Chapter 1: The Cost of Giving Up

Have you ever abandoned a project because it felt like it was taking too long? I certainly have, multiple times, and each instance has left me with a sense of regret—whether it was blogging, YouTube, or writing on Medium. I was among the early users of these platforms but ultimately chose to walk away, believing they were a waste of time due to the slow progress.

Section 1.1: My Blogging Journey

In 2007, I launched my first website on a free subdomain at .4t.com, hosted by freeservers.com. This site included a page for flash games, a chat feature, and, of course, my blog. I transitioned to Blogspot, driven not by the intent to monetize, but by the desire to have an online presence. I blogged regularly and found joy in it, yet eventually lost interest and moved on. Reflecting back, I can pinpoint at least three or four times I tried to return to blogging but left again due to the absence of immediate success. This has become a source of regret.

Section 1.2: The YouTube Experience

I created my first YouTube channel in 2014, focusing on gaming, gadgets, and pop culture, inspired by an emerging YouTuber named Charles Schneider (Emergency Awesome). I produced unboxing videos, trailer analyses, and gadget reviews. At that time, YouTube was not viewed as a business opportunity, and I didn’t dedicate enough time to monetize my channel. Looking back, I realize that had I persisted, I could have easily achieved monetization, especially given the less competitive landscape back then. One of my old videos recently garnered 145,000 views, making me regret my decision to quit.

Section 1.3: The Medium Experience

In 2019, I joined Medium, a blogging platform that was just beginning to gain traction. I can't recall if there was a partner program at that time, but my lack of sufficient readership prompted me to quit once more. If only I had persisted, I wonder where I could be now.

Subsection 1.3.1: The One Time I Persisted

A story from 2007 stands out: I was friends with a remarkable girl in college, and after a misunderstanding, I decided to write a heartfelt letter. I knew it was cheesy, but it felt like my last chance. To my surprise, the letter worked, and she is now my wife and the mother of our beautiful daughter. Unlike my other pursuits, I am grateful I didn’t give up on that.

Grit: The Key to Success

It's all too easy to abandon a goal when it feels like too much effort or when you question its worth. Achieving recognition and financial stability online through platforms like Medium, YouTube, Instagram, or Substack is challenging; creating content that often goes unseen can be disheartening. However, giving up means missing out on the changes you aspire to make in your life. Grit—the determination to keep going despite setbacks—is essential. Success in content creation is a long-term endeavor; even the most dedicated efforts may go unnoticed for years. If you commit to learning from your mistakes and striving to improve daily, you will ultimately find success.

Chapter 2: Moving Forward with Purpose

I wish I could conclude this narrative by asserting, "If I can do it, so can you," but I’m still on that journey. I haven't yet built a significant following or a successful business. However, this time, I am resolved not to quit. I won’t seek instant rewards anymore. I will continue creating, writing, and sharing on YouTube, with the hope that someday I can return and announce my success.

The first video discusses the author's biggest regrets and the lessons learned after leaving an academic job, emphasizing the value of persistence.

The second video explores the author's feelings of regret about leaving a former job, further highlighting the importance of sticking with one's passions.

If you're a creator still waiting to gain followers, don’t repeat my past mistakes. Remember that content creation is a long-term commitment, and you will reach your goals.

Today, my aspirations have transformed as I pursue a new path as a blogger and YouTuber, aiming for greater control and financial independence. I invite you to follow my journey at Jijo George and subscribe to my newsletter on Substack for more insights on life, family, and finance as we navigate our unique spaces in this ever-evolving world.