2 Years! 300 Articles! Is That Good Enough?

Summary

The author reflects on their accomplishment of writing 300 articles in two years, considering it sufficient progress despite comparisons with more prolific writers, emphasizing the importance of personal metrics for success.

Abstract

The article is a personal reflection by an author who has reached the milestone of publishing their 302nd article over a two-year period. While acknowledging that this output may not be considered prolific when compared to other writers, such as one who published 200 articles in just four months, the author maintains that their achievement is commendable. They recognize the challenges and personal responsibilities that have influenced their writing pace, suggesting that a simple numerical comparison does not account for the unique circumstances of individual writers. The author argues for a deeper understanding of people's choices and situations, advocating against the use of a universal standard to measure success. They criticize societal pressures to conform to specific definitions of success and happiness, and instead, celebrate individuality and the personal satisfaction of doing one's work, regardless of the pace.

Opinions

The author respects other writers' achievements but does not feel diminished by their own pace of production.
Life is described as a balancing act, where personal responsibilities and choices play a significant role in one's output.
Comparing oneself to others using a single metric is seen as shallow and not reflective of true depth and understanding.
Society's definitions of success and happiness are viewed as impositions that may undermine individual achievements and personal definitions of success.
The author emphasizes the importance of being one's own advocate and finding satisfaction in one's own journey and progress.
Using the example of James Cameron, the author points out that a lower quantity of work does not necessarily equate to lesser success or impact.

A milestone or what?

This is my 302nd article.

In the span of two years.

Will that be considered prolific or good enough?

It depends on what metric you use to measure. Compare with other writers, it’s way not good enough. For example, just this morning, a writer published her 200th article in the space of four months.

With that, I’m dwarfed. Hands down. And I respect that.

Howbeit, I still consider my number good enough.

That isn’t to say, I’m ignorant of my responsibilities in why the numbers couldn’t be higher. But life’s a balancing act. We must look at both sides of the road before we cross.

As a writer, my story is different. Not different in the sense of purpose, but different in the monsters I have to battle.

We’re all writers. We write. It’s what we do. But we do not wake up from the same bed. Just as our faces are different, so are our needs. We’re not chased by the same responsibilities.

Knowing a man’s choice isn’t knowing the man. It’s the option he had to choose from, that gives him away.

When we’re able to look past the surface and choose to forbid shallowness, and instead seek understanding and depth, we’d find people different. Not as stupid or unwilling as we initially thought. And that immediately throws out of the window, the idea of using one metric for everyone.

It’s hard to live in a world that forces down your throat, their definition of life, success, and happiness. Making you feel your definition of success is inferior. Or your definition of a happy life is mediocre. Or your labour is beneath standard. Who died and made society God?

You have to leave such a crowd, stand by your side and be your own fan.

James Cameron, in over 30 years, has produced just 8 movies. A low number by most standards, but hugely successful beyond most standards. And the most important thing, he’s still here — doing his thing. Moving like a snail, but impacting like a whale.

And that’s what you have to look at.

It may be slow and low, but I’m still here, still moving and still increasing. That’s the goal.