Chapter 1: The Challenge of Comparison

These days, my social media feed is flooded with posts detailing impressive earnings and statistics from fellow writers. It's almost impossible to overlook these trending narratives, as they seem to garner significant attention. With thousands of claps and numerous supportive comments celebrating their successes, it can be quite overwhelming.

For someone like me, who is striving to make progress, these stories can feel discouraging. Take John, for example, who claims to have earned a considerable sum in just two weeks of writing. Such tales can induce confusion and, admittedly, a tinge of annoyance. I find myself glancing at my own metrics and realizing just how far behind I am, which only adds to my frustration.

Why does John have so many views and reads? How is it possible for a single story to generate such revenue? The feelings of inadequacy creep in, leading me to wonder if I'll ever reach that level of success. I keep telling myself that this mindset isn't productive. I should redirect my focus, but it proves to be a difficult task. There's a nagging urge to throw in the towel, but then I hear a voice inside me—my stronger self—reminding me not to give up.

Stop the comparisons! It's time to close that statistics page and take action. If I surrender simply because others are performing better, what does that make me?

Yes! My stronger self has taken charge.

It's likely that many of us have experienced the urge to compare our writing journeys to those of others. If we take a moment to reflect, we realize how illogical this is. Each writer's journey is unique; our paths and progress will inevitably differ. I don't know the intricacies of John’s, Greg’s, or Anna’s lives—what they bring to the table in terms of experience, available time, or effort invested in their work.

Yet, I do know one thing: MYSELF. I am aware that I could put in more effort, that I lack specific goals, and that discipline is something I need to work on. Despite this, my writing has yielded decent results, showing a gradual increase in earnings (from $8.70 in January to $9.78 in February—that's progress!).

It's crucial to recognize that those stories of success hold a positive aspect. They serve as testimonies that individuals began from the ground up and achieved their goals through perseverance. There exists potential for all of us to flourish on platforms like Medium, but it hinges on our definition of success and the effort we are willing to invest to attain it.

Do you aspire to improve? Then endeavor to elevate yourself! Learn from those who excel in their craft, adopt their strategies, and tailor them to your own situation. Alternatively, if their successes make you feel disheartened, feel free to disregard their narratives and pursue your own path.

Your choice.

Section 1.1: Insights on Growth

To explore the importance of finding your purpose in writing, consider the following insights.

The video "Crafting Your Purpose with John Coleman" discusses how to identify and cultivate your unique writing purpose, emphasizing the significance of personal motivations in the writing process.

Subsection 1.1.1: Embracing Your Unique Journey

Photo by David Travis on Unsplash

Chapter 2: Personal Reflections on Writing

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