The Unforgiving Reality of Making Money as a Writer Online
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Chapter 1: Facing the Truth
Recently, I found myself losing patience during my morning commute. A reckless driver made a series of questionable choices, causing me to sit at a red light longer than necessary. On good days, I would have brushed off such behavior without a second thought. Yet, in that moment, my frustration morphed into a torrent of negative thoughts directed at both the driver and myself.
The real source of my anger wasn't the driver; it was my own choices. As I delve deeper into my creative pursuits and my Publish Every Day initiative—an endeavor to escape the daily grind by publishing content daily and reinvesting my earnings—I realize how bitter I feel toward the life I aim to leave behind. Was it my desire to be stuck in traffic at 6:15 a.m. or confined to an office for eight hours? Certainly not!
That moment of frustration brought a painful truth to light: I alone am responsible for my current situation. Many people struggle to confront this reality, and if you find it difficult to do so, it’s likely you won't succeed as an online writer or entrepreneur.
Here's what I learned from that moment of rage.
Video Description: This video discusses the stark realities writers face and the truths that can help them earn real money online.
The Path Not Taken
Throughout my journey, I've tried repeatedly to become an entrepreneur. I’ve launched numerous websites, only to let them languish due to my lack of perseverance during the challenging early stages, which require hard work without immediate financial rewards. I often quit before giving my projects a fair chance to flourish because I found the process too daunting.
For over a decade, I also chose to indulge in alcohol every night, leaving me drained and devoid of motivation. I would lament my lack of "time" or "energy" to pursue my dreams. But let's be real—anyone who claims they don't have "time" is simply deceiving themselves.
What if, instead of making excuses, you reflected on the decisions that led to your setbacks? What if you made a choice to change those decisions?
Misguided Frustration
So, what exactly was bothering me that day? My income has been somewhat stagnant lately, and I realized that I haven't been putting enough effort into two critical areas:
- Growing my YouTube channel—after an initial surge post-monetization, I’ve only managed to publish two videos in the past month.
- Creating digital products, including an audiobook and a course I’ve been conceptualizing.
And who is to blame for this? Me! No one else!
The resentment I felt was merely a distraction. While it’s easy to throw a pity party, what does that really achieve? It muddles your thoughts and blurs your vision, steering you toward the very poor choices that have stymied my progress in entrepreneurship—like opting to watch TV instead of working on my projects.
Taking Control
If you find yourself unhappy with your current situation, don’t shy away from it. Embrace the responsibility for your life. This can be challenging, yet it’s incredibly liberating. Once you accept full accountability for your circumstances, you can begin to rectify them constructively.
Yes, obstacles exist. I’ve faced my own challenges, from ADHD to a battle with alcoholism, and witnessed my family’s struggles during my teenage years. Many others have endured far worse and still managed to achieve remarkable things.
We all have moments of weakness, and that’s perfectly normal. Whether it’s my outburst in the car or the occasional pity party I throw when my achievements don’t meet my expectations, these feelings won’t completely vanish. However, I’m learning to acknowledge and manage them better.
The "woe is me" mindset can become all-consuming if left unchecked. It’s crucial to acknowledge it and then move past it, just as I have done by expressing my thoughts here. The sooner you recognize that you control your destiny, the sooner you can steer your life back toward your desired path.
Publish Every Day Project Update: Day 74
I'm currently testing whether I can generate enough income to escape the daily commute within a year by publishing daily on various platforms and channeling my earnings into passive income opportunities.
Daily Income Goal: $250 CAD
Earnings on Day 74: $36.43 (writing) + $0.56 (YouTube) = $36.99 total
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Video Description: This video highlights seven effective strategies for writers to earn money online.