Experience Is what you get when you don’t get what you want

My first thoughts on how things are going for me on Medium.

Have you ever set a goal, worked hard for it, but in the end, it slipped away?

That’s exactly what happened to me with my writing goal here on Medium.

Perhaps, as I usually do, I overestimated my abilities. It’s also possible that I underestimated the complexity of writing in a language other than my native one. Regardless, the goal I set for the first quarter wasn’t achieved.

I concluded with fewer followers than anticipated, and even fewer people engaging with my articles.

But you know what? The experience of not getting what I wanted taught me some pretty cool stuff.

So, there I was, all excited about achieving this specific writing goal. Every day, I sat down to write, thinking I was getting closer. But as time passed, it became clear — I wasn’t hitting that goal.

Now, instead of being bummed out, I learned something important. Journeys aren’t always direct, especially when talking about writing. I realized it’s okay to enjoy the process, even if it doesn’t match the original plan.

Facing the unmet goal made me think about what success really means. I learned that setbacks don’t mean failure.

Every word I wrote, even if not part of the original plan, made me a better writer.

Reflecting on this, I realize it’s an opportunity to reassess my approach. Maybe there are areas I can improve, or perhaps my expectations were unrealistic. Instead of viewing it only as a setback, I can see it as a chance to learn and adjust my strategy for the next quarter.

Writing is tricky, and goals don’t always work out the way we want. This experience teaches me that I need to be realistic and keep learning. It’s not just about hitting targets but improving every day.

• I’ll focus on getting better at writing and connecting with people. I will learn from my favorite writers and try to explore stories that go beyond my usual preferences.

This commitment to growth and exploration will, hopefully, make my writing more diverse and meaningful.

So, what’s the big lesson here?

Sometimes, the best lessons come from the goals we don’t quite reach. Life’s journey is just as important — if not more — than the destination. Embracing the unexpected turns has made me a better, more adaptable writer.

And who knows, maybe the best stories come from the goals I didn’t quite nail.

Thanks for reading! It really means a lot to me. Your support keeps me going, and I’m grateful for each one of you joining me on this journey. ❤️

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