It has been 10 years

It’s been 10 years since I wrote my first blog post. I still remember that feeling of hitting the “publish” button for the first time, not knowing if anyone would read it, not even sure I wanted anyone to. It wasn’t polished. It wasn’t long. But it was honest. And it started something that quietly shaped who I am today.

Why I started

Back then, I didn’t write to impress anyone. I wrote because my brain was messy and I needed to figure out how to organize my thoughts.

I was also in the early years of my career, and I believed that writing a blog could help me build some credibility, something I could point to when interviewing for new jobs. And it actually helped me a lot. Some interviewers had read my blog posts beforehand, which set a positive tone and gave them a sense of who I was. That made the interviews smoother and more engaging.

Writing helped me slow down and structure my thinking. When you write things down, you realize how fuzzy your ideas actually are. Documenting what I learned, especially the things I struggled with, forced me to understand them better. That was the start.

But over time, it evolved. My blog became more than a notebook. It became a way to share my perspective, my experiences, my mistakes. Writing turned into reflection. Then into storytelling. And eventually, into connecting with others who were on a similar path.

What changed after 10 years

Looking back, writing has done more for me than I ever expected.

It’s helped me become a clearer thinker. A better communicator. Someone who can break down a technical mess into a story that people actually want to read.

It’s even shaped my career. Whether mentoring others, leading teams, or pitching ideas, being able to write clearly and persuasively has been an important skill.

And yes, the numbers show it too. In 2015, my average blog post was around 846 words. By 2025, that number had grown to 1,508. That’s not just word count, it reflects growth in depth, structure, and confidence. The posts became less about what I learned and more about how I think.

Of course, it hasn’t been a smooth curve. There were months or even years when writing slowed down. Life got busy. I shifted from writing only in Vietnamese to mostly English, which felt like starting over in some ways. But I kept coming back. Writing never really left me.

One of my life goals has always been to write a book. Not for the title. Not to sell copies. But to give back.

I’ve been fortunate to walk the path from engineer to engineering leader. Along the way, I’ve made plenty of mistakes, unlearned old habits, and adopted new mindsets. Every time I’ve struggled with something, someone gave me a book, and I learned from it. Those books made a real difference, and I’ve come to deeply appreciate the value they bring. That’s why I want to document my own journey so that when someone else is struggling, they might find something helpful in what I’ve written.

So I decided to write that book. For the version of me who was still figuring things out. For the people stepping into leadership and wondering if they’re doing it right. I’ve been working on it for over a year and a half, and it’s still a work in progress. I want it to be the best version it can be, so I’m not sure yet when it’ll be ready to share. But I’m committed to finishing it.

The First Step: A Free eBook

I’ve just released my first free ebook. It’s not perfect. But it’s mine. And it’s out in the world.

It’s a milestone I’m proud of, but more importantly, it’s just the beginning. I’ve got more to share. More to write. More to build.

The ebook is called “AI changes the Tools, You still own the Craft“.

It’s a short, practical guide for software engineers who are trying to navigate the rise of AI in our industry. The core message is simple: AI will change the way we build, but the responsibility to solve real problems, make trade-offs, and maintain quality still belongs to us.

I wrote it to capture the mindset shifts I believe engineers need, not just to survive the AI wave, but to thrive in it. And I’m sharing it for free, because I want as many engineers as possible to benefit from what I’ve learned so far.

You can download the free ebook here: ownthecraftbook.com.

Thank you (especially if you’ve been around for a while)

To anyone who’s read, commented, or shared my writing over the past 10 years, I want to say a big thank you from the bottom of my heart.

If you’ve just found this blog, welcome. I hope you find something useful here. And if you’ve been around for a while, I’m grateful you’re still here.

This blog started as a personal habit. It turned into a craft. And now, it’s part of how I give back.

Here’s to the next 10 years.