WRITER’S STORIES
Success is a journey. It’s not a straight line.
When I began writing on Medium, the platform seemed like a vast, uncharted ocean. Like many others, I was filled with excitement and trepidation, eager to share my thoughts but uncertain of my footing.
I had already built a career spanning academia, corporate leadership, and entrepreneurship, but this was a different arena.
The article “Why Is It So Hard to Achieve Success on Medium? Here’s the Answer” resonated with me deeply. It shed light on the challenges that I, too, faced in my writing journey.
”Success on Medium, what does that even mean?” I pondered as I had my regular morning walk exercise.
The article mentioned that success could mean different things to people – gaining followers, earning money, or simply finding a voice. It was about creating impact, sharing knowledge, and connecting with like-minded individuals. But achieving that was easier said than done.
I remember my early days on Medium, staring at the blank page with a mix of excitement and anxiety.
”Where do I even start?” I often asked myself.
The article’s author pointed out that finding a niche is one of the biggest challenges. This advice was both liberating and constricting.
On one hand, I have a wealth of experience in IoT, smart cities, and entrepreneurship. On the other hand, I had varied interests—poetry, book reviews, personal reflections—that didn’t neatly fit into one category.
”Should I focus solely on IoT?” I wondered.
My journey with FAVORIOT has given me profound insights into the industry, and I knew there was a lot I could share.
Yet, I didn’t want to limit myself.
I remembered the joy of writing about different topics, the thrill of exploring various subjects, and the satisfaction of seeing readers engage with my diverse content.
The article suggested consistency as a key to success. ”Consistency, huh?” I pondered.
It made sense.
In my professional life, consistency has always been crucial. Whether it was leading a team, conducting research, or delivering a keynote speech, being consistently built trust and credibility.
However, applying that to writing was a new challenge.
”Can I maintain a regular posting schedule?” I asked myself, aware of my often hectic schedule.
I decided to experiment.
”Let’s start with what I know best,” I resolved, focusing initially on IoT and smart cities.
My first few articles blended technical insights and personal experiences. I shared stories from my time at MIMOS, where we pushed the boundaries of IoT research, and from FAVORIOT, where we implemented real-world solutions.
The response was encouraging, but I knew I had to diversify to keep my writing fresh and engaging.
The article also touched on the importance of engaging with the community.
”Engagement, of course,” I noted.
This wasn’t just about writing; it was about connecting.
I began reading more, leaving thoughtful comments, and responding to those who engaged with my work.
It felt like building a network in my corporate and entrepreneurial roles.
”People appreciate genuine interaction,” I reminded myself, drawing parallels to the countless meetings and conferences where meaningful conversations often led to significant opportunities.
Despite my efforts, there were days when my articles didn’t perform as well as I hoped.
”What am I doing wrong?” I often asked myself in frustration.
The article I read addressed this feeling, explaining that the algorithm could be unpredictable and sometimes just about timing.
”Patience and persistence,” I reminded myself, have served me well throughout my career.
I reflected on my journey into entrepreneurship, especially the early days of FAVORIOT.
”Starting a company was never part of the plan,” I recalled.
My career had been firmly rooted in academia and then in corporate roles.
Yet, the opportunity to create something new, to drive innovation in IoT, was too compelling to resist.
The initial challenges were immense – securing funding, building a team, developing a product – but each hurdle taught me valuable lessons.
”If I could navigate those challenges, I can figure out Medium,” I encouraged myself.
The article also highlighted the importance of storytelling.
”Stories, not just facts,” I noted.
This was a crucial insight.
My technical articles were informative, but the ones that resonated most were those in which I shared personal anecdotes—stories of failures and successes, of lessons learned the hard way.
I remembered a talk I gave at a conference about the importance of resilience.
”The audience connected with the data and the story behind it,” I realized.
Drawing from this, I began incorporating more personal narratives into my writing. I shared stories from my childhood, growing up in Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur, my early fascination with science fiction, and how these shaped my dreams of becoming a scientist.
”Readers want to see the human side,” I reminded myself.
These articles saw better engagement, reinforcing the power of storytelling.
”But how do I balance personal and professional?” This was a constant dilemma.
The article suggested being authentic, letting readers see both sides.
It was a balancing act, but one worth mastering. I wrote about my journey from academia to corporate and then to entrepreneurship, highlighting the seamless thread of curiosity and passion for innovation through each phase.
”It’s all part of the same story,” I concluded.
Another point the article made was the importance of understanding the audience.
”Who am I writing for?” I asked myself.
My audience on Medium was diverse – tech enthusiasts, budding entrepreneurs, students, and professionals seeking insights.
”How can I serve them better?” This question became a guiding principle. I began tailoring my content to address common questions and challenges they faced, offering practical advice and insights drawn from my experiences.
I recalled a time working on a critical project at CELCOM-Digi. ”Understanding the customer’s pain points was key,” I remembered.
Applying this to my writing, I aimed to address my readers’ pain points.
Whether it was demystifying IoT for beginners or offering strategic advice to fellow entrepreneurs, I focused on adding value.
One of the article’s most profound pieces of advice was about perseverance.
”It’s a marathon, not a sprint,” I reflected. My career was a testament to this truth. From the early days of struggling to secure research funding to leading a successful tech company, perseverance has been my constant companion.
”Success on Medium won’t come overnight,” I reminded myself. It was about showing up consistently, learning, and improving with each piece.
I thought back to my days at MIMOS, working on cutting-edge research.
”Innovation takes time,” I smiled. The same applied to writing.
Each article was an iteration, a step towards refining my voice and message.
I embraced the process, knowing that each piece, regardless of its immediate success, was part of a larger journey.
As I continued to write, I also paid attention to the metrics – views, claps, comments.
”What are these numbers telling me?” I wondered.
They were feedback, a way to gauge what resonated with my audience. I adjusted my approach based on this feedback, experimenting with different formats and topics.
”It’s like fine-tuning a product,” I realized, drawing parallels to my work at FAVORIOT.
Yet, there were times when self-doubt crept in.
”Am I good enough?” This question lingered, especially when my articles didn’t perform well.
The article I read addressed this, too, emphasizing the importance of self-belief.
”Believe in your voice,” I told myself. My journey, my experiences, and my insights were unique. There was value in sharing them, even if the immediate response wasn’t always positive.
I remembered the early days of FAVORIOT, the countless pitches to investors, and the rejections.
”Every ‘no’ was a step closer to a ‘yes’,” I reflected. Writing on Medium felt similar. Each article was an opportunity, and persistence was key. ”Keep going,” I encouraged myself.
The article also highlighted the importance of learning from others.
”Learn from the best,” it advised.
I began following successful writers on Medium, analyzing their style, the topics they chose, and how they engaged with their audience.
”There’s always something to learn,” I reminded myself. This approach improved my writing and connected me with a community of supportive and inspiring individuals.
As months passed, I started seeing progress.
”Slow and steady,” I noted, appreciating the incremental growth.
My followers increased, engagement improved, and I felt more confident in my voice.
Each article was a step towards building a body of work that reflected my journey and insights.
One of the most fulfilling aspects of this journey was the feedback from readers.
”Your article helped me understand IoT better,” one comment read.
”I resonate with your entrepreneurial struggles,” said another. These interactions reinforced the impact of sharing my story.
”It’s about touching lives, even if just one at a time,” I reminded myself.
Looking back, the article “Why Is It So Hard to Achieve Success on Medium? Here’s the Answer” was a turning point. It offered clarity and direction at a time when I felt lost in the vast sea of content creation.
”Success is a journey,” I concluded, requiring patience, persistence, and authenticity.
Reflecting on my journey, I feel accomplished as I sit here today.
Not just for the milestones achieved but for the lessons learned along the way.
”Each article is a part of me,” I realize, a testament to my experiences, struggles, and triumphs. And as I continue to write, I do so with a renewed sense of purpose and a deep appreciation for the process.
”Success is a journey,” I concluded, requiring patience, persistence, and authenticity.
Discover more from Dr. Mazlan Abbas
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
