Content Strategy for Writers
My Thoughts on Dealing With Assumptions
Realigning with challenges each day
“Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won’t come in.” ― Isaac Asimov
“And if you insist on continuing to make assumptions about my character, I’ll advise you only this: assume you will always be wrong.” ― Tahereh Mafi
As an owner and chief editor of multiple publications, I deal with thousands of writers and readers on this platform. It is absolute pleasure despite its challenges. In this post, I focus on the importance of assumptions in dealing with stakeholders.
One significant skill that made a real difference in my performance is dealing with assumptions proactively. I learned not to make decisions with unclear assumptions. Instead, the best practice is to validate assumptions as much as possible using effective communication techniques.
Wearing my engineering and designer hat, I pay utmost attention to validating assumptions for user requirements and expectations when it comes to customer service. I just don’t act on my gut feelings and opinions. I also use my logic and diligence. This is a principle all engineers and designers use, and it can be applied to any other customer-oriented practice, such as writing.
For example, I sent a brief survey to a selected group of readers to validate my assumptions on reader feedback recently. I crafted and sent a short survey questionnaire to a selected group of readers who are active followers of our content. I see them as our key stakeholders.
Apart from a few general questions about validating some unclear points, I asked a specific question about what truly matters to them and if they had a choice of one topic presented to them. I aimed to understand the current appetite of key stakeholders.
When I reviewed the responses, one item topped the list.
Apart from mentioning business, leadership, health, mental health, fitness, and personal growth topics as their interest areas, most of the requests mainly dealt with the pandemic.
Some of our readers desire to read helpful content on how people are dealing with the pandemic overall. They want to read about precautions people are taking, life improvements, considerations, and plans after the pandemic.
I know this is a seasoned topic and don’t want to impose on writers to focus on it exclusively; however, if you have important messages to share from your experience related to the pandemic, I suggest that your practical and valuable experience can be well received.
The important thing is not to make assumptions but to share experiences in a stylish manner that is appealing to the readers. My suggestion is perhaps thinking about creating a series called “personal improvements for pandemic”. This is only an idea.
Now, talking of suggestions and imposing on ideas, I want to diverge and add one clarity for our writers. This divergence is essential to validate assumptions.
In my recent posts, I share my ideas on improving our skills, experience, and network. Even though most of us encouraged me to create and share ideas for our benefit, unfortunately, a few writers think that my recommendations are mandatory to remain a writer in our publication.
This is an incorrect assumption. It is not my intention at all. I don’t intend my ideas and recommended actions to be mandatory for writing in our publication. My ideas are only optional and intended for your consideration. Some of us can use those ideas as-is, some can tailor them to our needs, and some can ignore and use our ideas.
As I keep highlighting, diversity is our power and capability. Your creativity in extending each other’s ideas are invaluable. I learn a lot from each writer. Reading every article submitted to the publication provides me with super awareness of your progress.
My role is to orchestrate the activities of our community so that our vision and strategies are executed in alignment. In addition, I assist in dealing with constraints and keeping us all focused on our significant goals, which are continued growth and progressive success for each of us.
It is inspiring to see that most of our writers have made excellent progress and are on track for growth and progressive success. Let’s keep the momentum going and improve our capabilities each day with collaboration. When you doubt any community activities, please feel free to contact me to validate your understanding and assumptions.
As many new writers join the platform each day and grow rapidly, new issues and risks can pop up. It is natural in any community. However, with effective communication and collaboration, we can overcome all challenges. Let’s be transparent with our intentions and expectations and always validate our assumptions.
Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.
Sample Health Improvement Articles for New Readers
Defeat Metabolic Syndrome and Slim Down Waistline with Three Tips
Why 442 Million People Live Diabetic and What We Can Do About it
Six Tips to Prevent Brain Atrophy and Lower the Risks of Mental Disorders
What Can We Do About NCDs Killing 41 Million People Yearly?.
Reduce the Risks of Neonatal Disorders to Prevent Infant Mortality.
Reduce the Risks of Major Diseases with Healthy Lifestyle Habits
I also write about valuable nutrients. Here are the links for easy access:
Boron, Urolithin, taurine, citrulline malate, biotin, lithium orotate, alpha-lipoic acid, n-acetyl-cysteine, acetyl-l-carnitine, CoQ10, NADH, TMG, creatine, choline, digestive enzymes, magnesium, hydrolyzed collagen, nootropics, pure nicotine, activated charcoal, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B1, Vitamin D, Vitamin K2, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and other nutrients that might help to improve metabolism and mental health.
Leadership and Education
How to Recognize Distinguished Leaders: Prominent traits that attract us to exceptional leaders
Convenient Learning: Inconvenience and stress of reading materials
Investment and Business
This collection covers articles about invest topics such as real estate, cryptocurrency investment, design thinking, and learning from wealthy people.
Other collections I compiled
NFT Story Collection on ILLUMINATION Integrated Publications
Summary of collections are covered in this story.
Thank you for reading these stories.
Any feedback will be much appreciated.
About the Author
I am a technologist, postdoctoral researcher in cognitive science, author of several books, editor of multiple publications, and digital marketing strategist with four decades of industry experience.
I write articles for Medium, NewsBreak, and Vocal Media. On Medium, I established ILLUMINATION, ILLUMINATION-Curated, ILLUMINATION’ S MIRROR, ILLUMINATION Book Chapters, Technology Hits, SYNERGY, and Readers Hope publications supporting 15,500+ writers on Medium.
You may subscribe to my account to be notified when I post on Medium and join my publications requesting access here. I share my health stories in my publication, Euphoria. Here is my writing bio.
I publish my lifestyle, health, and well-being stories on EUPHORIA. I wrote several articles on major diseases and valuable nutrients for health. My focus is on metabolic, cellular, mitochondrial, and mental health. Here is my collection of Insightful Life Lessons from Personal Stories.
You might join my seven publications on Medium as a writer by sending a request via this link.
You might find more information about my professional background.
I write about health as it matters. I believe health is all about homeostasis.
