How are you Reader,

Really... I’d love to know.

Me? I’m in a season of unexpected active rest. I’ve been reading a lot of novels, pottering around the garden and making friends with the Robin. And feeling a little frustrated.

What is stinging a little is the thing that hasn’t worked out so well.

Two things that consume a lot of my time – the podcast, and social media– are not paying back the effort I am putting in.

Whilst I don’t need fame and fortune, I realise I want something for the energy I put out there.

As a startup founder client shared with me in a tough funding round, “I don’t need more kudos for my great business. I need financial validation”.

My creative baby, the podcast, Unsaid at Work has 80 episodes in the bag.

But downloads are now a third of when we kicked off 18 months ago, and heading downwards. Even though the podcast is in the top 5% of global podcasts, somewhere, I’m not hitting the mark of what folk want to listen to.

I’ve played by the rules on social media (Linkedin & Instagram) for over two years with nothing to show for it. Just me – shouting into the noisy abyss that is social media.

(All my work continues to come through referrals and repeat clients).

That’s hard for me to share with you Reader, because I don’t like to not be ‘top of the class’.

I’ve always signed up to the idea that hard work always pays off.

I’ve worked hard, and it hasn’t paid off.

I’ve made a few decisions:

💡 It’s a wrap on the podcast Unsaid at Work. I might come back to it. I might not.

💡 I’m stopping any proactive social media. I might post when I get excited to post something. But I’m no longer posting 5x a week (as all the experts tell you is absolutely necessary).

Instead, I’ll be working 3-day weeks over summer, and resting in between trusting energy and inspiration will find me in the downtime.

Hard work doesn’t always pay off and it doesn’t mean it’s about you. It could be context, timing, or maybe the world isn’t ready for you.

If you need any extra encouragement this week, hit reply to get a dose from me.

I’m here for you.

Catherine