If you’re a regular Leaving Work Behind reader, you may have noticed that I haven’t been around as much recently.
When I first launched the blog I published three times a week, almost without fail. After a while that reduced to two times a week, then one. These days my writing is somewhat sporadic.
So what gives?
In this post I want to explain where I am with my business, what that means for Leaving Work Behind, and what my plans are for the future.
My Business Today
Yesterday I had a day-long ‘alignment’ session with my business coach brother. We covered a lot of ground, but one of the most important realizations I came to was that in order to truly succeed in business, I needed to focus on just one business.
I certainly haven’t been doing that – not since I actually started down this road in 2011. Over the past few months, my attention has been split between:
- My writing business
- Leaving Work Behind
- Paid to Blog
- Paid to Blog Jobs
- The LWB Blogging Mentorship Program
Although I’ve known it for a long time, yesterday I ‘officially’ made the decision to focus down on just one business. In reality, my focus has mainly been on this business for some time (hence my absence here), but I just hadn’t committed to the idea fully.
That business is my writing business. I chose it, quite simply, because it makes the most money. I also believe that there is a lot of room for growth.
From now on I will be spending the vast majority of my time on that business. I don’t want to be overly distracted by my other endeavors, so I will be putting them into a semi-hibernation of sorts.
What This Means for You
If you are involved in any of my other endeavors (such as the LWB BMP or Paid to Blog Jobs), you might reasonably wonder what this means for you.
But fear not – you probably won’t notice any change at all. Paid to Blog Jobs will continue to operate as normal, as will the Blogging Mentorship Program. I will still be involved as necessary in both parts. As for Paid to Blog, I will still be available to offer help and assistance to those who are working through the course.
It is only fair that I do all of the above, and from a business perspective, I need to do that so that I can return to these endeavors when the time is right (which I will). The key is that I am clearly labelling what my efforts will be in my head, which will give me the mental ‘room’ to focus the majority of my time on my writing business.
But what about Leaving Work Behind? Writing posts for the blog is a big time suck, and not something I can sustain if I truly want to dedicate the vast majority of my time to my writing business. But at the same time, I don’t want to lose my personal connection with you guys.
The solution I’ve come up with is pretty simple: I will publish one short post by me per week, focusing on a single, highly actionable topic.
My posts will be short and sweet; focusing on what I know best, and thus what I can write quickly and effectively on. I’ll hire an editor to ensure that it actually makes sense (so I don’t have to worry about spelling, grammar, etc.).
A recent survey of my email subscribers actually showed that the majority would prefer this to longer pieces.
This means that I will be able to keep in touch with you guys and continue offering value (through my own posts and through posts written by others), while limiting my time involvement in the blog.
So What Next?
For all intents and purposes, nothing will really change for you. In fact, my publishing schedule will increase (as I haven’t been publishing once per week recently). You may notice that my posts are shorter and more actionable, but that shouldn’t be a bad thing!
Small differences aside, I felt it was only right to tell you where I stand at the moment, and the reasons behind my actions. That’s historically been my modus operandi here on LWB, and I have no intention of changing that!
In terms of the longer term future, I do intend to come back to my other projects. The writing business is something I’m passionate about developing, but it’s not something intend to be deeply involved in forever. I’ve got lots of interesting plans, but I’m just getting started, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves…
Anyways, it’s always a pleasure hearing from you, so if you have any questions or comments, please fire away below!
Photo Credit: Cillian Storm
Mayur Mistry says
Hey Tom,
Good post. That’s a wise decision you’ve made. You don’t want to spread yourself too thin otherwise it will lead to a burn out.
Mayur
Tom Ewer says
Thanks Mayur!
Robbie says
Good stuff, Tom. Thought you were for the off there.
Tom Ewer says
I’m not sure what ‘for the off’ means, but it sounds bad 😉
Terry Dunn says
Hi Tom,
I would be interested in knowing how you are going to focus on your writing business; does that mean doing more marketing or what? I’m sure other readers here would like to know too. If you’re going to expand it, how will do it? (yes, I’m nosey)
Terry
Tom Ewer says
I plan to reveal more in the coming weeks! 🙂
Rachel Brophy says
I must be nosey too, because like Terry, I would love to know what “focus on my writing business” really means. I guess my interest stems from the fact that I have been “focusing on my writing business” for the last several months, however, I am in the very early, just beginning, not really making money yet stage, and I am more than ready to see my “focusing” begin to turn into cold hard cash. I can easily see how one can get pulled in 20 different directions with this particularly if, like me, you’re starting from scratch and learning absolutely everything as you go. Good luck with your latest endeavor whatever it is.
Tom Ewer says
Thank you Rachel! Watch this space 🙂
Dale Reardon says
Hi,
I love the concept of your blog (the topic that is) and it is related to the topic of our site – starting a business online.
So how do I go about proposing a guest post as you seem to indicate you will have some guest posts.
Please email me and we can discuss.
Dale.
Tom Ewer says
Hey Dale,
At the moment I’m not actively accepting guest posts – it’s just me and one ‘staff writer’ (Gina).
Cheers,
Tom
Jawad Khan says
Hey Tom,
Your presence here on the blog is vital, of course. But I think 1 weekly short post from you plus a couple of high quality guest posts from other writers should keep the blog in good shape while not sucking up too much of your time.
Tom Ewer says
Glad you’ll be happy with that Jawad! 🙂
Dale Reardon says
Hi,
Thanks for responding.
Was worth a shot! Hard to get guest posts on a blog you respect.
Thanks,
Dale.
Beth says
Well, I can certainly relate to the sentiment of being pulled into too many different directions – I’m experiencing that myself. I think in the beginning you almost have to try a bunch of different things, but there comes a point when you have to pick a horse – sounds like you’re there. Good luck!
Tom Ewer says
Thanks Beth!
Sophie says
Great article, as always Tom, and very best wishes for the future. It can’t have been easy coming to that conclusion but I think you’ve made the right decision.
I look forward to reading your snappy posts.
Tom Ewer says
Not easy at all, but decisiveness is key…
Brin Wilson says
What about Beginner Blogging? Did I miss something – what happened to that?
Tom Ewer says
That is on the back burner at the moment Brin – not doing anything with it at the moment.
Bob says
It’s tough when you are being pulled in too many directions. Either the work product suffers or you get burnt out. Sometimes both. I have been concentrating a lot on freelance writing also and as a result my site was neglected for awhile. Now I try to do at least one good post per week. But it is tough when you are pitching stories, looking for leads, etc.
Wish you the best of luck in your writing and look forward to the infrequent posts here.
Tom Ewer says
Thank you Bob; best of luck to you too!
martha says
Tom, its always a pleasirr to read about your progress
I still wamy to start a blog as i attempted several months ago, but bluehost charged me 250.00, so i cancelled. Ypu told me i dod not need all the features i ordered. So, i still need help to
start up a blog and i will turn to you for thay because trust your help and knowledge. I am working cuŕrently om starting a business an LLC, instead of being incorporated. It will be a retail store online full of crafts i have been working on for the past 3 years. I will need help setting up the website.
Tom Ewer says
Ready and willing to help Martha!
martha says
Tom, its always a pleasure to read about your progress!
I still want to start a blog as i attempted several months ago, but bluehost charged me 250.00, so i cancelled. You told me i do not need all the features i ordered. So, i still need help to
start up a blog and i will turn to you for that because i trust your help and knowledge. I am working cuŕrently on starting a business an LLC, instead of being incorporated. It will be a retail store online full of crafts i have been working on for the past 3 years. I will need help setting up the website.
Leandro Thomas says
Hey Tom,
Love the transparency here as usual. It is good that you can recognise, when change is required and the take the necessary steps of action.
Looking forward to your shorter, more actionable posts.
Tom Ewer says
Great!
Rose says
Hi Tom,
I was actually thinking about getting in on your Mentorship Program, so I’m glad to hear that’s still an option.
Tom Ewer says
Definitely! I’m still very excited about the potential there.
Raghavendra Satish Peri says
Hey Tom,
Always love your style….All the best & I hope to read more about your writing business.
Tom Ewer says
Cheers Raghavendra!
Daryl says
This is a very interesting development Tom!
Funny enough, I have a feeling that the itch to start up new things will come soon enough.
I suppose it’s a question about balance really. How to balance your main income source (freelance writing) with your other interests and business diversification? Good luck with that, I’m sure you’ll figure things out soon enough.
Cheers,
Daryl
Tom Ewer says
Thanks Daryl!
Michael McKearney says
Tom,
Sorry to see you go. But such is life. Our interaction was about as minimal as possible. But it was worth while for me. Anyway, best of luck and I will look forward to your new condensed and “actionable” (what does that mean exactly?) posts.
Tom Ewer says
I’m not going anywhere Michael! Glad I have been of help 🙂
P.S. “Actionable” means “being able to be acted upon” or “of practical value”.
Kim says
Many good wishes Tom, thank you for sharing, god bless!
Tom Ewer says
Same to you Kim!
Jonathan says
Tom I hope it’s working out for you and you can stay with it. This is something I struggle with myself. Lack of focus leads to many watered down efforts. Unfortunately an entrepreneurial mind is tough to wrangle in and keep focused. Best of luck with it.
Tom Ewer says
Thanks Jonathan; and to you!