Self Improvement and Self Promotion
Understand the difference for a better Medium experience
With every milestone I reach in my experiences on Medium, and particularly on ILLUMINATION and ILLUMINATION-Curated, I remind myself of the path I took to get here. Starting out, I was just happy to have a platform to have my thoughts presented for public consumption. I was under no illusion that anyone would actually react to my various musings.
Then along the way, I began to read other writers’ work and started to follow the people I felt I could relate to. As with any new venture, sometimes you are misled, and other times you discover pleasant surprises.
Gradually, I began to develop a good eye for writers that spoke to me, and of course, it helped me to ultimately become a better writer. When you begin this journey, finding your voice I think, is the key to opening doors for future successes. You have to be willing to put the time in.
Then, wonder of wonders, I started to develop a following. There were people actually willing to come back and read what I had to offer on a semi-regular basis. That validation propelled me to work harder at honing my craft.
Eventually, I reached out to other writers and submitted to publications who most of which, accepted me with open arms. After a few months of experimentation with different forms, I think I’ve at last found a lane that I’m comfortable with.
I guess it showed because my stuff was getting more reads and more claps. I was invited by Liam Ireland, a terrific writer, to join ILLUMINATION’s editing team.
And the point of this is…
Nothing happens in a vacuum.
Upon reflection, there are specific reasons why my journey has taken me here. These are concepts readily available to anyone who reads the work of others on Medium.
It all starts with three very important words, and if you take them to heart, life will go a whole bunch better for you in the long run. These concepts are universal to us all, and I invite you to learn them and thrive, starting with…
- Generosity
This article by Dr. Mehmet Yildiz, the publisher of ILLUMINATION and I-C, is a perfect example of how we can grow by benefitting others first. What other vocation can you find this kind of mentoring, literally at your fingertips?
When you give back your knowledge unconditionally, people will sit up and take notice, especially if your work displays...
2. Authenticity
The wisdom one wishes to impart on others must be genuine and from the heart. Believe me, after a couple of weeks of editing, it’s not difficult to sniff out those wanting to put one over the rest of us.
Tree Langdon, CPA, CGA gives us a guide to a better experience through a collaborative effort. The benefit of her experience and wise counsel should be a must-read for all.
It’s amazing how unimagined doors open up when you give of yourself freely, with no alternate agenda. Yes, we all want to be successful writers and earn from our hard work.
But seriously how are you going to achieve any of that if no one likes you? It might work temporarily for politicians and con artists (I know that’s redundant), but writers and publishers need each other.
There’s a common goal in creating space for burgeoning talent. Dr. Mehmet Yildiz and Tree Langdon, CPA, CGA perform this task terrifically through sound leadership.
They would never directly ask, but how little the cost in return is…
3. Gratitude
For me, this is the main ingredient that every new writer needs to educate themselves about for continuing success. Terry Mansfield points this out better than I could possibly articulate, and it doesn’t take very much effort.
We all want to promote our talents to the world, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
It’s the way you approach the process that matters. Promote others to improve your lot. It seems like a simple formula for me.
There’s plenty of room for all of us. Let’s appreciate each other and grow together. If that sounds like something you’d like to achieve, then ILLUMINATION and ILLUMINATION-Curated are the places for you.
As always, thanks to you for taking the time, and special thanks to new friends Dr. Mehmet Yildiz Tree Langdon, CPA, CGA Liam Ireland Britni Pepper Agnes Laurens Terry Mansfield Rasheed Hooda Myriam Ben Salem Akos Peterbencze Jill Reid Younes Henni, Ph.D. Jacquelyn Lynn.