Make a guide or instructional document
About this idea
Create a helpful guide about something you know or are learning. Making guides helps you organize knowledge, teach others, and solidify your own understanding. Whether you're documenting a process, explaining a concept, or creating instructions, you'll create something valuable. Guides can be written, visual, video, or interactive. The process of creating a guide deepens your understanding, and the result helps others learn. You become a teacher, and teaching is one of the best ways to learn.
On this page
How to get started
WEEK 1
choose your topic
- Pick something you know: Skill you've mastered, process you understand, or concept you can explain
- Or something you're learning: Document your learning process, teach as you learn (helps retention)
- Define your audience: Beginners? Advanced? General public? Define who you're helping
- Research if needed: Fill knowledge gaps, verify information, ensure accuracy
- Outline your guide: Main sections, key points, logical flow, step-by-step if applicable
WEEK 2
create content
- Write clearly: Simple language, avoid jargon (or explain it), be concise
- Use structure: Headings, bullet points, numbered steps, clear organization
- Add visuals: Diagrams, screenshots, images, or charts to clarify
- Include examples: Real examples, case studies, or scenarios help understanding
- Test your guide: Follow it yourself, have someone else try it, identify gaps
WEEK 3
refine & format
- Edit for clarity: Remove unnecessary words, clarify confusing parts, improve flow
- Format nicely: Consistent styling, good spacing, readable layout
- Add navigation: Table of contents, clear sections, easy to follow
- Include resources: Links, references, further reading, related guides
- Final review: Check accuracy, test instructions, ensure completeness
WEEK 4
share & improve
- Share your guide: Post online, share with community, help others learn
- Get feedback: What's helpful? What's confusing? What's missing?
- Update based on feedback: Improve guide, add missing information, clarify issues
- Continue improving: Guides evolve, update as you learn more
- Celebrate helping others: You've created something valuable, that's an achievement
What you’ll need
- computer or paper
- knowledge of topic
- optional: images, diagrams, or videos
Recommended resources
Tools & Apps
Tutorials & Learning
Progress milestones
Track your progress with these key achievements:
1
Week 1
Topic chosen, audience defined, outline created
2
Week 2
Content written, examples included, guide tested
3
Week 3
Guide refined, formatted, ready to share
4
Week 4
Guide shared, feedback received, improvements made
Common challenges
Every beginner faces obstacles. Here's how to overcome them:
Don't know what to make a guide about
Solution: Think about what you do well or what you're learning. What do people ask you about? What process do you know? Even simple things make good guides. You know more than you think.
Worried about accuracy or expertise
Solution: You don't need to be an expert—you can document your learning process. Research to verify information. Be clear about your level of expertise. Learning guides are valuable too. Start where you are.
Guide seems too simple or too complex
Solution: Simple guides are often most helpful. Complex topics can be broken into smaller guides. Define your audience clearly. Remember: you're helping someone, and that's valuable regardless of complexity.
Share your progress
Celebrate your achievements and inspire others:
- • Share your guide on social media or relevant communities
- • Post your guide on r/coolguides or r/YouShouldKnow
- • Help others learn something new
- • Build a portfolio of guides you've created
- • Experience the satisfaction of teaching and helping