The Check That Took Years to Grow

Photo by Francesco Gallarotti on Unsplash‍ ‍

This week I received my first large royalty check. As a writer and content creator for professional development workshops, I have a few things out there that create some passive income, but they have never really produced more than a couple hundred dollars. Until now.

When I got the email and saw the amount of money being deposited into my account, I couldn't believe it. It wasn’t life-changing money by any means, but it was heart-changing. It felt like a bloom from a seed I forgot I planted and it reminded me of something I often tell others but forget myself: growth is nearly invisible before it’s exponential.

Growth is nearly invisible before it's exponential.

In a world that celebrates overnight success and viral launches, it’s easy to forget that most creative work follows a slower rhythm. Studies show that creators typically don’t see meaningful passive income until 12 to 24 months into their journey and even then, it’s usually the result of layering multiple streams like books, courses, and consulting. While the income eventually becomes passive it takes a heck of a lot of active to make it happen; it means showing up consistently, refining your craft, and building trust before expecting returns.

This check wasn’t just money, it was a much-needed reminder to keep planting, to trust the process, and to release the timeline because some seeds take longer to root. Whether you're trying to create something (a course, a book, a podcast, a community) or even just trying something new in your life (a new workout routine, reading more, starting a new hobby) and you're wondering if it’s worth it, let this be your reminder: just because you can’t see the roots doesn’t mean they aren’t growing. Keep planting. Keep showing up. Your future self will thank you for your patience.