Section 1.1: Was I Being Overly Ambitious?

Initially, the goals I set seemed both attainable and realistic. Now, however, they appear increasingly out of reach, and I find myself in a state of anxiety. What went wrong? To gain clarity, I took a step back to analyze the past two months and identify the reasons for my underperformance. Perhaps my insights can assist you as well.

After my first month of writing on Medium in October, I aimed for the following targets by year-end 2023:

• 50 stories
• 500 followers
• $50 in total earnings

These objectives were based on my October metrics, coupled with a touch of optimism. By the end of October, I had achieved:

• 16 stories — 32%
• 89 followers — 17.8%
• $9.09 earned — 18.2%

I anticipated that improving my writing routine and increasing my published content would naturally enhance my earnings. The theory was that by replicating my earlier efforts, my output would also rise.

However, as November nears its close, I feel I’ve made minimal strides:

• 26 stories — 52%
• 192 followers — 38.4%
• $21.55 earned — 43.1%

This places me at an average of 44.5% toward my goals, which is still less than halfway! Yet, it’s intriguing to note that my progress percentage has doubled from 22% to 44%—a small consolation.

You may think I was overly ambitious, but I genuinely didn’t expect this stagnation. I assumed my growth would accelerate due to October’s momentum. After reflecting one evening on my 'what could have been' scenarios, I identified a few reasons for my current status—and importantly, what lessons we can draw from them.

Section 1.2: The Allure of Initial Success

In fitness, "newbie gains" refer to the rapid improvements beginners often experience. Similarly, hobbies are most thrilling at their inception. I dedicated significant time to reading, engaging, and brainstorming ideas, leading to more views and content creation. Initially, every step forward fueled my enthusiasm for producing more.

However, such early successes can set unrealistic expectations. Like many, I mistakenly projected my initial achievements onto the future, overlooking the reality that progress tends to slow and demands persistent effort.

Lesson Learned: Acknowledge that growth is not linear. Embrace the process, as this is where compounding magic occurs!

Section 1.3: Life's Unexpected Interventions

As the initial thrill faded, I had to reassess my priorities. I had overlooked my job search, leading to less time on Medium and more time spent on job applications. Consequently, my story output fell from 16 in October to just 11 in November.

Adding to my challenges, I fell ill shortly after an interview, which significantly affected my ability to write. Days passed without new content, and I felt frustrated for not adhering to my goal of publishing three pieces weekly.

This led me to develop a negative mindset about my productivity. I blamed myself for not being able to create consistently, losing hope in my long-term capabilities. However, upon reflection, it became clear that my situation was not due to laziness or procrastination, but rather the need to juggle multiple responsibilities.

Lesson Learned: Life will invariably present unexpected challenges. It’s crucial to adjust your priorities and time management accordingly. Be patient with yourself and allow for necessary breaks.

Section 2.1: The Burden of Expectations

Much of the pressure I felt was self-inflicted. I became overly critical of my articles, particularly those that did not perform as well. The pieces about generating income on Medium garnered the most attention, leading me to focus solely on them rather than my genuine interests.

While I aimed to share my achievements and lessons learned, I noticed that articles written out of curiosity often received minimal engagement. This disparity led me to lose sight of my original motivations for writing and to dismiss many ideas for not being profitable.

Lesson Learned: Regularly reassess your motivations for writing. Who are you writing for? What topics ignite your passion? Why did you start writing in the first place?

Section 2.2: Creative Burnout and Recovery

All these pressures took a toll on my creative energy. I found myself with fewer ideas and diminished motivation, with perfectionism morphing into procrastination. To cope, I took a much-needed break, allowing myself to recharge.

Everyone has different coping mechanisms for stress—be it a nap, a walk, or meditation. The vital aspect is recognizing the need to reset. Taking time off is not a sign of weakness but an essential aspect of self-care.

Lesson Learned: Understand that burnout is a real issue and requires attention. Addressing it allows for a stronger, more focused return to your goals.