Throughout October 2023, I embarked on a transformative 31-day journey. My goal was to challenge myself by writing daily articles and sharing them on platforms like LinkedIn, Medium, and my website, myretail-world.com.
This journey, while initially daunting, turned out to be a remarkable experience filled with surprises, self-discovery, and valuable insights.
I dove into this journey with the simple goal of stretching myself. Little did I know how much I would enjoy the process, whether it was morning or night; the routine of putting my thoughts into words brought a sense of fulfillment I hadn't expected.
Reflecting on it now, it's clear that all goals start with naivety, but this journey allowed me to embrace that naivety.
One of the most surprising discoveries during this journey was how much writing became a source of calmness.
The act of sitting still, fingers on the keyboard, relieved the daily life stress I often carried. I was amazed at how this newfound routine had a positive impact on my everyday life.
My favorite articles to write during this last month were:
.png)
I had concerns about balancing my intense focus on writing with being present with my family during our 11-day vacation in Hawaii.
Surprisingly, this newfound writing routine helped me achieve just that.
I could dive into my work when needed and fully engage with my family when it was time. It was a skill I had struggled with before but managed to master during this journey.
As I moved through October, I couldn't help but reflect on the goals I had set for myself. My journey unveiled some unexpected truths.
On LinkedIn, I aimed for a specific number of connections and post impressions, only to discover that quality and meaningful connections mattered more than the numbers.
While I didn't reach my goal of 100 connections, I made 88 new connections and gained 104 followers.
I learned that LinkedIn is an entirely different animal than Medium. I made some new friends and learned some valuable lessons about people’s expectations of you on LinkedIn as a business.
After reaching out to several companies and potential clients, I saw the need for improved content creation.
On Medium, I chased monetary goals but ultimately found that personal growth and reader engagement were the real rewards. I didn't reach my $50 goal, but I learned not to be overly focused on the numbers, and my earnings came to $10.98.
My journey also brought about a profound shift in my perspective on social media. In 2022, I had closed all my social media accounts, overwhelmed by the constant comparison and negativity.
However, my experience on platforms like Medium and LinkedIn was entirely different.
The supportive and engaging communities I encountered were fresh air, a reminder that not all online spaces are toxic.
LinkedIn turned out to be a unique platform with its rules and dynamics. While it was a challenge to navigate, I learned the value of a well-crafted LinkedIn profile and the importance of adapting my content to suit this different audience.
I plan to write LinkedIn-specific content as the demographic differs drastically from Medium.
The journey also shed light on my website, myretail-world.com. I began with limited analytics and set ambitious goals for user engagement.
As the days passed, I not only achieved my goals but also recognized the need for incremental improvements to enhance the user experience.
One of the most significant revelations during this journey was the need to rethink our business model.
Working closely with a new client led to a complete shift in perspective.
We realized that our previous goals weren't just challenging; they were misguided. By focusing on our core strengths, we could unlock new possibilities and redefine our path to success.
Throughout my journey, I drew on a wealth of knowledge gained from influential authors like Ryan Holiday, Gino Wickman, Dr. Benjamin Hardy, Tim Ferriss, Jocko Willink, Ed Mylett, and Malcolm Gladwell.
I recommend the hardcover on all of these books. It is easier to make notes, and they hold up over years of use better than the paperback.
Their wisdom guided not only my professional endeavors but also my personal growth as a husband, father, and community member.
Finally, I was reminded of a valuable lesson: never stop learning. It's easy to believe that we've already mastered certain concepts, but life has a way of revealing new layers of understanding.
Whether about finances, business models, or the power of the written word, this journey reaffirmed the importance of humility and continuous growth.
Looking back on these 31 days of change, I'm grateful for the opportunity to embark on this journey. It was a month of surprises, self-improvement, and valuable lessons.
Let's compare the original goals with the achievements numerically:
These numerical achievements testify to the growth and evolution during this journey.
I can't wait to see where this newfound wisdom will take me in the months and years to come.
Note: Some links may provide a commission, but the passion for sharing knowledge is priceless and comes straight from my retail heart.
