[23/30] Spread Too Thin

I have been thinking a lot about energy and focus recently. Well, I always think about it, just more so these past few days because I am off work for a bit. It gives me more time to ponder.

I think about focus a lot when it comes to starting new things. Because it’s always between choosing whether to stick with what’s already working or shift to something new. A tension I’m sure everyone faces.

My current Big Hairy Audacious Goal is to own my time. And there are infinite ways to do this. The “route”, if you can call it that, I’ve chosen is the “content / consulting route”. Where I create content to promote my work (and because it’s valuable) and let that content lead to consulting projects, where I think I bring the most value.

The problem with content, though, is the endless choice of platforms and formats. I’ve stuck to LinkedIn because that’s where my audience is, and Substack because I love to write. But lately, making YouTube videos is looking really tempting.

I am really proud of the work I have done on my current platforms but it always feels like I could be doing more. I start to think that a YouTube channel will propel me into my dream life. I don’t think that’s true but maybe it is ?

Well starting a YouTube channel isn’t that scary to me but it cost a lot of time. With a 9-5 job, an active LinkedIn account, a weekly newsletter, and trying to live a normal life, there’s not much space for another long-term commitment. And these things are long term commitments. It has been said that it takes months, sometimes years, before results show up.

But what I am learning to understand is that it all of it doesn’t have to happen at once, even though it always feels like time is running out.

I think that is what it means to focus. To ignore everything else and do the work. Then, when I have the bandwidth, look to explore other things. The real question though then becomes how do you know the next thing you choose is the right one?

Is there ever a truly right thing to work on ?