Read this if creating content is taking more time than you think it should
It’s frustrating, right?
You pour hours into crafting the perfect article, video, or social media post, only to get lost in an ocean of other content you need to create.
It seems like feeding a never-ending beast. As a result, you see your free time evaporate like morning mist.
The irony is that we’re all sold on the internet lifestyle. Work from the beach. Make money while you sleep. For a one-time payment of $997.
But here’s what most creators won’t tell you: they bash the 9-to-5 corporate rat race but live in another rat race themselves.
I know what’s happening behind the curtain. I’ve burned out two times and broke my back (even though I was working from home and making a thick 6-figure income).
But what if I told you it doesn’t have to be this way? What if you could create compelling content and enjoy the real internet lifestyle without chaining yourself to a desk all day?
After being a content rat for many years, I finally found a way to systematize content creation so that it doesn’t have to eat up more than two hours of your day (and earn a full-time income).
And in this article, I’ll show you why working less is key to succeeding in the new creator economy.
1. Better ideas emerge far from your laptop
Hustlebros have destroyed lives.
I remember when I was watching Hustling Gary in 2016. Wake up at 4 a.m., take a cold shower, and shout until midnight. I felt like a loser. Even though I was working 8 hours per day.
Your brain is not a machine. It needs downtime to be brilliant.
Creating content is an energy-draining task. It eats up all your mental bandwidth. 24/7.
But your most profound thoughts are born when you least expect them.
That’s when the default-mode network kicks in.
This is your brain’s unsung hero, working the graveyard shift to process thoughts and solve problems while you’re off-duty.
I get my best ideas when I’m not staring at a blinking cursor, like when:
– driving
– taking a solitary walk
– or even in the shower.
Too many creators are parrots; they simply regurgitate what others say in a mediocre way. No wonder they’re not growing.
A relaxed brain is your secret weapon for coming up with ideas that make people stop scrolling, think, and tell themselves: “I never thought of this. Let me follow this guy”.
Don’t just schedule time to write. Schedule time to think and relax. Put it on your calendar: “Go for a walk and brainstorm @ 4 p.m.”
Your brain needs room to breathe.
2. Find new path to break old patterns
If you think churning out content non-stop is the golden ticket to success, you’re playing a losing game.
Laser focus can quickly turn into tunnel vision. And tunnel vision? That’s a creativity killer.
The world is moving. Your niche is evolving. Every. Freakin’. Day.
In the late 19th century, the world of photography was forever transformed by innovation and evolution. Back then, photographers had to lug around cumbersome equipment and use glass plates to capture images.
In 1888, George Eastman introduced the Kodak camera. A revolutionary device that simplified photography for the masses.
“You press the button; we do the rest.”
Eastman not only introduced the concept of point-and-shoot photography but also ushered in a new era of accessibility and convenience. This innovation marked a significant shift in the photography niche, making it accessible to ordinary people and ultimately shaping the way we capture and share moments in the modern world.
Eastman took a step back and, instead of producing glass plates, thought about new solutions.
If you’re too busy grinding, you’re going to miss out on the next big thing that your audience cares about and could give your content that extra oomph or reach.
When ChatGPT came out, I was too busy churning out content (articles, emails, and courses). I also thought that this whole hype was a stupid trend like fidget spinners or dropshipping.
But I noticed that the AI craziness kept going for months. Was I missing the bandwagon? I shook up my schedule and dedicated two days per week to explore ChatGPT.
And it was like striking oil in my own backyard.
Suddenly, I was pumping out content twice as fast and saving up to 5 hours a week.
Sure, there was a 100-hour learning curve. But now, I’m writing faster. I can produce almost instantly well-written first drafts that sound like I wrote them (and, I have to admit, sometimes even better).
This newfound time wasn’t wasted – it gave me the breathing room to delve into other areas that could boost my content strategy, be it researching emerging trends or diving into analytics.
Look at your calendar right now and dedicate specific slots each week for exploration. Even if this means you have to create less.
I’m talking about time to:
– read a book
– test a new tool
– or even engage in online discussions to grasp what your audience is buzzing about.
When you take the time to embrace understanding new trends, jump on the bandwagon and see where it leads you. Understand the psychology. Go the extra mile.
I’m not saying that every strike will be a home run. But it’ll certainly teach you one thing or two you can utilize to stand out.
You’re investing in your business’s future. Make room for exploration.
3. AI does all the cheap work for you
Stop ignoring AI.
The days when typing speed equaled productivity are gone. I’m serious.
If you’re still sold on the fact that writing daily is your unique advantage, it’s time to recalibrate your mindset.
With AI, the grunt work is taken care of.
You see, I too was clinging to the “sweat of my brow” belief until I gave ChatGPT a serious try. I trained it to emulate my style and my voice.
And guess what?
This bad boy churns out drafts that feel like me, but without the arduous typing and hours spent staring at the screen. Now, with the grunt work handled, I focus on what truly matters:
- my ideas
- my methodology
- and my unique approach to solving problems for my audience.
Cut the cord on manual labor. Your real asset is your brain, not your typing fingers.
4. You need more time to enjoy the Internet lifestyle
The internet lifestyle is a drug.
The freedom, the flexibility, the laptop on the beach (and the sand that obstructs your keyboard)
But here’s the ugly truth: if you’re tied to your desk all day, generating content like a machine, you’ve basically just crafted a high-tech prison for yourself.
I’ve been down that road.
Had a thriving business, yet I was always hungry for more, churning out blog posts, podcasts, courses, and videos like there was no tomorrow.
But then, the revelation hit me: I was so caught up in producing that I forgot to live the very lifestyle I was promoting.
Ironic? Definitely. Healthy? Absolutely not. It broke my literal back.
Today, I have a more laid-back version of making money online.
Numbers on your Stripe account matter. But what matters more is what those numbers allow you to “buy” in terms of tranquility, happiness, and fulfillment.
I have the privilege to refuse clients because I simply don’t want to work with them and don’t need their money.
And yes, you can do all of this in just 2 hours per day.
Final thoughts
If you’re spending more than two hours a day on content creation, reevaluate your process.
There are a myriad of ways you can save yourself time:
– Templates
– Outsourcing
– AI to write faster
– Automation tools like Zapier
– Notes to save your best ideas
Your content should serve your lifestyle goals, not the other way around.
Want to monetize your expertise with online content?
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