The accidental path to finding my 'why’
Remember when Instagram was the hot new thing?
Before TikTok, before YouTube Shorts, even before I started my podcast...
I was just another Instagrammer posting photos of my travels
It all started with a daily photo challenge from my pal John Kraus (who's since become a serious photographer).
Posting every day was like kryptonite to my insecurities.
I didn't have time to stress over:
- "Is this interesting enough?"
- "Why aren't people liking my picture?"
- "My life's boring, I've got nothing to share"
Nope. I just had to show up and post. Every. Single. Day.
Some days I felt like Ansel Adams. Other days, more like a toddler with a disposable camera.
But I kept at it. For years.
Then one day...I quit.
A few folks asked why, said they missed my pics. But I was over it. It felt pointless. I had no motivation, no burning desire to be the next Annie Leibovitz.
So I bailed.
Fast forward: New account, new me.
This time, I'm Mr. Optimism. Sharing tips I’d found inspiring, hoping it'd do the same for others.
Followers trickled in. But I had no real clue why they were following me. I barely knew why I was posting.
So naturally, I pulled a 180. Switched to book recommendations. And just like that...crickets
My tiny band of followers vanished faster than trends on TikTok.
But wait, there's more!
Third time's the charm, right?
New account, new angle: podcasting tips.
And BAM! Lightning strike of inspiration.
Finally, a reason to post that wasn't just "look at me, I'm deep."
This account was going to be tied to cash through products and services.
Turns out, the almighty dollar is a big motivator. Who knew?
A month later, I'm cooking up a whole podcasting course.
Two weeks after that? First sale!
And just like that, what started as a photo challenge morphed into a full-blown career pivot years later.
The moral of the story?
Consistency beats talent (and excuses)
It's okay to pivot (repeatedly)
Find your "why" (preferably one that pays the bills)
So, if you're out there posting into the void, wondering if it'll ever amount to anything... keep at it. You never know where it might lead.
Who knows? Maybe your cat memes will turn into a Fortune 500 company someday.
Stay persistent (and a little delusional),
-Dylan