If you follow this blog or my podcast/youtube channel, you may have noticed a slowdown, almost to the point of dormancy. I’ve been reflecting on the purpose of my work, questioning its worth and whether it merits my time. The short answer is… some of it does.
I began creating content in 2018 and have been doing so intermittently for about six years. Initially, I considered monetizing my content but was unsure how to proceed. At one point, I contemplated developing online courses, but this idea remained just a thought. Over time, my focus shifted to building a personal voice and brand, which is what I now use the platform for. Whenever I have something to say, share, or teach, I create content. But this changed at some point.
I often find myself caught up in the concept of mass producing the content, creating content to chase numbers. This is why I’ve been reevaluating the line-up of content on my calendar. I lost sight of my initial goal amidst optimizing for numbers and treating this as a business. Initially, I wanted to create a platform where I could enjoy sharing a genuine version of my career learnings and experiences.
The past four weeks have been a rollercoaster ride of only undertaking tasks for which I have a clear understanding and purpose. I chose to focus on activities that align with specific goals. As a result, there’s been a decrease in content and activities, I have focused on other work, and spent time not doing anything and found the things I worked on were strategic and yielded clear outcomes. This period has led to several realisations, the most significant being that we often overcomplicate things, assuming that problems require complex solutions. In reality, most issues can be solved simply and in less time even if they seem complex in nature.
I used to believe that a great podcast required fancy editing and background music to set the mood. However, I’ve found that my best-performing episodes are those that provide real value. These are typically less edited, longer, and delve deeper into the topic or solution I’m discussing. Now, before creating content, I ask myself, “What am I optimising for?” If there’s no clear path, I prefer to spend my time on other tasks.
I left the corporate world in 2019 to optimise my time, lifestyle, and diversify my business. However, I’ve found myself distracted by other tasks, often procrastinating on my initial plans. The question remains: How can you determine if your plans are truly what you want, or if they’ve been shaped by societal pressures and expectations?
I want to pursue what I enjoy, and at one point, writing and hosting live podcasts were really my thing. I enjoyed setting up and buying the technology involved, followed trends, explored stories, and loved connecting with people online. Speaking with you.
At a certain point, I lost something important and needed to step back to regain it. I reassessed things and worked to clearly define my purpose.
If you’ve read my previous posts on this blog, which were initially on my website, you’ll know I often discuss optimising your career and reflecting on my experiences. The content I’ve created, particularly on these subjects, has been well-received. I’ve even had meaningful follow-up conversations with individuals who were impacted by it. My intent wasn’t to make money or build my brand, but to share my experiences and thoughts, sparking genuine conversations.
In conclusion, I plan to do more of this. I’ll see you next time when I have something interesting to share.
