How My Third Week On Substack Went (A Change in My Plan)

For this week, I had planned to leave 5 comments and 10 likes daily. But I changed my plan.

Substack “For-you” feed doesn’t energize me, just like any other social platform. After a few days of engaging for growth, I noticed how my energy was depleting and my anxiety raising. It was again a junkie. I felt the pressure of growing and making money, even after a few weeks.

That’s why I decided to schedule all my notes and posts, and return after 1 week. The same plan I follow for LinkedIn.

Here’s what happened in numbers:

  • 8 followers. Same number, but new faces.
  • 3 new subscribers. Two came from Notes and the other came organically.
  • 11 notes and 1 post
  • 5 likes on the top performing note
  • 3 likes on the next top performing one

Well, those 5 and 3 likes already feel like real progress.

But the most important bit: I learned to grow at my own rhythm and stop listening to everybody’s advice. And if it drains it, it’s out.

If you’re curious, here are my first impressions from week 1 and my results from week 2.

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Don't Hit Publish If You Miss This Rule

Nobody wants to read about the successful being successful. That’s a bad story.

James Altucher, one of the writers I’ve stolen from, shares not to be heroes, but vulnerable. Our struggles make our stories more relatable. He has a rule: if it doesn’t make you scared, don’t hit Publish. I probably read it in Choose Yourself Stories.

In 10 Simple Ideas That Changed My Life, I wrote about my burnout episode, my stomach issues, and, even bits of my dating life. For a moment, I regretted sharing that, especially in a book.

These days, a reader told me the book related so much with her, because she’s been going through similar situations. That made it a 5-star for her. And that’s the power of stories.

If it doesn’t make you scared, don’t publish it.

The Unexpected Lesson That Could Save Your Marriage or Workplace

I was looking to know how the mind and emotions work.

But I found the best lesson for marriages and relationships.

It’s the XYZ approach from Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman:

When sharing about an uncomfortable or annoying situation, instead of attacking the spouse, point out the situation. And say something like, When you did X, it made me feel Y. I would have preferred Z.

Always make it about the situation, not the person. And if it works for marriages, it works at the workplace too.

Don't Just Read Books, Read a Fortress Instead

Read broadly or read about certain subjects or reread the same books?

I’ve struggled choosing a reading strategy. Probably, for years, I read about anything that crossed my path. But I realized I was only reading to chase quantity. Then I switched to read books as needed.

These days, I started Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman. It teaches about empathic listening: not just hearing or repeating the last words you hear, but to listen and paraphrase showing the underlying emotion.

While reading about it, I remember that’s precisely one of the habits from 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. That made me go back and read that chapter again. Habit #5, if I remember correctly.

Which led me to remember about Anthony Metivier’s idea of building a fortress of books. In of his YouTube videos, he recommends reading books that build on, expand, or contradict each other. You’ll find the same concepts in different perspectives. That’s a better reading strategy.

In case you’re curious, here are my books. Feel free to pick any strategy to read them.

The Perfect Life (A Random Drop of Wisdom)

When I shared about my unmet expectations and my career plans, my sister told me,

“You will have a perfect life. But it won’t be perfect all the time.”

A gentle reminder to find contentment where I am at now.

Yes, she’s younger but way wiser.