The Newsletter That Wasn't (or was it?)
A Meta Exploration
Welcome to the newsletter I didn't want to write. Why? Because sometimes, the weight of commitments feels like too much, especially when you're sleep-deprived and knee-deep in other projects.
Chances are, you’ve been there: staring at a blank screen, knowing you should write, but just not feeling it. For me, this week has been a whirlwind of creating a sales page for an upcoming intensive on top of last week’s Lead Magnet (of Doom).
I had zero — even negative — desire to sit down and write this newsletter. But I felt like I had to. After all, a commitment is a commitment. Right?
The "Don't Break the Chain" Myth
You've probably heard of the "don't break the chain" method, where the goal is to do a task every day (or week) and mark it on a calendar, creating a chain you won't want to break. I’ll let you in on a secret: sometimes, I deliberately break the chain. I don’t want that pressure. I suppose this isn’t officially breaking the chain I started in January, but it’s borderline.
Not every productivity hack works for everyone or every time. That’s ok.
The Experiment
Recently, I came across a story from a newsletter owner who accidentally missed sending out his regular newsletter. He was bemused that people noticed and reached out to ask where it was. It's an interesting experiment in audience engagement, but it's not a game I'm willing to play. My audience may be smaller, but each one of you matters, and I don't want to test those waters.
And, ahem, I would probably not like the results.
The Takeaway
So, what's the moral of this meta-story? Consistency is important, but it's not the be-all and end-all. We're all human, and sometimes life (and health) gets in the way. When that happens, it's okay to reassess and prioritize. And if you find yourself in a similar spot, consider these two tips:
Automate when possible: Use tech solutions to schedule posts or newsletters in advance. This way, you're not scrambling last minute. Yes, it would be awesome if I’d listened to my own advice. I’m much better at giving it than implementing it…
You’re not an automaton: If you're not up for the usual content, it's okay to switch gears and share something different, like this very newsletter.
The Meta Aspect
And there you have it—a newsletter about not wanting to write a newsletter. It's a bit meta, but I bet there’s one person out there who needed to see it today.