Heart of Writing S1E4 Balancing our writing with the rest of our life

Hello, everyone, and welcome back.

Today I want to talk about something I think we all need a reminder of:

starting small doesn’t mean you’re invisible, and staying steady builds trust.

When I first started writing—over 14 years ago—I had a very small base.

I relied on a free blogging platform, and my viewership was limited.

But that didn’t stop me from writing.

I learned how to show up consistently: writing, uploading articles, and sharing them on social media.

At the time, I didn’t know much about writing groups, or how to build an online presence through YouTube and other platforms.

As I developed my writing craft, I eventually switched to a paid website, gained more followers, and slowly expanded my reach.

Here’s the thing:

A lot of times we think success comes from making big, dramatic changes—

a bigger platform, better tools, or flashier strategies.

But that’s not true.

Sure, you can upgrade your website, join writing groups, or invest in better tech.

I’ve done all of that, many times.

But what really brings success?

Consistently showing up.

Day after day.

Month after month.

Writing.

That’s it. There’s no big secret.

As Scripture says: don’t despise the day of small beginnings.

Think about it—many podcasters, writers, and even founders of successful companies started small.

They had a vision. They had a voice.

And they kept pursuing their calling.

Small beginnings and small gains aren’t insignificant.

They’re sustainable.

Because if you look at your career as an author—between podcasting, website design, book writing, blogging, and daily life—it can feel overwhelming.

But life doesn’t have to feel that way.

Burnout happens when we try to do everything at once.

And that kind of life just isn’t sustainable.

We’re not in a race to finish the most tasks in a single day.

So instead, take a deep breath and ask yourself:

What’s one thing I can do today to make my writing better?

What’s one thing I can do to expand my reach?

Maybe it’s joining one writing group, not ten.

Maybe it’s sharing one post from your website.

Maybe it’s simply telling one person about your work.

Small steps are manageable.

You don’t have to do it all at once.

Some podcasters have entire teams behind them.

Others are completely solo.

Whatever your situation, be kind to yourself while you pursue your vision.

And as we wrap up today, I want to encourage you:

Celebrate your progress.

Don’t despise small beginnings.

Don’t get discouraged if your progress looks quiet or ordinary.

Those little steps are powerful.

You’re building something that will last.

Remember this:

Starting small keeps you from getting overwhelmed.

Staying steady ensures you’ll get where you want to go.

Together—they’re unstoppable.

Thanks for joining me today.

If this encouraged you, share it with someone who might need the reminder that small and steady is the way forward.

And as always—keep showing up.

You’re doing better than you think.