In my last post, I mentioned briefly that I wasn’t much of an ambitious kid. Yet, today, I’m a top-rated freelance writer and a decorated researcher. At 33, writing feeds my family, and I wonder if AI’s going to make us starve.

A few days ago, I received a message from a prospect asking if I could help humanize a lead magnet for their construction and remodeling business in the U.S. From experience, clients who request AI-generated content to be humanized often have pricing concerns. They worry about affording the quantity and quality of writing they need, so they see AI as a bargaining chip.

Growing up, I never had a clear vision of what I wanted to be. It was only as I matured that the desire to become something took hold. I always excelled in verbal and quantitative reasoning as a child, with impressive English and Math scores. Still, I didn’t pay much attention to it.

Facing the harsh reality that I couldn’t find a fulfilling and well-paying job in Nigeria, I followed my strengths. I became part of an online writing community that hosted events and pushed the limits of literary arts in the digital age.

In 2017, I left Nigeria to pursue a Master’s in Real Estate, which culminated in a Doctorate. I graduated top of my class and received an award for property valuation. Arriving in South Africa with only a thousand Rands in savings, I faced the biting winter cold for the first time in my life. My cab driver pitied me and stopped at a Mr Price outlet. Despite the cost, I bought the cheapest armless winter jacket to survive the cold.

Balancing my studies, I worked as a remote freelance writer, offering services at much lower rates than today. Survival dictated that I take on any job. Over time, however, my desire for a better life led me to rethink how I offered my services. I began to refuse work that strained me, despite the urgent need for money.

This shift strengthened my character and taught me to prioritize quality over quantity. I learned to be patient and intentional in my work, manage finances better, save, and plan. My offerings improved significantly as I focused on what premium clients would want.

Just like the cheap jacket I bought in South Africa, some business deals will leave you cold. There’s survival mode for everyone—for both businesses and their clients. It’s beneficial for a thriving business to work with a surviving service provider and vice versa. However, it’s best when both are thriving. Conversely, it’s often disastrous when both are just surviving.

Asking for more means demanding more of yourself. Never shy away from this work.