Don’t Quit Your Day Job to Build on the Internet

Do this instead

Photo by Christian Buehner on Unsplash

I think a lot about productivity.

I love the feeling that it gives. It motivates a lot of my work. Feeling like I’m making a dent in the world, in my life, in my world, makes me feel good.

But like most things, the ambition of the pursuit can often cloud judgment. Too many times I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole of trying to make my life perfect so I can start building online.

Writing out my morning routine, blocking out time in my calendar, morning journalling — all that stuff.

But the honest truth? I don’t have time for that stuff. My life is messy. But yet messy chaotic life is the one most of us are dealt.

And it can be the perfect starting point. Here’s how to use it to your advantage.

The *5 am* Fallacy

I’ve lost count of the number of books, articles, and videos I’ve watched on organizing the perfect morning routine.

Wake up at 5 am, green juice, morning run, smoothie, yoga, reading, journalling — the list goes on and on.

I tried this once and repeatedly fell asleep on the sofa after the first 20 minutes. The online world convinces us that life is this military operation where you wake up at…