1. I stopped listening to advice by struggling writers and went to my editors for help instead. “Hey, I’m not sure I have a good enough handle on what kind of ideas would work for you. Any tips?”

2. I invested in my career. I joined writing groups and organizations that require members to pay a (sometimes hefty) fee, thereby guaranteeing that members would be serious professionals who make a living with their work.

3. I walked away from publications and editors who didn’t have respect for the freelance life, and went out of my way to make things easier for those who did.

4. I started pitching to editors at publications that I thought were out of my league, and ended up getting assignments from many who, surprisingly to me, thought I was a perfect fit.

5. I tried developing long-term relationships with my editors by calling them when in their cities, and meeting them every once in a while.

6. I took risks with the style, subjects, and variety of my work to give myself a chance to discover where I excelled.

7. I asked for, received, and was grateful for honest criticism of my work. I learned to recognize people with hidden agendas. And I took classes and courses to help me get better at what I do.

8. I gave it my best, no matter whether I was being paid $100 or $1,000.

9. I helped fellow writers and photographers break into publications I was already associated with. Sometimes, when they were able, they helped me back.

10. I truly believed that I was capable of success.