From the sidelines, I’ve always been curious how you could DO so much. I’m overwhelmed just watching all of it. I think this is great for both of you. Leveling up to the next step is always a good thing.
I know how agonizing these kinds of decisions can be, especially when you’ve been feeling tried and frustrated for a while. This sounds like such a smart decision, and I’m excited to cheer you on with whatever’s next!
I'm really sad to hear this, Russell. Definitely a shock, though I guess you've been hinting that things haven't exactly been going as you hoped for a while now. As always, I appreciate your transparency. We need that.
Best wishes to Monica. You know I'll be sticking around with you.
I'm sorry to hear it has been such a rough couple of years. This struck me: "In influence, we succeeded wildly. In money, we failed spectacularly. Whatever the next step is, I need it to fill both buckets without overtaking my life."
The last ten years or so of internet culture have taught us to try to gain influence first, and financial compensation (that thing we all need to buy groceries and pay the rent or mortgage) will come later. But more often than not, compensation doesn't follow influence. There are no easy answers for how to strike the balance in a noisy attention economy, but I often think that one viable solution is to cast a smaller net, or travel a narrower path...or some such metaphor.
Most of us try to do too much at any given time. The problem with too many mediums and too many opportunities is that it's tempting to grab for more of them than we can possibly handle; every one costs time, emotional and mental energy, and often money.
I think it's wonderful that you're now taking the time to focus on a smaller part of your writing life. Kudos to you for creating the things you have created, and for now sharing your decision to step away, as you have shared so many things with your audience over the years.
Thank you! Yes, I feel like right when we were getting going I got Long COViD and couldn’t do nearly as much and it’s taken everything to do that business while I had less and less for it. I wasn’t expecting that but. I feel like now I can rebalance.
Geez I wish I had the courage and insight you have to leave something that wasn’t working sooner rather than later! Hopefully letting go will create more space and energy for what does work for you. Still cheering for you both!
It’s a lifetime of building and failing that you learn the signs, and you learn the opportunity costs you lose by continuing one with things that are over.
Letting go of something so large and awe inspiring has to hurt, but making wise creative, business, and life decisions is brave. I'm grateful to both of you for the experience, for building this grand experiment. And I am excited see what the next adventure entails. Good job choosing to take care of yourselves.
I've been thinking about your post. You're still teaching us by sharing your work and choices.
This time, you're showing us that some things need to be moved on from, despite our best efforts, and sometimes we need a sign, like an official screwing up paperwork.
I'm looking forward to your capitalist dystopia book. (I already bought-in on the Kickstarter.) I suspect a lot of us will be undergoing changes in the near future. For good or ill, pivoting will be more important than ever, IMO.
Good wishes and much gratitude to you and to Monica.
For what it’s worth, I think you made the right decision. I understand your impulse to create and put info out there and build something, but there are times when you need to pare things back, and it sounds as though you both recognised that. All the best with whatever comes next.
I commented on Monica's post as well. I'm very grateful that I had to opportunity to attend the Writer MBA conference this year. I learned so much. And had a great time. And made fabulous friends. All the good stuff. I'm sorry it's been difficult. Really. I'm looking forward to seeing where all the creative energy you and Monica put into Writer MBA gets channeled in the future.
From the sidelines, I’ve always been curious how you could DO so much. I’m overwhelmed just watching all of it. I think this is great for both of you. Leveling up to the next step is always a good thing.
100%
I know how agonizing these kinds of decisions can be, especially when you’ve been feeling tried and frustrated for a while. This sounds like such a smart decision, and I’m excited to cheer you on with whatever’s next!
Thank you!
It takes some bravery to know when to cut your losses. Partnerships are difficult.
I believe you'll thrive with the renewed focus.
Thanks!
You done good, Russell.
Thank you :)
I'm really sad to hear this, Russell. Definitely a shock, though I guess you've been hinting that things haven't exactly been going as you hoped for a while now. As always, I appreciate your transparency. We need that.
Best wishes to Monica. You know I'll be sticking around with you.
Thank you. I am also…very sad.
I'm sorry to hear it has been such a rough couple of years. This struck me: "In influence, we succeeded wildly. In money, we failed spectacularly. Whatever the next step is, I need it to fill both buckets without overtaking my life."
The last ten years or so of internet culture have taught us to try to gain influence first, and financial compensation (that thing we all need to buy groceries and pay the rent or mortgage) will come later. But more often than not, compensation doesn't follow influence. There are no easy answers for how to strike the balance in a noisy attention economy, but I often think that one viable solution is to cast a smaller net, or travel a narrower path...or some such metaphor.
Most of us try to do too much at any given time. The problem with too many mediums and too many opportunities is that it's tempting to grab for more of them than we can possibly handle; every one costs time, emotional and mental energy, and often money.
I think it's wonderful that you're now taking the time to focus on a smaller part of your writing life. Kudos to you for creating the things you have created, and for now sharing your decision to step away, as you have shared so many things with your audience over the years.
Thank you! Yes, I feel like right when we were getting going I got Long COViD and couldn’t do nearly as much and it’s taken everything to do that business while I had less and less for it. I wasn’t expecting that but. I feel like now I can rebalance.
Yes, you deserve a rebalance!
Geez I wish I had the courage and insight you have to leave something that wasn’t working sooner rather than later! Hopefully letting go will create more space and energy for what does work for you. Still cheering for you both!
It’s a lifetime of building and failing that you learn the signs, and you learn the opportunity costs you lose by continuing one with things that are over.
Letting go of something so large and awe inspiring has to hurt, but making wise creative, business, and life decisions is brave. I'm grateful to both of you for the experience, for building this grand experiment. And I am excited see what the next adventure entails. Good job choosing to take care of yourselves.
Thank you.
Thank you for letting us know.
I've been thinking about your post. You're still teaching us by sharing your work and choices.
This time, you're showing us that some things need to be moved on from, despite our best efforts, and sometimes we need a sign, like an official screwing up paperwork.
I'm looking forward to your capitalist dystopia book. (I already bought-in on the Kickstarter.) I suspect a lot of us will be undergoing changes in the near future. For good or ill, pivoting will be more important than ever, IMO.
Good wishes and much gratitude to you and to Monica.
For what it’s worth, I think you made the right decision. I understand your impulse to create and put info out there and build something, but there are times when you need to pare things back, and it sounds as though you both recognised that. All the best with whatever comes next.
I commented on Monica's post as well. I'm very grateful that I had to opportunity to attend the Writer MBA conference this year. I learned so much. And had a great time. And made fabulous friends. All the good stuff. I'm sorry it's been difficult. Really. I'm looking forward to seeing where all the creative energy you and Monica put into Writer MBA gets channeled in the future.
So glad it resonated with you.