Summary

An individual is committing to a personal writing career, prioritizing passion and happiness over financial gain, and is prepared to face risks and challenges in the pursuit of creative fulfillment.

Abstract

The author of the web content has decided to embark on a writing career that aligns with personal joy and ambition, rather than continuing to write solely for client profit and brand promotion. Acknowledging the potential financial risks, especially during a second UK lockdown, the writer is determined to use the extra time to read, learn, and write extensively. With past experiences of failure, including lost businesses and a family home, the author is mentally prepared for setbacks and rejections. The commitment involves early morning writing sessions, and the author is inspired by William Faulkner's advice to take chances in creative work. A 12-month plan is in place, supported by a supplementary income stream, ensuring that the transition to full-time writing is not solely reliant on income from Medium. The author emphasizes the importance of family, the pursuit of personal fulfillment, and the desire to share experiences and support with fellow writers on Medium.

Opinions

The author believes in doing what makes one happy, not just advising it for others.
There is a strong conviction that taking risks and stepping away from a comfortable yet unfulfilling career can lead to greater personal satisfaction.
The author values creativity and personal ambition over the safety of a stable income.
Past failures are seen as valuable lessons that will contribute to better writing and a deeper understanding of life.
The author is not deterred by the prospect of writing subpar articles, recognizing that even the greatest writers produce work of varying quality.
There is an emphasis on the importance of community and mutual support among writers.
The author is motivated by the idea that it's never too late to start over in pursuit of happiness and fulfillment, as symbolized by the anniversary of Elvis Presley's "It's Now or Never."

It’s Now or Never

From now on, I’ll be writing for me

Today, I’m committing to the writing career I’ve always wanted — Mine.

Not the writing that generates profits for my clients, promotes brands, increases market share and secures editorial features, but the writing I love.

I’ve always told my children to do what makes them happy and never take a job for the money. What a hypocrite.

Now, ever so belatedly, it’s time to heed my own advice.

It’s not the sensible option — Far from it. But, in my experience, being sensible all the time can weigh heavily stifling creativity and personal ambition.

Sometimes, you’ve just got to suppress sensible and shake things up.

Today, I’m doing that.

There will be risks

As we brace ourselves mentally for a second lockdown in the UK, it also borders on recklessness.

Yet, I’m standing firm and taking a positive view. I’ll use all the additional available time at my disposal to read extensively, learn comprehensively and write avidly. After all, it’s going to take time and perseverance.

I’m not deluding myself. I know the risks better than most from experience, but if I don’t do it now, I also know I’ll regret it.

I’m well aware what it feels like to fail. I’ve made more than my share of mistakes and lost more than one business over the years and a family home.

Those experiences will help me appreciate more about life and enable me to become a better writer as a result.

I’m going into this with my eyes open and fully prepared for the setbacks and rejections I know will follow. They’ll serve as learning mechanisms.

Not on our own

Having committed to my new career and created the time that’s eluded me for years, I’m going to pitch myself in and devote my precious early mornings to writing from 6am. It’s always been my most creative and productive time of day.

Of course, there will be the barely mediocre articles submitted for publication and those that fail to meet even that standard (the really crap ones), but we’re human and in this sense, we’re not on our own.

We can take inspiration and courage from American novelist, short story writer and Nobel Prize winner for Literature William Faulkner:

“Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it’s the only way you can do anything really good.”

I have a bank of more than 60 topics taken from scribbled notes and an archive going back a good few years. Ideas, headlines and draft copy concepts deposited on the off-chance they might prove useful at some point.

I can’t wait to get started.

All in this together

I won’t be operating without a safety net and relying on Medium for my income which is just as well given everything I’ve learned about the remuneration levels from the platform.

It’s not about the money for me though.

When the last of our three grown-up children flew the nest and we scaled back, our outgoings plummeted. We manage on far less.

I have a 12-month outline plan with objectives and am fortunate to have set up a supplementary income stream, albeit much smaller, which just about covers the monthly outgoings. It’s only takes a handful of hours a week.

Should anyone feel inclined to take on a similar challenge, I’d be happy to share my experience, offer advice and support and listen to any thoughts and views that might assist me or any other Medium writers out there.

We’re all in this together and a little bit of support goes a long way as I’ve already discovered from many of my wonderful and talented co-writers.

Better for my sanity

My wife and family come first, above all else and without exception. That will not change.

However, I’ve decided that writing is going to give me my chosen purpose in future and replace a career that may have maintained a healthy bank balance, but certainly didn’t leave me fulfilled.

I’ll be starting again, a good few rungs down the ladder, but I’m fine with that because it’s a challenge that’s going to make me happy. That’s got to be so much better for my writing and for my sanity.

Sixty years ago, today, Elvis topped the UK singles’ chart with his classic, ‘It’s Now or Never’. It’s always been one of my favourites.

Having joined the human race that same day, it seems the perfect anniversary for me to take the plunge with my new writing career.

‘Tomorrow will be too late…’