I couldn’t tell you precisely what triggered it. In fact, I don’t think it was a singular event – more a cumulation of relatively minor incidents. But as soon as it became clear to me that this blog was becoming more of a chore than a passion, I knew something had to change.
And I will readily admit that writing for this blog has for the most part been more of a chore over the past few weeks. Not only that, I have been underestimating just how much time it has been taking from me on a daily basis. It’s not just writing the posts – it’s answering emails, promotion, obsessive analytics checking…the list goes on. Something had to give.
Onwards and Upwards
But fortunately, I feel that the changes I am going to make will be positive. For too long I have been trying to push this blog forward. I typically produce three posts a week, and feel guilty if I don’t. I work hard to grow my social media accounts and spread the word as much as possible.
It is only now that I realize I shouldn’t be pushing – I should just simply allow this blog to “be”. This isn’t a business – the blog makes me no money. Maybe one day it will, but if I am going to remain sane, I need to stop acting like it produces a worthwhile income, or is going to in the near future.
I need to point this blog in a new direction – a less commercially-minded one. Because at its heart, this is a personal blog – it is a chronicle of my journey from wanting to quit my job (the past), to quitting my job and starting my online business (the present), to becoming wildly successful (the planned future). It isn’t an attempt to con people out of their money and exploit the naive, as many “make money online” blogs are.
So, you can expect some changes around here folks. It might not be to everyone’s liking, but it will be real and natural, and it will keep me happy. I personally think that it will make for a better blog. Here’s what you need to know:
- No more rigid posting schedule – I will post when I want to, and only when I feel that I have something of value to say.
- The subject matter will revolve around what I am trying to do, and what I have done. I hope that revealing my methods will in turn help you (that is certainly the aim). No “expert advice” – just one person telling another what they’re up to.
- Less focus on doing what is considered “correct”, more focus on doing what feels right to me.
- No more guest posting or overt attempts of promotion for the foreseeable future, unless the right opportunity presents itself.
The last thing I wanted to do was frame myself as some sort of guru or expert, and I am determined to walk as far away from that kind of angle as possible. I claim to be an expert of nothing. To get an idea of what you can expect from me, think less “lecture”, and more “chat down the pub with a friend”.
I’m Not Going Anywhere!
None of this means that I intend to ignore my readers. If you reach out via comment, email, Facebook, Twitter, carrier pigeon – whatever – you can still expect a reply and my gratitude. I can’t ever see that changing. You guys are awesome.
So What Do You Think?
You have no idea how liberating it felt to write that. I haven’t enjoyed writing a post so much in ages. I hope you enjoy the new Leaving Work Behind! Please let me know what you think in the comments section.
Ruth Zive says
My biggest challenge with my blog was understanding how it integrates with my business (which is mostly offline). And once I brought that into proper alignment, a huge weight was lifted off of my shoulders. It’s pointless to spin your wheels of you don’t know why you’re doing it. Especially if the effort is doing nothing more than making you miserable! I’ll be interested to see what happens with this blog after you let go of the ‘baggage’.
Tom Ewer says
“It’s pointless to spin your wheels of you don’t know why you’re doing it.” You’ve really nailed it there – my wheel spinning was pointless.
I had a vague idea of making money somewhere down the line, but that isn’t enough, and I don’t necessarily want money to be the main motivator. I’d rather just enjoy writing posts and helping people if I can, and that is what I intend to do! Thanks Ruth 🙂
Jon says
Hey Tom, hats off to you my friend… I think you’re making the right decision.
As much as I enjoy reading your posts at your current frequency, it’s the quality and heart behind your writing that really matters. The last thing you want is for your blog to become a chore and have it impact the quality of your work.
I’m a “chat over a pint down the pub” man myself so I look forward to seeing what direction you take your blog with this feeling in mind.
Tom Ewer says
Awesome – thank you Jon! 🙂
Jackie says
Hey Tom
More power to you. There’s nothing worse than waking up and feeling like work’s a chore.
We start these things with the best of intentions, seeking freedom in many senses, and before we know it we’re no longer driving the bus, it takes on a life of its own.
I’m a relative newcomer to your blog, and to me posting schedules don’t matter, its the content that pulls me in and has me coming back, whether thats once a day or once per month.
Keen to see where you go with your new direction, Good luck Tom, hope you find a new enthusiasm and satisfaction for your work.
Tom Ewer says
Hey Jackie,
It’s strange – the blog completely got away from me without me even recognizing it. I just woke up the other day and realized that I was expending all of this energy in trying to promote my blog, and for what? It’s not like I only have 3 readers anymore – I don’t need to go out of my way to try and get more people to look at the blog. If I just focus on doing what I like and producing the best content that I can, organic growth should be fine 🙂
Cheers,
Tom
Justin says
Good for you, Tom…I think your content will be better for it, ultimately. Still…I hope this doesn’t turn into a personal/private justification to yourself to put out less stuff. If one of your goals is to improve as a writer/blogger, the best way to do that is to put out more content. As you said…it’s only a personal blog and you can treat it like an experiment!
Anyway, I’m a fan and will continue to be, for sure…
Tom Ewer says
Hey Justin,
Well there certainly is some justification in there to put out less stuff, no doubt. I want to focus on writing about key topics only, and stuff that really inspires me so that I can put out the best possible content.
As for improving as a writer/blogger, I write around 2,000 words a day on average before I do anything for this blog, so I don’t think there’s any danger of me running out of practice 😉
Cheers,
Tom
Spatch Merlin says
Tom,
I’m happy with your decision. If you started blogging because you have passion on doing it, then you have every right to protect it from anything that might keep the passion away. Matter of fact, you post is quite inspiring in some way. Once blogging becomes a chore, you push yourself to do it and later on might wan to get rid of it.
Best of Luck!
Spatch Merlin
More Web Site Traffic Guide
Tom Ewer says
Thank you Spatch – I really appreciate that!
Mike Long says
Holy cow Tom! Talk about curious timing…
As you’ll note in my link, I’ve also re-assessed where I’m at with my own blog, based mostly on where my passions are, and realizing that if I’m going to commit to this blogging thing, I owe it to myself, and I owe it to my readers to write about what I know, what I’m passionate about, and what I’m DOING every single day.
Like you, I’m abandoning a regular posting schedule, but in my case, I think this might allow me to produce more. I’ve never been one to work well under tight deadlines, so I think that removing that type of pressure will free up my writing.
I’ve gone a step further, and chosen new name that more accurately reflects what i want to do and where I want to go. The previous name was too close to what a few other people are doing in the niche. PNI grew quickly in its first month, and as a result, I quickly found my voice and found where my passion lies.
I wish I’d chosen a little better name initially in retrospect…lol.
Hats off to you for this change Tom! As I learned earlier this week when I did the same thing, it takes a lot to admit in public that things aren’t working the way you want them to, and that changes are necessary.
That honesty is one more reason that I’m glad I discovered your blog. I can’t wait to see where you go from here!
Tom Ewer says
Awesome Mike – good to see that we are on the same wavelength! And it is good that you have come to your decision so early on in your blog’s life. You’ll probably have more changes of direction as it evolves, but that’s just the way it goes…
Justin says
Hey, Mike, LOVE the new domain name. The nice, clean design is pretty sweet as well.
Conni Biesalski says
Great stuff, Tom!
I felt the same way a while back and figured it’s not supposed to be so much work. But more pleasure and fun!
Not posting on a rigid schedule makes the whole thing so much more relaxed.. I still post mostly twice a week, but there is no pressure.
In terms of correctness: it’s your blog, your house and you can do whatever you want basically. Obviously we want to grow our readerships, but we can do that however we feel like it 😉
So good luck and enjoy 🙂
Tom Ewer says
Damn straight – thanks Conni!
Lisa says
I just found your blog via Twitter – your bio caught my attention 🙂 I think it’s great not to be rigid on blogging because why write when you are forcing yourself? It will not be as good if you are forcing it. Sometimes you may find you may even write more with that attitude. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Tom Ewer says
Hey Lisa,
You are exactly right – rigidity has been slowing me down, and I am glad to be rid of it. Thank you for stopping by, and thank you for commenting!
Cheers,
Tom
Scott Webb says
Hey Tom,
I’m so disappointed. Okay, I’m kidding but I wonder if it got your attention. I can identify with what you mean by “less lecture.” We can tend to make the blog too serious and push too hard with trying to gain traction.
Clearly you’ve gained great traction here with all the comments. My site is still a struggle to get people to drop a line. It’s interesting to note that as we try and up our posting frequency and have stronger posts, we can even post less. I tried a rigid schedule for my blog and photoblog but it is still too much for me.
Instead of caring too much, I also decided to post when I see fit. Shorter posts are okay. Thoughts instead of concrete direction. Create value in other spaces and places – Perhaps that time is better suited to working on an eBook or testing new ideas.
I still think that you can slowly monetize this blog but doing it very subtly.
Look forward to hearing about the things your trying and how they working out!
Cheers
Tom Ewer says
Hey Scott,
The blog will still be monetized – it will just be wholly incidental. If I write a post about my backlinking strategy, I will include affiliate links – but the main purpose of the post will be to show people what I am doing, and why.
My focus is very much going to be on making sure that every blog post has (in my opinion) value. That is difficult to do when you are publishing three posts every week, and was just too much for me.
Thanks!
Tom
Steve@Affiliate Marketing Tips says
Tom,
I feel you, man! I agree with all your reasoning. It is why I have pulled back to about 1 post a week on SSS and decreased my commenting. When something is more chore than joy AND it is not making a lot of money, keeping pushing just leads to burnout.
I think there is a bright-side though. The lower frequency posting will hopefully help to ensure you really have something to say when you post…which should increase general quality.
Good luck man!
Tom Ewer says
Hey Steve,
You’re totally right about potential burnout – I’m just glad I made this change well before I got to that inevitable stage. Instead of being exhausted about this blog, I am feeling really excited about it again – because I’ll be doing what I want, when I want.
Totally agree with you about post quality too 🙂
Cheers,
Tom
Paul Cardall says
WOW, your post (and this is the first and only one I have read) hit a chord with me. I too need to slow down and I will (only not today). Thank you for a great read, and I’ll be back for more…
Paul
Tom Ewer says
No problem at all Paul 🙂
Cordelia says
I too can relate completely to this. I just went through a serious phase of reexamining my own blog and my general plan for the future. I came to realize that the blog was supposed to be a way to learn to enjoy my life as I escaped the 9-5–not just another job that I started dreading and feeling obligated to do.
I say blog however makes you love blogging again. Readers can tell if it’s genuine, and they don’t notice posting schedules so much as they notice heart and passion. Good for you for taking a step back. I think your blog will be all the stronger for it.
Tom Ewer says
I totally agree with your Cordelia, especially about people not noticing posting schedules as much as they notice heart and passion. I did wonder why you stepped away from the blog for a few weeks…
Cordelia says
All shall be revealed in 2 epically long posts starting tomorrow. Kudos to you on your perspective revamp–blogging should be a fun journey that helps others along the way. I think commercial success can go hand in hand with that, but it needs to be a sidebar, not the focus. And people can totally tell the difference.
Bon Crowder says
You’re wrong, Tom. You ARE an expert in something. You’re an expert in communicating with your readers and being honest with us. And you make a great example.
I’m pretty sure I speak for all of us when I say we appreciate it.
Fewer posts that are less angst-filled will suit us just fine. I can’t tell that it’s been difficult for you. But if you push too hard, you’re just going to end up hating it and not doing any posts.
And that would way suck.
I would ask that you craft a “So you’d like to write for LWB?” post or page that gives some specific guidelines on guest posts. You’ve got so many commentators on the posts – I’m guessing many would love to share stuff they know on this site.
It might be a bad idea. But it’s an idea.
Looking forward to what’s coming next…
Tom Ewer says
You’re too kind Bon 🙂
I’m not going to get bored of this blog any time soon – I feel great about it right now in fact. I would actually love to write another 10 posts right now – I’ve got some interesting topics to cover – but I’m not going to pressure myself about it. I’ll write them when I have the time and energy.
A guest post guidelines page is absent with reason – I’m not actively seeking guest posts (especially now that I don’t have a strict posting schedule). Having said that, I am always happy to consider top quality stuff (the kind of stuff you produce, for instance).
Christian Ficara says
If it makes you feel any better, the general tone I have taken from your posts has always been that of a person relating their experiences and wishing to help others. I never got the impression that I was being preached to by a self-styled guru. While your new approach will certainly relieve your personal stress regarding the blog, feel comfortable knowing that, as far as the content goes, you have been on message and true to yourself this entire time. I look forward to reading the updates at whatever intervals you choose to create them.
Tom Ewer says
Christian,
That really brought a smile to my face – thank you! 🙂
Tom
Charlotte says
Hi Tom,
Great post, love that you’re so honest about how you’re finding the task of maintaining a blog. I’ve linked to your post a couple of times on my blog as I was really inspired. Hope you don’t mind!
http://www.cavatica.co.uk/cavatica/online-copywriting-blog/full-time-online-copywriting-jobs/
Hope you find your new way of blogging more relaxing!
Charlotte
Tom Ewer says
Of course I don’t mind, on the contrary, I am very appreciative! And I certainly am finding my new way of blogging more relaxing 🙂
Jeffrey Trull says
I’ll admit, I was a little surprised. But, from my experience, blogging does that to ya.