19 Comments

Great article and advice 👏.

Like your approach of not being stressed out with self-imposed deadlines. There are thousands of YouTube and Substack channels that started with a plan and got buried with exhausted dreams. Less is more!

Thanks for sharing your ideas.

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Thank you for reading and commenting. I'm here for the long run. Slow burn is better than a fast fizzle out

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Definitely!

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I really like this read. It's resonating with what I'm going through on most days. There's a fine line between schedules that keeps me going and rigid schedules that feels like a burden.

I'll try to implement the suggested tips and work upon them, afterall one must imagine Sisyphus happy.

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Thank you Prerit. that really means a lot. I think tight schedules are good for those who struggle with discipline but they can be a double edged sword than ends up being very constrictive

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Very well said. It is a valid opinion.

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I think small goals is the most important one. Its the one that starts everything. I demand of myself a sentence, a small one. And then, if I can, I try to make a better sentence. And it grows from there.

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Yes small goals are good. It can be really motivating to achieve your goals and if they are too big you get dishearten very quickly

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Thank you for the great advice Benjamin. All your points really resonated and on the theme of effort, you really demonstrated how creating rigid structures and deadlines can not only hamper our performance but stop us altogether. I also think it's very important to have a balance between effort and organisation/systems as the best ideas come when your mind is away from writing.

Great post!

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Agreed. Usually they come on a walk or when I'm day dreaming :). Thanks for your comment. I appreciate it 😀

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This is super helpful. Thank you!

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Thanks Jennifer, that's grate. Which part was most helpful if you don't mind me asking?

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The realization that there is nothing actually pushing us to post anything and we can do what we can when we can and still be successful. The boulder analogy makes a lot of sense.

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Ahhh perfect. Yeah the misconception is that posting a lot of content is how you grow a big following...and I think that's why many fall into this trap...or they are desperate to instantly blow up...I prefer a slower more measure approach. It#s a lot more enjoyable that way

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Really like your approach, Benjamin. Thx for sharing.

How I look at the writing journey now:

1. My intrinsic motivation development of my philosophy and the view of a good life through writing

2. Writing sharpens the ideas and thinking

3. Writing makes one able to teach concepts which are conceptual fragments stored in the mind

4. Writing creates goal-oriented learning about concepts so that eventually one achieves mastery in a field

I know many will have a different approach: Escape the 9-5 where growing the audience and monetizing is the key priority. I think these will struggle to become exceptional (except if the domain is "building audience" and "monetizing" which is true for many at substack)

Have a nice day!

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Agreed. There's a great amount of joy to be found in honing through craft...obviously it is also nice when it resonates and the numbers go up. For me its a bit of a balancing act

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Definitely.

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This is great advice, and definitely something I’m keeping in mind as I have switched to a more frequent schedule. Currently I’m liking it, but there should always be room to evaluate and change.

The boulder of life is heavy enough without us adding to it continuously.

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Exactly. You should never be afraid to experiment and see what feel best for you. Currently I’m loving 2x a month

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