Welcome to Money Making Story,

Today, we’re thrilled to share the story of Paul Millerd, who left his $250K consulting job and turned daily writing into a thriving self-publishing career.

In this discussion, we’ll discuss his:

• Top Advice

• Paul Millerd’s Leap from Consultant to Creator

• Quitting the Default Path

• Self-Publishing Success: From Idea to Income

• How to Turn Negative Emotions Into Positive Actions

• The Writing Process: Passion Over Perfection

• Marketing Without Ads: Letting the Work Speak

• Financial Success through Self-Publishing

• A Life by Design: The Pathless Path in Practice

• Writing Advice from Paul Millerd

• Lessons from Paul’s Pathless Path

• A Story Worth Reading

Top Advice:

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Paul Millerd’s Leap from Consultant to Creator

At 32, Paul Millerd left his $250,000 consulting job without a plan—just a desire to break free from the "default path." With $50,000 in savings, he gave himself permission to wander, explore, and most importantly—write every day. What began as blog posts on Quora evolved into his book, The Pathless Path, a personal reflection on finding meaningful work.

In a world where the default path of a stable corporate job often feels like the only option, Paul Millerd chose to walk away from a $250,000 consulting job and embrace uncertainty. His journey from corporate consultant to self-published author of The Pathless Path is an inspiring testament to the power of trusting oneself, exploring passions, and redefining success.

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Quitting the Default Path

In 2017, Paul Millerd left his high-paying consulting job without a concrete plan. Burned out and uninspired, he sought something more meaningful. He began writing daily, starting with posts on Quora, which quickly sparked a passion for sharing his experiences. This habit led to his blog, Lime Sucks, where he chronicled his journey with Lyme disease and his departure from the corporate world.

Self-Publishing Success: From Idea to Income

Paul's daily writing habit turned into a deep exploration of his life's direction, culminating in his book, The Pathless Path. Despite an offer from Penguin Random House, he chose self-publishing via Amazon and Reedsy to maintain creative control and maximize royalties.

Despite receiving an offer from Penguin Random House, Paul chose to self-publish to retain creative control and higher royalties. His numbers speak for themselves:

• First Year: Sold 10,000 copies, earning $50,000.

• Second Year: Sold 15,000 copies in five months, earning $75,000.

• Royalties Breakdown:

  • Hardcover: $8.24 per copy

  • Paperback: $7.45 per copy

  • Audiobook: $3.98 per copy

  • Kindle: $4.28 per copy

To date, Paul has earned over $125,000 in royalties, with book income surpassing 50% of his total earnings.

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The Writing Process: Passion Over Perfection

In The Pathless Path, Paul explores the idea that work should sustain the soul, not just the wallet. He emphasizes creating space to explore passions, taking sabbaticals, and reconnecting with hobbies. According to Paul, true fulfillment comes from quitting what doesn’t light you up and pursuing inspiring work.

Paul’s writing journey was iterative and personal. His process:

• Daily Writing Habit: Started with 100 days of writing on Quora.

• Structure and Revisions: Alternated between intense writing sprints and strategic editing.

• Publishing: Used Amazon’s KDP and Reedsy for formatting, and 99designs for cover design.

Marketing Without Ads: Letting the Work Speak

Paul has diversified his income with workshops, coaching, and online courses through his platform, Strategy U. His podcast and speaking engagements further expand his reach.

Paul focused on organic, authentic promotion methods:

• Podcast Appearances: Sharing his story and ideas to relevant audiences.

• Book Gifting: Leveraging self-publishing to send copies cheaply to influencers and readers.

• Community Engagement: Building a following through his blog and social media.

Financial Success through Self-Publishing

Paul's decision to self-publish paid off. In his first year, he sold 10,000 copies, earning $50,000 in royalties. The following year, he sold 15,000 copies, generating $75,000. By his third year, his book income made up over half of his total revenue. With royalties of approximately $7 per paperback and $8 per hardcover, self-publishing proved both creatively and financially rewarding.

Paul invested thoughtfully to ensure quality:

Editing & Coaching: $3,900

• Cover Design: $742

• Audiobook Production: $1,280

• Publishing Fees: $250
  Total Costs: ~$6,172
  Total Earnings: $125,000+
  Net Profit: $118,828+

A Life by Design: The Pathless Path in Practice

Paul has diversified his income with workshops, coaching, and online courses through his platform, Strategy U. His podcast and speaking engagements further expand his reach.

Paul’s day-to-day life prioritizes freedom over routine:

• Mornings: Time with his daughter, with no meetings before 11 AM.

• Work Style: Focused bursts of writing and creating, balanced with long walks and reading.

• Mindset: Prioritizes joy and curiosity over productivity.

Writing Advice from Paul Millerd

For aspiring authors, Paul stresses consistency and overcoming the fear of judgment. His writing process combines deep reflection, wandering, and capturing insights from his experiences.

• Write daily to develop confidence and build their voice.

• Accept that early writing may go unnoticed but is critical for growth.

• Spend time wandering and reflecting to inspire creativity.

• Read widely and draw inspiration from other writers and podcasts.

• Prioritize a personal connection with writing, choosing a process that feels natural rather than following rigid routines.

Lessons from Paul’s Pathless Path

• Prioritize Exploration: Take a sabbatical to reconnect with your passions.

• Choose Creative Control: Self-publishing offers ownership and higher earnings.

• Play the Long Game: Build slowly through consistent writing and sharing.

• Work That Sustains You: Find work that aligns with your soul, not just your resume.

Learn More About Paul Millard

Today, Paul values freedom, balancing work with time for his newborn daughter. He embraces flexibility and lets passion guide his projects.

For anyone feeling stuck or uncertain about pursuing their dreams, Paul Millerd’s story is a reminder: start where you are and trust the process. Just as Pat Walls found success by walking into a Starbucks, Paul found his path through daily writing. Sometimes, taking the first step, no matter how small, leads to life’s most rewarding journeys.

Paul’s story isn’t about chasing success; it’s about embracing uncertainty and pursuing meaningful work. His Pathless Path is a reminder that success isn’t always planned—it’s discovered.

So, what’s stopping you from writing your own story?

A Story Worth Reading

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