Summary

The article reflects on the internal struggle between pursuing one's passion for writing and the demands of reality, emphasizing the importance of consistency and personal fulfillment in achieving success.

Abstract

The author, an inactive writer, candidly discusses the challenges of balancing the need to publish content regularly with the emotional and practical realities of life. They acknowledge the prevalent advice in the writing community about the necessity of frequent publishing to succeed, particularly on Medium. However, the author has experienced a period of inactivity, questioning whether this inconsistency has led to failure. They argue that true success is not just about external achievements but also about the internal satisfaction of knowing one has invested significant effort. The journey to success is depicted as a difficult path that includes facing one's dark side, overcoming external commitments, and finding personal meaning in one's work. The author concludes by recognizing the importance of prioritizing personal dreams to recharge and serve others effectively, suggesting that when one's passion aligns with their responsibilities, even the most daunting tasks become manageable.

Opinions

Consistency in writing and publishing is crucial for success, especially on platforms like Medium.
Success without consistent effort is likened to a fleeting, emotionally void encounter.
The author believes in the value of regularity in writing and is ready to get back to work after a period of inactivity.
There is an acknowledgment of the struggle with personal commitments that can overshadow one's writing aspirations.
The author admits to falling into a trap set by their own negative emotions, which hindered their writing.
Prioritizing one's dreams is seen as essential, and serving oneself is considered foundational for serving the community.
Assigning meaning to one's work can transform even the most challenging tasks into purposeful endeavors.
The author views the alignment of personal dreams with responsibility as a harmonious path to follow.

Chasing Your Dream vs. Facing the Reality

This is a confession of an inactive writer

Which lane will you take? (Photo by Kace Rodriguez on Unsplash)

You have to publish regularly. At least four times a week, ideally each day. If you don’t have time to do this, how do you want to ever succeed?

Especially here on Medium, we see this phrase spring up like mushrooms after the rain.

It has become the gospel of any aspiring writer.

Have we turned the synopsis upside down? Is publishing still a natural culmination of the writing process, or have writing become just a needed prerequisite for hitting “publish”?

One thing is certain — consistency is the name of the game.

What is Success?

This is my first Medium story after more than three weeks. My consistency was breathing heavily even before that, but with my recent inactivity I took it to another level.

Have I suffered K.O by a lack of consistency?

Or should I just shut up, bow my head, and get back to work?

Luckily, I believe in the second option. Bow my head and write I certainly will.

I’m on board with the regularity rule. More importantly, I wholeheartedly agree with it, and even more so on Medium.

Any other road wouldn’t be appealing. What would success without longterm and consistent effort even feel like?

Like a one night stand with someone you barely talked to. Just pure animalistic desire lacking any emotional bond…I suppose.

The genuine success comes from within.

You know you have put an obscene amount of hours and you are ready to reap the profit.

You don’t feel awkward receiving, because you are going to use it both for your further growth and the benefit of your peers.

That, my friends, is a success.

To reach this mythical destination, you have to embark upon a rough and rugged path. You have to accept occasional misery as a transfer station to success.

My attitude?

I am ready for such a rollercoaster. I accept it for what it is.

Wrong.

The road can get so twisted, it will make your head spin like a falling helicopter. Sometimes, the journey drags you through a scorched land of your own negative emotions.

The only thing that comes to your mind?

Wow, what a wasteland.

For the last four weeks or so, I was hanging out exactly in such a landscape.

Now I know — I wasn’t ready.

Welcome to the Dark Side

Some of our commitments just stubbornly stand in the way.

We do our best to overcome them, but they block most of our waking hours and require enormous amounts of effort.

They can feel like a soul-consuming demon draining all our energy.

To me it certainly did.

When I finally fulfilled my duties for the day, the last thing on my mind was to sit down in the dark of my kitchen and write. Even if I did, I would only spill out the complaints about how difficult my precious life is.

In moments like these, you can feel the dark side of your personality gaining an advantage. Your dreams are under a barrage of hate and they have to retreat from the surface.

How could you even come up with a unique article concept? Do you have the capacity to think through the metaphors and carve out a strong and surprising point?

You can’t even put a meaningful sentence together!

At that moment, I realized I fell into a trap cleverly set by my dark self. Blinded by the anger, I couldn’t see the obvious.

I am to blame.

Instead of setting the appropriate boundaries, I have let things gone too far.

I willingly surrendered my dreams — not just for these last couple of weeks, but for years.

I was a voluntary slave.

Looking for a Meaning

This week I finished a huge project. I still have a lot to do before I leave the office at the end of June, but this one was significant.

It left me scarred.

But this time, those scars served their purpose.

They are the reminder I have fulfilled my obligations. Not only fulfilled, but I also went beyond and worked my ass off, so I can leave the office with my head held high.

I have found the meaning behind it.

Now a fascinating journey awaits. Journey based on prioritizing my dreams, not those of the others.

I realized that serving yourself as a priority is fundamental. It charges you, so you can then spend that energy serving the people around you, helping the community.

Such a journey puts even the most grueling tasks into perspective. Install a meaning behind it, and suddenly the task has its purpose.

Still, the rough times will find you, make no mistake. Hell, even the scorched land of desperation will arise again.

Those overwhelming duties will once again require all your energy and attention.

But if you comprehend the meaning behind them, if you align with your purpose, you'll be fine.

When you follow the path of your soul, the dream and responsibility become one.

Now, if you’d be so kind and excuse me…I have a lot of writing to make up for.