Where I've Been (And Where We're Going)
A honest update on my absence and a small ask for your help
Hi friend.
It’s been a while since I posted.
Since I disappeared without any info, you deserve an explanation.
So, what happened, and where have I been?
Why did I disappear without a word?
Two main reasons:
I had a lot going on.
Long story short—I started a new job. I had some health problems. Suddenly, the project dropped low on my priority list.
But, truth be told, publishing one newsletter a week is nothing I couldn’t do at the time.
Why did I stop posting then?
Lack of direction, lost interest… not sure what words to use to describe it.
I started this newsletter writing about things that interest me.
As I gained more subs, I started experimenting and pivoting in the direction that would be more single-focused.
At that point, AchievR (All Things Self Improvement at the time) gathered hundreds of people from various backgrounds, with various interests.
Which brings me to the main cause: finding balance between things that interest me and things that you want to read.
A newsletter (especially a paid one) is a different game than a YouTube channel.
It needs a specific X (content) for a specific Y (audience).
To put it bluntly, I just don’t know what to write about.
Not that I have no ideas. I have, maybe too many. But one is completely different from the other.
I need to pick one. One thing that I can continuously write about for years that:
Interests you.
Interests me.
I don’t want to write about something I don’t care about for profit.
I definitely don’t want to become another “How to make money on Substack” type of newsletter.
I need your help with solving that equation. Scroll down to the section “A small ask for you” to know more.
What’s next?
I intentionally put AchievR out of my mind during the time of my absence.
I wasn’t writing, I wasn’t planning, I wasn’t posting anywhere, I wasn’t working on anything.
I haven’t even opened a single Notion page related to the project.
Now, I’m back.
For now, I’m focusing on what I’ve just told you about.
I have some ideas, both for new posts, products, and… more. You’ll see.
I will keep you updated throughout the process.
And just to be clear—AchievR won’t suddenly become a stock-picking newsletter.
What you’ve tasted so far will remain the foundation. Only with more spices and one specific flavor that stands out from the rest.
As I believe you have a good palate, help me find it!
One thing is sure: I will keep writing.
A small ask for you
Give me honest feedback! By that, I mean:
What would you like to see from me?
Which posts did you like the most?
What’s your current big struggle?
You can do so by filling out a short survey, replying to this email, or leaving a comment under the post on Substack.
If you’re new here or want to refresh your memory, read the introduction.
One more thing!
My friend Joe Denner has a cool resource that will help you break the cycle of inconsistency with finishing projects. I wanted to share it with you.
Click here to get Joe’s 3-Step Guide to Living the Life You Always Wanted.
Want more from AchievR? Visit the resource library.
Up for a nourishing read? Check out the Hyper Achiever tier.
Thanks for being here, and until next time!
—Beniamin
I am not a paid subscriber of every Stack that I find worthwhile, though my plan is to add more paid subscriptions than I eliminate. My suggestion is to use your work success and frustration (suitably anonymized) to display those principles of Achievement that you find to be the best. Do that without worrying overmuch about what topics your readers want: they want from you content different from other people's. If you are sufficiently distinctive and helpful your newsletter will grow. As it stands, my comment is not very actionable. But what technique out of those possible for you to have used, did you find most helpful in your work last week? Good luck to you.