Summary

The article discusses the realities and strategies of monetizing hobbies, skills, or passions, emphasizing the importance of passion combined with work ethic, and the necessity of enduring discomfort to achieve success.

Abstract

The author of the article presents a candid perspective on the challenges of turning personal interests into profitable ventures. Contrary to the overly optimistic advice often given, the author argues that monetizing a passion is a difficult process that requires more than just enthusiasm. The article outlines five key points: the importance of focusing on a few skills rather than spreading oneself too thin, the diminishing likelihood of achieving dream careers later in life, the necessity of possessing both passion and a strong work ethic, the recommendation to burn self-help books in favor of more practical advice, and the value of discipline and enduring discomfort. The author uses personal anecdotes and references to public figures to illustrate that while monetizing a hobby is possible, it often involves a great deal of hard work and the ability to withstand both physical and mental challenges.

Opinions

The author criticizes the unrealistic expectations set by societal mantras and internet gurus about achieving dreams and passions.
Having multiple hobbies can be a curse, preventing one from mastering any single skill and leading to procrastination.
Success stories like Col. Sanders and Morgan Freeman are exceptions, and the author advises not to wait too long to pursue a dream.
The article suggests that only a few individuals possess both the passion for their hobby and the work ethic required to monetize it.
The author expresses disdain for most self-help books, considering them overly long and redundant, and instead favors articles for practical advice.
Discipline is highlighted as a crucial trait for long-term success, with physical endurance seen as a way to build mental resilience.
The author encourages readers to have honest self-reflection to determine what truly makes them feel alive and to pursue it relentlessly, without being swayed by others' opinions.

How to Monetize Any Hobby, Skill, or Passion

My 5 hacks to make it happen

Casey Neistat and me after the BK Half Marathon

From the get-go, you were fed bullshit: “You can be anything you want, even President of the United States” or Gary Vee’s “Do it, fuck it up. It’s your time to crush.”

The truth is that the dishonesty and disillusionment about what it takes to monetize a dream or passion are at a fever pitch.

New age internet gurus are clueless about your aspirations.

You could be dreaming of building a replica of Epstein Island, but they’ll still pimp out the belief that anything is achievable.

The truth is monetizing a dream is a mixed bag.

(put that on a t-shirt Gary Vee!!)

Monetizing is not fun; it’s a lesson in learning to be miserable.

Having Many Hobbies is a Blessing and a Curse

As an ultramarathoner, I occasionally entertain the idea of slamming my ankle on a rock mid-race, ending the 50-mile torment.

I’d have a built-in excuse, too.

“Yeah, that rock really got me back there.”

But this isn’t me.

It’s a thought — a self-defeating force working against me.

I think spreading yourself too thin with hobbies is the same way. It’s a curse. You might have a nice spread bet of solid skills, yet you can’t claim to be excellent at any one thing.

It’s procrastination for the one or two things that you could become a master at. “Jack of all trades, master of none.”

Don’t Chase a Dream After 50

Col. Sanders became a billionaire at the age of 88.

Morgan Freeman didn’t get his first break until 49.

They’re the exceptions, not the rule.

Even then, Freeman started acting at nine and Sanders mastered 11 herbs and spices in 20 years of chicken cooking. This is to say don’t let fear win and waste your time. Act now. Go now.

Writers and comedians often think they have careers, but let’s face it, they’re just indulging in glorified hobbies. And why the delusion? Well, they’re insane, that’s why.

And there’s nothing wrong with hobbies. This country once loved them, but now it’s all or nothing. Either you’re a millionaire or a loser. Ridiculous. It’s perfectly fine to have hobbies — and if you’ve waited too long to monetize a crazy dream, there are many other fountains of meaning to tap from.

You’ll Never Make It Without These Two Genetic Traits

My goal was to monetize my hobby of writing, and while I’ve done this, I do not always enjoy the things I have to do to maintain, but I do them anyway. I have no mouth and I must scream.

The rub is only a few people have the passion and the work ethic.

Many people only have the passion but are lazy as S-H-I-T.

You know the type.

And, I get it. A 9–5 job sucks. But unless you’re willing to treat your passion like a 9–5, you’re not likely to make it. If you’re a writer it means striving for Stephen King’s “writing on weekends, holidays, and birthdays;” if you’re a painter it’s Picasso’s “Painting is just another way of keeping a diary;” and if you’re a comedian or actor it’s treating stage time like reps at the gym.

In the blogosphere and the stand-up comedy scene where I perform in New York, it’s boring most days, embarrassing occasionally, and there’s rarely a big payoff.

But like a Marine you have to love being miserable. All the candyasses have nothing on you. And in the long run, that’s how it pays off.

Burn Your Self-Help Books

Most of them are just watered-down versions of Jung, Freud or Nietzche and largely say the same thing.

300 pages for two ideas.

I also despise the fact that, at least in my country, the psychology and economics section in “mainstream” bookshops is 90% self-help. Yes, I want to learn economics, no I don’t want to read Millionaire Mindset or How to become rich famous and increase your dick size by 35 inches thanks to day trading.

And I know what you’re thinking: isn’t this article self-help? Yes. But that’s how I get it, through articles. I still find a Tim Denning gem in his flurry of stories or, recently, Lauren Como and it doesn’t have to be an entire book.

There are good self-help tips hidden in an ocean full of garbage.

Discipline

Long-term success requires you to endure discomfort. In my experience, being able to tolerate a great deal of physical discomfort will make it easier to tolerate a great deal of mental discomfort.

A high tolerance for suffering will enable you to outwork your colleagues and keep going despite challenges. People like David Goggins and Casey Neistat exemplify why you can do anything you set your mind to.

Final Thought

Ideas are cheap. Literally, have one; think it up. Get a notebook and write it down because ideas happen all the time. This is why as Goethe put it: “we must plunge into experience and then reflect on the meaning of it.”

All reflection and no plunging drives us insane; all plunging and no reflection and we’re savages.

Have honest conversations with yourself about what makes you feel most alive and don’t be afraid to go after it.

And once you figure it out, don’t let anyone steer you wrong — not your parents, not those self-help types, not me.

So ask yourself: what lights your fire? And then go after it with everything you’ve got.

Get unlimited access to ALL of Medium by signing up for a Medium subscription through my referral link.

Join 4000+ people on my Substack for a copy of my new eBook “Gold2.0.”