Work Hard, Achieve More

 Work Hard, Achieve More

What inspired your decision to start streaming, and what motivates you to continue today? The reasons behind our streaming journeys often evolve over time. When we embark on creating our channels, we often carry preconceived notions about what the experience will entail or how quickly we'll gain traction. We might compare ourselves to other streamers, imagine our own viewer base, or grapple with fears that deter us from diving in fully. These expectations and anxieties, if left unaddressed, can hinder or completely halt our progress.

To persevere in our streaming ambitions, we frequently find ourselves redefining our motivations, steering away from our initial expectations. Sometimes, these shifts lead us to discover entirely new reasons to keep streaming, while others might decide to step away from the platform altogether. In this discussion, we will help you recognize when you might be heading down a potentially dangerous path and guide you toward more sustainable practices.

Embracing Reality

In many respects, maintaining consistency in streaming mirrors the challenges of forming any long-term habit. Initially, you're driven by visions of fame, fortune, and vast audiences. What you often don't anticipate are the everyday struggles: self-doubt, wavering motivation, and the persistent sense of overwhelming obstacles stacked against you. As we discussed in the previous entry  Develop A Consistent streaming habit, most of the hurdles in streaming have little to do with the act of streaming itself. It's a battle against your own ego, your perceived endurance, and your deepest insecurities—internal struggles that persist and prove to be the most formidable adversaries.

The core issue lies in the fact that many aspiring streamers don't truly desire to be streamers; instead, they yearn to have already achieved the status of a seasoned streamer. In essence, they crave all the rewards and benefits that stem from years of dedication and sacrifice but hesitate at the first sign of difficulty in their own journey. It's natural to indulge in daydreams, envisioning a future where you've succeeded as a streamer. However, unless you ground yourself in the practical realities of what's necessary and genuinely fall in love with the process, you'll find it impossible to endure the challenges.

This phenomenon isn't exclusive to streaming; it appears in various fields. Every day, a young individual picks up a guitar, envisioning themselves as a rock star. They persuade their parents to buy the instrument, eagerly dive into music books, and then, after a month, the guitar languishes, gathering dust in a corner. This pattern isn't new; it's a familiar tale. The difficult scales and hours of daily practice required to master the instrument don't quite align with the thrill of performing before thousands of adoring fans. Like countless hopefuls before them and countless more in the future, this person discovers that they desire the identity of a rock star, not necessarily that of a musician.

Conquer Your Fears

After streaming for a few weeks and realizing the substantial effort required to fulfill their streaming dreams, individuals often seek shortcuts. Many content creators believe that accumulating a substantial number of viewers, subscribers, or other arbitrary metrics would grant them the freedom to enjoy their streaming careers without further concerns. Consequently, they invest in unnecessary equipment, pursue sponsorships they don't genuinely support, and broaden their content scope until they no longer create content they are passionate about. This phenomenon isn't unique to streaming; it's the same reason people resort to buying followers on Instagram, using bots on Twitter, or spamming other YouTube channels for subscribers. These actions are driven by ego and insecurities. The ultimate irony lies in this: if you attain your goals without finding joy in what you do, you might either grow to resent streaming or lose interest altogether.

Fear holds power only if you grant it that authority. So, whenever the temptation to find shortcuts arises, take a moment to step back and reflect on the underlying emotions fueling your actions. Do you genuinely need a new camera when your existing one functions perfectly well, or is it your ego dictating that your stream must look more polished? Are you genuinely unable to invest more time in streaming, or is it your perception of your stamina falsely convincing you that there are no additional hours in the day? Should you truly feel disheartened after a stream with no viewers, or are you allowing your insecurities to dominate your emotions? Remember, your stream's performance doesn't define your worth as a person. Instead of making impulsive decisions and purchases in pursuit of arbitrary milestones, focus on the essentials: put in the effort, show up each day, and give it your all.

Final thoughts

Now, you're facing the undeniable truth: streaming is challenging, and it will always be. However, this shouldn't discourage you from pursuing it. In the words of Theodore Roosevelt, "Nothing in this world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty." Confronting and overcoming your negative, lazy, or fearful tendencies by consistently streaming will not only boost your confidence but also fill you with a sense of pride. The knowledge that you stayed committed to your goals is incredibly empowering.

By persevering, you'll open the door to a vibrant community of remarkable individuals creating extraordinary content. You'll experience thrilling, poignant, and humorous moments with friends from different cities, continents, or even across the globe. It won't be easy, and it won't happen overnight, but if you continue to invest genuine effort and allow yourself to relish the immediate rewards of your hard work, you'll constantly recognize the value of your creation.

Don't allow your fears and insecurities to dictate your decisions. Instead, focus on putting in the necessary work.