What’s More Important: The Message or The Money?

It was two a.m. and I was getting ready for another exciting day of delivering bread (not). This day was a little different; I was excited for something that was happening later that day: my first self published book was being officially released (yeah).

Photo Credit: Matthew Cox

To get to this point was a crazy journey and I was ready for this book to be an instant best-seller so I could quit my job which I absolutely hated.

I had done a lot of research about marketing the book through social media and I had everything in place to ensure success. I expected to sell at least one hundred copies from friends and family, and maybe a few people who had seen my promos.

I rushed through my day job, anxious to see how the book was doing; this was going to be my ticket to freedom! I got home, logged onto Amazon and was a little shocked when I saw the number ZERO.

This couldn’t be right? I worked so hard, I wrote a book for the everyday working man and woman, everyone I knew told me they were buying the book, what was going on?

I’m going to make a long story short and tell you that I didn’t sell a single copy until a few days later and only 11 copies after a month, I was completely dejected. At this point I had to decide if I should push forward or give up……..

So if you’re reading this blog I’m guessing that you have either published a book or want to publish a book. Before you go down this road I want to share a tip that will either make you or break you:

You have to decide if you just want to make money or do you want to help people?

My main goal with my book was to make money and that’s all I focused on, then something crazy happened. I got an email from a young guy that said he bought my book and was ready to quit his job on the spot. I immediately emailed him back and told him not to do it! Over the next few weeks we talked it out and I helped him figure out what he wanted to do with his life.

He went on to find fulfilling work and I was amazed that I actually helped someone, that’s when it became real for me. I didn’t make any money on the coaching but I was a part of truly helping someone.

From that point on I quit worrying about my book sales and focused on helping people where ever I could and you know what happened? BOOKS STARTED SELLING! Now I don’t even check the numbers on Amazon, I check my email box and see who I can help today.

Can you guess which one has been more fulfilling?

I thought my calling was to be a writer but the Lord has shown me that it’s larger then that. Writing is just the tool he has given me to use to truly connect with people and help them.

The money is just a bonus that helps me have more time and freedom to devote to helping people get out of the situation that I was in.

So what’s more important to you? If it’s just the money you’re in for a long hard road that will end in disappointment, even if you get it, you won’t be fulfilled.

When you go down the path of helping people and help better this world, then everything else will follow, it’s all a matter of research and planning and faith that the Lord will help you.

QUESTION: So I have to ask: what’s more important to you, the money or the message?