I talk a bunch about risk and dreams on the blog. So I thought it might be good to let you in on my current situation. I’m preparing to take a big risk.
My wife was accepted to Physical Therapy school in Dallas, TX. We both want to see her dream realized, so we’re moving in May. I’ve been working full-time at a great church here in Corpus Christi, TX. But I’ve decided, when I move, I won’t be applying for another church job. In fact, I won’t be applying for a job at all.
I’m going to be a writer. And if it all works out, I’ll be a writer that gets to eat too.
My full-time income will come from a magazine launching in March, my stage design blog, and speaking engagements.
I’m taking measured steps to make this happen. But it’s scary. I make a little bit of money from Church Stage Design Ideas, but in preparation for the move I need to make more. So instead of pimping my site out to more advertisers, I’ve chosen to raise the price of ads. The problem with this is that most of my advertisers can’t afford the higher rates.
So I’ve been seeing my extra income dwindle away as I search for new advertisers.
It’s scary. I’ve been dealing with massive feelings of inadequacy. “What if I can’t make the money I need? What if no advertisers think I’m worth the investment?” Its been scary.
But I’m going for it. In the next few months I’m trying to convert a couple hundred dollars into a full-time income for my wife and me.
This isn’t a plea for money. It’s encouragement. I’m not remarkable. But I’ve decided to take a risk and follow a dream. You can do it too. It doesn’t take someone remarkable to do something great. It take someone willing to take a risk.
Will you do something remarkable?
Good for you. Left my ministry job exactly 3 years ago to go full-time freelance again (music not writing). Haven’t looked back.
All the best on the new adventure.
Thanks! π I’m sure it will be exciting
Good for you. Left my ministry job exactly 3 years ago to go full-time freelance again (music not writing). Haven’t looked back.
All the best on the new adventure.
Thanks! π I’m sure it will be exciting
Wow, congratulations!!! I live in the Dallas / Fort Worth area…so, needless to say, we welcome ya to Big D!!! We need more creatives like yourself. Know you got some guys who have your back in the area.
You’re move is definitely something of a challenge, but its also encouraging going forward. I too am actually focusing more and more on my writing!
That’s awesome π write away!
Wow, congratulations!!! I live in the Dallas / Fort Worth area…so, needless to say, we welcome ya to Big D!!! We need more creatives like yourself. Know you got some guys who have your back in the area.
You’re move is definitely something of a challenge, but its also encouraging going forward. I too am actually focusing more and more on my writing!
That’s awesome π write away!
Run with it! I’m not sure when/if battling the scary feeling ends (I’m still in the risky stage) but I know His presence In it and I’m convinced it will be wonderful for you!
Im kind of enjoying the scary feeling. I know good things come with that feeling π
Run with it! I’m not sure when/if battling the scary feeling ends (I’m still in the risky stage) but I know His presence In it and I’m convinced it will be wonderful for you!
Im kind of enjoying the scary feeling. I know good things come with that feeling π
proud of you bro! Once you’ve bitten the apple of independence, there’s no going back! =)
we’re in the same boat, too.
and I applaud you for not pimping/selling out to more ads that would inevitably clutter up your beautiful site.
I decided long ago to not take on any ads whatsoever. I still monetize my blog, but it’s through other ways, unlike the popular route that so many go.
Gotta be a good non-conformist! =)
and the only income i’m making while overseas for 3 months is my blog. So i feel ya bro.
Huge encouragement, Stephen. Why so long overseas?
proud of you bro! Once you’ve bitten the apple of independence, there’s no going back! =)
we’re in the same boat, too.
and I applaud you for not pimping/selling out to more ads that would inevitably clutter up your beautiful site.
I decided long ago to not take on any ads whatsoever. I still monetize my blog, but it’s through other ways, unlike the popular route that so many go.
Gotta be a good non-conformist! =)
and the only income i’m making while overseas for 3 months is my blog. So i feel ya bro.
Huge encouragement, Stephen. Why so long overseas?
Keep working hard man. I willl keep you in my prayers as you continue on your journey.
Thanks, Adam! π
Keep working hard man. I willl keep you in my prayers as you continue on your journey.
Thanks, Adam! π
Congrats Jonathan,
Keep writing and keep creating value for the church community. I applaud you and your wthis big step forward in your life. I hope to support you however I can.
Congrats Jonathan,
Keep writing and keep creating value for the church community. I applaud you and your wthis big step forward in your life. I hope to support you however I can.
Congrats Jonathan,
Keep writing and keep creating value for the church community. I applaud you and your wife for taking this big step forward in your life. I hope to support you however I can.
Thanks Jeff! I’m sure we’ll be working together a bunch in the future. π
Congrats Jonathan,
Keep writing and keep creating value for the church community. I applaud you and your wife for taking this big step forward in your life. I hope to support you however I can.
Thanks Jeff! I’m sure we’ll be working together a bunch in the future. π
Dude, excited to see what 2012 holds for you β faith is ALWAYS rewarded!
Yes! π
Dude, excited to see what 2012 holds for you β faith is ALWAYS rewarded!
Yes! π
Hey Jonathan, good luck man! I’m in a similarly scary position… only it wasn’t by choice. I know without a doubt that God will do amazing things through each of our journeys!
P.s. When did you redesign the site??? I love it! (Even though I’m a die-hard StadardThemer)
Thanks, Dustin! Haha…I love the StandardTheme…but everyone’s using it. I had to break the mold. So I changed it a couple months ago I think. π
Hey Jonathan, good luck man! I’m in a similarly scary position… only it wasn’t by choice. I know without a doubt that God will do amazing things through each of our journeys!
P.s. When did you redesign the site??? I love it! (Even though I’m a die-hard StadardThemer)
Thanks, Dustin! Haha…I love the StandardTheme…but everyone’s using it. I had to break the mold. So I changed it a couple months ago I think. π
Hey, Jonathan, cool journey that you’re on. Exciting to see you following where God is leading, and living in dependence on Him. What’s been happening over the last month since you posted this?
Oops…realized I typed my email wrong when my pic didn’t show up next to the comment.
Well…it’s a slow process. Still haven’t monetized CSDI completely yet…but the magazine is going great. Have all the articles assigned and deadlined…they’re coming back to me in about a week. Should be good for a March launch π
Thanks for the update, Jonathan. Looking forward to the first issue of the magazine. Hope everyone gets their stuff to you on time and that many are encouraged in ministry/creativity with the content. Thanks for doing it!
it was an imperative π
Hey, Jonathan, cool journey that you’re on. Exciting to see you following where God is leading, and living in dependence on Him. What’s been happening over the last month since you posted this?
Oops…realized I typed my email wrong when my pic didn’t show up next to the comment.
Well…it’s a slow process. Still haven’t monetized CSDI completely yet…but the magazine is going great. Have all the articles assigned and deadlined…they’re coming back to me in about a week. Should be good for a March launch π
Thanks for the update, Jonathan. Looking forward to the first issue of the magazine. Hope everyone gets their stuff to you on time and that many are encouraged in ministry/creativity with the content. Thanks for doing it!
it was an imperative π
Excited for you. Welcome to my home town. Sincerely Praying for you and your wife.
Thanks, Chris! π
Excited for you. Welcome to my home town. Sincerely Praying for you and your wife.
Thanks, Chris! π