Steeming around the clock - Bye bye regular job!

in timeforachange •  8 years ago 

Today i decided to stop my regular job and become a fulltime Steem developer/curator/contributor.

A risky move considering i'm no whale at all, and at it's best, a powerdown would only generate around 75$ a week.

I found myself working every spare minute on steem related projects. Mainly, Steempay.io and it's side projects, as well as helping others and teaming up to handle bigger projects. All of this is a very time and energy consuming process.

Combining this with my regular day job, got me up to a point where i'm in need of time.
Time for my family, time for my kids, time to relax, time to eat, time to sleep.

My life savings are enough to cover for the next few months focusing on nothing but Steem. At this point, i've generated some nice rewards, but every SBD i've made has been invested in the growth, quality and productivity of my work and work enviroment.

This may sounds like a bad idea - and it probably will be - but I want to let my creativity flow free without being forced to get up for work. At the same time, this will force me to deliver outstanding and unique products for this platform to have a minor source of income.

I'm aware that i may regret this decission some day, but hey. Productivity before brains!

You can support me by voting me as a steem witness (SEE LINK) or simply by following me and upvoting my posts if you like them enough!

Let's see how this plays out :-)

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Congratulations. It can't have been an easy decision.

I have to say you have balls to do this. Most people would never take such a chance.

This may sounds like a bad idea - and it probably will be - but I want to let my creativity flow free without being forced to get up for work.

Even if it seems like a bad idea I'm sure it will be a massive learning experience. I think the worst thing is not taking a chance and then later wondering what could have been.

Good luck with your witness proposal too:)

similar to me selling all my btc and eth to go all in on steem, although more bold

Both ballsy moves.

Hell yea man come to the steem side. stop the power down and up your steem power lets build this bitch together. #powerupyourdamnsteem

Nice to meet you, I also power up all my earnings into Steem Power. It is all I will ever do.

Yes, learning is key and every new experience eventually pay out if you have the staying power. I guess the only thing steve-walschot would really regret if he gave up half on the way. Go for it steve-walschot.
@steempowerwhale 🐳
🌞 upvoting your lifetime dreams!

  ·  8 years ago (edited)

Good luck with this!

It can be a very different experience, from feeling freedom to do what you want in life to getting frustrated about the unclear future of Steem... But I am sure you won't regret it!

I had a lot of friends diving into startups/own business/freelance projects and guess what - no matter of their success, none of them are willing to return to the corporate world!


image courtesy

  ·  8 years ago (edited)

Hey steve! It's amazing and a huge step, that u are leaving your comfort zone and also brings some "risks" with! This deserves big "respect" and this why u got my vote and i'll trying to assist as best as i can on steempay etc!

i'm confident u won't regret your decision!

Big step!

Hey, I did the exact same thing!!!!! The only difference was I was already writing and doing social media for other clients! I admire your courage though and I have to admit, I respect anyone who is willing to follow their true passion! You deserve my upvote (I think I was able to add around $40 just now....) I think I already voted for your witness too.....let me check on that.
Learning and passion over drudgery!!!!! You've chosen to be ALIVE.

I have gone all in on it as well. I am working as a python developer for steem apps. I live in Bulgaria so my costs are 1/3-1/2 of others might need... $75/week power down would pay my rent, utilities and food bills!

wow stellabelle how long have you been doing this for a living?

NICE!!!!

  ·  8 years ago (edited)

Nice one Steve. I have been thinking about a move like this for some time now but haven't gone through with it. I really really hope you'll pull it off and don't ever feel the need to get jump back in the work field in the future.
I certainly hope more of us will be able to do this as Steem(it) grows and I believe this is also one of the goals of Steemit thought by the founders themselves: Allow Steemians to have constant earnings based on the quality of the content they create.

Being a full time Steemian...what a dream job!

PS. I've already voted for you as a witness :)

It takes about 2 weeks to start to notice the harmful effects a full time wage job has on you. I thought maybe it was just every job i had before that didnt work, but I would take a good offer down the line. Well I had a good offer the other day, but of course had all the strings attached that when questioned the employer just ignored me...i lost no sleep over it. I wake every day doing exactly what I want to be doing and wouldnt change it for the world; even a six fugure income that requires me to be a slave to the whole system. Welcome aboard my friend.

big balls, I would say. We as community definitely need more people like you. Bravo.

Thanks

  ·  8 years ago (edited)

I wish you the best! It will be a journey with ups and downs but I am definitely convinced that it will be a +EV decision for most aspects of your life...

PS even if steem/steemit will not be a great success as the most of us believe it will, if you stay a professional contributor to the project it will pay you some day... I have the experience from the bitshares project... The developers that didn't quit are mostly steem whales right now! Even the developers that have quit developing on bitshares are doing very well on other crypto projects right now... Their experience on bitshares gave them the knowledge and skills that are needed in the crypto world to get respected! And I think the most valuable thing you will surely get is some very nice connections with very talented and smart people that will indirectly create a path that will drive you (and them) to success..... happiness and freedom!

The only advice I can give you from now on is ....

I'd like to quit my job and steem full time as well! :)

I am actually doing that right now (but found steemit before before getting a new job). Developers like you give so much value to steemit. You have a really unique opportunity to make great apps for everyone.

Whether or not you code on steemit or on another blockchain down the road, I feel that it will pay dividends to learn how to implement this sort of technology. And coders will be in high demand if you do decide to transition back into a 9-5.

Good luck to you! I am sure that even if steem fails, you will have developed a great skill set for the future.

Wow! you in Rewards Ranking:
@steve-walschot
Rewards Ranking in Last7: 1
Rewards Ranking in All Time: 77
Author Rewards Ranking in Last7: 1
Author Rewards Ranking in All Time: 58
Curation Rewards Ranking in Last7: 72
Curation Rewards Ranking in All Time: 295

(data source:http://www.steemb.com/steem-rewards-rank/@steve-walschot)

Big move buddy :D
I did the same recently too, september's my final month in the dayjob. Running some biz with friends, and loving the flexibility in time and participation. I like not having a particular job scope :), and just learn / do my research whenever needed. Your work on steempay is stellar.. you'd do well here! Happy adventuring!

May the Steem be with you and us all! this is exciting news and definitely a courageous one. Namaste :)

Congrats on the move! Very exciting.

Voted as well.

Yea it takes some guts to make this decision, especially as a family man. Good luck and all the best to you my friend! I'm sure you won't regret this decision, and hopefully i'll see this post soon in the near future titled, "No regrets quitting my job for Steem!"

Good luck mate, hope it works out! #livingthedream

Life is about risks, and with risk, there is no reward.

However, you must see the exact same thing I blogged about today. So congrats. Now you've freed up your time to put time and more effort into this... :)

Wow that takes courage I gotta give you props for that one! I would starve if I quit my job to do Steemit full time and everyone would lol at me...................

Hell yea man come to the steem side. stop the power down and up your steem power lets build this bitch together. #powerupyourdamnsteem

Gutsy decision. You have the talent, it seems, to make it work. To borrow a phrase from your introduction post......quote Never be greedy in life and do what you've always wanted to do! unquote. I am not only following but reading every post........

@steve-walschot

Contrary to common belief, taking risks is actually more safe than taking none

Good luck! I'm trying to do the same thing . . . .

What is your preferred platform/languages? I'm normally an Azure/C# guy but have been using Python for my Steem stuff (and I also use Ionic/AngularJS/Cordova for Mobile)

Very bold decision! I wish you the very best of luck and will continue to follow and support you throughout your endeavours!!!!

I hope you will be able create an income. Good luck :)

Your choice has already begun to bear fruit )

congrats @steve-walschot ! 8]

yep sounds like a terrible idea considering steem goind down... (its price has been divided by 2 since last month...)

risky business

There are only a few monents in life that really matter in determining our fates... this is one for you.

I wish you the best of luck!

Great post, puts me back in the place I was a few years ago when I decided to go full time on eBay.
You've made the right decision.
Any bum can get a J.O.B. It takes guts and brass nuts to go out there and chase your dream.
All the best to you @steve-walschot I'll be following your story!

You're a brave man, @steve-walschot! But, I love the positive and adventerous attitude, I gotta say. It's inspirational.

A question though (ok, maybe a few) - do you have any background as a writer/blogger or social media addict? I mean, at what point did you realize, "ok, I need to do this" - or was more of an evolutionary decision over several days? oh and also - What the hell did your wife say when you quit your FT job?!

Either way - followed - I'm curious to see how this works out for you! Best of luck!

Wow, I wish you the best !!! "Statist escape" !!! +1 & Followed !

molto interessante

Hey Steve that's the guttiest move I've read in the a long time. Do you have a plan B or an undo button just in case? Secretly I'm admire your bravery. The world needs risk takers - without risk takers we wouldn't have some of the best things we have today.

Great, then I'll vote for you to help you out.

Good luck, I hope it works out well for you :)

I think a lot of us want to do the same and have this as a job. The crazy thing is, It is possible and people are already doing it!
Like many have said it can't be an easy choice. I am on the same boat as you although I have other things going on and it's time to leave the ordinary jobs and be your own business. I don't mean only Steemit. You are a business!

That's awesome good luck :D

Really bold move . Following from now .

I upvoted (and voted for you as witness) because you have the stones and skill set I lack. Good luck.

Well, you certainly got off to a good start! All the best and well done!

Wow. Congratulations. You have courage and must've been really enjoying Steem!! That's important. You should do what you love to do. Don't regret later. :)

  ·  8 years ago (edited)

Not an easy move to make, ive been trying to have the courage to do it myself for a while but not for steem, just trading crypto. When it pays more than working, work just doesn't make any sense. The only problem with trading is the money is not guaranteed. Sign me up for steem payroll. :D

I've been thinking about the same, in the past couple of weeks very seriously. Good luck! I've voted and followed.

you're so brave dude .. I think it's a big decision to take :D the best of luck ;)

If you can muster the courage to do that, I say the Steemit platform is heading to a right direction. I'm betting more and more stories like these will keep emerging. Best of luck and keep steeming!

I hoppe it works out for you if I can I hope I will do so weel in the end

Bold move! Congrats and good luck on your witness campaign!

BTW I wanted to get a better understanding of integrating Steempay on an existing marketplace website we have .. also would like to chat about collaborating since I'm working on a payment/wallet solution as well... if you could email me at: [email protected] that would be great. Thx!

Good for you. Haven't been that bold as yet. Have zero history blogging and that is my only (current) method of contribution. I admire your choice sir.

Good luck to you.

Nice. I see potential in this for myself with providing digital painting tutorials on here. When I received $150 in one post I was like "hold on a second here".

Congrats on the switch!

I commend you for have the courage and conviction to pursue STEEM and SteemIt full-time. You will always have my support for good content. Keep it coming!
You have my "witness" vote. I will be following you and reading your work.

Best of fortune,
Steem on,
Mike

Kudos, man. I admire what you're doing, and totally get it. I knew from the first time I ever had a job, when I was 18, that I hated working for other people. It was part-time, but I was miserable at it. The first full-time job I had, at age 22, I was so dejected, feeling the world was passing me by outside that windowless office, I actually would cry on Sundays, knowing I had to go back the next day. I only lasted three months at that job, and subsequent attempts at working office jobs did not work out. I'm not suited to it, and even once, when I was totally broke, I decided I'd rather be broke than work in an office (I quit after two days on that one).

Fortunately, more flexible employment opportunities presented themselves to me like teaching and background investigating, where my day was varied and I didn't have to stay in one place the whole time. I was happier at those jobs, but still dreamed of working for myself. I went part-time with freelance writing in 2002 and full-time with it in 2010 (it was kind of full-time on and off between 2008 and 2010). But, I was still working for clients, and not TRULY myself. I was writing THEIR content.

A few months ago, I really started to become disillusioned with that job, too, even though it's one I created for myself and I get to stay home all day and make my own schedule. Most people would be thrilled with it. But, I still wanted something else, something mine.

I found that writing my first novel was a liberating experience, and I'm almost done with the second. I'm also spending a heck of a lot of time on Steemit, posting, commenting, upvoting, etc. These are things I'm doing for ME, exercising my own creativity, and writing what I want to write. I've got no one to please but myself, and the freedom of creativity is exhilarating.

I hope to be able to go full-time as a novelist soon, maybe when my second book is published in October, and my audience gets bigger. And I'd like Steemit to be part of that, too. Like you, I'm happy here, and find I'm happiest when I'm working on my own projects. I still have to write for clients right now to pay the bills, but I've actually cut down my client list considerably in the past few months, anticipating and believing that the full-time income from writing for myself, and writing the things I love, will bring me the full-time income I desire, maybe even beyond my wildest dreams.

I wish you the best of luck & success.

I shared your story on twitter.


I hope the ecosystem remains strong and it works out for you. Best of luck!

Love it lol!

I am brand spanking new to Steemit and I have to say that as risky at it may seem, a better quality of life will ensue! TIME for your family, kids, TIME to relax, eat, sleep. TIME is the real currency and you will be RICH! Best of luck!

Congrats on setting an awesome example to yourself - the Steemit community, the crypto community and the rest of the world.

You just got another witness vote with a load of horseshoes that you'll be making it "up there". Keep it up Steve!

Good move, joining the party?! :-) I have been working full time for over a month now! For long term I think, we made right decision...

Steve, there's an old saying that entrepreneur is a French word meaning "self-unemployed." Humor aside, I take that to mean, as someone who went all-in on a business startup, that I eschewed employment by others, that I might live life on my own terms. Still struggling after nearly six years, I have no regrets and have every expectation of success.

I wish you the same. Only much faster. :-)

you da Man, or should I say that you gave it to the man haha

That's real commitment to the cause. I wish you all the best with this. I see great potential for a new Steem economy. You may be able to buy your morning coffee with Steem Dollars soon.

Be bold and go fast!

Now that's what I'm talkin about. Live!

I wish you and myself the best. xoxo

Good luck. Congratulations on having the guts to follow your dreams.

Thats Dope! I'm rooting for you I know what its like to take a risk that big. I quit my job to pursue making music full time and the first few months I felt like I made a mistake but after hard work and determination it paid off so YOU CAN DO IT!
" He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish noting in life." Muhammad Ali

Good on you, sir! It is a risk, to be sure, but one that I'm envious you're willing to take. As for me, would that I could do more than write reasonably well. Perhaps it's well past time to learn how to code and develop projects. :D

Best of luck!

Good luck! Voted for you as witness.

Good luck. Hope it works for you.

Wish you the best of luck - I may be following in your footsteps over the coming months. I have contract work that need to be finished though. So you beat me to the punch!

From what consideration and research I've done about potentially living off the platform, I'm not sure posting/curation is enough. You have a unique opportunity with steempay though, as you could probably generate some revenue off of it somehow and make a living.

Grats on making the jump though, and maybe we'll get the chance to work on something together in the future ;)

I really wish I was a better writer! Lucky dog, you!

YOLO. Good call and good luck!

Ballsy!!! Best of luck!

  ·  8 years ago (edited)

Good for you sir!

Wishing you all the best in your steemings!

well good for you wish you best luck .

@steve-walschot I've seen your work and have support u as witness. You desserve it and the community should help u help us in bringing your skills and talents to the world. +5%+5%+5%

WOW! this is a big move and so glad to here it. You are a big part of the community so look forward to you doing this full-time.

Godspeed! The earning potential astounds me!

Great to hear others trying another way to make money from their passions in this world! I'm a stay at home dad trying to bring in more money for my family. I love to post pictures and talk about my garden here there may be an opportunity to be rewarded for it!

cool! best of luck to ya! :D

It takes courage to quit your job and experiment with a new project. My case is quite the opposite, I am destitute (seriously) and am trying Steemit as my last lifeline to support some sort of meager income, I hope it works, I am new and stumbling to find my way around. I thought I was being censored today but turns out to be a technical issue that someone helped fix, so far it looks promising here for all walks of life fighting to live life on their own terms! Good luck to us all.

Kudos! I'm considering the same!

Steve, I hope you SUCCESSit!

Congrats to you , I always wanted to do the same as you but unfortunately my account only give me 3steem a week :/ .
Wishing all the best become full time steemit blogger :)

This is motivational to say the least, in the way the world is, it seems the best thing to do is have more independence in your means of making a living and having a career. I am always intrigued by risk taking and those who take the big risks. As Stand Up Comedian I especially appreciate the effort, best of luck! #positiveenergy

Hurray! Follow your highest joy. I hope it works out for you.

That takes real guts. Congratulations. Or an entrepreneurs say, Happy Birthday!

Good Luck! I'm just starting out on Steemit, still learning and posting, not sure what all causes money to be generated but after only 11 posts and a few upvotes and comments I actually have a few bucks in my account to my surprise. I post a lot on FB but they give me nothing and probably censor my posts so I will now devote my posting efforts to Steemit and see what happens.

Awesome ...Go Dude Go !

Good Luck! I almost made the same decision at the end of July, Will follow you to see how your doing.

If I had as much accumulated as you, I'd do the same. Good Luck!

You will be amazed at the change in perspective. I did a similar thing about a year ago, leaving a corporate culture that I could never see myself in now. It is definitely daunting living off savings and doubting myself at times. There even have been moments of stress from the raised eyebrows of former colleagues and bosses. The time I have now is so much more now yet it seems like there is still is not enough. When you get paid watching a clock you feel productive, when you're on your own you realize that each minute that passes is gone forever. I'm convinced regular corporate jobs are mostly a product of routine, fear and pattern. It will be interesting to see how society evloves through automation - and more and more defined jobs become meaningless, seat fillers and someone to point the finger at when needed.

It's a ballsy move, but I love the play. You have to do what you love, and honestly, I just hope you keep posting about the journey, to encourage the rest of us!

Good for you! Let your creativity flow*

Congratulations on taking this bold step :)

Since you are a developer here, perhaps you can answer the question I pose here: https://steemit.com/steemit/@wiser/what-am-i-missing

I'm trying to figure out what upvotes are truly worth.

Congrats! This is something I would love to do myself one day. I hope everything works out well for you.

Welcome to the FULL TIME content creator club man..!

The benefits of being able to work from home are phenomenal!

Glad you're able to make a living here sir.

Good luck with all this! It's a big move, and I gotta say I wish I was in a similar position... Maybe some day!

Hope it works out for you!

It is not risky if you follow your heart and do what you love :) the rest will take care of itself. Best of luck you to you!!!