Streaming is about the Journey

 Streaming is about the Journey

The most vital characteristic to nurture as a content creator is the unwavering commitment to persevere. At first glance, this might seem obvious, and straightforward but once you embark on your streaming journey, you'll quickly realize the multitude of challenges that stand in your way. Whether you're streaming games, showcasing your artistic talents, sharing your culinary expertise, or engaging in any other content niche, countless factors will attempt to pull you away from your creative endeavors. Once you press that "Go Live" button, you'll be faced with a continuous challenge, and it is only those who possess the resilience to persist can conquer the uncharted territory known as the creative process.

Succeeding as a content creator means learning to be undeterred by external influences. Fixating too much on viewership numbers, follower counts, or how much attention you're receiving in the chat can easily lead to dissatisfaction and the risk of giving up on your passion. Moreover, some streamers fall into the trap of believing they can only find true happiness once they've built a massive audience or achieved financial success solely from streaming. They set ambitious end goals, such as quitting their day jobs and relying solely on streaming income. In this discussion, we'll further explore why it's essential to focus on finding fulfillment in the present, rather than postponing it until some distant notion of 'making it' in the streaming world. Embracing the joy of content creation, regardless of external validation, is the key to a gratifying streaming journey.

Embrace the present

Often, we find ourselves lost in the future, fixated on what we aim to achieve, where we want to be, or what we hope to do eventually. As streamers, many of us are primarily focused on the idea of 'making it'—that elusive moment when we secure sponsorships, achieve partner status, and turn streaming into a viable career. In our minds, everything leading up to that moment becomes a blur of constant grind, a means to an end, where the ultimate goal overshadows the joy of the present.

However, harboring such a distant goal can lead many to give up within the first few weeks, as they realize the slow pace of growth and the time it may take to reach that point. For those who persist, they may be driven to seek shortcuts, grasping at the first sponsorship offer, selling products they don't believe in, joining networking teams, and playing games solely for their perceived popularity—activities they may not truly enjoy but pursue the sake of reaching their goals faster. Eventually, these individuals, too, may quit after spending months in pursuit of objectives that lack personal fulfillment.

The lesson here is clear: Making self-sufficiency off streaming your sole target is not a worthwhile pursuit. Firstly, the journey to such a point may take longer than anticipated. There are partners with substantial followings who find immense popularity in their streams but don't envision realistically their channels supporting them financially. Secondly, the transition from a stable job with a regular salary to a self-employed, fluctuating income without a safety net can prove daunting and unsettling, even if you do reach the point where living off your channel is feasible.

Rather than dwelling on this distant goal, it is best to focus on the present. Consider why you started streaming in the first place—was it driven by the passion and love for what you do, or was it purely for financial gain? Embracing the joy of content creation and finding fulfillment in the present journey can be a more rewarding experience than fixating on the distant destination. Enjoying your streams for what they are now will make your streaming experience more fulfilling and gratifying, regardless of the outcome.

 Final thoughts 

Life is filled with unpredictable twists and turns, and who knows what the next few years will bring? Major changes may come your way, leading you to move away from streaming or reduce your streaming hours to the point where living off it becomes unrealistic. In such moments, it's crucial to pause and reflect on the following question: If your ultimate goal of sustaining yourself through streaming was suddenly removed, what content would truly bring you joy to stream? Whatever that may be, that's precisely what you should focus on.

Adopting this mindset doesn't mean disregarding the potential for success in streaming. After all, streaming is, in many ways, a game of persistence and perseverance. The streamers whose channels flourish are the ones who keep at it. By finding genuine happiness in your streaming process each day, you decrease the likelihood of giving up. You'll notice that fostering unwavering consistency in your content not only contributes significantly to your growth but also minimizes the emotional toll and stress along the way. It's an incredibly rewarding approach to your streaming journey.

Embrace the uncertainty and focus on discovering your true passion for streaming. While success is still within reach, prioritize your own fulfillment and enjoyment in the process. By nurturing this approach, you'll find that rock-solid consistency becomes a natural result, leading to growth and a more sustainable and gratifying streaming experience. It's an opportunity to strike a meaningful balance between your passion and the potential for success in streaming.