The more days journeyed into 2020, the more I’m thinking about goals and hopes for this year (beyond a a few big resolutions I’ve intended on the last couple months). High among this newer list forming is reaching greater financial independence.
I earn most of my living now through Patreon – an awesome platform for content-creators of all stripes. I’ve been working “full-ish time” as editor of Your Other Brothers for 2 1/2 years now, having edited a couple hundred blog posts, recorded 50+ podcasts, published a couple dozen videos, and organized two supporter retreats.
Beyond YOB, I have my two books which still make sales. I also speak occasionally.
I’m farther along today than I’ve ever been, both in terms of finances and readership/listenership. Such a faithful following gained these last couple years.
I’m grateful for the 170+ folks around the world supporting YOB, supporting me.
Alas, I still need to drive for Uber and Lyft a significant amount each month to make ends meet; lately, I’ve been feeling the drain.
As I recommit new energies into this blog (new design!), my YouTube channel (bimonthly videos!), and all things YOB, I’m so ready for 2020 to be the year I live – survive, thrive – exclusively by Patreon, book sales, and speaking gigs.
Creating and connecting: what I want to do the rest of my life.
More than ever, I long for my financial needs to be fully met so I can invest even more into creating: more time, more energy, more projects, more equipment.
And thus even more connection.
How nice it would be right now to have a million supporters. Or at least a few hundred thousand. Heck, a thousand.
But here’s the thing I desperately need to keep reminding myself. It’s what I’m still learning from the hundreds of blogs, books, podcasts, and videos put out over the last decade.
I’ll never reach a million people if I don’t reach one.
Mr. Rogers got this perfectly. He spoke to the cameras as if only one child were watching, and he resonated with millions. And not just millions during his lifetime – but many millions more after.
Jesus obviously got this, too. Meeting with the outcasts instead of all the important people. Speaking of a shepherd leaving an entire flock to rescue the one. How absurd — dare I say, reckless.
I’m not saying I suck at this concept. I think I do a decent job at it, actually. Many have affirmed me over the years that my writing has spoken to them as if we were in a coffee shop together, just the two of us in the corner, and their affirmations mean so much.
But boy is it tempting to bypass all the one-on-one stuff for a snag at millions. To ignore emails. And tweets. And DM’s. To skip out on reader meetups in my travels or in my city.
To reserve my energies and remain distant while assuming that millions would want to attach themselves to unattachment.
I’ll admit, while I’m grateful for 170+ generous supporters on Patreon and hundreds of book sales and now a few speaking gigs under my belt, it’s frustrating not to be farther along.
I want each new week to be filled with blogs and podcasts and videos and books with room for even more projects — instead of having to pick and choose what I can afford to invest in this week.
I want to reach millions for the notoriety, sure. I’m human; fame sounds nice. Or at least not totally bad.
But I really do want to reach millions for the increased opportunity to connect. To bear no more financial stress after 15 years as an adult, doing what I love every day, creating, helping others see more of this one-obsessed Jesus who compels me.
Compels us.
May I never neglect connecting with the one. Whether the millions ever come.
