They said not to blog.
Writing a book is a waste of time.
They said not to make music.
The odds of becoming a successful musician are less than getting hit by lightning.
They said not to podcast.
They said, “forget about becoming a YouTube star.”
They told you not to build a business.
Throw away your hollow dreams of passive and recurring revenue. Pat Flynn and James Schramko have no idea what they’re talking about, and they are the very purveyors of snake oil.
Tim Ferriss’ The 4-Hour Workweek is a sham. Even Ferriss clearly works more than four hours per week.
Give up. You’re not special. There’s no way you can make it.
“If I couldn’t do it, there’s no way you could.”
That’s what my friends were saying behind my back. Only a few short years ago.
In 2005 and 2006, I recorded and launched my first solo album, Shipwrecked… My Sentiments.
In 2007, I started blogging. One post helped me generate upwards of 800 visits per day.
In 2008, I formed a band called Angels Breaking Silence. It didn’t last more than a year and a half, but at our peak, we were touring churches, skateparks, festivals, universities, and more.
In 2009, I started podcasting. I’ve gotten as many as 3,000+ downloads in a month.
I also started making YouTube videos the same year. My little video on Sim City has gotten more than 89,600 views to date.
In 2011, I created, produced, and performed Back on Solid Ground for 11 consecutive days at the Calgary Fringe Festival.
In 2012, I briefly become the co-host of Inside Home Recording, a popular home music producer podcast.
I also started blogging professionally, and contributed to multiple music releases as a guitarist, producer, and engineer.
In 2013, I started working for Ghost Blog Writers, ghostwriting for a variety of individuals and companies, including Entrepreneur and HuffPost contributors.
In 2014, I launched my first audio course, How to Set Up Your Music Career Like a Business.
In 2015, I launched my first book, The New Music Industry.
I also became a staff writer for Music Industry How To the same year.
In 2016, I started working entirely from home. I was no longer tied to a physical workspace.
I also launched multiple singles the same year.
In 2017, I helped a local jazz artist crowdfund $15,000+ for an album.
In 2018, 2019, and 2020, I launched several more books.
And that’s just scratching the surface. There are so many other accomplishments. So many other stories to tell. So many funny, weird, and memorable experiences. So many highs and lows.
It’s been at least 16 years since I started down the path of building my life around my creativity and passions.
It’s been 16 years and I’m still going.
What were you told not to do? What did others discourage you from trying? Who didn’t demonstrate any belief in your big dreams?
Maybe you were meant to go and do those things after all.
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