Just Hit Publish
From 15 to 40,000 views
Listen here.
Way back on July 23, 2023, I published my first post on Substack. At that time, I had 15 subscribers—all family and trusted friends — as I ventured out on this writing journey. I had prewarned each of them that I was starting a blog, but not to expect much from it. I asked Susanna not to share it without my approval.
A lot has changed in my mindset since that day. If you haven’t read that first post, here it is. Short and sweet. I am still proud of the message, and it continues to resonate with me:
I never believed that I got to decide who I wanted to be. I thought that was up to the cosmic “they” in the universe. It took near-death to help me understand that life is not safe.1 I began to wonder, if I had died, would my life have mattered at all? Would I have focused on anything that could make a difference for someone else, or would I have just prioritized my own comfort?
I believed I had a message to share. I still believe it. There must be people like me who followed all the rules, achieved some measure of success, and still feel like they were meant for so much more.
It might not seem like much, but the guy who played it safe his whole life finally hit publish on that hot July day. On the day of my 100th post, I received over 40,000 views on my posts. That blows my mind—it's like a football stadium's worth of views.
I wonder what you need to do to hit publish today?
Perhaps like me, you desperately want to stop following someone else’s rules and live the life you were made to live. You feel that burning deep down inside that you were created to impact the world in your own unique way. If it all ended today, you would regret not starting the business, not taking the chance, not pursuing that relationship, not going back to school, and not going for your dream. You don’t want to be one of those people who are here physically but, for all intents and purposes, are dead long before your heart stops beating.
Last week, I rebranded this blog to “The Authentic Path.” Why? I’m creating a community that helps people like you uncover and embrace the purpose — the greatness — that already exists within you. To find that WHY that lights you up, and to help you run towards it with the full force of your will. It doesn’t matter how you compare to others. They are on their own path. Your benchmark is who you used to be a year ago. You’re someone who is on the path of continuous growth for the rest of your life.
The Authentic Path will evolve over the coming weeks and months with more opportunities to connect with others in this community. I’m fighting my own instincts and launching the rebrand now without having it all figured out.
Thanks for walking with me thus far. I know that you were meant for so much more than what you’re doing now. You were made to be authentically you. You were made to do something great. It’s your time. Embrace it. Let’s go!
I love this Tarek!