I’m Evan. I’m 28, and I write for a living. I work for myself, which means I’ve had to figure out how to stay motivated and grow without anyone standing over me.
And here’s what I’ve learned: becoming the best version of yourself isn’t about waiting for the perfect time. It’s about what you choose to do right now.
If you’re tired of feeling stuck or like you’re meant for more, you’re not the only one. I’ve been there. I’ve wasted time scrolling, watching, and waiting.
Then I started making simple changes that added up. This is what helped me, and it might help you too.
Stop Waiting for Permission
A lot of people sit around hoping someone will give them a chance. A boss, a teacher, a friend. That day may never come. The truth is, no one is going to hand you the life you want. You have to take it.
When I was 22, I kept telling myself I’d write full-time after I had more experience. That mindset got me nowhere.
The day I decided to write as if it was already my job was the day my work started improving. I didn’t ask. I did.
If there’s something you want to learn or build, begin now. Even if you don’t feel ready. Especially if you don’t feel ready. Action builds confidence.
Create Simple Habits That Actually Work
Big goals sound great. But most people burn out fast because they try to change everything at once. I’ve found that small, repeatable actions do way more for progress.
For example, I wanted to write every day. I started with ten minutes. Just ten. No pressure. That ten minutes became twenty.
Then an hour. Now, I can write for hours at a time because I made it part of my day.
Think about one small action that moves you forward. Do it every day. Make it so easy that you can’t avoid it. That’s how progress happens.
Choose Your Circle
The people around you can either pull you forward or keep you stuck. If you’re around people who complain all the time, it rubs off.
If you’re around people who work hard and stay positive, that energy lifts you.
You don’t have to cut people out of your life. But you can decide who gets your time and attention. Follow people online who inspire you.
Make friends who support your growth. Find those who push you to aim higher.
Stop Comparing Yourself to Everyone Else
Scrolling through social media can leave you feeling like you’re falling behind. Someone is always doing more, traveling more, earning more. That’s just how it looks.
The truth is, people post the highlights, not the full story. You don’t see the hard work, the failures, or the quiet moments. The only person worth comparing yourself to is the person you were yesterday.
When I stopped worrying about what other writers were doing, I got better at focusing on my own work. That’s when things started happening.
Fail Faster
A lot of people are scared to fail, so they don’t try. The problem is, avoiding failure means avoiding growth. The faster you mess up, the faster you figure out what works.
I’ve had articles rejected. I’ve had ideas that went nowhere. But each time, I learned something. Now, I’m better at knowing what will click with readers.
Don’t aim for perfection. Aim to try. Then keep trying.
Take Care of Your Body and Mind
Your energy comes from how well you treat yourself. Sleep, movement, and what you eat affect how you feel and what you can do. I’m not saying you have to follow some strict plan. Just pay attention.
If you’re tired all the time, look at your sleep. If you’re stressed, take five minutes to breathe. Go for a walk. Drink some water. The little things matter more than you might think.
Focus on What You Can Control
There’s a lot in life you can’t change. But you can always choose how you respond. You can choose your effort. You can choose your attitude.
When I was first trying to grow my writing career, I spent too much time worrying about what others thought.
I wasted energy on things I couldn’t change. Once I focused on what I could do each day, I felt better—and I made progress.
When you catch yourself stressing about what you can’t control, stop. Bring your attention back to what you can do today.
Ask Questions and Stay Curious
The people who grow the most are the ones who never stop learning. Ask yourself: what can I learn today? Who can I learn it from?
I read a lot. Not just books on writing, but books on psychology, business, science—anything that sparks ideas. I ask people smarter than me for advice. That curiosity keeps me going and keeps my work fresh.
Find something you want to know more about, and go learn it. The world is full of answers.
Use Your Time Like It Matters
It’s easy to lose hours without realizing it. A bit of scrolling, a bit of TV, and the day is gone. That’s fine sometimes. But if it happens every day, you’ll look back and wonder where the time went.
Try this: write down how you spend a typical day. Look at what’s helping you and what’s just filling the time. Then shift things so you’re doing more of what helps.
Time is your most valuable resource. Spend it on what matters to you.
Build Confidence Through Action
Waiting until you feel confident usually means waiting forever. Confidence comes after you act, not before.
I used to think other writers were just naturally bold. Now I know they feel nervous too. The difference is, they keep writing anyway.
If something scares you, that probably means it’s worth doing. Take the step. The confidence will follow.
Say No More Often
Your time and energy are limited. Every time you say yes to one thing, you’re saying no to something else. So choose carefully.
I used to say yes to every freelance offer because I was afraid to turn down work. I ended up tired and unhappy.
When I started saying no to the projects that didn’t excite me, I had more time for the ones that did.
Think about what you want most. Say no to what pulls you away from that.
Be Patient, But Don’t Wait
Big changes don’t happen overnight. But that doesn’t mean you should sit around waiting. Small actions done every day add up faster than you think.
I didn’t go from struggling freelancer to full-time writer in a week. It took years of steady work. But I saw progress along the way, and that progress kept me going.
Focus on what you can do today. The rest will follow.
Make Time for Reflection
Once in a while, stop and think about how far you’ve come. It’s easy to focus on what’s left to do and forget what you’ve already done.
When I look back at my old writing, I see how much I’ve grown. That reminder helps me stay motivated.
Write down what you’ve learned. Notice what’s working. Use that to guide your next steps.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need anyone’s permission. You don’t need to wait for the perfect time. You have everything you need to get started right now.
Small actions. Simple habits. Focus on what matters. That’s the path forward.
Whatever your goal, it’s within reach if you keep showing up for it. Today is as good a day as any to begin.