I must have imagined those times I earned bitcoin for my labor.
I also assume you run your own business. Most, if not all of the Bitcoin you earned was bought with Fiat money. My argument encircles the topic of removing Fiat from the equation.
Actually, very little to none of the Bitcoin I have earned was bought with fiat money. Most of the people I have worked for were early miners who are investing their proceeds into creating more services that utilize bitcoins.
The solution to not being able to earn Bitcoin is to go to the Marketplace subforum and offer your goods or services in exchange for Bitcoin. Quit trying to fix it, it's not broken. Some of us have been doing it for years.