Mastering Daily Writing: Lessons Learned from 4 Weeks on Medium
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Reflecting on Four Weeks of Writing on Medium
After dedicating a month to daily writing on Medium, I managed to gather 77 views and earned a mere $0.27. My initial goal was to write every day, but I only succeeded on average 3.5 days each week.
Why I Struggled with Daily Writing
The primary reason for my inconsistency stemmed from my daily routine, which was not conducive to regular writing. I quickly realized that writing and publishing are two distinct activities, and I lacked a proper system for capturing ideas. This left me at a loss for topics when it was time to write.
Additionally, I grossly underestimated the skills required to effectively write, publish, and engage with readers. There were several areas where I needed improvement, including:
- Crafting engaging headlines.
- Structuring and formatting articles effectively.
- Telling compelling stories.
- Editing for clarity.
Furthermore, I recognized the necessity to enhance my idea generation strategies, such as:
- Capturing ideas throughout the day.
- Knowing what to focus on during writing sessions.
- Identifying optimal times for outlining articles.
- Organizing writing into manageable sections.
- Carving out daily writing time.
The list of challenges I faced was extensive, and many decisions caught me off guard. For instance, I had to determine when to write, how to manage writing during illness, and how to adapt to unexpected changes in my schedule.
Realizing What Matters
I soon understood the importance of prioritizing what mattered most in my "writing career." Although I don’t consider myself a professional writer yet, I recognized that if I wanted to publish daily, I needed to focus on the most crucial aspects of my journey.
The key takeaway for me was to develop a system that would allow for daily publishing. I’ve often struggled with consistency, habit formation, and following through with processes. However, I learned that to achieve my goal of daily publishing, I had to overhaul my approach from idea capture to the final publication.
Improvements Over Four Weeks
After the first week, I made my first significant adjustment by revamping my idea capture system. I began using a reporter's notepad and pen to jot down thoughts whenever they arose. Additionally, I started a Zettelkasten to collect ideas and reflections while reading, which gave me a reservoir of material to draw from.
By the second week, I refined my preparation routine, dedicating 90 minutes each weekend to outline at least five article ideas. I utilized a mind map in a B6-sized Muji notebook for each topic, providing clarity on what I intended to write about.
By the third week, I realized that writing three days a week was more achievable than daily writing. I consciously adjusted my target to publish articles on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This shift alleviated the stress I had associated with meeting my writing goals, allowing me to focus on quality over quantity.
By week four, I felt more confident and capable. I had accumulated numerous ideas in my Zettelkasten and was able to generate topics quickly. Spending another 90-minute session outlining led to drafting three articles on a Sunday morning, which I later edited and scheduled for publication.
Key Reasons for My Writing Progress
Three main factors contributed to my improved writing process:
- Focused Improvement: I concentrated on the areas I deemed most important, avoiding the trap of trying to enhance every aspect of my writing all at once.
- Positive Mindset: Instead of berating myself for not achieving daily writing, I shifted my focus to gradual improvement, acknowledging that not everyone can transition from zero to daily writing overnight.
- Reflective Practice: Each weekend, I took time to assess what worked and what didn’t, adjusting my approach accordingly. This forward-thinking allowed me to plan around my commitments, increasing my chances of meeting my writing goals.
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