What it Took to Publish My First Medium Post

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Abstract

ound other things to do instead.My social media life is pretty much non-existent, yet I remain engaged with LinkedIn. The personal and professional insights I find there are meaningful for me. Many of the links were to Medium posts and I started exploring what was there. I joined in November of 2020 with the goal of publishing twice in 2021.I dove into the content as it seemed like the articles were truly for me. I followed authors that really spoke to me, pushed me, and aligned with how I wanted to live my life. I sent them emails to acknowledge their work (and some emailed me back!), I started thinking about what I wanted to say, and what my posts could look like.I attended Medium’s Zoom webinars to learn more about the process. I thought about potential articles, made lists of topics and titles, daydreamed about what this could look like for me. If thinking about writing was the goal, I nailed it.Ultimately, thinking isn’t doing.<h1 id="aeee">Fear</h1>I hadn’t written up to this point because it scared the crap out of me. I couldn’t quite face the impendi

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ng criticism and who would want to read what I write anyway?Here’s the thing: If I’m looking for something in the posts on Medium (and finding it!), there’s a good chance I could be that for someone else. There might be just a few people who find value in what I write. More importantly, I will find value in writing it and getting it out there.Throughout 2021, my own work got me to the point of self-acceptance. The idea of not posting now seems way more difficult to live with than worry over negative comments. And each day, the content on Medium was telling me to go.The only way out is through.<h1 id="d441">Paywall</h1>A part of me wants to know if writing could be a way of living for me. One way to find out is to join the Partner Program. It is no surprise that the qualifications to do so require at least one post. Considering my post count is zero (until now), I have to get started to see how it goes. The authors I admire say to give it two years, five years, to really know if it’s going to work for you. Time is ticking.And so it begins.</article></body>

What it Took to Publish My First Medium Post

“Do not wait until all the conditions are perfect for you to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect.” — Alan Cohen

Like many in 2020, I had a lot of time on my hands. I dove into the basics: jigsaw puzzles, sourdough bread baking (my starter, Eddie Breader, is still thriving!), increased book and podcast consumption. There was still a lot of time to start thinking about what I really want to do. It’s writing.

Here are the top three things that pushed me to publish:

Goals

I knew the answer was writing. I have known this for the majority of my life. I just found other things to do instead.

My social media life is pretty much non-existent, yet I remain engaged with LinkedIn. The personal and professional insights I find there are meaningful for me. Many of the links were to Medium posts and I started exploring what was there. I joined in November of 2020 with the goal of publishing twice in 2021.

I dove into the content as it seemed like the articles were truly for me. I followed authors that really spoke to me, pushed me, and aligned with how I wanted to live my life. I sent them emails to acknowledge their work (and some emailed me back!), I started thinking about what I wanted to say, and what my posts could look like.

I attended Medium’s Zoom webinars to learn more about the process. I thought about potential articles, made lists of topics and titles, daydreamed about what this could look like for me. If thinking about writing was the goal, I nailed it.

Ultimately, thinking isn’t doing.

Fear

I hadn’t written up to this point because it scared the crap out of me. I couldn’t quite face the impending criticism and who would want to read what I write anyway?

Here’s the thing: If I’m looking for something in the posts on Medium (and finding it!), there’s a good chance I could be that for someone else. There might be just a few people who find value in what I write. More importantly, I will find value in writing it and getting it out there.

Throughout 2021, my own work got me to the point of self-acceptance. The idea of not posting now seems way more difficult to live with than worry over negative comments. And each day, the content on Medium was telling me to go.

The only way out is through.

Paywall

A part of me wants to know if writing could be a way of living for me. One way to find out is to join the Partner Program. It is no surprise that the qualifications to do so require at least one post. Considering my post count is zero (until now), I have to get started to see how it goes. The authors I admire say to give it two years, five years, to really know if it’s going to work for you. Time is ticking.

And so it begins.