Pursuing Passion Over Profit: Finding Joy in Your Work
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Chapter 1: The Trap of Monetization
The thrill of writing can be captivating, and at one point, that was all that mattered to me. This sentiment echoed in one of my early articles on Medium. However, not long after publishing it, I found that the joy of writing had faded away, replaced by pressure.
Rather than indulging in the joy of writing, I shifted my focus toward building a business model behind it. In hindsight, this was a misstep.
The Backstory
For over a decade, I have navigated the world of solopreneurship, cultivating various income streams, with Amazon being my primary source. While Amazon presents fantastic opportunities, the reality is that I do not control that platform; they can alter their policies whenever they see fit to satisfy customers.
My aspiration was to forge my own path, minimizing reliance on external platforms and their unpredictable algorithms. I envisioned writing on Medium as a way to diversify my efforts while establishing a backup plan.
Yet, as I delved into the process, the excitement of building an email list quickly faded. The idea was appealing, but the reality was anything but enjoyable.
I know, welcome to adulthood.
When I find myself disengaged from an activity, I tend to shut down. It's always been challenging for me to persist with tasks I don't find enjoyable.
So, I returned to Merch by Amazon, a venture I had begun back in 2016, and felt an instant wave of relief. At that moment, the algorithms were no longer a concern; I simply wanted to love my work again.
Writing Used to Bring Joy
Years ago, I maintained a blog on Blogger, which I cherished as a delightful pastime. I didn't think about email lists or monetization; I simply wrote for the love of it.
Long before that, I was an avid storyteller, creating narratives without any notion of the online world.
My goal is to return to that essence of creativity. If financial rewards come as a byproduct, that's merely a bonus. However, I refuse to write purely for the sake of establishing a business or catering to an algorithm.
Dealing with Amazon's changing policies? I accept that as part of the journey.
My Forward-Looking Strategy
Currently, I find comfort in having multiple income streams and not exhausting all my earnings. This approach provides a safety net; if one stream falters, I can still manage.
As I pen these thoughts, I feel fortunate to have enough income sources that allow me to focus on the joy of writing. For those who might not be in a similar position, I challenge you to prioritize enjoyment. If finances are tight, seek alternative income sources while nurturing your writing passion.
I must commend those who can manage to build a business while still enjoying the process; that is an area where I face difficulties.
While I understand the importance of email lists and business foundations, they are not mandatory for entrepreneurial success.
I plan to explore additional income streams, and I am genuinely excited about the journey ahead. For me, relishing my work and diversifying my income are the cornerstones of my strategy.