“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door” ~ Milton Berle (tweet this)
Change can be positive.
I say that from personal experience. On Saturday 23rd June, this blog will be exactly one year old. My life has changed so much in the past year, as has my perspective on what is truly important.
Leaving Work Behind is a reflection of that, as are the 100 blogs listed below – all of which can make up a piece of the puzzle that leads you to leaving work behind and building a better life for yourself.
What Makes This Different
This is the 2nd edition of the LWB 100 (the first was published back in February 2012). A lot has changed in my life and business since then, and the recent re-launch of this very blog is testament to that.
Accordingly, what you will see below is a very different list to the first edition. I am publishing a 2nd edition because I think it is a vast improvement on the first LWB 100 – I wouldn’t publish a new edition under any other circumstances.
This edition of the LWB 100 features an enormous number of new entries. Each and every one of these blogs has taken pride of place in my RSS reader at one point or another, as I have manually reviewed each and every one of them to determine whether or not they are worthy of inclusion.
This is a labor of love – not a shallow attempt at link bait.
Before You Start
There are a few things you should take note of before starting with the list:
- You can sort the blogs numerically and alphabetically by clicking on the relevant header.
- Each blog has been categorized by a consideration of its main focus, and the entire list can be sorted by category by clicking on the relevant header. If you feel that a blog has been incorrectly categorized, please let me know.
- If you feel that a worthy blog has been missed off the list, please let me know! It may not have made the cut, or I may have missed it. Either way, I would like to know.
With that said, let’s get to it!
The Leaving Work Behind 100 [2nd Edition]
# | Name | Category |
---|---|---|
1 | SEOmoz Blog | SEO |
2 | ProBlogger | Blogging |
3 | Copyblogger | Marketing |
4 | Social Media Examiner | Social Media |
5 | Daily Blog Tips | Blogging |
6 | Seth Godin | Marketing |
7 | Four Hour Work Week Blog | Leaving Work Behind |
8 | Zen Habits | Personal Development |
9 | Freelance Switch | Freelancing |
10 | Smart Passive Income | Internet Marketing |
11 | Quicksprout | Internet Marketing |
12 | Get Rich Slowly | Personal Finance |
13 | Entrepreneur's Journey | Internet Marketing |
14 | Shoe Money | Internet Marketing |
15 | Chris Brogan | Social Media |
16 | Occam's Razor | SEO |
17 | Mixergy | Entrepreneurship |
18 | Famous Bloggers | Blogging |
19 | Viperchill | Internet Marketing |
20 | Income Diary | Internet Marketing |
21 | Duct Tape Marketing | Internet Marketing |
22 | ManageWP | Blogging |
23 | Traffic Generation Cafe | Marketing |
24 | KISSMetrics | Internet Marketing |
25 | Freelance Folder | Freelancing |
26 | Brian Gardner | Internet Marketing |
27 | Young Entrepreneur | Entrepreneurship |
28 | Think Traffic | Marketing |
29 | Dumb Little Man | Productivity |
30 | The Art of Non-Conformity | Leaving Work Behind |
31 | Kikolani | Social Media |
32 | Social Triggers | Marketing |
33 | Buffer Blog | Social Media |
34 | Derek Sivers | Entrepreneurship |
35 | Young Pre Pro | Freelance Writing |
36 | Smart Blog on Social Media | Social Media |
37 | PotPieGirl | Internet Marketing |
38 | Niche Pursuits | Niche Sites |
39 | Social @ Blogging Tracker | Social Media |
40 | Steve Scott Site | Affiliate Marketing |
41 | IM Impact | Internet Marketing |
42 | Danny Brown | Social Media |
43 | Dan Zarrella | Social Media |
44 | The Sales Lion | Marketing |
45 | Firepole Marketing | Marketing |
46 | Man vs. Debt | Personal Finance |
47 | chrisg.com | Social Media |
48 | White Hot Truth | Leaving Work Behind |
49 | AdSense Flippers | Niche Sites |
50 | Write To Done | Freelance Writing |
51 | Make Money On The Internet | Internet Marketing |
52 | Change Your Thoughts - Change Your Life | Personal Development |
53 | Rise To The Top | Entrepreneurship |
54 | Men With Pens | Marketing |
55 | My Wife Quit Her Job | Entrepreneurship |
56 | Retire @ 21 | Entrepreneurship |
57 | Jonathan Fields | Entrepreneurship |
58 | Illuminated Mind | Leaving Work Behind |
59 | StrayBlogger | Internet Marketing |
60 | Live Your Legend | Leaving Work Behind |
61 | ConversionXL | Marketing |
62 | Success Works | SEO |
63 | Escape From Cubicle Nation | Leaving Work Behind |
64 | Pushing Social | Social Media |
65 | Make A Living Writing | Freelance Writing |
66 | Location 180 | Leaving Work Behind |
67 | Virtual Business Lifestyle | Outsourcing |
68 | Inbound Pro | Internet Marketing |
69 | The Bad Blogger | Blogging |
70 | Passive Panda | Internet Marketing |
71 | Prolific Living | Leaving Work Behind |
72 | Unmarketing | Marketing |
73 | Tropical MBA | Internet Marketing |
74 | Online Income Star | Internet Marketing |
75 | The Suitcase Entrepreneur | Leaving Work Behind |
76 | Sparring Mind | Marketing |
77 | Jeff Korhan | Internet Marketing |
78 | Reviews 'n' Tips | Blogging |
79 | Life & Times of an Internet Marketer | Internet Marketing |
80 | The Traveling Writer | Social Media |
81 | Blog Marketing Academy | Blogging |
82 | Virtual Assistant Live | Entrepreneurship |
83 | Build A Little Biz | Entrepreneurship |
84 | Motivational Memo | Personal Development |
85 | Blogpreneurs | Blogging |
86 | The Digital Writer | Freelance Writing |
87 | The One Question | Personal Development |
88 | Justice Wordlaw IV | Affiliate Marketing |
89 | Content Marketing Strategy | Marketing |
90 | Ruth Zive Copywriting | Marketing |
91 | Foolish Adventure | Internet Marketing |
92 | Create As Folk | Entrepreneurship |
93 | Grad Meets World | Leaving Work Behind |
94 | The Boomerang Kid | Leaving Work Behind |
95 | My 4-Hour Workweek | Internet Marketing |
96 | Lifestyle Ignition | Entrepreneurship |
97 | Life Stoked | Personal Development |
98 | Blog to Business | Blogging |
99 | Love Work Now | Leaving Work Behind |
100 | Rocker Life Coach | Entrepreneurship |
What Now?
Simple – start exploring!
I would recommend that you sort the blogs by category and pick a few that are of interest. You can of course bookmark this post and come back to it whenever you want to find out more on a specific topic.
I would not recommend that you try to read a lot of the blogs all in one go – the blogs aren’t going anywhere, so pace yourself!
Please Take A Moment To Spread The Word
The LWB 100 took me a staggering amount of time to put together – in fact, the 2nd edition took me even longer than the 1st. I would be extremely appreciative if you would take a moment to share it with your friends and followers.
If you would like to feature the list on your own blog, you are more than welcome to do so, but please – link back to Leaving Work Behind.
Thank you so much for your help.
Creative Commons photo courtesy of scragz
I hate you. And I love you. But really, I hate you.
Too many good blogs here to explore. JUST TOO MANY!!!!
But I really mostly love you. And I kinda hate you…
😉
Couldn’t agree more.. Epic post Tom!
Ditto what Mikalee said.
Ah thanks guys – I’ll just take the love 😉
Tom – you need to add Mikalee’s blog to the list, if only for the entertainment value! Nobody will make you laugh out loud more than Mikalee.
That said, this is an amazing list (proud to be included). It is bookmarked for summer exploration – I see several blogs that are completely unfamiliar to me and I can’t wait to dig in.
Congratulations and bravo on your hard work compiling this list!
Hey Ruth,
She can also be found on Google by her first name only, which is awesome!
Thanks 🙂
Tom
Great list of people Tom. Thanks for sharing this.
My pleasure Justice 🙂
Great work, Tom!
(And I, also, both love and hate you) 😉
There’s a lot of mixed emotions flying around 😉
Hi Tom, what a great list!
I know many of the sites but there are a few I don’t know.
I think for those who are looking to make changes in their life, it’s important to go in search for those pieces of the puzzle… and this list helps for sure.
The other great thing about this you get to meet some amazing people along the way.
Thanks for putting this together. I know there’s a lot of work involved – I once compiled a list of 75 websites and it took me forever!
Hi Dave,
This took just a little bit shorter than forever…not much though 😉
I like how you put it though – finding the pieces of the puzzle. I wouldn’t be where I am without some of these blogs, and that is no exaggeration.
Cheers,
Tom
I don’t know why the Steve pavlina blog doesn’t get a mention. There is a lot of great posts on that blog. He is probably one of the best in terms of personal development.
Still a great list to get through. Time to open some tabs
That’s a good suggestion William – I used to read Steve’s blog going back a lot of years (before I really read *any* blogs). I’ll be sure to consider it for the next edition!
Tom, thanks for the introduction to some awesome blogs. My Google Reader will be busting at the seams 🙂
You’re more than welcome Chris!
Tom
I have two things to say to you mate…
1) Remember, you-have-to-sleep-sometimes, what happened to the Tom of “Why I am no longer in a Rush to get rich”
2) How did they implant a USB socket on your body to enable you to process that much information!!!
I want to say keep it up, but I’m afraid you may explode…
PS: I am really liking your articles on ManageWP
Hey Mias,
1. This post aint gonna make me rich, or any money at all, for that matter! But I love the idea of exposing all of these great blogs to you guys.
2. I’m not going to pretend it was easy – about 45-60 mins a day trawling through my RSS reader. I think the end result was worth it though 🙂
Glad you like the articles on ManageWP!
Cheers,
Tom
I know a lot of these, but still tons I’ve never explored! I’ve got some serious reading to do! The only must read of mine that isn’t up there is Michael Hyatt’s blog. You should check it out!
Oh, and THANKS for including me!
Excellent – thanks for the suggestion Deacon – I’ll be taking a good look!
And you’re welcome 🙂
Thanks for a great list saves me a lot of time. Now comes the intresting part going through them.
No problem Kevin 🙂
Awesome list! I’d like to offer my site for how deal with burnout. I follow a lot of these excellent blogs and the information can be overwhelming and lead to burnout.
BenFanning.com
The Burnout Specialist
Sure thing Ben – I’ll check it out!
Absolutely Amazing – Again.
*runs off to update Google Reader on phone!
Good luck 🙂
Awesome list! I’m sorting it by category and tackling one category per day – a lot of blogs here I haven’t heard of but look really cool!
Thomas
I think that’s a good idea – pick the category that resonates best with you first, and work from there 🙂
This is an amazing list! Thanks so much for including me in it too! 🙂
My pleasure Kristi – I love Kikolani!
Tom again its an honor to be included in such a list of great bloggers and online leaders such as Seth Godin, Steve Scott and Corbett Barr. So many more on this list that have taught me so much.
Again your blog has become a must read as well You are a RockStar in my book for all you have done and to share such great wisdom with your readers, this information read here is worth millions to those who apply it..
Rock On
Tim
Thanks Tim, that honestly means a great deal to me! 🙂
I prefer to see TOP10 as otherwise there is no time to read everything…
That’s why they’re categorized Vi – so you can pick out the blogs that might of most interest to you, if you don’t have time to check out more than a few.
You might like this: http://www.leavingworkbehind.com/lwb-100-my-top-10/
thanks Tom, I’ll check it.
Hey Tom,
You ever stop amazing me with your awesome posts!
Thrilled to see FB mentioned on your list. Many thanks.
My pleasure, and thank you 🙂
Tom,
This is my first time on your site and you’ve made a great first impression!
The list is amazing and definitely something helpful that I can come back to and find great blogs to get info from.
Hopefully my blog will make the cut next go round! 😀
Hey Dewane,
I’m glad I’ve made a good first impression 🙂
Your blog’s on the list for consideration next time around 🙂
Cheers,
Tom
Hey Tom,
I think the reason I love this list so much, okay other than the fact that I’m on it, is that it’s obvious you really read and care about the stuff you find on these blogs – there are a lot of big names on here that end up on a lot of list, for good reasons, but there’s a fair share of blogs I was not familiar with that only show up on these lists as people read the content over time.
Thanks for sharing – may I suggest creating an OPML file!
Hey John,
First of all, thanks for taking the time to stop by!
Secondly, I’m really glad you’ve recognized the time and effort that went into producing this list. It’s all too easy to be accused of “link baiting” (in a derogatory sense), but my primary aim here is to help people find awesome resources. I hope the list can do that!
Thanks again! 🙂
Tom
P.S. If I knew how to create an OPML file, I would 😉
Tom – you need a list of all the RSS feeds – okay, I know that’s a project.
Then you take the list to an OPML maker like this http://reader.feedshow.com/goodies/opml/OPMLBuilder-create-opml-from-rss-list.php
It creates an OPML file that you can let people download – the cool thing is that would allow people to import the entire list into, say, Google Reader with one upload.
Just a thought
Monster list Tom… I follow about 80% of these.,.. so have some work to do to chase the rest.
80% – that’s a lot! Good luck 🙂
John, that’s impressive and insane at the same time! How do you process it all? My head is spinning with all of the awesomeness of this list. Excellent recommendations (though I’d add in businessesgrow by Mark Schaefer to the list to make it you’re top 101 🙂
Wow! Amazing list. Thanks! I was glad to see that I already refer to quite a lot of these blogs – otherwise I would be reading instead of working for days and days! Some great new additions though that I’ll be checking out over time 🙂
Pace yourself Johanna 🙂
Hey Tom,
That’s an enormous list – I see an addition of many bloggers I follow and respect. Although I am bit sad that some of my favorite sites didn’t make the list (such as Adriennesmith.net and Basic blog tips).
Anyways, thank you for including Blog Preneurs in the list 🙂 We are grateful for your mention!
Jeevan Jacob John
Hey Jeevan,
You’re welcome 🙂
I’ll be sure to take a look at those two sites for next time!
Cheers,
Tom
Wow – what an awesome list!! Thank you so much for putting this together and sharing it with the world. It is fantastic. I am going to save this and come back to it to check out all the links.
I would like to ask a question – do you visit each of these blogs regularly? And what was the criteria for constructing both this list and the original/1st edition?
Thank you 🙂
Hey Sonya,
I don’t visit all of the blogs regularly (i.e. every few days) – I just don’t have that kind of time. However, leading up to producing this list, I was reading every single one of these blogs (and plenty more that didn’t make the list) every single day.
The criteria for the 2nd edition was simple – I was looking for blogs that could help people quit their jobs and build a better life. This obviously targets a wide range of topics (hence the categories). The quality and uniqueness of posts were my main considerations.
Cheers,
Tom
Great list!
Would be excellent to see some blogs aimed at designers (I’m a graphic designer about to leave work behind and either freelance as a designer or preferably start my own design studio business).
That’s a fair point – I’ll bear it in mind for next time!
Hi Tom, what a huge effort you put in to create such a massive list 🙂 Thanks for introducing me to several blogs I yet to follow. Also, not forgeting to thank you for #39, it’s a huge honor!
My pleasure! 🙂
Why no WPMU? … Crappy writers?
Haha! I would have to include myself in that list if it were the case 😉
WPMU is a bit too technical in its content – if we did more in the way of blogging tips etc, it would be on the list.
Sad to see I got bumped from this one but looks like a good list nonetheless.
So awesome to be included again Tom, with some amazing bloggers! Thank you 🙂
You are always welcome Michelle 🙂
Awesome, awesome list.. SO thrilled to see so many blogs I already know of but even MORE thrilled to see some amazing new ones waiting to be explored! I came across your blog and the list via Build a Little Biz and yep, am hooked.
I have Karen to thank for your visit then! Glad you’re here, and glad you like the list 🙂
Thanks so much for including my blog, Tom. Much appreciated. 🙂
My pleasure David 🙂
Great list Tom! Know most of these sites, but not heard of some of them. I’ll have to make sure that I check those out.
Good luck with your blogosphere travels! 🙂
Yes!! Inbound Pro made the cut!
Awesome. Thanks Tom. Time to share. 🙂
Thank you Hector! 🙂
this is the first post worth been bookmarked onmy new laptop. Great list and I hope my blog is listed when you are rounding up part 3.
Tom, its great having you in the blogging world.
Sheyi
Hello Sheyi – always a pleasure to hear from you! And I’m glad this post takes pride of place in your new laptop 🙂
I’ve got your blog down for consideration in the 3rd edition.
Cheers,
Tom
Hi Tom,
This is an fantastic list and thanks so much for including BlogPreneurs. Greatly appreciated.
No problem Devesh 🙂
Thanks for the mention 😉
My pleasure Jeremy! 🙂
Wow I have seen this post retweeted a lot lately 🙂
Glad to see so many of my friends were included in the list! Great job.
I’ll have to check out the ones I don’t know. (whenever I have time)
Hey Jaime,
Thanks! I like the concept of your blog – it’ll be considered for the 3rd edition 🙂
Cheers,
Tom
Aw Thanks Tom 🙂 I left my six figure corporate job (and my husband was a professional juggler) so I love the purpose of your site!
Glad to hear it! 🙂 Professional juggling? That sounds pretty awesome…
Great list! I wish you’d included Exile Lifestyle, Get Busy Living, and Art of Manliness though 🙂
Exile Lifestyle and Get Busy Living are both excellent suggestions – they’re in the mix for next time! Art of Manliness isn’t really on topic 😉
Brilliant resource. Thanks, Being new to all this will be exploring your list in the coming weeks.
No problem Laura!
It is a big decision to leave a job….But I think to work freely as a awesome decision…..
I hope your decision works well as like mine :). It is a great list Tom.
Thanks Ashik!
Hi Tom, just wanted to say thank you for including my blog on this amazing list you have compiled. This must have taken a lot of work 🙂
Cheers buddy, I appreciate it.
It’s my pleasure, and thank Steven for taking the time to share and comment! 🙂
Hey Tom, thanks for including my blog on your list, it’s great to be in the list of 100 🙂
My pleasure Wong 🙂
Tom, thanks for sharing this list. Many of these are new to me, but I’m going to be surely checking them out.
B
PS. Thanks for laboring in love for us. 😉
My pleasure Brandon 🙂
The Viral post of the last month! Good work there Tom, and I will be on that list! 🙂
Good to hear from you Samuel – hope all is well!
Tom- I missed your email somehow… Thanks for putting me on your list again. I just read your guest post on NichePursuits and I’m glad your blog is doing so well for you.
No problem Nate, and thank you! Have a good weekend 🙂
I think those are the best blogs ever. I have heard about the top 5 of them but not the ones below, perhaps a few here and there. I am booking marking this page so that I can come back to it again to see what are the rest of the blogs are all about. I am sure there are lots of things to learn from them. Thank you for this list.
No problem Shalu 🙂
This is truly a great resource. I bookmarked alot of the blogs on this list for further reading. I’m working on being on the list next time around.
Thanks
No problem Dakim!
Tom, you may have shared this on your blog, but I’m new here. Can I ask, what tool/plug-in did you use to embed that list above? I like how you can sort by category, etc. Very clean. Thanks.
It’s awesome, isn’t it Preston? The plugin is WP-Table Reloaded – you can read my review here.
Wow, some list.
This is probably the best idea cause i lose track of al the blogs I follow and have several bookmarks all jumbled up and many split between the three different browsers i use.
Glad I can be of help Surminga!
Found some new blogs to add to my RSS feed reader. Thanks.
This must have taken you quite a while to create the list.
A very long while indeed 😉
Wow – Found you today from Problogger linking here. I can only image the work you put into this post!
An organized, sortable table of the top blogs that your audience should know about is a great resource. Bravo man bravo! 🙂
Thanks John – my absolute pleasure!
Amazing post Tom !! I had not heard the names of over 90% of the blogs you listed here (now I have 😉 ) You did not mention Webpronews OR Searchengineland here? Thats a bit shocking !!
I like to be controversial 😉
This is amazing list Tom, thank you so much for collecting and sharing with us.
‘ll make good use of this list 🙂
No problem James! 🙂
Happy birthday, LWB!
Nice to see some new names on the list…
Struggling to keep my mouth shut about seeing some blogs on the list, but hey – this is your list, not mine, right? lol
Thanks for honoring TGC with the inclusion!
My pleasure Ana, and thanks to you!
You’ve piqued my curiosity…feel free to air your opinions via email!
Thanks Tom.
FANTASTIC list. Bookmarked, Tweeted, G+, and FB liked.
As a fledgling blogger, I’m always looking for new resources. This is great. Thanks much.
No problem Gary – my pleasure!
Good post – lots of inspiring sites listed (how should I allocate my time now between work and research?).
Tom, one question , please: How did you create the sortable table? Is this a plugin or standard WP functionality? (I am quite new WP and would like to include something table-like in my site again for product comparisons).
Thanks in avance for a quick reply.
Y.
Hi Yamato – it’s a plugin – WP-Table Reloaded.
Cheers,
Tom
Love this list. Kind of surprised that I know a lot of blogs on this list. I guess the blogoshpere is NOT as big as I thought?
Still, plenty of people i do NOT know and should check out…
Hey Tom,
Great list! Thanks for sharing. I only knew a handful of them. I’m familiar with problogger and copyblogger, I guess everybody is 🙂
No problem Bogdan 🙂
Tom, this is really excellent! I have already come across one or two, but there is a unbelievable wealth of knowledge information and advice in this list. I also think that your suggestion in your book on guest posting, using inurl search (which was a new one formerly) is another great tool to use in finding blogs in my niche of public speaking/storytelling/coaching. Again, thanks for the advice and being so generous with your content.
It is my pleasure Peter — thank you for your support!
Writing is an extremely satisfying and creative art. If you’re unsure about writing,
Thank you for the mention!! Love a lot of these blogs myself too!
No problem Shawn 🙂
You have no clue how much I appreciate this posting!!!
Thanks for the info, always helpful to have links of learning resources under 1 roof, u deserve a glass of beer -:)
Great post that I just bookmarked! Just so you know, I’m shooting to be on this list so keep a spot warm for me haha.
Hello, the list of blogs you have presented here is great for blogging. really its different from other traditional blogs lists. Thanks a lot for the great job.
I read quite a few of these blogs and this list is a really valuable recommendation. The Viper taught me and teaches a lot about SEO.
Thanks, Caty!
This is one of the best list I have ever seen! Really good and interesting
The Viral post of the last month! Good work there Tom, and I will be on that list! ????
Many thanks for the excellent list of blogs, it helped me a lot, keep writing.
Surely these 100 blogs are essential in the life of anyone who acts in the digital market.
Unbelievable effort. Thanks a lot.
Very cool stuff. Useful list.
Excelente artigo. Muito bom.
Very nice article. Going to favourites.
Agree
Nice stuff!!!
Love this list. Very much surprised.
This is great stuff. Very good content.
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