Here is a truth I almost never see online:
YOU ALREADY HAVE WHAT YOU NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
Groundbreaking, right?
Seriously though, we need to have a talk. I know every website out there is trying to tell you that you need x, y, and z to achieve your dreams, but you DON'T.
You just need to stop thinking about your goal and start doing the work necessary to make it come to life.
If you want to be a writer, you simply need to start writing.
If you want to have a nice body, you simply need to start working out.
If you want to make a profit, you need to ask the right people to buy from you.
If you want to build a business, you need to decide what you're going to sell and SELL IT.
This means you stop getting derailed at every opportunity and you stay consistent.
Stop reading blogs and start working.
You don't need a new social media plan. You don't need a fancy website. You don't need the hottest gear. You don't need that $1,000 online program.
All of that is bullshit until you have actually STARTED.
I saw a debate about what computer programs someone should use to become a writer.
What the fuck is a writing program? Do you know why I've made a boatload of money as a writer over the years? Because I put in the work and I had deadlines. I had a professor or editor waiting for my final draft and that is ALL YOU NEED.
Actually, you know what...
Here's a challenge: If you want to take this seriously, here's how I'm going to help:
1. Start with the knowledge you have. Stop fucking researching and planning.
2. Decide on ONE PROJECT you can finish this week. It has to be an active put-yourself-out-there goal. Don't register your damn domain or something little and sissy. Write a blog. Go to the gym. Ask someone out. Something where you are putting yourself out there.
3. Tweet me your goal. (@JackieMPearce) Tell me your goal and your deadline. I'm going to write it down in my calendar and follow up. I don't care what your goal is, I will make sure you finish it.
If you don't have a project, I'LL GIVE YOU ONE. You tell me your goal and I'll tell you the first thing you're going to do. No questions asked, no debating, just give me the result by the deadline. Period.
I will be your Jillian Michaels nightmare until you get something out in the world because I know the powerful feeling that comes from finishing something.
I attribute a large percentage of my success to having someone out there waiting for me to finish. Between sports coaches, professors, clients, editors, THEY did more than consuming another damn book/blog/article/free download/YouTube video/some other time-suck.
If I had left it up to willpower alone, I would still probably be a student or at some minimum wage job. It is FAR too easy to push things off to "tomorrow" or "some day".
(You can also e-mail me if it's longer than a Tweet: jackie.copywriting@gmail.com)
All you need to do to achieve any goal is to put in the work. Sure, coaches and programs can help you understand the whole picture, but those should only enhance your journey, not be the only journey.
I could buy the fanciest art supplies, the best paper made out of trees from the Swiss Alps, brushes made out of angel hair, and paint made from the gold of the Roman Empire, but my paintings would still look like a drunken monkey painted them BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PAINT.
You can't buy fancy things and expect overnight success without the hard work.
I was a 4-year Varsity lacrosse starter not because I had the fanciest gear, but because I relentlessly focused on the fundamentals. (Actually, fun fact, I wore the same cleats and had the same stick for three of the four years.)
I am a professional writer because I stopped dreaming about it, and in 2010 walked up to the Editor-In-Chief at my school's paper and asked, "What can I do to work here?" That was my first check from writing.
I added over 10 lbs. of solid muscle to my frame last year because I finally picked a program and went to the gym. I stopped worrying about the "best" program/nutrition plan and just fucking lifted weights up and put them down over and over. No FitBit, fancy app, Nike shoes, or other expensive program beat the hard work.
The world will give you want you want if you stop dreaming about it and start demanding it.