Tim you make me cry. You are so brilliant, spot on, and inspiring in a tough love kind-of way. Thank you for showing us what it means to be real and true to heart.
Well since you ask!..I love your transparency. You always surprise me the way you weave in these little tidbits about your personal boring daily habits that give you the fuel to pursue and live the life you choose. I'm like, wow! I wouldn't have thought this edgy, mouthy guy is a health nut. You're writing style makes me feel like we're friends and you're giving me this incredible real advice that you have the right to talk about because you've been walking it. I love your opening line. Simple and brilliant. And the topic is literally in my face this month. I took yet another, how to start a business course. It was good. I grabbed the juicy stuff from it and then I had this big ahah that I need to be putting all this avoidance energy into actually taking the uncomfortable steps into the unknown. I saw in this flash how I've been dancing around the edges. Intimidated to try to figure out what I don't know about some great business idea I have. But this time I'm doing it. I'm living outside of my comfort zone every day. But I'm not paralyzed by anxiety. I just keep moving forward to what I know to do next. And I had already decided to reverse engineer a 6-month plan before I read your article. Your article (and your writing in general) makes me feel that I'm not alone in my struggles and journey and way of seeing the world. Tim knows about this stuff! You're a master at putting words to it. And I keep going because I have news, from bumping into your article, that I'm on the right track.
Connie, love your enthusiasm and honesty! your realization about stepping out of your comfort zone is powerful. it’s so true that we often dance around the edges, avoiding the unknown.
i must say your decision to face those fears head-on is inspiring. it's great to hear that tim’s article resonated with you and gave you that extra push. keep taking those steps, no matter how uncomfortable they seem.
you’re definitely on the right track. thanks for sharing your journey and keep moving forward :)
You talked about the importance of the basics, patience, and discipline.
You mentioned how nobody has it all figured out, and discussed iteration, experimentation, risk, and improvisation.
You touched on Minimum Viable Information and information overload, strategy, plans, permission, and a lot of other topics that I’ve seen in many places. But the beauty of this is how you created a mini-guide, diagnosing a very common problem and providing guidance and clarity in a concise form.
Your post is inspiring and invigorating. It’s the kind of content that points people in the right direction and helps them.
I’ve learned a lot from you in the past, and you continue to provide valuable insights and genuine guidance. Thank you.
Hi Tim. This article is definitely on point - great read.
I'm married to one of those few who didn't fuck around in her 20s. Stanford, Cambridge, Yale law degree - high achiever. Made it harder for me to quit my professor job of 20 years so that I could f*ck around more full-time. I heard a saying recently that you can easily find the smartest person in the room because they are the nicest - that is my wife.
Since I quit my job a year ago, she has happily and joyfully followed my f*cking around wing-it-fest while I have been iterating like a spinning top.
I started out on Medium and have built up a decent following (10.5K). More recently (Dec/23) I have branched out here on Substack with my "Data at Depth" newsletter. which has done modestly well. I am enjoying the slow steady growth as I am i this for the long haul - I will keep f*cking around as it is immensely enjoyable. Cheers.
Quite an article! It was in a way refreshing to find some affirmation in what some of us have felt, especially while struggling in our professional lives.
I loved every word of this Tim and I still have a big grin on my face. If you pick up on my Facebook share you'll see why it resonates so deeply with me, but most importantly, it's another kick up the butt to stop overthinking and just get started with my own Substack and F*ck around properly and gloriously.
Sorry for the delay, Tim - just (re)starting the process of building consistency and let life get in the way! Here's the link - I tagged your Facebook page before I realised it was basically inactive! https://www.facebook.com/arthur.kendall/posts/pfbid025Q7DNHf2Do9AVKnUeBcMjGL9fmYtaZM21f8neCuLBi8SWkNgcB1xWLmNz9b7zQ4Jl Not been too active myself on Facebook recently, so wasn't seen my many. Part of my new habit will be posting more often and get back to the growing level of engagement I had last year. And all the while f*cking around with this whole writing thing. Maybe I'll even get another mini book out too...
I totally relate to the needing permission thing. Found that out about myself a few years ago and work every day to actively change it, but it IS difficult. Also realized comfort is the enemy of "I'll fuck around and figure it out". Love this one!
Just a lot of introspection. I was retiring from the military and trying to figure out what I really wanted to do now that I could do anything. The freedom of choice is liberating but suffocating too. All consequences of my choices rest solely on my shoulders. Seeking permission, I think, is a way of sharing that choice because then I can say, “So and so said it was a good idea”. It wasn’t just me. Not saying it’s right, just that it happens and I realized that’s what was happening with me.
How does someone in the military go on with normal life given some of the challenging things you experience while serving your country? Are things ever normal again?
I love the freedom and confidence in your writing style, and secondly, I love to write and am starting my own website where I will be sharing my personal experience and how the impact my journey. At first it was really difficult to believe in what I was doing but like you rightly put it, I just had to F*ck around and figure things out, rather than getting distracted on what others are saying or doing, and focus more on my own writing capacity, and the next step I need to take. Reading your writeup really motivated on taking that next step.
I'll definitely be giving that more attention. I do SEO, am hoping my skills would be good enough to get in front of the right audience. But am more focus on the value I provide.
On the topic of farting around and figuring it out, over the last two days I’ve come up with a way to outline short articles (350-500 words apiece) that has transformed the way I think about content creation. Before reading your article here, Tim, I figured out that by keeping up with my new content creation habit, and sustaining my current level of output over the next few months, I will have created a library of new material that will set me up to produce a new article every day for the next five years.
Well Tim, it is rare to come across writers who think and write like you do, most people in your niche write like they use the same cookie cutter template when writing articles or newsletters and that is fine, I read those too. I like the way you tell us to go for it, take a chance, you know f*uck it and go for it, like you I come from the corporate world, and I hated it, I hated that someone else had my work life in their hands. So, after my disastrous 2022 I decided to say f*ck it and go for it, with my writing career, it is slow going but improving daily.
You are a good writer, I like your attitude, the way you write and your humor. Thank you for that.
Tim you make me cry. You are so brilliant, spot on, and inspiring in a tough love kind-of way. Thank you for showing us what it means to be real and true to heart.
This comment made my day Connie. What stood out in this essay?
Well since you ask!..I love your transparency. You always surprise me the way you weave in these little tidbits about your personal boring daily habits that give you the fuel to pursue and live the life you choose. I'm like, wow! I wouldn't have thought this edgy, mouthy guy is a health nut. You're writing style makes me feel like we're friends and you're giving me this incredible real advice that you have the right to talk about because you've been walking it. I love your opening line. Simple and brilliant. And the topic is literally in my face this month. I took yet another, how to start a business course. It was good. I grabbed the juicy stuff from it and then I had this big ahah that I need to be putting all this avoidance energy into actually taking the uncomfortable steps into the unknown. I saw in this flash how I've been dancing around the edges. Intimidated to try to figure out what I don't know about some great business idea I have. But this time I'm doing it. I'm living outside of my comfort zone every day. But I'm not paralyzed by anxiety. I just keep moving forward to what I know to do next. And I had already decided to reverse engineer a 6-month plan before I read your article. Your article (and your writing in general) makes me feel that I'm not alone in my struggles and journey and way of seeing the world. Tim knows about this stuff! You're a master at putting words to it. And I keep going because I have news, from bumping into your article, that I'm on the right track.
Connie, love your enthusiasm and honesty! your realization about stepping out of your comfort zone is powerful. it’s so true that we often dance around the edges, avoiding the unknown.
i must say your decision to face those fears head-on is inspiring. it's great to hear that tim’s article resonated with you and gave you that extra push. keep taking those steps, no matter how uncomfortable they seem.
you’re definitely on the right track. thanks for sharing your journey and keep moving forward :)
True
this man is the best!!!
I'm blushing Joyanta.
I’m going to: mark, bookmark, send to Kindle, share, email to myself, print, and read the heck out of this post until I have it memorized.
You bloody knocked it out of the park.
Again.
Appreciate you Carlos. Why was this so important for you? What's the big takeaway?
You talked about the importance of the basics, patience, and discipline.
You mentioned how nobody has it all figured out, and discussed iteration, experimentation, risk, and improvisation.
You touched on Minimum Viable Information and information overload, strategy, plans, permission, and a lot of other topics that I’ve seen in many places. But the beauty of this is how you created a mini-guide, diagnosing a very common problem and providing guidance and clarity in a concise form.
Your post is inspiring and invigorating. It’s the kind of content that points people in the right direction and helps them.
I’ve learned a lot from you in the past, and you continue to provide valuable insights and genuine guidance. Thank you.
Perfect summary Carlos. Any new actions you're going to now take?
Yes, in the last few months, I’ve been playing it safe and writing a lot but not posting.
I’ve also been polishing a book that I’m the ghostwriter of.
From time to time, it’s easy to forget where we are going and get lost in busywork and whatnot.
Hi Tim. This article is definitely on point - great read.
I'm married to one of those few who didn't fuck around in her 20s. Stanford, Cambridge, Yale law degree - high achiever. Made it harder for me to quit my professor job of 20 years so that I could f*ck around more full-time. I heard a saying recently that you can easily find the smartest person in the room because they are the nicest - that is my wife.
Since I quit my job a year ago, she has happily and joyfully followed my f*cking around wing-it-fest while I have been iterating like a spinning top.
Thanks for sharing.
So cool John. What have you spent the last year doing?
Hi Tim, thanks for asking.
I started out on Medium and have built up a decent following (10.5K). More recently (Dec/23) I have branched out here on Substack with my "Data at Depth" newsletter. which has done modestly well. I am enjoying the slow steady growth as I am i this for the long haul - I will keep f*cking around as it is immensely enjoyable. Cheers.
Appreciate your story.
Quite an article! It was in a way refreshing to find some affirmation in what some of us have felt, especially while struggling in our professional lives.
What part resonated Tanay?
Another great one!
Personal success is easy: Take your emotions out of the equation!
If your are not ready to disappoint people around you, you will never achieve what you want!
It is YOUR life, not theirs! So, why you let others tell you what you should do? Why do you need approval?
Thanks again Tim!
Great tips here Maximus. Have you disappointed people around you recently?
I loved every word of this Tim and I still have a big grin on my face. If you pick up on my Facebook share you'll see why it resonates so deeply with me, but most importantly, it's another kick up the butt to stop overthinking and just get started with my own Substack and F*ck around properly and gloriously.
Cheers Arthur. Can you share the link to your Facebook share?
Sorry for the delay, Tim - just (re)starting the process of building consistency and let life get in the way! Here's the link - I tagged your Facebook page before I realised it was basically inactive! https://www.facebook.com/arthur.kendall/posts/pfbid025Q7DNHf2Do9AVKnUeBcMjGL9fmYtaZM21f8neCuLBi8SWkNgcB1xWLmNz9b7zQ4Jl Not been too active myself on Facebook recently, so wasn't seen my many. Part of my new habit will be posting more often and get back to the growing level of engagement I had last year. And all the while f*cking around with this whole writing thing. Maybe I'll even get another mini book out too...
I totally relate to the needing permission thing. Found that out about myself a few years ago and work every day to actively change it, but it IS difficult. Also realized comfort is the enemy of "I'll fuck around and figure it out". Love this one!
Comfort often waters down our potential. What happened to you a few years ago?
Just a lot of introspection. I was retiring from the military and trying to figure out what I really wanted to do now that I could do anything. The freedom of choice is liberating but suffocating too. All consequences of my choices rest solely on my shoulders. Seeking permission, I think, is a way of sharing that choice because then I can say, “So and so said it was a good idea”. It wasn’t just me. Not saying it’s right, just that it happens and I realized that’s what was happening with me.
How does someone in the military go on with normal life given some of the challenging things you experience while serving your country? Are things ever normal again?
This is just so uplifting. Just spot on! The world needs more of your wisdom. Thanks for sharing
Much love. Why was it motivating?
I love the freedom and confidence in your writing style, and secondly, I love to write and am starting my own website where I will be sharing my personal experience and how the impact my journey. At first it was really difficult to believe in what I was doing but like you rightly put it, I just had to F*ck around and figure things out, rather than getting distracted on what others are saying or doing, and focus more on my own writing capacity, and the next step I need to take. Reading your writeup really motivated on taking that next step.
Forget about personal websites. No one can find them and websites are boring. Write on social media instead. Thoughts?
I'll definitely be giving that more attention. I do SEO, am hoping my skills would be good enough to get in front of the right audience. But am more focus on the value I provide.
This article of yours might be the best motivational article I’ve read for years! Thank you for sharing it. The hardest thing is just to start.
You made my day Niki. Why did the article make you feel this way?
Because it was real versus all the other creator/writer 'gurus' telling us rehashed & regurgitated advice. Thanks again!
On the topic of farting around and figuring it out, over the last two days I’ve come up with a way to outline short articles (350-500 words apiece) that has transformed the way I think about content creation. Before reading your article here, Tim, I figured out that by keeping up with my new content creation habit, and sustaining my current level of output over the next few months, I will have created a library of new material that will set me up to produce a new article every day for the next five years.
Can you share the outline method with us Gary? Maybe I could use it.
They had no other choice but to take what I decided to give them. Though they were initially shocked, they now got used to the changes.
Love it Maximus. "It's my way or the highway!" is your new mantra.
I like the way you think Tim :)!
Give me more Stephen. What is it about my thinking? I'm trying to find out why people say this cause I don't get it.
Well Tim, it is rare to come across writers who think and write like you do, most people in your niche write like they use the same cookie cutter template when writing articles or newsletters and that is fine, I read those too. I like the way you tell us to go for it, take a chance, you know f*uck it and go for it, like you I come from the corporate world, and I hated it, I hated that someone else had my work life in their hands. So, after my disastrous 2022 I decided to say f*ck it and go for it, with my writing career, it is slow going but improving daily.
You are a good writer, I like your attitude, the way you write and your humor. Thank you for that.
Always... My parents, friends, everyone who want me to be the YES man as I was in the past!
It's a never ending story...
Have they now accepted your new identity Maximus?
Thanks for the inspiration for my next LinkedIn post Tim *thumbs up*
Awesome Fi. How's LinkedIn going for you?
Slow. I probably need to do your course!
Unless you go deep on how LinkedIn works you'll never get traction. May as well not post on there at all. Brutal but true.
yesss THIS. 100% True.
Why so Inge?
Independence is happiness. Susan B. Anthony
Agree :)