Do you ever wonder if the work you are doing is worth it? I mean, does anyone even care?
Oftentimes, I have sat in deep thought about all the writings I have done: books, poetry, scripts, blogs, podcasts, sermons, speeches, etc.
Sometimes I'm actually surprised at how much I've written and done, too.
Sometimes, when I think of all these things, I ask myself, "Why?"
Why do I keep writing? Why do I continue this time-consuming venture when the comments are minimal at best, the reviews are mostly absent, the revenue is pennies, and it seems as if no one reads my stuff, listens, or seems to care?
As of this time (the writing of this post), I have:
Written, recorded, and released 80+ podcast episodes.
Written and released multiple YouTube videos
Had four books published under three different labels by different publishers.
Six more manuscripts in the queue to be published.
Written more than four dozen blogs (including past blog sites).
Written and produced multiple scripts and short films.
Written stuff for and led a few small group teachings.
Written speeches and sermons where I spoke at churches, funerals, gatherings, and meetings
Co-written many other writings: podcasts, blogs, screenplays, etc.
and much more.
Even with all this work, and it is work because it requires a lot of time, research, and energy, I still find myself at times questioning, "Why?"
What is the purpose of all this sacrifice? Why do I put so much time and energy into things that seem to be going nowhere and, according to the world, appear at the moment to be getting me nowhere?
"When you sell a man a book you don’t sell him just twelve ounces of paper and ink and glue - you sell him a whole new life."
Christopher Morley
There is a whole new life in each book (and writing, whether it be an article, blog, podcast, teaching, etc.); some are good and some are bad, but in each, the author has poured out their heart, sweat, and tears to create that story, to compile that information, to open their heart to the reader, and to help build that new life.
Does anyone even read this stuff?
Hundreds!? Thousands!? Millions!?
I have a small subscription base on my podcast show FROM MY STANDPOINT (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Deezer, etc.)—go and SUBSCRIBE TO MY PODCAST…please; although it was bigger until about halfway through its current run when I released a few episodes dealing with biblical topics, then there was a mass exodus of people unsubscribing. WHAT?!? I was shocked at first, too, then all I could do was laugh. 🤣 What else do you do in that situation?
Is my work with this podcast doing any good at all? It feels like a waste of time, especially when the subscribers unsubscribe. I still don't know for sure.
My books sold decently at first, for a first-time "nobody" author. I say "nobody" because I don't have millions or hundreds of thousands of followers; I'm not a sports or Hollywood celebrity, a YouTube sensation, or an in-your-face-making waves politician or marketer. I'm a down-to-earth, know where I stand, write what I know guy trying to pass the wisdom and lessons I’ve learned on to the reader or listener so they can, hopefully, not repeat mistakes I’ve made and do much, much better than me in their life—my goal is to bring hope and entertainment and to change the perspective for a better understanding.
But people always laugh when they talk about authors who don't sell hundreds, thousands, or millions of books, and I’ve heard it said many times, “Well, at least your mom and best friend read your book. So that's two copies you sold." I've even heard many people say, and one very prominent speaker said, "If your book only sells five copies, did you even help anyone? No, you didn't."
Are they right? If so, then my time and work have been a waste. Does the number of copies sold equate to being of any value? Should I just muzzle my own voice?
Is anything I'm doing helping? Does anyone even care?
Everyone has a voice, and everyone wants to be heard, but does anyone ever listen?
Are you a writer? Are you a blogger? Are you a podcaster? Are you an author? Even self-publishing is something to be proud of because you put in the time, research, learning, and work to write that story and that book. You just had to do more work getting it completed and out there than other authors.
I want to tell you that your voice does matter, your writing is read, and your message is heard.
We often fall into the self-defeating trap of believing that we must reach millions, be nationwide or worldwide famous, make lots of money, sell a plethora of copies...
Well, you told me I have a plethora. And I just would like to know if you know what a plethora is. I would not like to think that a person would tell someone he has a plethora, and then find out that that person has no idea what it means to have a plethora.
El Guapo, Three Amigos!
Anyway, you don't have to do or have all that to make a difference with your voice, your story, your message, your writings.
How do I know?
My first book, Destiny: Life or Death, Choose Your Destiny, (the 2nd edition is out now and can be found on Amazon at the highlighted link and other bookstores and is titled DESTINY: Rich or Poor, Life or Death, Choose Your Destiny), but my first edition was only out for three months before the man responsible for me signing with his publishing company passed away, and then, well, let's just say things were done that resulted in me leaving the company and pulling my book.
This time the book was released with a forward from a very famous author—Jim Stovall. This is exciting!
However, before the first edition was pulled, I was informed about a lady at my church who read the book and said it changed her life. As I was informed, she was in a very, very deep and dark place, a pit of depression, feeling alone, isolated, and at the end. This was in 2021. Well, I was told that when she finished the book, her whole outlook changed. She was happier, she saw the light of hope again, she was motivated, and she was taking steps to improve her mindset and life. She said this book helped bring her out of a very deep, dark spiral of depression. It saved her life!
How's that!?!
My book helped make a positive influence in someone's life! That's awesome!
How many other amazing stories of how one of my writings or podcasts has helped someone in their life or grown their understanding to build courage and positivity? How about helping them out of a dark pit. I don't know. No one will ever know.
How many people have actually heard and/or read my stuff (books, blogs, podcasts, etc.)? I have no idea. We can look at online statistics such as subscribers, views, and the number of books sold, but we can never know the real number of people reached. The same is true for you.
How many people have you helped recover from depression or just helped for the better that you never heard about? But just because you don't hear about it, does that make it any less meaningful? No!
Granted, it is nice to see those numbers rise and to hear those stories, but if we never do, do those people still matter?
If I were only doing it for myself, then numbers and knowing would be paramount. Without that, I would quit, because what's the point of doing something, especially something that is hard and time consuming, and not getting rich, famous, or praise from people for doing it when your reasoning is for your own gain or self-gratification?
If I were doing it for others or for the message itself, then people would matter more than numbers and knowing.
Does anyone even care?
If we answer that question based on the lady who was helped out of her depression after reading my book, then that answer is a definitive "Yes!"
I honestly don't know of a better compliment or praise report than to hear that one of your writings truly did help pull someone out of a dark pit and open their eyes to the light of hope.
Selling enough copies to retire would be nice, too, though.
"Being a bestseller doesn't mean they wrote a great book. It just means they knew a lot of people who would buy it."
David A. Santos
Does anyone even care?
Yes!
I don't need to hear every story, nor do I need to see super high numbers on the statistics, although that would be really nice, but knowing I've made a difference in even one person's life gives me great joy and inspiration to continue writing.
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