Summary

The article discusses the importance of a supportive community on Medium over a competitive mindset, emphasizing the benefits of promoting the work of peers.

Abstract

In "The Worst Piece of Medium Advice I Received and Promptly Ignored," the author reflects on the unhelpful advice to adopt a hyper-competitive approach on the platform. Instead, they advocate for a collaborative spirit, highlighting their practice of promoting other writers, inspired by the 80/20 rule as shared by Lisa from Inspire to Thrive. The author believes that supporting fellow writers, such as Carmellita and Donnette Anglin, leads to a more fulfilling experience on Medium. They dismiss the notion that promoting others detracts from one's success, and they share insights from other Medium contributors like Natalie, BichoDoMato, Jeanine Tew, and Susie Kearley, whose work provides valuable perspectives on the platform's dynamics.

Opinions

The author rejects the competitive mindset, believing it leads to dissatisfaction and envy rather than joy or fulfillment.
They advocate for community support and cross-promotion, seeing it as a way to foster positive relationships and collective growth.
The author is humbled by being considered in the same league as writers they admire and learn from.
They criticize the idea that promoting peers could hinder one's own success, arguing that each writer's talent and trajectory are their own.
The author is inspired by the 80/20 rule, which suggests sharing 80% of others' content and only 20% of one's own.
They highlight the importance of celebrating others' successes and believe that a non-competitive approach is more aligned with personal values of community and mutual support.

The Worst Piece of Medium Advice I Received and Promptly Ignored

How I make the 80/20 rule work for me

https://www.freepik.com/author/lookstudio

Do you have a competitive mindset?

Get as many followers ASAP. Earn some money, lotsa money, any money?

Or, perhaps be the next Medium rockstar?

All good and lofty goals.

I’ve been there in a different life and I understand how it helps to get ahead in life and work. However, being competitive is not something that floats my boat.

Simply because once you get into that, nothing will ever seem enough.

It won’t give you joy and delight when a friend, or a peer enjoys success or be able to celebrate their victories, both the small and big ones with them.

Instead, you feel consumed by the green-headed monster — “Why can’t I have what they have? After all, I obviously write waaay better and my articles are of much higher quality than theirs so it is just not fair! Not my fault that this platform doesn’t appreciate greatness in the making when they read it!”

Okay, I agree that👆 is an exaggerated version of a competitive someone letting envy get the better of ’em. I bet many of us don’t care about that or have the time to.

A rising medium star once asked me why I was eager to promote my peers on this platform especially those who were writing about topics similar to mine.

I guess they meant I should be worried that by doing so, I might be helping them get ahead while leaving me behind in the dust.

This person was referring specifically to Carmellita, and Donnette Anglin.

Lol. Like I have the power to change anyone’s trajectory🙄 As if these wonderful writers don’t have the power to go far ahead on their own steam and superb talent.

But I get that person’s perspective. Pretend to be friendly but at the same time be aware of the competition lest they rain on your parade.

I’m so glad I ignored that advice. While it may appear as sound advice to some, it is not something for someone like me who believes in community and supporting each other as writers.

Nonetheless, I’m deeply humbled to be regarded in the same league as the aforementioned because those are some of the writers I look up to and learn from.

With regards to promoting other writers, I was inspired to do so after reading this from Lisa, the owner of the Inspire to Thrive website: “Save a little time each day to promote your posts and others. Remember the 80/20 rule. Only share 20% of your own stuff, the other 80% should be others.”

I think the name of Lisa’s website pretty much sums up the wonderfully positive experience that has resulted from my following that piece of advice.

Check out these articles which shed some light on the recent happenings on this platform among other things👇

I thought Natalie’s article (and experiment) about why your time and reads matter to be very interesting

Your Time and Reads Matter — Let’s Return to the Joy and Fun of Medium

You can’t always dispel a rumor — but here’s the way I used numbers to tell the true story behind my reads

medium.com

BichoDoMato blew my socks off with his wordplay

Show, Don’t Tail

A telling tale

medium.com

Jeanine Tew explains why we need to scroll to the bottom of articles (according to Medium member services)

“Your Audience Needs to Scroll All the Way to the Very Bottom of the Page”

Policy is confirmed TODAY by Medium Member Services

medium.com

An interesting article about the results of publishing twice daily by Susie Kearley

Does Publishing Twice as Much Double Your Medium Income?

I tried it. Here’s what happened…

medium.com