The note that didn't end at just longing

My note views have exceeded 700,000.

At first, even after posting articles, I had fewer than 100 views and fewer than 10 likes, so it makes me happy to see that it has grown before I knew it. And I truly feel glad that I kept going.

There was a time when I really admired users who had over 100,000 views. I would make excuses about the difference between them and myself, thinking, 'Since they are getting this much attention, they must be someone famous,' and I would let it end at just longing. However, while hoping to see that view myself someday, I have continued to update my note while feeling my way through.

Furthermore, I also longed for a future where my writing would sell. I am not a writer; I am just an ordinary salaryman. During the day, I am out doing sales rounds, walking endlessly around Tokyo. I didn't think that someone would appear who would buy my writing just because I wrote it. I thought it would be better for people to spend money on books by famous authors than to buy my writing.

Even so, I longed for the sight of my writing selling. And the report articles saying, 'I reached this much in earnings!' gave me dreams. Whether you try to move forward from here, or give up thinking you can't do it, determines whether it ends at just longing.

I think the pattern of ending at 'just longing' is either giving up from the start thinking it's impossible, or trying to take a step in but eventually throwing it away thinking, 'That's enough.' For example, you would instantly give up on climbing Mount Everest. However, if it were Mount Fuji, you could imagine yourself making a bit of an effort. I think humans are creatures that first step into things that are easy to visualize.

It's the same with studying English. I don't know how many times I've tried. Before I started studying, I could already imagine myself enjoying English conversation skillfully in my head. I would buy reference books, look at them on the train during my commute, and throw them away while feeling satisfied with myself for studying.

My English studies didn't last. But for some reason, I was able to continue with note. In terms of effort, note is harder than studying English. Searching for topics every day and continuing to write articles of over 1,000 characters feels like being a monk in training. Even so, I think there are 'conditions for continuing, not limited to note' that allowed me to keep going.

They are...

I think.

I quit note once. During that time, I was busy with work and my private life, and I put note on the back burner. However, after returning and trying to sell paid articles, a habit of writing on note every day was born. This decision to start selling became the trigger for understanding my own position.

'As expected, it didn't sell at all.'

So, I bought someone else's paid article. Then, I felt the 'difference in quality' compared to my own writing. I remember being moved while reading it at a cafe by the structure and writing ability that made me want to buy it just by reading it. From there, I started studying about writing that sells. This was the moment I got one step closer to my longing.

As a result, I was able to have my writing bought for the first time. I was so happy that I immediately reported it to my wife. When I showed her that writing, she said, 'You've started writing interesting articles,' and for the first time, I felt it was fun.

Beyond those small accumulations, before I knew it, the view of 700,000 views was waiting for me. I am standing in the same place as the people with '100,000 views' I admired at the beginning. I want to tell my past self, 'I'm glad I didn't end at just longing.' If I had thrown it away, I wouldn't have been able to see this view.

And, since my first 100-yen note sold, before I knew it, I have been able to generate enough earnings to buy large home appliances. A mere salaryman who is not a writer is generating earnings on note.

The reason I have been able to continue is not just chasing numbers, but because there were moments where I gained knowledge, was encouraged by someone's reaction, and thought it was 'fun.' Including those things, I have summarized my note life in this article.

The number 700,000 is just a waypoint. However, the path I have walked to get here is definitely a precious treasure to me. I want to continue writing on note and check out the sights I haven't seen yet, one by one.