5 Harsh Truths About Writing Content Online With a 9–5 Job
Hint: You’re too worried about your boss finding out
Writing is more dangerous than you think.
Once you start, you’ll feel your old self transform into a vagabond trying to unshackle yourself from society. But if you have a job, a few hard truths will hit you in the face like a stray dodgeball.
Here are the ones you'll probably face.
Imposter syndrome will twist your stomach into knots
It’s 2021. I shut off my computer and head outside.
"I can't do this."
I was writing about my recent freelancing success. I'd just landed a huge client for web design and wanted to write a motivational article.
Then I remembered others were making millions selling web design courses. Here I was, living at my parent's house, with a $1,000 one-time gig.
That was imposter syndrome for me.
I felt like a small fish in a big pond who didn’t deserve to be read because others were more successful than me.
But I put in the reps, and my experience built my confidence.
The reality is people like you want to learn from people like you.
Your bed is comfier than a desk chair
I wake up one hour earlier than I want to.
It’s a new habit I’m beta testing. I want to see how much writing or editing I can do before I start my day job. But I’m worried.
I know on a cold Colorado morning, my brain will whisper softly into my ear, "You don't need to write. Stay in bed where it's warm and cozy."
But I’ll stay strong.
The thing is, you have to be disciplined. Life is a game of repetition. One gym session won’t get you in shape. You must get your ass in front of the weights multiple times a week and push hard.
The benefit is that one good habit bleeds into the next.
Being disciplined about making the bed leads to cleaning up after yourself, working out, and taking care of your hygiene. All of these lead to a commitment to the overall betterment of yourself.
So, if you have a writing goal, look at your discipline in other areas of your life. Chances are they need some fine-tuning.
No, a desk chair isn't cozy, but it's better than lying in bed and letting your dreams slip away. Your optimal future isn't in bed; it's on the keys, writing content.
No one is going to tell you to do the work (unlike a boss)
In 2016, I climbed the tallest mountain in the continental US.
Two of my buddies and I woke up at 2 a.m., engulfed some coffee, and made our way up the mountain one step at a time.
But when I reached the top, my friends and I got separated, and my reality became very clear.
I’d have to walk the next 11 miles by myself.
I'd already walked 6,500 feet into the sky, and my brain was mush. No one was there to motivate me, but I had to keep going.
My survival depended on it. Talk about motivation…
But in life, motivation isn't enough.
There are too many days, distractions, screens, and snacks. Motivation isn’t a reliable source of discipline. It’s fleeting, and while it’s a good energy source, it doesn’t find you when you most need it.
With a job, you're motivated by money. You work for survival, not the culture. You’re motivated to show up on time because your performance affects your life.
If you do a bad job, you could get fired. As a result, your chances of survival are lower.
In reality, nobody will write for you, just like how no one would carry me off that mountain.
You have to do the work, or the work won't get done. It's simple.
Worried about the boss catching you
This is one of the harsher realities.
The out-of-touch corporate boss who wants you to put your head down and do the work isn’t the candidate for understanding why you write online.
They’re old school. You’re supposed to show up, do an excellent job for 35 years, and retire fat and unsatisfied with life “like the rest of us.”
I’m lucky to work with like-minded individuals. My boss also writes because he understands the importance of personal brands.
But the fear remains: I don’t want my boss to think I work harder for myself than them.
But the funny thing is, the same month I doubled my writing efforts, I won employee of the month at our 50-person company.
I'm not telling you to brag but to point out that hard work breeds hard work. Even if your boss does know you write, it's a direct indicator of your work ethic.
It’s also about the things you delete from your life.
I deleted Instagram this month to reduce my screen time, i.e., redirect my attention to my work.
And that's something they’d surely respect if they knew.
You don't have as much time as you think
The harshest reality, however, is you don't have the time you think you do.
Even when I carve out writing time between 6–7 p.m., I don't always hit my target. The gym is busy, or I had to work late.
That's reality, but it teaches you to weave through adversity.
Think about it: you can only become a full-time writer if you learn how to deal with life. Because once you're full-time, the only thing stopping you from doing the work is you.
In the meantime, you must create a writing system around your life. Not the other way around.
So that means making sacrifices, getting up before you commute to work, or sneaking some writing during your lunch break.
I can't tell you what will work, but I know what works for me. And what worked for me was starting before I felt ready.
Stop pushing off your writing because you think you'll do it tomorrow.
Stop kidding yourself and take one step every day toward the dream.
Final thoughts
When writing online, there’s a lot going against you, but every risk has its reward, primarily if you work a 9–5.
Imposter syndrome goes away if you outlast the competition. Then, you can help newcomers when you’ve built your confidence.
The bed is comfy, but life without writing is terrifying. No one is going to make you write but you. And the only way is to discipline yourself.
Your boss might find out, too. If they do, it’s not the end of the world. Let them know your work ethic.
You have less time than you think. Because of that, systemize a way to focus on needle mover tasks and not on things that don't matter.
Writing with a job is one of life’s treasures. Take advantage of it.
Write better content faster 🔥. Learn how with my free eBook.