Chapter 1: The Beginning of a Writing Journey

It feels like just yesterday when a hesitant Shruti, without any prior writing experience, nervously published her first article, hands shaking.

How Reading Books Changed My Outlook, Not My Life!

The most impactful advice I've ever received is simple: READ! Yet, it didn't transform my life as I expected.

A year has passed since this adventure commenced, and I’ve managed to share 53 stories in that time. As I draft my 54th, I want to express heartfelt thanks to all of you and share the insights I've gained on Medium.

Despite my extensive background in sales and marketing spanning five years, I still felt apprehensive and unsure when I embarked on my writing journey. Imposter syndrome crept in, fueled by my lack of online writing experience. I never envisioned myself as a writer, even in the distant future. It's interesting how we frequently underestimate our own abilities.

Just like with other new experiences, this one was slightly intimidating. Feeling a bit scared is completely normal when stepping into uncharted territory. I recall the anxiety I felt transitioning from engineering to sales, uncertain of how I would manage in a field I knew little about.

However, my passion for learning and adaptability helped me confront my fears and master sales. Similarly, starting my online writing journey required me to face my fears once more.

A pivotal moment came when I received invaluable advice from Steve Bartlett:

I wish I had encountered this wisdom earlier in my life, but it’s never too late to learn. This guidance has remained with me ever since.

An essential lesson I've learned through my experiences in sales and marketing is the significance of building trust and relationships while addressing customer needs. Writing on Medium reflects this principle.

I remember my early days on Medium when my writing lacked structure or a defined format. I learned that genuine validation arises when someone connects with your stories. This connection can offer new insights or simply provide a sense of understanding.

For a long period, I wrote sporadically, without a clear strategy or consistency, and rarely reached out to others. I was just passively consuming content. But, like how you can't lose weight by merely watching fitness videos, you can't cultivate a community through passive engagement.

All my experiences and successes share a common thread: understanding human emotions and fostering connections. No matter the field—writing, sales, law, entrepreneurship, or beyond—it's fundamentally about people. The truth is, genuine connections, when nurtured, yield the most profound outcomes.

No one achieves success in isolation. We all require a community for emotional, financial, and economic support. Over the past month, after consistently writing on Medium, I've noticed remarkable growth in my reach, readership, and community engagement. I prefer the term “community” to “followers,” as this journey is not about one person leading while others follow; it’s about mutual growth and connection.

While I've made strides in honing my writing skills, storytelling, and understanding what constitutes effective writing, I’m unsure if I can call myself an expert. Ultimately, you are the best judge of that.

Nonetheless, writing, like any other skill, can be refined and enhanced through consistent practice. It’s crucial to recognize that writing is fundamentally about people. To thrive as a writer, it’s not only about mastering the technical aspects of writing; it’s also vital to comprehend what captivates and engages your audience. Grasping what resonates with readers—whether your goal is to persuade, narrate, or inspire—is essential. Identifying people’s needs and discovering ways to educate, inspire, or entertain them is crucial. At its core, it's all about forging meaningful human connections.

Mastering this art will lead to success in both personal and professional realms.

This message is not merely a celebration of 50 stories, but a reflection on the experiences and lessons learned throughout this journey. It's a sincere expression of gratitude to the wonderful individuals I've encountered along the way. Without their support, I wouldn’t be here to narrate my story.

I would like to extend special thanks to a few incredible individuals:

• Denis Gorbunov for his insightful perspectives on finance and investing.
• George J. Ziogas for his storytelling and thought-provoking article on future-proofing careers in the age of AI.
• David Chong for his poignant article that resonated deeply, reminding us that sometimes our passions don’t align with the world’s needs.
• Neela for her refreshing articles that brighten up the noisy digital landscape. Her writing inspires me.
• Ana Perkovic for her personal narratives that offer a sense of friendship.
• Malli for her concise posts that provoke thought.
• Revanth Goud for his unwavering support and captivating pieces.

If I inadvertently overlooked anyone, please know it was unintentional. I appreciate all of you—200 remarkable individuals.

Thank you for being wonderful readers and integral members of this community!

Shruti

Chapter 2: Embracing Growth Through Community

The first video, "50th Anniversary | Celebrating Our Past," captures the essence of our journey and the milestones we've achieved together.

The second video, "50 for 50: Kerry Zingg," showcases valuable insights and reflections that enrich our understanding of community and collaboration.