Let’s be honest — consistency isn’t always easy.
After months of sporadic posting and watching my stats fluctuate like a roller coaster, I finally cracked the code to consistency on Medium. No, I didn’t discover a magical formula or sacrifice my social life — I simply developed a system that works for my writing style and schedule. Here’s how I maintain my writing streak without burning out.
1. I Treat My Notes App Like a Gold Mine
Ever noticed how the best ideas pop up when you’re in the shower, walking your dog, or trying to fall asleep? I used to lose these gems because I thought I’d “remember them later.” Spoiler alert: I never did.
Now I do this instead:
- Keep my phone’s notes app organized with different folders for article ideas
- Write down even the smallest observations that could turn into stories
- Record voice notes when typing isn’t convenient
- Take screenshots of interesting conversations or comments that spark article ideas
The result? I never face the dreaded blank screen because I always have a backlog of ideas to develop.
2. I Embraced the “Ugly First Draft” Philosophy
My perfectionism was killing my consistency. I’d spend days polishing a single article, only to abandon it because it wasn’t “perfect enough.” Then I made a rule: write badly, but write anyway.
My current process:
- Set a 30-minute timer for the first draft
- Write without editing
- Don’t look back until the draft is complete
- Accept that the first version will be messy — that’s what editing is for
This approach helped me increase my output from one article per week to three, simply because I stopped self-editing during the creation phase.
3. I Created Content Buckets
Random posting was exhausting my creativity. Now, I have specific themes for different days:
- Mondays: Personal development stories
- Wednesdays: Writing tips and experiences
- Fridays: Life lessons and reflections
This structure:
- Eliminates decision fatigue
- Helps build a loyal readership who know what to expect
- Makes brainstorming more focused
- Creates a balanced content portfolio
4. I Build My Writing Muscle with “micro-sessions”
Waiting for large chunks of free time was setting me up for failure. Instead, I started utilizing small pockets of time throughout the day:
- 15 minutes during lunch break for outlining
- 20 minutes while commuting for editing (voice notes)
- 30 minutes before bed for final touches
The key is consistency, not duration. These micro-sessions add up, and more importantly, they keep the momentum going even on busy days.
5. I Made Peace with “Good Enough”
This was the hardest lesson to learn. I used to hold onto articles for weeks, tweaking and refining until they lost their spark. Now I follow the 80/20 rule:
- When an article is 80% ready, it’s time to publish
- The remaining 20% of “perfection” isn’t worth the time investment
- Readers connect more with authenticity than perfection
- Published imperfectly is better than perfect but unpublished
Bonus Tip: I Created a Support System
While this wasn’t part of my original five tips, it’s too important not to mention. I joined a small group of Medium writers who:
- Share each other’s work
- Provide feedback when needed
- Celebrate milestones together
- Keep each other accountable
The Reality Check
Let’s be honest — consistency isn’t always easy. There are days when the words don’t flow, when life gets in the way, or when motivation takes a vacation. But these systems help me push through those moments:
- Having a bank of ideas removes the “what should I write about?” barrier
- Content buckets eliminate decision paralysis
- Micro-sessions make writing manageable
- The “good enough” philosophy keeps me moving forward
- My support system provides motivation when mine is low
My last Words
Remember, consistency doesn’t mean perfection. It means showing up regularly, delivering value to your readers, and gradually building your presence on Medium. Some days you’ll write masterpieces, other days you’ll publish pieces that are just okay — and that’s perfectly fine.
The secret to staying consistent isn’t about having more time or talent; it’s about having systems that work for you. These five tips aren’t rules set in stone; they’re starting points. Adapt them, modify them, or use them as inspiration to create your own.
What matters is finding a sustainable rhythm that keeps you writing, publishing, and growing your Medium presence without burning out.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go write tomorrow’s article. My notes app is full of ideas waiting to be transformed into stories.