All It Ever Takes Is One

The internet is a discouraging place.

No matter how well you write, how entertaining your podcast is, or how addicting your videos are, your work is nothing more than a drop in the ocean.

The next day, or rather, the next hour or minute, something else will glut the void that you can no longer fill.

No, it’s nothing personal. There’s just another blogger, speaker, or Youtuber with something to say. And what makes you any better than them?

This is today’s digital landscape. Gone is the sole struggle against local competition. The stuff you make in your mom’s basement now contends with the globe:

• Best in your state isn’t enough anymore. How well do you fare in India?
• Describe your time at a local college and you might see “Cheers from Germany!”. 
• You probably haven’t been to the Eiffel Tower, but you still compete in a French cafe.

If you ever need a reminder of how small you are, become a content creator. We’re surrounded by people who are smarter, richer, and more attractive than us. We’re a bunch of dudes from the Y playing against NBA talent. And there is no small pond to swim back to.

It’s all so incredible but, like I said earlier, discouraging.

This isn’t 2002 anymore. Uploads don’t demand views, websites aren’t anything special, and chili recipes don’t go viral.

No mere human should have a chance today…

And yet you do. 

It may be infinitely small, the conditions might need to be perfect, and you’ll have to give much more than you think, but you still have a chance.

No, I’m not saying that to hype you up. I’m saying that because it’s true.

One person can still make a difference. Despite all the obstacles, you can still do it.

Sure, you’ll spend plenty of time alone. And yes, you’ll doubt every conviction you held at the start. But you know what? There’s still a chance.

One writer, one artist, one creator, that’s all it takes.

No, I’m not talking about money here. I’m talking about change for the better. One person can start that.

Don’t ever let numbers, odds, or statistics stop you. Those just tell you how things normally happen. But you and I already know what normal can’t do:

• Normal will never do great things.
• Normal can’t convince former enemies to respect you.
• Normal won’t make your inspiration see you as an inspiration.

That’s why you have to care more—you have to be more. Then you’ll have a chance.

Why is that you ask?

Because people need hope. 

Not a false hope without substance, but a genuine, lasting hope.

This hope isn’t wishful thinking; it’s an expectation. An expectation that says, “No matter the circumstance, something good is going to happen.” 

That’s what people crave.

They may not think so when life’s going good, but if you right the ship when things fall apart, they’ll know you’ve done something special.

All it takes is one person to try, start, lead, create. Because once people get a glimpse of the right example, it’ll surprise you how fast they imitate.

So why not be that example? Why not show everyone else how it’s supposed to be done?

You’re already an ambassador—whether you believe it or not. So why not represent something more?

Last year doesn’t matter. Heck, even yesterday is too far gone. But what about now?

“What can you do now to give a little more hope?”

That’s the question the whole world is asking. But don’t let the pressure scare you. Just answer the question. Then get to work.

All it ever takes is one.

And that someone might just be you.

-Drew