Why Milestones Are More Important Than You Think

You enter into a new world. You've finally found home. And you tentatively, anxiously, step out onto the new field. What you're missing is obvious, even if you don't see it. It's as plain to the rest of the world as the nose on your face.

You're missing the confidence of a skilled master of their craft. You lack the self-belief that you can do it. And why not? You did choose to take on the challenge, the idea that was once just a little seedling growing in your brain. Pursuing something that big is never an easy choice.

But you chose; you're on the field, and now you have to figure out how to stay there. You're not done. If you're really honest, the work has just started. And that's the frustrating part of life. When you've arrived, you really haven't. At least, not yet.

However, it doesn't take away from the milestone you have achieved. You've either started something new, been invited into something you worked to get to, or you have made some change in your life. Really, you've hit the biggest milestone on your journey to date. Someone gave you your first crumb.

Go ahead and enjoy it!

But don't get overly comfortable. There are many milestones ahead, and many of them will give you that feeling of being off to the races. And that is when you, with every milestone achieved, will feel like you belong.

Take writing on writing platforms, for instance. What are you doing it for? Why does anyone pay 9.99 a month for the privilege of making content for someone else's website?

Are you getting what you want out of the experience? Are you achieving those milestones?

Milestones around here are fewer and fewer. There comes a point when you wonder: Is there anything else I can do here?

Sound familiar? It should. It's the same feeling that people have when they are disillusioned with a job, their status in life, their career choices, and their social circles tend to get. They say the bloom is off the rose, they've lost their smile, or they don't understand the point any longer.

It's because of the lack of milestones. Humans are wired to be achievers, explorers, learners, and yes...conquerors. We want to beat the odds, conquer things, build new things, and leave our marks on the world. Without milestone achievements along the way, we lose track of what we are doing. We can begin to question the why of it all.

The biggest problem with milestones is seeing them correctly. Think about your first milestone on the Vocal platform. What was it?

Was it the first read, the first comment, the first heart, or were you shooting for something bigger as a milestone? Did you possess the confidence some lack when they try something new? Were you haunted by self-doubt?

That very first one I remember recognizing was the first viral story I wrote on the vocal platform.

It came long before the first top story, and before I ever saw Jason Morton pop up in Creators We're Loving. It happened on a weekend and was like watching the box office explode during a newly released Marvel Movie. 2500 one day, 3500 read the next. It was a rush, and I felt like I was off to the races.

But the milestones come around with less frequency, just six years later. And then you get a crumb handed to you, a little taste, and it's like Al Pacino whispering in your ear. They're pulling you back in.

Milestones in life, whether it's on the platform you're reading this on or life in general, are important. They have a dual purpose.

One, to give you something to shoot for. That's assuming you have the faith in yourself that they're reachable.

And two, they give you something to celebrate. And that's perhaps their biggest value. They are the reward for working, persevering, showing up, and not quitting.

We can all use a milestone event every so often. Can't we?