Why I’m Writing on Medium for 30 Days Straight
I set a goal of writing and posting on Medium for the month of June — 30 days straight. Why?
I want to stress myself in a new and novel way. I’ve always enjoyed reading, and I have always had a faint voice in the back of my head questioning, “I wonder if anyone would listen to what I have to say?”
That question quickly transformed into, “Shit, what do I have to say?”
My first post, ‘A Visit from Eckhart Tolle’ seemed to flow rather easily, but as the days have went on, I find myself staring at a blank Medium draft page longer, and longer.
Then it hit me. This is exactly why I need this challenge. The oppurtunity is right in front of me. This challenge is here to help me find my so called writers, “voice.” It helps me ask better questions like, “How can I help someone today?” or, “What feeling am I trying to invoke in my readers?”
My consistency will allow me to learn how to craft better stories.
I’m constantly thinking about the principles of great story telling such as:
Steven Pressfield’s ‘hook, build, payoff.’
Lou Schuler’s ‘problem, solution, benefit.’
And Gladwell’s ‘start at the end and work backwards.’
These are just vague concepts in my head, that I now must apply in reality.
Medium also helps me engage, observe, and share. I can learn what reacts well in real time, connect to people I want to learn from, and share my unique perspective.
Deep down, I also dream of selling something online. Not to be the next Tim Ferris, but just to show a few people what I have to offer, so it influences there life in a positive way. Even if in the slightest. In this sense, writing everyday exposes me to what people connect with. It helps align my passion with what the market wants — not what I think it wants.
What I find of extreme importance is that I become a teacher, and a guider. My nutrition training through Precision Nutrition has helped my foster this “guider” mindset — a principle learned through Motivational Interviewing. The idea is not to be an “expert,” aka the “director.” I’m not pushing my agenda or anecdotal evidence on anyone. I’m not preaching anything. I’m simply trying to pull out positive behaviour and mindset that I know everyone has within them already.
It’s about subtly trying to initiate a positive change within the reader by exposing them to growth questions, thoughts, and ideas.
Change — the kind that lasts — comes from within.
My goal as the guider is to be someone who has built up a deep well of human connection. I want to be a resource for people, only when needed. Not to convince them that they must depend on me at all times.
I’m not here for exposure, and width to the majority. I want to build deeper connections by becoming and offering more of who I am. Depth over width.
Challenges can be useful, as long as we prepare ourselves for what we need to do at the end to sustain forward movement.
Maybe I will continue to write everyday. Maybe I won’t. All I know is that if this challenge gets me writing at least once a week, I will be satisfied. But right now, I’m loving the process and becoming quite addicted to it.
At the end of all of my posts, I include a “5 Minute Action” section. This is because knowledge is only potential power. We must create and apply. What we do with that knowledge is what’s most important. There are too many ideas and concepts out there. Everyone’s got them. There is not enough experience and execution.
I have always wondered why books or articles did not do this. Obviously, sometimes a story conveys a strong emotion in the reader, and emotions can be a powerful influencer and motivator for change. However, I simply don’t want to leave any guessing.
The 5 Minute Action is all about moving forward in a small, positive way with as little friction as possible. It’s a catalyst for lasting change.
5 Minute Action
- Bring self-awareness to your actions. Why are you doing whatever it is that you’re doing? Connect with what you are challenging yourself to at a deeper level.
- Stick to the essential task everyday. Mine is this post. Tomorrow, is tomorrow’s post. Just get it done. And as Seth Godin says, “Ship It.”
- Ask yourself often, “Is this new habit something I can stick to and sustain indefinitely?” If not, you may need to readjust, and pivot.
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