You got into the traps of wrong kinds of work because you were tempted by results. “Let me take up this work. On the 30th day of the month the result will be good. What will be the result? A nice paycheck.”
Now ask yourself, what if it is certain that no money, no external gratification of any kind is going to come your way? Then what would you take up willingly, without any expectations from the future? That will tell you where your destiny lies.
Ask yourself, “If I were not to be paid for this, would I still do this?” And if you hear a yes from within, then you are doing the right thing.