How I’ve Been Yelling at the Clouds About Money While Not Taking Action
For the longest time, I’ve had this gnawing feeling that I need financial security. It’s not just a passing concern—it’s something that’s constantly in the back of my mind, whispering (or sometimes outright screaming) that I need to be doing something more. Every time I scroll through Twitter or read yet another tech success story, I feel this internal frustration: Why am I not doing that? Why am I not making use of my time to build something that generates income?
This isn’t just about money, either. It’s about turning ideas into reality. It’s about proving to myself that I can build, launch, and sell something that matters. But instead of taking action, I find myself stuck in this weird loop of contemplation and frustration, knowing what I should do but not actually doing it.
So, let’s talk about it. Why do so many of us, especially those in tech, talk about side projects, startups, and passive income but fail to execute? And more importantly, how do we break free from that cycle?
The Fear of Wasting Time vs. The Reality of Wasted Time
One of the biggest ironies in my life right now is that I’m scared of wasting time. I’m constantly thinking, I should be doing something productive, yet I still fall into patterns of procrastination. The truth is, when you step back and look at it, not doing something is the real waste of time. Every moment I spend thinking about building something but not actually building it is a moment lost.
We often justify this in our heads:
- I don’t have the right idea yet.
- I don’t know if it’ll work.
- I need to learn more before I start.
- I’ll do it when I have more energy or a better schedule.
But here’s the thing: there will never be a perfect time. The only way to know if something works is to try. The only way to get experience is to do. The only way to learn is by making mistakes along the way.
A Secondary Income: More Than Just Money, It’s Leverage
Financial security isn’t just about earning more money—it’s about having options. When you have a secondary income, whether it’s a small startup, a blog, an online course, or a SaaS product, you’re giving yourself a safety net. You’re creating leverage. You’re no longer 100% dependent on a single source of income, which means you have more flexibility in how you live your life.
For example:
- If your day job turns toxic, you can walk away.
- If an unexpected expense pops up, you’re not panicking.
- If you want to take a break or travel, you’re not stressing about lost wages.
But beyond that, building a secondary income is about experience. It’s about proving that you can sell something, that you can take an idea from your head and make it a reality. And that experience is invaluable, whether you use it to grow your side hustle into a full business or to position yourself better for future opportunities.
The First Steps: Building Something That Makes Money
I’ve come to realize that my biggest barrier isn’t knowledge or ability—it’s execution. So here’s how I’m going to approach this, and if you’re in the same boat, maybe this can help you too:
- Start with something small. Instead of aiming for the next big startup, I’m going to focus on something I can ship in weeks, not years. Maybe a simple app, a Notion template, a blog with monetization, or even a small course.
- Embrace imperfection. The first version doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, it shouldn’t be perfect. I just need to get something out there.
- Monetize from the beginning. No more waiting for things to be “ready” before thinking about money. Whether it’s charging a small fee, setting up a donation option, or running a subscription model, I need to make sure whatever I build has a way to generate income from day one.
- Hold myself accountable. I’ve been internally yelling at the clouds for too long. Now, it’s time to take actual steps forward. Writing this blog is part of that—if I put it out there, I’m making a public commitment to start.
The Hardest Part: Taking the Leap
If you’re in the same situation, feeling like you should be doing something but not actually taking action, here’s my advice: stop thinking and just start.
I know it sounds cliché, but it’s the truth. We spend so much time in our heads analyzing, doubting, and over-planning that we forget the most important part: doing.
So let’s do it. Let’s stop yelling at the clouds and start building something real. Financial security doesn’t come from waiting—it comes from taking action.
Are you working on a secondary income or side project? What’s holding you back? Let’s talk about it in the comments!