How to Play The Long Game As An Online Writer

Discover what will keep you sitting for years at your laptop

You know the moment.

Staring at your laptop. Fingers drumming the desk. The blinking cursor.

That thought: What am I doing here, again?

I bet you’ve been there.

Most of us writers have.

But it’s okay if this is temporary. Dipping into this state every now and then when you’re tired or the kids are too loud is expected.

The problem is when that moment becomes the norm.

Because you’ve lost your Ikigai.

Now you’ve likely seen a book about Ikigai. One in particular has been on

bookshelves for a few years now.

And there are blog posts galore about it.

Maybe you read the book a while back but need a refresh now.

In case you missed the memo:

Ikigai’s a Japanese concept that combines two words “iki” meaning life and “gai” meaning value. It’s what gives life meaning, purpose, or worth.

Think "raison d'etre" or what gets you bouncing out of bed other than the dreaded alarm.

No idea what that is for you?

That’s why you’ve been staring at that cursor for too long. And are starting to feel like you’re losing your way.

And that online writing may, after all, not be your thing.

So let’s tackle this angst.

Finding your way again

Here’s the gist of Ikigai:

It’s the sweet spot where four things collide:

1. What you love (Passion)

2. What helps people (Mission)

3. What pays you (Vocation)

4. What you’re good at (Profession)

Think of Ikigai as your creative north star.

If you miss nailing how these intersect for you, you get distracted, disappointed, and start procrastinating.

Wild excuses arise involving walking the dog and more laundry.

You‘ll want to give up because you’re running out of gas.

You’re not clear on your purpose.

But, take note here,

the way you find it is rarely by setting aside an hour or two to self-reflect.

It’s by writing regularly, trying new stuff, and watching closely what happens.

• Seeing which post sparks a conversation

• Noticing when readers ask you for more

• Celebrating when readers buy your offers.

• Paying attention to when you feel energised.

Here are some quick exercises to get you back in alignment with your Ikigai.

1. Passion: the stuff you’d write about for free

What can’t you stop thinking, talking, and writing about?

For me, it’s how to empower people to be true to themselves, live their fullest lives, and share their stories.

At any age.

So I share snippets and stories from my creative life to find patterns and significance.

I write to

• Help me observe the world a little closer

• Help others connect and feel less alone

• Help others say what they mean when they share stories of pain and awakening

• Help those who want to make an impact or a living with their words

And to get better at finding this passion, slow down and listen to that inner urge, “I have to get this out.”

Then double down on that.

Quick tip:

• Block out 10-15 minutes each day to write for the sheer joy of it. No judgy inner critic, no editing, no constraints. Just because it feels good. And it feels like you speaking. Then watch where the flow comes in. What you keep writing about.

Kindle that spark that keeps you typing long after the sun’s set.

2. Mission: the difference your words make

It’s not only activists and protesters on the street who save the world.

What you write can remodel someone’s day (or upturn their life).

• You can help someone to finally feel seen.

• You can simplify steps to master a tech skill.

• You can help a business owner save time or money.

• You can give someone words when they’ve lost theirs.

• You can give a parent tools to start a hard conversation.

• You can suggest the next steps to tackle a complex health issue.

Your stories, shared experiences, or lessons learned can enlarge someone today.

Quick tip:

• Ask your friends or followers what they’re struggling with. “What’s holding you back?” “What are you dying to learn more about?” Tailor your future pieces around these answers. When your words solve real-world problems, that’s your mission in action.

It’s wild how a little empathy can transform your writing into someone’s lifeline.

3. Vocation: getting paid for the mad scribbles

Yes, you can turn your passion into a payday.

Getting paid for your writing isn’t just a pipe dream anymore.

Earn as you write on platforms like Medium, Substack, or go freelance on Fiverr.

See if a local business needs help with their website copy.

Offer an hour for free to prove your value.

And if it works for you to write in other people’s voices, tap into the well-paid world of ghostwriting.

Keep a portfolio of your work so you can show the range of your skills to prospective clients.

Quick Tip:

• Don’t wait for “the perfect moment.” Dive into a paid gig now, even if it’s small. Maybe pitch a local blog or freelance site. Or try guest posts, content marketing, or short eBooks. You’ll learn on the go, and that first bank deposit feels amazing.

Remember that your time and skills are valuable to someone.

4. Profession: hone your best skills

Think about your writing superpower.

Perhaps you’re a wordsmith with a knack for weaving immersive stories.

Or maybe you can condense complex topics into easy-to-digest points.

Do you come up with punchy one-liners?

The more clearly you can express ideas, the more impact you make. Businesses pay well for that skill!

Identify those strengths, then level up.

Quick tip:

• Once a week, invest in a mini “skill sprint.” Pick one writing technique (like dialogue or headline crafting) and study the heck out of it. Small improvements stack up big time over the long run. And as your craft improves, your audience will climb.

Practice your powers.

Bringing It All Together

So there you have Ikigai for online writers in a nutshell. Aligning with this will help you play the writing long game.

And remember, your Ikigai isn’t a single lightning-bolt moment.

It’s the steady hum of passion, mission, vocation, and profession, all working in harmony.

As you line up these elements, you’ll know why you write, how you can help others, and how you can pay the bills with your skills.

But it’s a constant evolution.

In a few years, your Ikigai might look very different.

As the Japanese say "Ikigai is not a destination; it's a way of life."