I have been actively writing on Medium for more than six weeks now, although my initial piece on the significance of embracing intentional mistakes was published over a year ago.

My motivation for joining Medium wasn't to make quick cash; I recognize it's not a get-rich-quick platform.

What drew me in was the autonomy it offers. I have the freedom to write whenever I wish and on topics that interest me.

Additionally, I appreciate the community aspect. I enjoy receiving immediate feedback, reading the stories of others, and engaging with fellow writers.

However, I would be dishonest if I claimed that earnings and statistics didn't matter to me.

In fact, I find myself checking my stats nearly every day. It's almost a guilty pleasure; while I know I might be seeking fleeting dopamine boosts, I can’t seem to resist it.

I monitor my comments, reads, followers, and earnings.

I also take pleasure in exploring the statistics and earnings of other writers, as it’s enlightening to see their progress and insights.

It reminds me of my first job in a restaurant, where after work, we awkwardly discussed our wages, unknowingly exercising our right to talk about pay with colleagues.

Thus, I've decided to share my most successful stories.

Nevertheless, success cannot be measured solely by financial gain. I've chosen four criteria to gauge my success, starting with the most significant: enjoyment.

1. Enjoyment The story I found most enjoyable to write was about stepping out of my comfort zone.

I am actively seeking to embrace more risks in life, and in this narrative, I explain my reasoning and the three exercises I undertook to broaden my comfort zone.

I relished sharing these exercises and writing on this subject, as it’s currently a crucial theme in my life.

The lesson I learned about enjoyment I believe it's essential to write about what resonates with you.

This particular piece was significant to me, not just a shortcut to success or a trendy topic—it was something that had been on my mind.

While it’s advantageous to consider what might interest readers, predicting the algorithm is nearly impossible. Therefore, it’s wise to focus on themes that genuinely intrigue you.

Even if a story doesn’t generate substantial earnings or perform as expected, the enjoyment you experience while writing is invaluable.

Often, despite worries about the topic's interest level, if you genuinely enjoy writing it, that passion is palpable, making the narrative more engaging.

Moreover, while a theme may not appeal to everyone, the internet is vast.

If you write about subjects you love, you will attract like-minded individuals.

Conversely, if you write about topics that don’t bring you joy, you may find success but will be stuck with an audience that doesn’t share your interests.

Life is simply too short for that.

2. Read Ratio I believe the read ratio is an underappreciated measure of success. It doesn’t reflect how catchy your title is or the timeliness of your topic, nor does it account for clicks, reads, or earnings.

However, it gauges how engaging your narrative is.

This metric serves as direct feedback on your writing ability.

It indicates whether you can capture your audience's attention, fulfill the promise of your title, and convey a meaningful message.

Surprisingly, my story with the highest read ratio was a deeply personal one about my experience on a Tinder date.

The lesson I learned about read ratio I didn’t anticipate this personal narrative would achieve such a high read ratio.

While I hoped it would resonate with readers, I expected some to lose interest since it revolved around my unique dating experiences.

The takeaway here is that people can indeed find value in your personal stories, even if they don't directly relate to their lives.

You can share your own experiences, and your audience may remain engaged beyond the initial paragraph, which was quite encouraging.

3. Earnings Although earnings may seem less significant than other success metrics, they still hold importance—everyone has to eat.

Currently, my earnings aren't substantial.

Nonetheless, I feel satisfaction with the income generated, as it stems from writing about a subject I love.

My highest-earning story focuses on two daily mini habits I adopted, inspired by the book Atomic Habits.

In this piece, I outline the Four Laws of Behavior Change and how I integrated them into my daily routines.

The lesson I learned about earnings This experience taught me that the platform's publications play a crucial role. This particular story was featured in The Writing Cooperative, which likely contributed to its success.

The editorial team not only refined the content but also provided access to a larger audience, reflecting a level of quality since they curate submissions.

Additionally, applying a psychological concept to a popular theme like self-improvement may have enhanced its appeal.

4. Interaction The story that garnered the most heartfelt responses was about my journey to embrace rejection and why I believe pursuing romantic rejection can be beneficial.

The lesson I learned about interaction What contributed to the abundance of thoughtful comments on this piece?

I suspect it was the personal nature of the narrative. Initially, I felt hesitant to share such vulnerable content, but the positive feedback and the willingness of others to open up made it worthwhile.

This story received 33 comments, but the depth of those responses was particularly meaningful.

One reader, Sieran Lane, provided a thoughtful reflection on his own experiences with rejection, and I appreciated the opportunity to engage on such an important topic.

In conclusion, I believe a successful story isn’t solely defined by its monetary gain.

It can also be a narrative that brought you joy to write.

Or one that inspired warm interactions with readers.

Or simply a story that achieved a high engagement rate.

I genuinely believe that if you focus on writing about what matters to you and engage meaningfully with your audience, financial success will follow—not the other way around.

To close with a favorite quote from Julia Cameron: > What we really want to do is what we are really meant to do. When we do what we are meant to do, money comes to us, doors open for us, we feel useful, and the work we do feels like play to us.

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