49 Comments
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Yankuba Fatty's avatar

This really resonates with me. I started substack really motivated, slowly but surely I am feeling the fire burn out little by little. this post offers me a perspective, to question my why, iterate on my strategies and keep going. thank u.

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Siegrun Reis's avatar

Ja, wie wahr. Ich realisiere momentan, dass ich noch etwa acht Jahre schreiben muss, bevor ich ein Experte bin. Mir gefällt der Mind Shift: Ich bin der Student, der Lernende, der Experimentator. Unterbewusst war ich da schon, und so macht es mir am meisten Spaß. Mir gefällt auch der Denkanstoß, das Schreiben und das Erhöhen der Sichtbarkeit als zwei verschiedene Projekte zu betrachten. Danke für diesen Artikel.

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Notes from Pelle's avatar

Very inspiring and encouraging!

It’s important to write for yourself , than for the sake of pressure , allowing yourself to enjoy the moments .

Writing makes me feel more connected to myself and my emotions and it feels so liberating.

Keep up the good work !

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Tirtharaj Mukherjee's avatar

Saving for study

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SenFlyer's avatar

Thank you! This is exactly what I needed to hear!

I think I've been very very slowly realizing that I need to value internal growth more than external growth. Because the external stuff can drive you nuts if you let it.

When it comes to long form media it's not about overnight growth, but showing up every week even when it's hard. I think we have been trained too much to value instant feedback instead of gradual change.

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Benjamin Antoine's avatar

Yes. If you can manage your expectations and focus on internal motivation you will enjoy the journey a lot more

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The Invisible Caretaker's avatar

Great read and advice! Thank you.

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Vince Mao's avatar

Thanks for sharing your perspectives! Doing anything for years at a time have all the hallmarks of avoiding much of what you describe here. I'd say that there are nuances to the definition of discipline and self-expression that do keep some going long after the initial hype ends.

For me, it's more about identity and encouraging people to find the "why" that is deeper than the ones you mention.

No point in cleaning the kitchen as the house burns down around you.

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Astrid Nygaard's avatar

Thank you for reminding me of the why behind my writing, and the fact that results don’t come right away. Plants grow in darkness before they bloom. 🌱

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Benjamin Antoine's avatar

Yes. Love that. I want to get back to plant analogies 😀

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Astrid Nygaard's avatar

Haha yes, they’re great! The natural world can teach us so much about our own lives 😄

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Rebecca's avatar

great advice thanks! i came to substack to try and not niche down, to try and find my voice whilst also doing all the things i love whilst also trying not to burn out - i figured if i do little bits of more it's better than burning out on forcing myself to niche down - i'm hoping my niche will be creative people who can't niche down

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Gaby Hill's avatar

Great advice and encouragement. Love your down to earth, sensible and very real approach to being on this platform. Helpful reminders to slow down, be curious and remember it’s all about the journey. There isn’t any real final destination in life is there?! 🤗

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Benjamin Antoine's avatar

Yes that is my belief as well the destination might steer things but I think people are miserable when they obsess over it

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Gaby Hill's avatar

So true.

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Almost Dr.Karen Chambre's avatar

Thank you for sharing your experience. It is beneficial and motivational

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Benjamin Antoine's avatar

Glad to hear that. 😀. I’ll keep doing it

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Nicole T's avatar

Thanks for sharing this! I am new here so really appreciate this article.

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Benjamin Antoine's avatar

Welcome to the substack world. I hope you will like it here. Takes some getting used to but the vibes are right

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A SPOONFUL OF WISDOM's avatar

I agree with all of these points. Well stated. Especially your mention of

meaning and identity

I found that as I became more deeply immersed in inauthentic and meaningful writing, discipline became more and more irrelevant. The writing mostly flows. I share it when it feels ready to share, and I don't strategize to gain subscribers.

It's like a spring flowing from a well; I only need to be attentive.

Thank you

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Susanne's avatar

This is very helpful. It's great to find someone who doesn't regurgitate the same "advice" as everyone else. And - I'm allergic to the word discipline. It makes me feel it's about forcing yourself to do something you hate. Knowing our why and having the right habits for it is the thing as I see it, in whatever we want to achieve.

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Benjamin Antoine's avatar

Thanks Susanne. I’m glad it was helpful😀

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Jamie Alston's avatar

Well done! This was what I needed to hear. Helps me to know I’m on the right track.

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Benjamin Antoine's avatar

Glad to hear that Jamie. It’s all about building momentum over time

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Beyond Visions's avatar

Then help people to be seen !!

I believe that something is wrong with your algorithm. It can't be that no matter I post I have zero views. zero!@

I can but the same message on other platforms and at least one sees me.

There's something wrong .

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Benjamin Antoine's avatar

If you are struggling to gain traction and that is what you want, I would focus on interacting with others - join group chats, set daily comments targets, send DM’s, join private groups…do this for a month and see if anything changes

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Beyond Visions's avatar

Stupid question

Where are the group chats?

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Benjamin Antoine's avatar

You need to be subscribed to someone to see their group chat. They appear in your messages tab in the Substack app

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Beyond Visions's avatar

Good advice. Thanks

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