The Last Key

“Don’t give up. Normally it is the last key on the ring which opens the door.”

 – Paulo Coelho

Why I chose this quote

I’m going to share a little story with you this week. I’ve been trying to create a new reader extra which would require an audio or video file. I spent a lot of time planning the content, and making the content. But I couldn’t figure out how to get the content on to my website for readers to access. After a bit of research, I found out I can’t actually include those types of files on my website, without upgrading my plan. Which my visitor numbers don’t quite justify yet.

It’s one of the many paradoxes of running a small business. You need great content to attract visitors to your website. But until you get more visitors, you can’t afford to expand your website.

This seemed like a good case for giving up. But I realised I already have a place I can showcase video content, on my Instagram account. By embedding a link or widget in the reader extras section on my website, I may be able to share those additional types of content. If not in the most user-friendly way. Whether readers will click through, I don’t know. But it’s certainly an area I can explore. And I do like to explore!

This started me thinking about how much content I have produced, and how each of my followers only sees a fraction of it. And I’m wondering if there’s a way of getting that content in front of more readers.

Looking at all the resources I have available has helped me find a potential solution to my content problem. But it has also highlighted that the platforms I use could be better connected. I’m creating a whole virtual world for my readers, it makes sense to add some virtual transport links!

What this quote means to me

I think this quote means more when it’s considered in a wider context. It’s not just about the door you’re trying to open right now. If you keep going until you get that first door open, there may be more doors on the other side. If you give up, you won’t be able to open any of them.

Everything we do comes with an opportunity cost. When we commit our time, money, and energy to one activity, those resources are no longer available for other activities. But there’s also an opportunity cost to the things we don’t do. Not starting down one path means we can’t get the opportunities that only come after that first step.

That’s what this quote means to me. What does it mean to you?

Enjoyed this post?

You might also like: Always Without Applause.

Why not check out my travel mystery series on Amazon. Or follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Goodreads or Bookbub.