I’m writing to you from a train heading towards San Diego. I waved goodbye to LA this morning, just as I had done to San Francisco and Portland before it.
In the last couple of weeks – as I have been working my way down the west coast, most notably stopping off in Portland for the World Domination Summit – I have been inspired time and time again. Not only will I get back to the UK on Friday morning with what I consider to be three extremely exciting business ideas, I also have a far clearer (though certainly not transparent!) view of what I want to do with what I already have.
And that leads me to this post, which acts as a milestone for Leaving Work Behind’s next stage of evolution. If you want to find out more, read on.
A Sign of the Times
I’ll be honest with you (as always!) – I recently haven’t had as much passion for this blog as I have in the past.
I’ve been busy with so many other things that I have tended to push that lack of enthusiasm to the back of my mind, but the ample time I have had for reflection in the past several days has opened my eyes to the situation.
So I asked myself the question: why aren’t I as passionate about Leaving Work Behind right now?
A few different things came to mind, but the clearest thought was plain to me – to a great extent, I am now living the leaving work behind concept vicariously.
How so? Well, I quit my job at the end of 2011, so Leaving Work Behind couldn’t have been any more relevant to me then. Then I spent 2012 building up my income and 2013 adjusting my business model (from freelancing to contracting).
But now – especially with my most recent plans – I see myself becoming only less relevant to this blog. And since Leaving Work Behind was originally an accountability journal for my own journey in quitting my job and building a successful online business, it has become tougher and tougher for me to adjust, as my own experiences don’t always align with what I want to help others with.
So much of my time now is spent thinking about how I can invest financially in my business to automate processes and act in an almost entirely strategic role. I’m even thinking about launching a bricks and mortar business. I’m making decisions that many of you aren’t yet in a position to make. I’m in a different place to many of you, and I feel like this blog isn’t offering you enough as a result.
So What Next?
I want to make this issue a positive thing. To do that, I need to make some changes.
First of all, I want to offer you more of the resources that you need in order to succeed. We currently post about twice a week on a not-particularly-organized mishmash of topics that all relate (in some way) to leaving work behind. But that’s not good enough. I want to know exactly what you’re struggling with so that I can give you what you need to succeed.
Next, I need to bring leaders to Leaving Work Behind that (a) embrace what we have built and (b) have the skills and experience to help others in the community. After all, there’s so much I don’t know about online business, and it only makes sense to heavily augment my relatively limited skill set with the expertise of others.
Finally, I need someone who will live and breathe this community – who can complement my presence with their own on at least an equal footing.
I don’t have a clear view of what the above will look like yet, but the bottom line is simple: you can expect big changes around here soon. Changes that (I hope) will catapult Leaving Work Behind onto a new stage of evolution, so that will look back at this blog and remember it as being a resource that helped you change your life for the better.
I need your help to make this happen though. I’ve put together a short questionnaire that I would love for you to fill in. It’ll give me a much better idea of what your goals are, so that I can create the resources that you need.
I know this is all pretty ambiguous right now, but I would love your thoughts and feedback in the comments section below. Let me know what you think!
Photo Credit: Nanagyei
Ricky Willis says
Sounds like exciting things are going to be happening around here. I look forward to the next stage of evolution for Leaving Work Behind.
– Ricky
Tom Ewer says
Thanks Ricky!
Sylvia says
Ah yes. I’ve been thinking for months now (most of 2014?) that your posts seem more negative or not quite what they used to be. You post more infrequently and fill in with a lot of (excellent) guest posts from others.
I think it all started to go down hill (for me anyway) when you stopped posting your monthly income reports. You were so negative about the whole process (doing it and quitting it).
But in the end this is your business to do with as you please. Either we continue to follow you or we don’t. Time will tell what your strategy will bring. People evolve so you need to follow your own path.
As for your brick and mortar business I’m dying of curiosity. My web biz is all about helping folks start their own business (specializing in brick and mortar).
I worry about the idea that you are bringing in someone to take over your role here (or did I misunderstand?). People have followed LWB because they followed your experiences and your story. Letting someone else (or a group of others) take over would change the whole persona.
I look forward to seeing what you decide to do here. Hopefully it will take you in the direction you want to go.
Tom Ewer says
Hey Sylvia,
I won’t share what I have planned yet (as I’m not actually sure what I have planned yet!), but my intention is to retain what LWB has always been about. I don’t want to spoil that.
Cheers,
Tom
Karen Martínez P. says
Hi Tom,
Every time you travel you make improvements to the blog, so I think it’s great!
I guess it’s human nature to start questioning your motivation to continue once you accomplish a goal. We all have experienced that at some point (Not necessarily related to our jobs).
I used to love your case studies. I would add more of that to the new stage.
Can’t wait to see the changes around here!
Tom Ewer says
That’s exactly what I have in mind Karen… 🙂
Darling Angel Delgado says
We seem to be insync to some degree, Tom. My own passion for writing on my blogs are waining. Unfortunately, not for the same reasons. But I am so glad to read your evolving and creating in your mind things to move forward too. That is always exciting. I want to thank you for having Tom Morkes as a Guest Blogger. I learned alot and enjoyed his email course. Can’t say I’m getting where I want with that either but I’m working at it.
I am learning alot from your posts and I look forward to your emails. I am just in a stalemate.I will get back up and be sharp as a 45 degree corner. Thank you, Tom Ewer! Wherever you are lead I wish you success, love and much happiness.
Tom Ewer says
Tom’s awesome, right? He wrote such a great post!
Thank for you the kind words, I really appreciate them and I wish you all the best. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help you.
Ivy says
Hi Tom! I have sensed a change in LWB since I started reading almost a year ago. The content has not been bad, I just haven’t been connecting with it like I used to. I’ve loved hearing other’s inspirational stories but I think I miss reading your posts offering practical advice about blogging as well as your motivational posts and writing about your own successes/failures.
At the place I am at now, I am interested in reading content that will help me become a better writer and blogger and how to make a better profit from my talents. Also, I can never get enough motivational posts about overcoming self-doubt and maintaining the right mind-set for success.
I understand the need for change, and as you evolve, I am evolving with you! I will always be a loyal fan of LWB because it was the first freelancing site to really set me on the right path to leaving my own work behind. Please let me know if there is anything I can help you with along the way, I would love to give back in whatever way I can.
Good luck, and I am excited to see how things turn out! 🙂
Tom Ewer says
Hey Ivy,
You being here, reading and commenting is all I could ever ask for – it makes all the difference, I promise! Thanks for your support 🙂
Cheers,
Tom
Martha says
Hi Tom,
I haven’t been a follower for even 6 months, but I did grab onto your inspirational motivation for doing what you want, when I was looking for help creating a blog. I have one thru blog.com, but I will be creating my own, using blue host, and paying for the bare necessities, thanks to your information. Entrepenuers often have a lot of ideas, and as your wants and needs expand, so will your business, so I look forward to whatever new ideas/formats you come up with. I am on a quest to start a new life with my writing, and mentoring kids, and inspiring others via my blog, or connecting with others regarding their grief experiences, as my only son passed six years ago at 24yrs of age. I haven’t put it all together yet, but am working on it! Thanks to your feedback and motivational sparks of encouragement, I will continue to refer to LWB! Thanks, Marti
Tom Ewer says
Hey Martha,
I’m glad if I can do anything to help you on your own journey. One thing is for sure – my own journey will continue to be shared here on LWB!
Cheers,
Tom
Evan says
This may be contrarian.
Be careful with experts and leaders. What is often most useful to those doing things is the experience of those a step ahead (or even half a step).
Tom Ewer says
Hey Evan,
Was this comment intended for me?
Cheers,
Tom
Evan says
Hi Tom,
Yes it was,
Evan
Beth says
I totally understand your point of view, Tom. I have been lurking for a while and was wondering what you were going to do long-term. I started my own accountability, I’m-quitting-my-job blog in April and things progressed much quicker than I anticipated. I’m quitting my job to go freelance in September. I still have all the passion and enthusiasm, but I’m not sure what direction to take my blog after I quit. It’s called The Quitting Chronicles, after all. So now what?
Anyway, best of luck to you, and thanks for being an inspiration!
Tom Ewer says
Hey Beth,
Your blog is awesome! I love your writing style and your attitude. Reminds me of an uncensored me 😉
I hope that the new direction I take can give you some inspiration for your own site.
Cheers,
Tom
Naomi@business start ups says
Hi Tom,
This is a incredibly honest post.
I’ve followed you for a while now and it did strike my as odd when you announced you were handing over the blog whist you travelled – so I’m not surprised at your future plans and the way you are feeling.
I guess travelling can do that sometimes – well it does for me. It helps clear my mind, look at things differently and want to start new things.
I hope my questionnaire contribution helps. Happy travels!
Naomi
Tom Ewer says
Thank you Naomi! Traveling gives me idea overload 😉
Steve Roy says
Tom,
I admire your honesty and have no doubt that you’ll figure out how to best serve your readers. Looking forward to it and let me know if I can help in any way.
Tom Ewer says
Thank you Steve!
Lisa Byrne says
Tom,
I always love when you share these sorts of things. It gets me feeling better about the quandaries that float around in my head about my forward movement.
I seem to have dozens of really good ideas and ways to expand my existing business. Being in the health and wellness arena I’ve niched myself out quite nicely in the 25+ yrs. of growing myself and my business. I love what I do, I appreciate my own passion in helping others. But there are ‘others’ who I don’t want anymore. There is also MORE I want to do. When you acknowledge where you are with LWB it’s gets me fired up, even though we are in different fields.
When I read about you revealing some honest truths that bubble inside of you I get a good kumbaya feel. It inspires me to keep on the path of truth for myself. For me truth and clarity will give me freedom. These are my 3 basic essences that I think, live, and (work towards) act by.
Keep us updated Tom…how exciting!
lb
Tom Ewer says
Hey Lisa,
Comments like this are much needed when it comes to being reminded why I share all of this with you guys! Especially given that you can take inspiration from it, even when we don’t operate in the same fields.
Thank you!
Tom
Elvis Michael says
Whoa, Tom… this article scared me for a bit at first! 🙂
I do hope you stick around here in some way, shape or form, since (im sure) you will be missed. That is, assuming that your presence will somewhat diminish a bit over time (correct me if my understanding is way off about this.)
But overall im very happy for you. You seem to be transitioning to the next stage in your business/career, and this is always an exciting experience.
Anyway, I rarely comment here, but I AM a long-time reader, so I already know that whatever you choose to do will be nothing short of successful. Keep us all posted and i can’t wait to see what you will bring to the community in the future!
Elvis
Tom Ewer says
Hey Elvis,
I’m still figuring this all out – since I wrote this piece, reading what Jonathan said over at Paid to Exist (http://paidtoexist.com/closing-paid-to-exist/) really threw me for a loop!
Regardless, I really appreciate your support and I will of course let everyone know what I decide to do 🙂
Cheers,
Tom
Debashish says
First Jonathan Mead’s PTE. Now LWB. What’s going on? Is this a post-WDS effect? Or is it just a coincidence that you and Jonathan are thinking about passing the baton on?
If you feel that this blog needs a new direction, I’m completely with you, Tom. You have always inspired the best in me and I know the future will be a harbinger of better things. Best of luck.
Tom Ewer says
Hey Debashish,
I’m really not sure! I can’t speak for Jonathan but WDS certainly gave me a kick to write this post.
Thank you, as always, for your support!
Cheers,
Tom
Elvis Michael says
I think that we all need to move onto bigger things at some point as long as it feels right. It’s that “gut feeling” we get that just cant be ignored. When it happens, I believe we should follow it.
In a way, i feel like i am on the same boat. For example, I have a lot of passion for my first-ever website, “EpicPassiveIncome.” But i also wanted to work with other writers/freelancers, and ended up creating “WriterTown” as a result. Ever since then, the former has been on hiatus while i put 100% of my focus on the latter. I feel bad about the hiatus, but i also know im doing the right thing.
For this reason i’d like to see Tom take a leap and see what he brings to the table next. It’s these decisions that generally help us advance in unexpected and exciting ways!
Debashish says
I completely agree, Elvis. We do need to move onto bigger things. I’m all for Tom starting the new thing he’s working on.
My thoughts were more about the people who aren’t ready to make the leap with you. How do you keep adding value to their lives? I am not looking for an answer, just thinking out loud.
Being an aspiring blogger myself, I love what you have done with Writer Town. I’ve just added it to the list of places I want to guest post for.
Tom Ewer says
Thanks for the support Elvis! It’s great to have your backing 🙂