April 27th, 2020
Making money while you sleep... 

I know it's a cliche thing to say - but it still blows my mind every time I think about it.

Today, I took a break from work, and went for a run, and then played video games for an hour.

In that hour:

  • over 300 people visited my website
  • a dozen people joined the newsletter
  • a few dozen people used features of Pigeon
  • a few people visited this blog
  • I made a few bucks

I didn't need to do any (direct) work for any of this. All the work has been done.

The thing is, what blows my mind is not that I "made money" while I wasn't doing anything - it's the fact that my own work, my own creation had some sort of impact on people that I will likely never meet.

This concept is not only about money - it's about being a creator - it's about creating art. Knowing that, while you sleep - someone landed on your website, subscribed to your newsletter, watched your YouTube videos, got inspired by your blog post, donated to your charity, etc - that's what blows my mind.

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson