We have big goals for ourselves. As creators, we want X amount of subs and we want to make X amount of dollars in X amount of time. When we actually reach these goals, we expect this huge momentous experience. But in all reality, it can be a huge let down. Roberto Blake and I were able to sit down recently and discuss what happens when you actually get what you want on YouTube. We aren’t trying to crush your dreams here, but simply put you in a better place mentally for the journey.

Never Enough

Creators start with a goal: 100,000 subs. When they reach it, they livestream and have a celebration and are happy…. for about 10 mins. But then what? 500,000 is the new goal. Then 1 million. Then what? 5 million? 10?? You can’t put your hope in the numbers. They will never satisfy.

Burn Out is Real

Success often leads to burnout. It might look great from the outside when you see all the things success brings, but problems are real on either side of success. We rationalize and say it’s worth it. But deep down, it isn’t always. When we need money, we often think that money will solve all our problems. But “More money, more problems, right?” – or at least different problems.

Mental health is more important than financial gain. Stress and mental overwhelm can destroy your physical health, your marriage, your relationship with your kids, etc. Do you value your finances more than these things? Money may ease the tension in some of these relationships, but there are a lot of problems that money can’t solve.

Solution

So how do we stop this? How do we help creators reach their goals without losing their spouse? How do we not view a lack of views as personal rejection?

I asked Roberto what he has learned about contentment and gratitude in his business and how that’s affected how he views success today.

He said that he is grateful that he has worked the crappy mall jobs when he was younger. He’s grateful that he worked for bad bosses, because they taught him a lot of things along the way. He learned young that gold stars satisfy in the moment, but the work is still there. A promotion is great, but it often means more hours.

Build. Don’t Chase.

Roberto came up with this phrase, “Build. Don’t Chase.” Build success. Don’t chase after it. Build habits, structure, community and value for yourself through your work. Don’t chase after something expecting it to satisfy, because it won’t. Don’t seek validation from your viewers. If you feel unworthy, you will not find worthiness from your viewers. Your value does not come from your posts and what you can bring others.

“The grass is not greener on the other side. It’s greener where you water it.”

Happiness is not the enemy of drive. If you aren’t happy now, you will not be happy when you get the thing you’re chasing after. Being grateful for what you have and the progress you’ve made is so important. It doesn’t mean that you stop building. It should drive you to build more – but in a better place mentally and with the ability to set boundaries for yourself that will only bring you more happiness.

Celebrate the process. When you post a video, celebrate that you even put yourself out there. Celebrate each video completion. Don’t focus on what other people have and be upset that you aren’t there. Celebrate where you are and realize that we are all coming at it with different struggles.