Start with What You Know

What you know to be true:

1. Your weaknesses: These were the factors that caused you to procrastinate, lose hope easily, and get distracted from your main targets.

2. Your mindset: The roadblock that stood between you and the work required to get you from point A to point B.

3. Your attitude: Do you back out from good opportunities cos you feel you’re undeserving? Or you feel someone else should be in your place instead?

4. Your circumstances (and resources): These were the reasons a.k.a. excuses you told yourself to justify why you couldn’t go all the way in with your goals. Why it was too difficult, impossible, not ideal.

5. Your strengths: It would be wrong to deny the abilities, skills, experiences, and talent that God has blessed you with. Acknowledge each of them. You are uniquely blessed, you are divinely gifted and will be responsible to use them for good.

So now that we know what we know, what do we do with them?

For the negatives: Find a counter, a solution, a better distraction than the ones currently holding you back, a new habit to replace the old ones you’re trying to drop.

For the positives: Identify the best platforms, methods, and places that can allow you to use them in the best way possible. Perhaps a new software, a working at a new company, or leveraging on a platform like Substack if you have a knack of writing about topics you’re passionate about, etc.

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Your 2025 Report Card

If you could imagine a report card that listed down how you did in every area of your life this year, how do you think it would look like? Your health, your finances, your spirituality, your relationships…

Would you be pleased? What emotions would you be feeling right now? Gratitude for what worked? Anger for what didn’t?

You know how school report cards tend to have the teacher’s remarks below the results where he or she would summarise your overall performance and behaviour, what would yours sound like?

Rage Your Way to Success in 2026

One thing I’ve learned in LIFE is that rage can work in your favour if you use it right. I know a lot of people who are now very successful, holding top positions in their industries, and their driving force wasn’t the money, their drive weren’t the titles or recognitions - they were simply fuelled by the rage and anger from as far back as their childhood (being compared to their siblings), or their teenage life (being bullied in school), or from their early adult life (being rejected by someone they loved, or turned down harshly by a potential dream employer and made to feel horrible about themselves).

Rage…quiet internal rage can be your best friend in 2026 and beyond. It’s the kind that’s controlled, it doesn’t show through you being mean to others, and it’s not heard through your loud yelling and screaming at home or in the office. Each time you are reminded of the pains of your past, it drives you forward and closer towards your purpose.

Friends, if you want the rest of your life to be the best of your life, I’d recommend you get started by reflecting on the 5 factors listed above, followed by imagining what your report card looks like for this year, and then ending it off with the motivation you need to get you started strongly in the new year - controlled anger (that’s mostly due to a strong dissatisfaction from your past). The hope that I have for you is that this will bring you ultimately towards a point in the future when the rage no longer serves you, because you’ve achieved most of what you had set out to do. And you can now embrace inner-peace in this dunya, and the eternal akhirah. Aameen.

Singing off from Madinah Al-Munawwarah,
MW

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PS: Don’t forget to join me this January for a spiritual retreat unlike any other. I look forward to meeting you in person inshaAllah.

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

— Theodore Roosevelt

Let me start with a confession.

There are days I feel like I’m behind.

Behind the trends. Behind the algorithm. Behind the influencers with half my experience but double the reach.

It’s hard not to feel that way when TikTok keeps proving to us that someone, somewhere, who started just last month… now has 1.2 million followers.

Yes—TikTok is a powerful platform.

And I’m not going to pretend it isn’t.

With the right strategy, content structure, and a little bit of timing and luck, you can explode onto the scene—almost overnight.

Creators with no previous following have built entire businesses, coaching practices, and speaking careers from a single viral video.

It’s incredible what short-form content can do when it reaches the right eyes at the right time.

So no, I’m not here to dismiss TikTok.

But I am here to say: you don’t have to be everywhere to be effective.

You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing to grow.

And you certainly don’t have to show up on platforms where you don’t feel safe, inspired, or aligned.

You Don’t Have to Be Everywhere

Right now, I’m just about managing the two platforms I’m most comfortable with:

📱 Instagram — where I connect with my community in visual and reflective ways.

🕊 X (formerly Twitter) — where I share shorter reflections and thoughts for the fast-scrolling mind.

And even that, on most weeks, already feels like a full-time job.

If there’s one more platform I would like to explore more intentionally, it’s LinkedIn.

The audience there is thoughtful, professional, and reflective—which aligns with my corporate training and coaching work.

And from a content creator’s perspective, my personal goal is to launch a YouTube channel before the year ends.

But until then?

I’m choosing depth over breadth.

I’d rather show up strong on two platforms than show up scattered across five.

That’s the key:

Your brand doesn’t grow just because you’re “seen everywhere.”

It grows because you’re remembered somewhere.

Growing Your Brand Wherever You Are

No matter where you choose to show up, brand growth depends on one core thing:

👉 Consistency.

But let’s break down what “consistency” really means—because it’s not just about posting every day.

There are four kinds of consistency that matter:

1. Consistency of Frequency

Yes—this is the classic one.

Whether you post once a week, twice a week, or every day—pick a rhythm that suits your life and energy levels.

And stick to it.

Too many aspiring creators burn out early because they start with a sprint they can’t sustain.

Your audience doesn’t need you daily.

They just need to know when to expect you.

Set that expectation—and deliver.

Even once a week, consistently, for one year, will outperform someone who posts daily… for a month and then disappears.

2. Consistency of Niche

Who are you for? And what are you about?

Are you the “muslim therapist who makes du’as that hit deep”?

The “personal finance guy for Southeast Asian freelancers”?

The “teacher who makes Islam practical for professionals”?

Your niche isn’t just your topic—it’s the intersection of your expertise, your audience’s need, and your personal story.

When people know what to expect from you, they remember you.

And when they remember you, they trust you.

3. Consistency of Value

Every post you create is either doing one of three things:

1. Teaching

2. Transforming

3. Touching the heart

Pick one.

And do it well.

Don’t waste time trying to look smart.

Try to be useful.

The posts that go furthest are the ones that solve a real pain point, or move someone emotionally.

• Give away your best ideas.

• Share tips.

• Tell stories.

• Make people feel like they just grew a little after reading your words.

When your content is consistently valuable, people will keep coming back for more.

4. Consistency of Brand Voice

This is what makes your content feel uniquely yours.

Your tone, your phrasing, your overall feel.

Some creators are poetic. Others are bold. Some are funny and casual.

Some, like me, lean towards encouraging and reflective.

Whatever yours is—stay true to it.

Let your voice be like a familiar rhythm.

So even if someone saw a post without your name, they could feel it was you.

That’s branding without a logo.

That’s impact without a watermark.

Connection > Conversion

Now let’s talk about connection.

Because your brand doesn’t just grow from what you post.

It grows from how you relate to the people reading it.

Here’s my personal principle when it comes to building connection:

Speak to people at the level of their pain and their dreams.

When you speak to their suffering—

you become a comfort.

When you speak to their aspirations—

you become a guide.

Both are powerful.

Together, they build a relationship that’s rooted in empathy and hope.

That’s when people start saying,

"You said exactly what I needed to hear today."

"I feel seen."

"Your words helped me get through a really dark time."

When you’re getting comments like that—you’re not just building a brand.

You’re building legacy.

But Isn’t TikTok Still the Fastest Way?

Yes. For now, it might be.

But “fastest” is not always “deepest.”

Or “healthiest.”

Or “wisest.”

TikTok works brilliantly for certain kinds of creators.

Especially those who enjoy experimenting with trends, have quick editing skills, and don’t mind putting their face and voice out there often.

If that’s you, go for it.

Seriously. May Allah put barakah in your efforts.

But if it’s not?

Then don’t force it.

Don’t guilt-trip yourself into being everywhere.

Better to build something slowly with soul,

than to go viral today… and vanish tomorrow.

Build a Brand That’s Sustainable

If you’re not on TikTok, and you don’t plan to be, here’s a quick strategy you can use to still grow steadily:

✍️ Step 1: Choose 1 Long-Form Channel

This could be:

• A weekly newsletter (like this one)

• A vlog on YouTube (if you prefer video)

• A podcast

This is where your deep value lives.

People who engage here are usually your most loyal audience.

📱 Step 2: Choose 1–2 Short-Form Channels

This could be:

• Instagram (visual storytelling)

• X (bite-sized thoughts)

• LinkedIn (professional insights)

This is where discovery happens.

Use these platforms to invite people to your long-form home.

🔁 Step 3: Repurpose Intelligently

One long-form post can become:

• 3 Instagram quotes

• 2 X threads

• 1 LinkedIn carousel

Work smart, not more. This was one of the easiest ways I grew and expanded my reach easily over the years.

🤝 Step 4: Engage Authentically

• Reply to DMs.

• Answer comments.

• Say thank you to shares.

• Be a human being.

That’s how your brand becomes more than just content—it becomes connection. Do what you can. And when you feel overwhelmed, take a break before you break.

Spiritual Perspective

Here’s a verse that anchors me when I feel like I’m not doing enough:

وَقُلِ ٱعْمَلُوا۟ فَسَيَرَى ٱللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمْ

"And say, 'Do [good] work, for Allah will see your deeds…'"

(Surah At-Tawbah, 9:105)

You’re not invisible.

Your efforts are not wasted.

Let that be your motivation when the likes are low and the reach is quiet.

Because Allah doesn’t measure your brand in followers.

He measures your intention and your impact.

Final Words

You don’t need TikTok to grow.

You need:

• A clear message

• A consistent output

• A compassionate voice

• And a meaningful connection with your audience

That’s how you build something that lasts.

That’s how you grow with peace and purpose.

So don’t panic.

Don’t compare.

Don’t quit.

Keep planting.

The harvest comes later.

Until next time,

Grow with Barakah,

Mizi Wahid

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No podcasts.
No client list.
No stage invitations.
No Instagram swipe-ups.

Just me… and 1,000 people willing to listen.

By the way, I started with only 100 emails (not 1,000) on my newsletter back in 2010. Some were students, some friends and family, and some were people I met at work events who passed me their name cards (I just included them in based on the assumption that they might appreciate my content - please don’t do this! Seek permission properly Ok?)

Anyway, the reason I’m putting 1,000 for this post is because most of the creators who have worked with me tend to have at least 1,000 followers on any one platform or across all platforms combined. But all of what I’m about to share will still work if you’re starting from zero. As long as you promise yourself to go beyond reading this newsletter, by writing notes, customising the details to your situation, brainstorming your plan, and scheduling it. Got it?

So…

Here’s what I’d do.

No fluff.
No delusions of going viral.
Just strategy, intention, and soul.

Because it’s not about the size of your audience.
It’s about what you build with them.

Let’s be honest.

Too many people think they need more to begin:

• More followers.

• More funding.

• More clarity.

• More validation.

But I’ve learnt this: 1,000 people who believe in what you’re doing can build your dream life — if you serve them right.

Not with noise. But with value.
Not with perfection. But with purpose.
Not with aesthetic content calendars. But with consistent, disciplined, meaningful contribution.

So if I had to do it all over again, this is how I’d build — slowly, deeply, and intentionally.

But before that, the most important rule of all is knowing yourself; what you’re good at, what you’re obsessed about, and what you deeply care about the most (a “why”).

I’ve broken down the strategy into 5 phases. So let’s get started:

📍Phase 1: Find a Pain Worth Solving

I wouldn’t start with branding.
I’d start with listening.

What are the real problems people are facing?

• A burned-out mother who feels invisible in her own home.

• A young entrepreneur paralysed by comparison.

• A Muslim writer with so much to say… but no clarity or system to say it.

• A man who’s trying to salvage his failing marriage.

Your work needs to speak to someone's ache.

Remember, relieving a person of their pain is a noble virtue in Islam. “If anyone relieves a Muslim believer from one of the hardships of this worldly life, Allah will relieve him of one of the hardships of the Day of Resurrection.” [Narrated by Imam Muslim]

If you’ve identified a pain and then work on helping people solve it, you’re on a blessed path. Set your intentions right at the beginning, and from then on your job is to simply become the voice that guides and inspires those you help towards relief.

✍️ Phase 2: Document, Don’t Perform

No fancy gear.
No content studio.
No reels that take 8 hours to edit.

(this happened to me back in 2013. I recorded videos for an entire day with my staff. Hours of valuable content, but then decided to delete them all, even after painstakingly editing them - because to me they weren’t “perfect”)

So if I were to start from scratch, I’d simply show up every day to share what I know and what I’m learning. Some examples for you to consider could be:

• “The frameworks I use to manage my week productively”

• “The 3 books that shaped my thinking and built my self-confidence”

• “The most valuable lesson I learned from failing at something (and how I bounced back)”

Content isn’t marketing.
Content is mentorship in public.

If just 50 of those 1,000 people resonate deeply… they’ll share it.
And that’s the start of something real for your journey.

💡 Phase 3: Build a System of Consistency

• One newsletter a week.

• One short-form post a day or every two days (Some of you may know that I grew a lot from Twitter (X) and repurposed it on Instagram which performed even better).

• One free webinar per quarter.

• One paid offer, carefully crafted.

That’s it.

I wouldn’t chase everything. (my constant problem being someone with ADHD - more on this later)
I’d instead master one thing at a time.

I’d use the Pareto Principle religiously:

80% of your impact will come from 20% of your efforts.

So I’d identify my core 20% early and double down on it.

🤝 Phase 4: Serve Until You’re Trusted

Trust is the new currency.

Forget follower counts — people only buy from those they trust.
And trust is built when:

• You show up when you say you will.

• You speak with consistency and clarity.

• You make people feel safe, seen, and strengthened.

How?

1. By helping them solve a real problem.

2. By saying something that finally puts their struggle into words.

3. By showing them they’re not alone in their journey

If you’ve been paying attention to my work for the past couple of years, those are the only 3 things I do. And I do them consistently. That’s all.

🧱 Phase 5: Introduce One Paid Offering

It wouldn’t be a massive online course.
It wouldn’t be a big launch.

It would be one deep, focused offering:

• A 4-week writing lab

• A 1-hour career clarity call

• A 21-day brand trust challenge

• A live virtual session with real-time coaching

Nothing bloated. Just valuable.

Then, I’d ask 3 questions (very important):

1. Did it change them?

2. Would they tell a friend?

3. Did they feel it was worth 5x what they paid?

If yes — then I’d scale slowly from there.

💬 Bonus: What I Would Not Do

• I wouldn’t chase trends.

• I wouldn’t try to be everywhere.

• I wouldn’t spend months building in silence.

• I wouldn’t wait until I had it all figured out.

Instead, I’d prepare sufficiently, launch early, refine as I go, and serve deeply.

🔁 The Takeaway

If you’re starting small — good.

You get to build intentionally.
You get to connect deeply.
You get to matter more.

And when your time, voice, and energy are in alignment…
You don’t need 100,000 followers.

You need 100 people whose lives you’ve touched so deeply, they’d follow you into any room.

That’s where legacy starts.

📦 Bonus Download

Btw, even though I told everyone to only subscribe to my FREE newsletter, a bunch of you started paying anyway (whaaaat?). Because I thought of starting the Inner Circle a bit later, but I’m appreciative of your support greatly. As a thank you, I’ve created a printable 30-Day Roadmap: “How I’d Rebuild from Scratch” — including the exact first 10 steps I’d take.

Download it here:

30 Day Rebuild Roadmap Mizi Wahid (the Inner Circle)

2.64KB ∙ PDF file

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Towards Your Success,
Mizi Wahid
The Inner Circle