The Weekly Proof: Let the Job Fund the Dream
Over two years ago, when I was starting my content journey as a writer, I came across a lot of advice that talked about niching down.
I tried the advice, but almost immediately it felt unnatural to me. I then decided to find guidance elsewhere. Luckily, I came across a creator named Dan Koe.
What drew me to him was his idea that I could become the niche.
From that point, I subscribed to his YouTube channel and newsletter. I consumed his content like my life depended on it.
I even paid for his newsletter writing course, which led me to launch The Potential Paradox.
Before, I had been posting 2-3 posts on X a day, 7 days a week, which was frustrating because no matter what I tried, I saw very little growth.
Coming across Dan Koe’s content really made the shift for me.
Ever since, I’ve swapped platforms and grown an audience the younger version of me would be shocked to see. The best part? This is just the beginning.
But I’m not going to lie to you; this journey has been rough.
Sometimes it feels like fumbling around in the dark for the light switch.
I’ve been frustrated, anxious, and lost over the last two years, trying to find balance between the content I produce and what connects with people.
Even as I learn about YouTube and creating on the platform, there are many nuances involved.
One creator spent 6 years posting videos with zero views before one video just took off and his channel exploded.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to spend 6 years doing something with no results. That’s the game we’re playing if we post content anywhere.
And so that leads me to wonder: what more will it take for me to succeed?
The Tension
I’m caught between a rock and a soft place.
The rock, in this case, is my ambitions and dreams for the future outside a traditional 9-5.
The soft place, on the other hand, is my 9-5.
But in reality, there is no such thing as a soft place. There is no guarantee that I will have a job tomorrow if they decide to go a different route.
That said, I’ve found it difficult to make the transition out of the 9-5.
And as such, it feels soft and lovely with the paycheck every two weeks, but it feels more like golden handcuffs than actual freedom.
The tension I’m finding in my situation is a balancing act between going to work to make money and having the time and energy after work to work on my business.
I keep thinking that a better-paying job would free me from these golden handcuffs, but in reality, I would just be trading one pair for another.
So what am I to do?
How am I to make the transition in the shortest possible timeline?
The Lesson
When the answer to these questions came to me, I wasn’t sure at first.
But I’ve heard this adage from another content creator I admire, Gary Vaynerchuk, countless times before. That one must document, not create.
People want to connect with people, not content.
This lesson got me to shift my newsletter strategy. A lot of my content in the past was not personal. If I’m being honest, it was content you could get anywhere else.
What I’m learning is that my content has to be personal. It has to include pieces of me and my journey.
The complete opposite of what I thought I had to do.
I am also learning that I have to fall in love with the process. Not just the writing, but also planning, filming, editing, and packaging YouTube videos.
I have to try to see if this is something I like and can sustain over the long term before attempting to make money from it.
Hence why one should have a job, and why I have one--for now.
I remember thinking I would be stuck in this one essential-worker type work-from-home job during the pandemic forever. Stuck in the same role because the employer didn’t make growing within it easy.
I remember the moment after that, when I started hyperventilating, hearing voices that weren’t my own, and the future became present in my mind’s eye.
I called my manager, explained how I was feeling, and quit that day.
Meanwhile, that job allowed me to construct a music studio in my bedroom...
...and proceeded to sell everything to pay bills until the next job.
Because starting from scratch, even when you have everything you need to get started, sucks.
You need money to make money.
The Proof
I’m not going to lie.
I used to write these newsletters by the seat of my pants. One issue at a time.
These days, I plan out a batch of newsletters so the content feels more cohesive and connects across time. Versus random output.
Next, I want to tackle video as a format.
I’ve purchased a tripod, studio lights, a selfie video monitor, a wireless lavalier mic, my first poster-in-a-frame, and software.
I’ve taken a quick-and-dirty course on how to start a successful YouTube channel of my own design, and I feel ready.
But the proof will ultimately be presented here.
The Forward Motion
Next week’s flagship issue will cover building tools for the creative you already are.
Something I’ve learned on my way to planning, shooting, editing, and publishing video content: most of the time, what you have is enough.
Notice how I didn’t mention a camera.
Why?
My $1200 iPhone has an award-winning camera system.
Can’t go wrong as long as the audio and lighting are in check.
Closing Line
It takes money to make money.
If you don’t have a job to help build your dream to where you never need a job again, what are you to do?
And if you have a job, why aren’t you MAKING more time for the things you need to do to never have to work hard for someone else’s money again?
Be your own boss and build something that succeeds without your ongoing involvement. That’s freedom. To me.
My favorite part is when you talked about selling the music equipment after leaving that old job. There’s something very real about having to build and rebuild when circumstances change. I also like that you’re not romanticizing the leap. You’re using the 9-5 to fund the next version of your creative life. And now you’re putting actual resources into video. That makes the progress you describe feel achievable for you and in a way for all of us. A really enlightening read today, thank you Idris Elijah and enjoy your weekend!
I loved the full-circle moment here, from discovering someone who gave you permission to become the niche to realizing that your own story and experimentation are part of what people are coming for. I’m especially interested in seeing what happens when you bring video into this. You’re not just adding another format, you’re giving people another way to experience the person behind the ideas. Thank you Idris Elijah for sharing part of your journey today and Happy Friday to you!