How can I possibly make a living at my passion? This question has nagged away at me for most of my adult life. Along the way I’ve learned that discovering how to make a living at your passion is the Holy Grail for every writer, every artist, really mostly everyone on the planet.
To me the idea of making a living with my writing was a goal that’s both a little too complex and vaguely defined. Maybe this is why so few of us ever reach it. After being in this business of writing for two decades I’ve learned it’s much more effective to first take the time to contemplate and define what success actually means to you.
Step 1 – DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY
Let’s begin to break this impossibility down into more manageable pieces. The first thing I would like to ask you to do is to imagine that you’ve won the lottery, this is a daydream so dream big…imagine you’ve won $100,000,000. Now imagine that it’s exactly one year later, you’ve bought and experienced everything you’ve ever wanted, and you’ve given everything that you want to give away.
Now, describe your perfect day.
That’s it.
Take a moment and write this perfect day down on paper.
A perfect day is easy for anyone to imagine and is not even that difficult to live out. Invest in yourself and use paid time off from your day job to actually live out your perfect day. After you’ve done it, commit to memory how amazing it feels. This one day is a small swatch of your future that you can now scale up to multiple days, weeks, months, etc. Also, if you discover your art is a major component of your perfect day, continue to Step 2. If not, your art is probably a hobby and, by all means, continue to enjoy it but it’s probably not something you would want to do as a career.
Step 2 – BELIEVE YOU ARE WORTHY
You must convince yourself that not only is your dream achievable but that you are worthy of it. This takes guts. The universe will test your devotion to your art, I promise you this. Hurdles will be placed before you, people will disappoint you but remember these are only lessons to learn from. Don’t even think about starting down this path unless you’re prepared for some extremely hard work.
Step 3 – THE REALIZATION
Some people never learn the lesson that money doesn’t bring happiness (neither does poverty) until they’ve spent the best years of their life chasing it. Don’t waste that precious time. Decide how much money you would really need to earn annually at your craft to survive and add a little cushion to that figure. Most people are surprised by how different this number is than what they assumed. Write this figure down and then read on to Step 3.
Step 4 – ATTRACT TRUE FANS
Kevin Kelly has come up with a philosophy called, “1,000 True Fans”. This philosophy, in his own words is, “A creator, such as an artist, musician, photographer, craftsperson, performer, animator, designer, videomaker, or author – in other words, anyone producing works of art – needs to acquire only 1,000 True Fans to make a living.”
Although it sounds simple enough on the surface it’s not but it is achievable with hard and honest work. 1,000 true fans don’t equate to 1,000 likes on your Facebook page, far from it. In my personal experience true fans make up a very small percentage of social media followers. For me it’s around 5% but I’m not sure if this is typical. True fans are more than customers, they are people who, through the magic of chemistry, you’ve made a lasting and meaningful connection with. It’s wonderful when it happens. These are patrons, people who enjoy your work enough to pay money for it, not once or twice but regularly.
This 1,000 True Fans philosophy is priceless because it provides a scalable target for us to aim for. I think it’s also the missing piece in a lot of creative people’s plans. Once you earn these 1,000 true fans the number will begin to grow organically through the best advertising medium there is...word of mouth.
Step 5 – BE ONE WITH YOUR ART
You must live and breathe your art (whatever your art happens to be). It’s who you are, your passion and calling. It is embedded in your DNA so be one with it. Get used to the idea that you must throw your entire being into your art every single day. If you’re doing it right you feel as though you shut out the entire world and even lose yourself during those intense sessions of creating.
"Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race." —Calvin Coolidge
From the very minute you start on this path you will be on your way towards achieving what you had convinced yourself was an impossible feat. If you put these 5 steps into practice with true conviction I promise you will end up closer to the life you wish to achieve.
We, as creative people, are so lucky to have been born in this time. It’s easier now than ever for us to live our dreams. The world is shifting and a growing number of people are consciously seeking something more than a job that pays the bills, they want a truly meaningful and fulfilling life experience. I wish you luck and blessings in reaching your goal and I thank you for having the courage to pursue it. This is how we’ll heal ourselves and the world.
Be well and enjoy the week!
-EVW-
(Gif sourced from Giphy.com.)
Poetry should move us, it should change us, it should glitch our brains, shift our moods to another frequency. Poetry should evoke feelings of melancholy, whimsy, it should remind us what it feels like to be in love, or cause us to think about something in a completely different way. I view poetry, and all art really, as a temporary and fragile bridge between our world and a more pure and refined one. This is a world we could bring into creation if enough of us believed in it. This book is ephemera, destined to end up forgotten, lingering on some dusty shelf or tucked away in a dark attic. Yet the words, they will live on in memory. I hope these words become a part of you, bubble up into your memory when you least expect them to and make you feel a little more alive.
Pick up a copy of Ephemera today on Amazon.
Most of us have experienced a moment of perfect peace at least once in our lives. In these moments we lose ourselves and feel connected to everything. I call these mindful moments. Words can’t describe how complete they make us feel.
These moments are usually fragile, evaporating in seconds. What if there was a way to train your mind to experience more of them? It’s deceptively easy and requires nothing more than a subtle shift in mindset. My new book, Mindful Moments, will teach you to be much more content despite the chaos and imperfect circumstances continuing to unfold around you. Upgrade your life experience today for only $15.99 on Amazon.com.
Let’s Keep In Touch
18 Degrees! That must be one hell of a cold front we have coming our way! :) Really good advice here. I am not very artsy, but as I inch closer and closer to retirement, I think that step 1 is definitely something I should be considering fully. I agree, what we actually need is usually far less than what we think we do. I honestly just want a bit more than what I have now plus something to cover unexpected expenses when they pop up and unexpected trips when the mood hits us!
Hey @bozz, I was referring to a few winters back when I originally wrote this piece. Thanks! Yeah, we're very much of the same mindset, I think. My goal is to get enough of a nest egg built up to live off the proceeds/dividends. An emergency fund will be tied up in something that's ultra low risk. I'm not quite there yet but hope to be in five or so years. Hopefully the markets will cooperate, so much rides on that!
:) I know. I figured that out after the fact. I've always said if I were to win that much in the lottery it would all be invested and everything would be happening passively. My charitable givings would be setup through a foundation and would be pretty much eternal as long as there was someone to run it. I'd like to think I would be pretty involved with that even 5 years out from the initial win. Knowing that will never happen, I just want to give my wife and I the best life possible with what time we have left!
Passive investment would be the way to go. Once the economy recovers, two million USD in a decent index fund (like Vanguard's VYM) should yield enough annual dividends to live pretty well. Five million would make things ultra cushy. 2-5M isn't out of the question if you play your cards right during the next crypto bull run. If historical cycles ring true again we should be seeing a traditional market recovery in the next 1-3 years and there shouldn't be another crash like this in our lifetime after that. This kind of inflation is a 40-50 year event.
That is great to know! Fingers crossed the trend holds true!
I hope so too!
I think this situation might be dangerious for one's life. After reaching almost everything in life, one might feel blankness. Or this wealth might end up with poverity as we have seen the samples. Thus, there would not be a perfect day :)
I'm a firm believer that wealth is an amplifier of one's true character. If a person is good, wealth gives them the tools to do greater good and also vice versa, if they're evil it allows them to become moreso. There are temptations that come along with it too as well but more than anything it is an amplifier.
This is absolute gold! I need to reread it more slowly when I'm home for the night, I made a note of it on my digi notepad, which is basically my schedule planner that I can't do without :)
Thank you my friend! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
This really is motivating and helpful when following the path because I believe it develops the idea of making one believe in himself that success can be achieved even when experiencing difficulties and challenges.
That is the trick right there, it's as simple as believing in yourself. If you're convinced you can't fail then you won't. It may seem overly simplistic but it's mostly true.
I like this part which showcase self determination in overcoming challenges and have the strong believe in achieving success.
Thanks!
Thank you so much for this and this is really timely for me. Everything you highlighted centered on "self". It is all about us to do things right...make things right... We need to know we are worth it and yes, we need to imagine the perfect day and start living it...but really... That 100 million dollars would come in handy for me 😂😂🤣😂😂
You're welcome my friend! A hundred mi would be life changing for sure! : )
Absolutely... I can dream about it already 🤣😂🤣😂😂
It's really the best article of the year. Journalling does help.
Yes. time is a commodity. Those who have chased it know the best and that struggle percolates their subconscious to value time as well as resources. Even a single penny could make them happier if they have gone through those processes.
Very very true. I actually search for the content of a few both on Twitter and Hive and I always visit their profile specifically every morning.
This is a masterpiece this could potentially change someone's life and one could certainly be driven by these powerful words.
This article is a masterpiece ERIC, I will take a printout and paste it on my wall so that I can read this again and again.
I'm so glad you've found it helpful! Thank you very much for the kind words.
Ah, the synchronicity I find with you is comforting :) Last night hubs and I were talking about this exact thing, and he also said "We will be tested, the universe wants to see if it's what you really want before it will adjust those mysterious wheels and gears for you"
So much love for you Eric!
It's so awesome how often that synchronicity happens! I think you're right, you very much have to prove how badly you want it and how serious you are that it is your intended life path. If you do that, in combination with trying to help as many others as you can, the floodgates of abundance open.
Much love for you too, @dreemit! I appreciate all of the support and friendship you've shown over the years, it's meant a lot. Can't wait to someday meet you and your family face-to-face.
Aw, what a lovely comment to read first thing in the morning :) I believe we are destined to meet at some point and I can't wait to give you a hug!
And as a confirmation of this conversation, I woke up to the highest paid post I've had all year! :0) I have to remember that people like raw and real, just as I do. Sometimes I can veer toward more formalities, which is definitely a clinger from growing up in a religious, proper (no swearing) household. I have to remind myself at times to write for me. "Know Thyself" and "To thine own self be true" are quotes I put at the beginning of every fictional story.. I need to do the same with everything I write :)
I think we will meet at some point too, maybe at a future HiveFest?
Oh great! Congratulations on your post! The rewards aren't everything but it sure is nice to have that happen again from time to time. I still remember the thrill of those early days (2016/7) when you could make a whole weeks' worth of pay with one post. It's good to write for yourself, it's what allows you to grow as a writer. One of my mentors once told me if you're not at least a little nervous when you hit "publish" or "post" then the writing isn't quite ready. I need to keep reminding myself of that.
Everyone should have that. Everyone deserves that.
I agree @xplosive. The internet and crypto have made it possible for more people than ever.
This is the greatest post I have read in this month of September.
The pats that resonates with me more is the idea of having a thousand true fan...
I have always known that to be successful, you must build your audience.
This 1000 true fans made it deeper...
Also, thinking of an ideal day after winning 100 million dollars is a scary one. I like to think about it but 100 million is massive.
Thank you for sharing. This post is worth a hundred reblogs..
@ebingo.. you need to read this post and take action
Thank you @bhoa, I'm glad you found it valuable! It took a LOT of trial and error for me to realize this, decades.
This was a great read, thank you for it. A agree that persistence combined with a solid plan has the highest chances o success. In art as well as in any other business. Enjoy the rest of the week.
Thanks, I hope you enjoy your week as well!
Where there is darkness, light is hard to come by
Everyone runs towards the light and the darkness stays in the dark
It is very difficult to be truly successful
If you try to say hope, you can succeed
Efforts are useful only if we are on the right path
Mistakes ruin everything, it seems like nothing has been done
Right effort in right direction makes us successful
We should walk towards success no matter how much we fail
The ways you showed are good, thanks
I think mistakes are merely there to learn from and then you must readjust your path. Sometimes that readjustment means completely changing your goals/ideas but that drive to succeed and confidence in yourself must be there.
I like this idea of a 1000 true fans. It’s not the smallest number but it’s not ridiculously big either. Living your passion means spending your days doing exactly what you love by building it soon as you wake up and dreaming about it when you’re asleep. Good way to live life.
I think 1000 is pretty accurate, if you can gain that many true fans then 100x more come through organic growth. All the work is definitely worth it because the true prize isn't just riches but doing what you love every day.
Hi my friend , Eric .. Thanks for your great advice. But unfortunately I am not a writer. I have never been able to write easily. Writing will be the most difficult job for me, it is very difficult to get the ideas out of my mind. .I am very amazed at the writers like you who I think writing is a very extraordinary job. Have a nice day..
Good morning Eliana! It wasn't easy for me at first but became easier with practice. I hope you enjoy your weekend!
Eric, you really make magic with words; this is just what I needed at this point. Have allowed all frustrations following the storms of April to get to me, this is just what I needed to focus again!
Some say money makes the world go round but it certainly does not bring happiness; nor does lack of it, as you rightly pointed out!
Word of mouth still is the best 'marketing' tool, in business and here on Hive!
We are immensely blessed to have the opportunity of doing something we love and should be instruments in making this world a better place. They say humans are the most adaptable of all species, and that's what we need to do now more than ever with the fast-changing world!
Thank you for bringing me down to earth!
Thank you my friend and I'm so glad that it helped in some way! We all (myself included) just need that reminder from time to time of how lucky we are. I guess that goes along with being the most adaptable species too. We find ourselves getting used to any situation we're in. It's amazing sometimes where those reminders to refocus on gratitude come from. It can be a billboard, someone else's life, a book, a blog post, or even sometimes a random feeling that comes to visit you out of nowhere. You definitely have the proper mindset and that's how I view it too, I've been so lucky that feel obligated to try to help in some way. It's not always successful but I think the trying is the most important thing.
Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting! I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
A wonderful weekend to you as well Eric!
We have such lovely guests this weekend, one of them is the most endearing young woman, such vibrant and positive energy I've not seen in a very long time!
Blessings in the form of special people we cross paths with, leave the most precious and lasting memories.
No matter how old one is, doubt still niggles at the back of our mind. Inexperienced finding direction this is a great piece of content to help many who flounder or "hit the brick wall" from time to time.
Once we find direction, feel comfortable, ideas appear to arrive, everyone has something to offer.
!LUV
@joanstewart(4/10) gave you LUV.
tools | wallet | discord | community | <>< daily
HiveBuzz.me NFT for Peace
Life is a constant cycle of refocusing, isn't it? That's been my experience anyway. No matter how confident we become there are times when that confidence wains and we must work to gain it back again.
Feels like we start and stop more often than not doubting our own abilities, never fully confident in direction we take, then sit back rethink and adapt as we go.
Trying to be on top of your game all the time leads to burnout more often than not, take is easy and keep sharing pearls of wisdom helping those you are able.
'Would you continue to create your art if no one ever saw it or read it? What about if you were never paid for a single piece...would you continue to create? If the answer is yes, then you love your art enough to become successful at it.' This equates to your step No.5
That is the advice I received one time and it sounded so cut and dried. One thing I know for sure is...it is scary to put yourself out there if you are overly concerned with the reception of your work or the compensation received from it. If you don't care what people think or how many sales you make then you are free to excel at your chosen craft.
Believing in yourself is the *best* advice. I think your roadmap to success is spot on!
That's really good advice! You have to love your art that much to stand apart from the pack and make a successful business of it.
It is so scary at first to put yourself out there but once you get accustomed to it it can be fun. I was such a huge introvert when I was younger but I had no choice but to come out of my shell. In my case the confidence came quite a few years into my career.
Step 2 is always very important to achieving not only the impossible but the greatness. You need to believe in yourself very well that you are able to achieve it no matter what
Hello dear friend @ericvancewalton good afternoon
what you say is very true, we are blessed to have been born in this time of the birth of cryptocurrencies, they have helped many people to change their lives, now it is easier to live from our dream
Excellent the points you have touched
I take this opportunity to wish you a splendid afternoon
Hello @jlufer! Thanks and it's so good to hear from you. I'm glad you enjoyed this one. How have you been?
Not very well to be honest, I'm going through health problems, and I'm doing clinical tests most of the day, that's why I'm not as active as I used to be
However, I have all diseases under control
Thank you so much for asking
have a beautiful day
I'm so sorry to hear that and I hope you can continue to keep it under control! You will be in our prayers. Take care of yourself my friend.
Thank you very much dear friend @ericvancewalton you are very kind
I take this opportunity to wish you a splendid weekend
Thanks for those motivation, we need to work hard and believe in ourselves. Love to read it.
Congratulations @ericvancewalton! You have completed the following achievement on the Hive blockchain and have been rewarded with new badge(s):
Your next target is to reach 52000 upvotes.
You can view your badges on your board and compare yourself to others in the Ranking
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word
STOPCheck out the last post from @hivebuzz:
Today I found another author!
Out of 100 million 50, I would definitely invest in Hive and write this comment.