“Press On”: How 25 Years of Persistence Paid My Mortgage
And How It Can Build Your Content Business Too
Back in the early 2000s, I was sitting at my desk - eyes bleary from staring at an unfinished finance article that I’d been working on for hours.
An article that would end up earning me less than the minimum wage.
Almost asleep, I half dreamt if this whole “online writing” thing would ever actually pay the bills.
Or was it really a nightmare?
Another client had just ghosted me after I’d poured two weeks into their content strategy.
My bank balance was wobbling.
And the creeping doubt whispered louder than ever: Is this really going to work out?
Fast forward to today, and here’s the truth: for 25 years I’ve made my living from words.
Copywriting. SEO. Content strategy.
And through feast and famine, the single character trait that’s kept a roof over my family’s head has been persistence.
Not talent. Not tools. Not some magic marketing hack.
Persistence.
There’s a short poem I’ve carried with me since my first year in business. I have it framed in my office.
It’s often credited to Calvin Coolidge, and it ends like this:
“Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On!' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”
Those lines hit differently when you’ve just had a project fall through and the electricity bill is overdue.
But over the years, I’ve seen it proven time and again.
Clients come and go. Trends change. Platforms die.
But the content creators who show up, week after week - no matter what - are the ones who win.
Ok, but where does this fit into your journey as a content creator?
Well, if you’re anything like I was - trying to build something real while juggling work, family, and the quiet voice in your head that says “this should be further along by now” - then persistence is your greatest ally.
I once told my wife after a particularly bad day and two pints of lager that persistence was all I had left! 🙂
But here’s the problem…
Persistence sounds great in theory.
In practice, it can feel like dragging yourself uphill in a Highland storm (my in-laws are all Scottish so I know what this feels like) - alone, soaked, and unsure if you’re even heading the right way.
That’s why it helps to turn persistence into a habit and train it like a muscle.
Here are five ways I’ve learned to cultivate real, grit-in-your-teeth persistence over the long haul:
💪 1. Lower the bar. Raise the reps.
Don’t aim for perfect articles or newsletters every day. Aim for daily reps. Write a bad paragraph. Record a rough voice note. Just show up.
Consistency beats intensity.
⏰ 2. Make it work in your time box.
You don’t need eight hours a day. You need a focused 30 minutes. Plan your sessions, set a timer, and get the most important thing done before the day eats your energy.
🧭 3. Use a framework.
Wandering leads to quitting. You need a map. A system. A repeatable approach that makes content creation less overwhelming - and that’s what I teach with The Writing Reps Framework™ 🏋️ in The Content Champion Academy.
✅ 4. Track small wins.
Your brain needs proof that the work is working. Track word count, email replies, open rates - anything that shows movement. Progress, no matter how small, builds belief.
🔄 5. Review, reflect, reset.
Every month, ask: What worked? What didn’t? What will I adjust?
Persistence without reflection just burns you out. But persistence with feedback? That’s how you build momentum.
And here’s the thing most people miss:
Persistence isn’t stubbornness.
It's commitment with flexibility.
It’s knowing your why, and being willing to tweak your how.
When you fall off the wagon, you don’t quit - you recommit.
You press on.
That’s what I’ve done for 25 years.
It hasn’t always been glamorous, but it’s always been enough.
Enough to pay the mortgage.
Enough to build a business.
Enough to create work I’m proud of - and help others do the same.
Want to build a content business powered by persistence?
That’s exactly what I share inside the Content Champion Newsletter.
It’s my free weekly email for creators who want to turn consistent writing habits into long-term success.
Packed with practical tips, proven frameworks, and behind-the-scenes lessons from 25 years in the trenches.
I’ll even throw in a case study or two as I go along as well.
🛡️ So if you're ready to stay consistent, master your message, and build a sustainable content business - this is your next step.
👉 Join the Content Champion Newsletter - and start stacking real wins, one email at a time.