If you want to make real money writing online, why are you asleep right now?

It’s 7:25 a.m. on Sunday morning, and I’ve been up for about an hour already working on my content creation business.

This isn’t a brag or a flex — it’s the reality of making real money online writing or making videos.

In less than an hour, my younger son will be awake and looking for breakfast and/or to hang out watching sports highlights from last night.

Shortly thereafter, I’ll wake my teen son and we’ll all go off in separate directions to hockey and life all day.

By the time we get back, it’ll be time for dinner, a quick trip to the gym, and preparing for the school and workweek.

I’m up and working right now because this might be the only time I get today to do it.

And what might sound crazy to someone less inclined to entrepreneurship is this: I want to be here.

I need to be here.

Life is full of choices. Will you build a schedule that allows you to create online while others are sleeping? (Licensed by the author under the Unsplash+ License)

Own the first 3 hours or the day will own you

Recently I wrote a piece about how the first 3 hours of your day are the key to your entire happiness.

I truly believe that.

Had I had a few drinks last night, had a crappy sleep, woken up later, worked at half speed and barely gotten anything done before life swept in and took over, I’d be in a pretty pissy mood.

But in a few moments I’ll hit publish on this post, write a couple more, work on Tuesday’s YouTube video, and maybe do some yoga to get my body and mind right before life sweeps in and takes over.

And I’ll be a better, more patient father and husband for it because I’ll feel like I also took the time to do something fulfilling for me as an individual.

You see, you have more time than you think. If you watch TV or go on social media, you have time.

It’s not your job or your life or your family’s fault that you haven’t carved out some of it for yourself.

Sleep or slay

As I wrote in this post last week, I’ve gotten myself addicted to writing again.

After just 10 days, it would feel wrong not to do it.

And that’s the place you need to get to if you want to make real progress as an online creator.

That takes consistency.

To build that consistency, you need to manage your body, mind, and schedule to make it happen.

What will you do today to make it happen?

Publish Every Day project update: Day 15

I’m experimenting to see if I can make enough cash to retire from commuter life within 1 year by publishing every day on multiple platforms and investing my earnings.

How much I need to retire comfortably: $250 CAD per day

What I earned on Day 14: $45.47 (writing), $0.88 (YouTube) — $46.35 total

Progress chart:

Publish Every Day chart update: Day 15

What I published yesterday:

• A post about the 2 ways I think this site has fixed its algorithm and 3 more tweaks I’d make to improve it further

• This YouTube video about why I already consider my tiny channel to be worth $10,000:

My trending stories:

• 3 super healthy habits that keep Victoria Beckham fit as hell at 49

• Mark Cuban perfectly explained why most people are depressed at work

• 1 strong new sign I saw this weekend that society is shunning alcohol

My most popular stories:

1. Do these 4 exercises and you’ll be in the best shape of your life

2. The 1 main reason most people fail to make money online

3. Wow, YouTube just slashed its monetization requirement in half

4. The one priceless book that kicked off my quit alcohol journey

5. Jacked Rob Lowe revealed the 1 harsh truth about staying fit at 60

Thanks for reading — have a great day!