**Author:** Colin Domansky **Published Date:** 2024-10-20 The thought of starting a blog began to intrigue me during my time at Red River College, where I was enrolled in the Business Information Technology program. Deciding to pivot my career in my mid-30s wasn't easy, but having spent 15 years in the workforce gave me the determination and skills to embrace this challenge head-on. It was these very skills—especially the ability to ask questions—that fueled my drive to learn and excel. ## Ask Questions Asking questions has been a cornerstone of my learning process. If something isn't clear, don't just assume you'll understand it later. Stop and ask. **Clarifying concepts in real time is essential**. I can't count the number of times I've asked someone to clarify what they mean to ensure we were on the same page. Even now, it’s a habit I maintain and recommend. ## Use Your Own Words But asking questions isn't enough. Documenting what you learn is crucial. Everyone has their method, and mine evolved over the years. I began with OneNote, structuring each course, each topic, into its little corner. OneNote wasn't intuitive, but it was a start. For me, the magic happened when transposing that information into physical notebooks. Writing things down forced me to process content deeply, embedding it in memory—even if it wasn't sustainable long term. However, the real breakthrough was recognizing the power of summarizing information in my own words. This wasn't just about reproducing what I learned. **It was about understanding**. Taking concepts and rephrasing them solidified my grasp and made recall easier. ## Learning In Public Now, I'm exploring [[Learning In Public]] through a modified Zettelkasten method. This digital note-taking system encourages creating and linking notes, akin to a second brain. I'm using Obsidian, a tool that aids in gathering, linking thoughts, and even publishing them online. ## Why is this important? As a Cloud Solutions Architect for the federal government, I'm part of a team that crafted a cutting-edge cloud platform, breaking down the complex perceptions around cloud computing. The challenges were immense, involving both technological hurdles and political red tape. Yet, we built a platform competing with the high standards of modern banking systems. My goal is to demystify the process through a series of articles, sharing design decisions, pitfalls, and challenges faced. **It's a story worth telling**, one that proves cloud computing isn't a mythical beast but an achievable reality. This project is about sharing knowledge, refining my thoughts, and hopefully helping others in the process.