills, learn new technologies, and adapt to changing customer needs. But you also need to promote yourself because no one else will do it for you.

Promoting yourself is not about bragging or being arrogant. It is about displaying your value, sharing your vision, and building your reputation.


Read more

5 reasons you should share your code

by Jesper Nielsen • 8 minutes to read

Have you ever thought of sharing your code on GitHub?

You might think, “No, I am not a programmer”. But you do not need to be a programmer, and if you have written some scripts to automate tasks, solve problems, or create something cool you might be missing an opportunity.

I imagine you have a folder full of scripts that you use for your own purposes, but you never thought of sharing them with anyone else. Or you are hesitant to share your code because you think it is not good enough, or you are afraid of criticism.

Well, I am here to tell you that sharing your scripts can be one of the best things you can do for your personal and professional growth. Here are five reasons why you should share those hidden treasures with the world.


Read more

5 reasons you should join a user group

by Jesper Nielsen • 5 minutes to read

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be part of a user group? A user group is a community of people who share a common interest or passion, such as technology, software, or hobbies. User groups are a fantastic way to learn new skills, network with like-minded people, and contribute to the community.


Read more

5 reasons you should join the Windows Insider Program

by Jesper Nielsen • 13 minutes to read

Have you ever wanted to be among the first to experience what’s next for Windows?

The Windows Insider Program is a community of millions of Windows enthusiasts who get to be the first to see what’s next. Windows Insiders run previews of the platform, called Windows Insider Preview Builds, then give feedback and engage directly with Microsoft engineers to help shape the future of Windows.

Joining the Windows Insider Program offers a wealth of benefits, opportunities for learning, and it can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Whether you’re an IT professional wanting to prepare for upcoming changes, a tech enthusiast eager to explore cutting-edge features, or simply someone who loves being part of something bigger, the Windows Insider Program has something for you.


Read more