In 2018, I was a nobody-aspiring-writer-wannabe.
I had a blog, but I only published 3x a year.
I had 20+ drafts, but I couldn't even finish one.
I had BIG goals to get paid to write, become a digital nomad, and travel the world...
but I couldn’t commit to anything. 😔
And with every passing day, my dream of becoming a writer was slowly slipping away.
I'm ashamed to say this but...
I was pissed that none of the self-help books, blog posts, or YouTube videos I consumed were giving me results.
Moreover, I was pissed at myself for not sticking to my writing goals.😡
I’d ship one article and quit for the rest of the year.
I’d set up habits to write but then I'd switch to something shiny and new.
I was a writer for one-day.
The next, I was a mediocre internet lurker who was consuming other people's content to distract himself.
It felt like no matter what I did, I was stuck in the same loop. 🔁
Set goals. Commit. Quit. Repeat.
Fast forward 5 years later...
I've published hundreds of articles, essays, and emails. I've built websites, landing pages, and newsletters. I've ghost-written, copy-edited, and freelanced.
I've lived abroad in three different countries, traveled the world, and best of all, I feel in my BONES that I'm a writer.
I wish I knew then what I know now.
Because if I did, I could’ve made my dream of becoming a writer come true faster, and easier.
So here's my advice for 2023.
3 Truths To Radically Transform Your Identity And Become The Person You’ve Always Dreamed Of
1.There are no hard problems. There are just long problems.🧩
Writing a thread is not hard. Writing a 🧵thread just takes more time.
Finding your niche is not hard. Finding your niche just takes more time.
Becoming a writer is NOT hard. Becoming a writer just takes more time.
When was the last time you did something that seemed “hard” to other people, but you kept at it, and eventually solved the problem?
Last week, I was learning a new song on the guitar when a friend of mine commented, “That song is way too hard for me, it’ll take forever to learn it.”
I nodded my head, and just kept on practicing.
How long is forever to you?
My “forever” was 3 weeks of daily practice.
So don’t confuse “hard problems” with problems that just take more time.
Writing is a marathon— so just put one foot in front of the other.
2.The only thing that matters is finishing. 🏃♂️
Imagine if someone paid you to juggle 12 balls. Each ball that you successfully juggle you receive $10,000. Are you going to try to juggle all 12?
Hell no!
You’ll do 1 or 2 balls.
Whenever people set goals they’re too focused on the “ideal” perfect outcome. When in reality all that matters is finishing.
Now instead of 12 balls replace them with habits.
Would you rather have 12 failed habits by the end of the year? Or 1/2 habits that you successfully finished?
If you truly want something, decide to eliminate all other non-priorities, and commit to finishing it.
It doesn’t matter if you have huge goals like reaching $10k for your blog, or a simple practice to publish everyday.
The only thing that matters is finishing.
3.You can't see results until YEARS later.
This one really fucked with me.
I always wanted results in the next week or month , but it just doesn't work like that.
Trying to measure your progress in weeks or months is like trying to measure the progress of a tree in days.
It’s impossible.
Changing your identity is not like getting fit in the gym.
There are no physical results or proof that you’re becoming a writer.
Becoming a new person can't be measured in days or weeks, it's measured in years.
It took me 5 years to realize this, but the only way to see results and become a writer is by committing yourself for the long run.
Till next week,
Brian “Long Problems” To
Building In Public
Huge huge updates!
Are you interested in a “First Principles Guide to Writing Online with ChatGPT?” 🤔
I’ve been using AI for my professional job for nearly a year and I feel like a ton of the guides out there don’t teach you how to REALLY use ChatGPT to the fullest.
I’ll be a mentor in Kevon’s 6th BIPM cohort! 🥳
I’m excited to see what this new cohort builds and launches in the next couple of weeks. This course was LIFE-CHANGING for me, and I can’t wait to see the transformations people will have.
I’m taking on Beta-clients for my 1:1 Online Writing Coaching!✍️
Are you an aspiring writer, or writer that wants to start publishing online?
If so, I would love to talk to you! (DM’s + Emails are open!) 👋
We can talk about anything from:
Imposter syndrome
How to start writing online
Publishing consistently
Finding your voice
Building your audience
And more!
I’ll be talking to potential people for the next 2-3 weeks to test out my new program.
One Dope Link
Check out this extension that gives you ultra-focus on Twitter with a minimalist customizable vibe.
Well said, Brian! You don't know how much this helps me reframe a few things for the year. Oh, and congrats for BIPM mentorship!
Woah, this email was loaded with updates! Congrats, friend! You're gonna be an awesome mentor for BIPM!