Success in freelance writing – or indeed any other area of life – requires passion, backed by effort, commitment, diligence – and most importantly, relentless persistence. Except you want to cheat – your way to success (and some do!), the foregoing are a reality you must face.

But what if you lack money?

This article explains how the earlier mentioned qualities, combined with creative thinking, can still get you to your preferred destination.

When a Rich Person Says S/he’s Broke, It’s Rarely The Same Thing As What a Poor Person Means!

In other words, lack of money is often relative. It’s important that we always keep this in mind.

In the past I’ve had wealthy clients who paid hundreds of thousands for social pleasures like parties, holidays etc, right before my eyes.

And at the same moment they told me my fees, which were a fraction of those expenses I saw them make, were too high – offering to pay half or even less. When I suggested we wait till they had enough money to pay the fees I could accept, they insisted I start work, and that they would pay later.

The few times I ever accepted to do that taught me never to do so again. Getting them to pay up the difference was almost like trying to get the proverbial Camel to pass through the eye of a needle!

But in every single case, I did get my money.

Afterwards however, for such individuals, I simply adopted a 100% advance payment option – with 5 to 10% discount, if s/he accepted. Since they knew I was competent, those who truly needed it paid up.

In essence, I’m saying that we may not all mean the same things when we say we have no money!

So, What Do YOU Mean When You Say You Have No Money?

This is a function of how important your dream is to you.

Do a little hard thinking to see if there are areas you currently spend money that you can put on hold for now, to channel money from there to your goal.

I have done that many, many, many times – and at different levels.

For me, when it comes to pursuing my goals, I can be merciless with myself. I’m always prepared to get as along with as little as possible until my purpose is achieved. This mental attitude enables me get results when most other people would have thrown their arms up in frustration.

Believe it or not, I once went 48 hours without eating any food (drinking only water) – just to have enough money to continue working at a café, over a weekend. A client payment had failed to come in, and funds I was expecting had not arrived. I could have rightfully chosen to suspend my work online, but I felt too strongly about my work to do so!

That’s what it means to have heart i.e. so much love and passion for what you do, that you’ll endure any hardship to keep going!

Some Have Asked Me: Tayo “How do you do it?”….”What keeps you going?”

But even as I explain, I often see from the looks in their eyes, that most people would rarely accept to “punish” themselves (that’s how they see it) that way.

They however do point out0that I obviously get great fulfillment and joy from doing what I do. This could explain (at least in part) periodic observations by long term acquaintances, that I seem not to be aging

Interesting, for a guy who "flogs" himself so mercilessly…to NOT look stressed, worn out or over worked?!

My experiences tell me the answer is in discovering your purpose i.e. what matters to you more than money. Then going after it!

That equates to adopting a “minimalist” existence, where/when necessary, in order to achieve what’s important to you.

I understand some call it being “Zen”.

Whatever name we give it, the reality is that all over the world, the global economic crisis is TEACHING more of us that it’s the wise way to live.

Those brought up in developed societies with the “Get it now and pay later!” mentality, are now adopting more prudent lifestyles. Couples are opting to share one vehicle to cut down on gas. More nature friendly ways of living are being adopted to save on power bills.

People are (wisely) giving up owning stuff, and sticking with the most essential… :-)))

Even more interestingly, many are relocating to Asia, and even Africa, to live – and work – more conservatively.

So, when you say you lack money to pursue your goals, have you considered making similar changes in your life?

This is about coming up with practical ideas about living smarter; to better pursue your goals.

But What If After Checking, You Find You Still Have No (or Not Enough) Money?

If that happens, first get this thought imprinted in your mind…now: YOU alone determine what stops you!

“Lack of money” has happened to some of the greatest people ever to walk the earth.

You’ve most likely heard or read their stories (If you haven’t, start with Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich”).

How did those great people overcome that potentially crippling obstacle?

The quote below, from Jim Rohn, offers an answer:

“Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that.” – Jim Rohn

In other words, they each settled on a goal they were passionate about achieving: People with "empty hearts" would not have been able to do that!

Those great people then did plenty of real world relevant “thinking” about how to get money (and ultimately “grow rich”) by solving other people’s problems: People with "empty heads" would not even make the effort!

NOTE THIS: They often did not get results overnight. Instead, when success delayed, they persisted – with unflinching faith.

Many authentically successful people have confirmed the above process is what it (i.e. achieving success when you lack money) all boils down to.

If you think adopting it would a waste of your time, then authentic success might just elude you – because you’ll most likely succumb to cutting corners, when success delays in coming.