I've been creating content online (for myself and clients) since 2004. This fall will mark my 20th year being a part of the "creator" community.
People who've been doing this for as long as me have called ourselves something different for many years. In 2004 when I started, I called myself a blogger. Somewhere down the line, I called myself a social media expert. Then in the past few years the term Creator has become popularized and seems to have some staying power.
Early on the goal was to write content as frequently as possible and gain as many subscribers to your blog via tools like Feedburner.
As I was reflecting this week on my journey there was an idea that stuck out as true.
It's that the people who are still here (and found lots of success) 20 years later are the ones who just refused to quit.
For every one of my friends who is still here there are 20 that have quit.
Almost none of my friends who are still around look the same as they did 5 years ago, 10 years ago, and especially 20 years ago. But they are still here.
The story isn't over unless you stop writing it
It reminds me of a story of a friend I grew up with.
At the time I wasn't able to see it, but looking back he was the product of a very traumatic childhood which caused him to be in trouble at school, in special education classes, and on a pretty bleak path.
We lost touch after high school.
But a few years ago, I saw him suggested on social media and took a look at his profile. Expecting to see something completely different, I was surprised to see a screenshot of his checking account (with 7 figures of cash), a picture of a yacht and a picture of a luxury car that I definitely could not afford.
In a message I will never forget, he told me that he became aware that his story wasn't over unless he stopped writing it.
"The story is only over if you quit. You can always write the next chapter."
I was floored. And that message has stuck with me ever since.