A Month in the Life of a Generalist: Achievements and Reflections
Written on
Chapter 1: Reflecting on February's Achievements
As February came to a close, I took a moment to assess my accomplishments over the month. I successfully published eight issues of my newsletters—four for my generalist newsletter, Generally Speaking, and another four for my fountain pen-focused publication, The Fountain.
My Medium activity has also improved, with nine posts published, a significant increase from just four in January.
Additionally, I contributed two articles to another platform, WritersWithoutWalls.
While it’s encouraging to see progress, the only source of income at this point is from Medium. However, I’m not currently focused on tracking revenue. Right now, my priority is the quality of my work.
I haven't enabled paid subscriptions for my newsletters either. I don't believe in waiting until I feel "good enough" to charge for my content. If I consider myself a writer, then I should have faith in the quality of what I produce.
Many advise launching paid subscriptions right away to avoid "leaving money on the table," but I trust that the situation will improve over time. My challenge lies in determining what additional offerings could justify a fee, and honestly, I haven't devoted much thought to that yet.
If readers appreciate my newsletters and want to support me financially, they are welcome to do so, but I'm not actively soliciting contributions at this moment.
Section 1.1: Diving into Leather Crafting
On the topic of leather crafting (which I may have mentioned previously—here's an article detailing it), I've acquired some leather materials to practice with, along with new designs to work from.
I've become quite enthusiastic about leather crafting. I recently created an A6 notebook cover to familiarize myself with the process, and I'm eager to continue. My goal is to create covers that are appealing enough for others to want to purchase.
I’m awaiting a new set of pricking irons that have the proper spacing, essential for achieving a neat stitch. I’m excited to get started, with plans to make two A5 and two A6 notebook covers for my wife and children. This presents a great opportunity for practice, and they are supportive of my learning journey.
Subsection 1.1.1: Support from Family
They understand the learning curve and don’t mind any minor flaws. Plus, they certainly won’t complain while I’m busy working with my tools!
Section 1.2: Conclusion
Reflecting on February, it’s clear there’s been a lot happening, and I embrace my role as a generalist.
Until next time!
Chapter 2: YouTube Insights into Generalism
In exploring the generalist lifestyle, I found two insightful videos that resonate with my experiences. The first video, titled The Age Of The Generalist (How To Earn A Living Doing What You Enjoy), discusses the opportunities available for generalists in today’s world.
The second video, Day in the Life of an HR Generalist, provides a glimpse into the daily routines and challenges faced by a generalist in the workforce.
To read more about generalist topics, consider subscribing to my weekly newsletter, Generally Speaking. To follow my fountain pen journey, you can also subscribe to my newsletter, The Fountain. Lastly, for more of my thoughts and writings, connect with me on X (formerly Twitter) or Substack.