Thanks, Corbett for your vulnerability. The word 'time' kept coming up and I'm wondering if your answer is connected to it. Do you want to know if we have time (or interest) or is this really about your time (or inclination). We can be easily polled but getting to your reasons might take more thought.
I recently joined a community via another Substack. A writers group with a connected Discord channel. To be honest, I’m not much of a joiner and find the ritual of keeping up and all the commenting quite exhausting. It takes me away from my writing and artwork. I tend to favor books and helpful newsletters over podcasts and social media communities.
Thanks for the vulnerability Corbett. Your emails are a highlight in my inbox; I only subscribe to your email and James Clear's 123. That's it. You're a darn tootin' good writer :)
AND I rarely comment on ANYTHING online. Except for your damn posts...I can't seem to help myself.
I would love a podcast from you, hopefully with the same insight and intelligent content. I love podcasts because they make otherwise wasted driving time somewhat useful. Right now I kinda feel guilty about spending time writing an online comment when I really should be working. But driving time is different. Anyway, I know you will figure it out and I look forward to whatever you do.
No. You are spot on. In fact, earlier today, before your email even hit my Inbox, I thought, "Man, Corbett is a genius. Maybe I should do that. To be able to just write. On anything. THAT is the life."
I just launched an online community. I am not saying it is a life sentence. But, my time is absorbed with supporting that to include videos, podcast episodes, and articles. It never occurred to me that I could just write on all the other stuff I find interesting.
While we are being honest. When I read today's article, I was distracted b meetings all day. I didn't care for the article as a result. I wondered, "how much am I paying for this?" My internal conversation concluded with, "twelve bucks? Oh. Ok. Totally worth it."
I did come back to your article with time and less stressed and enjoyed it. Obviously, since I am here commenting yet again. If you want my advice, keep doing what you are doing.
I do hope. However, you simplify the authentication process.
I have a side hustle I was debating continuing, but felt like content for it was a real drag. I started an experiment, creating satire articles and just doing an affiliate link in the P.S section. It was addictive and the opposite of a drag! Now I have to see if anyone in real life likes it, or just me 😂 I also have a substack for my freelance biz. The cool thing about Substack is it's a blog, newsletter, podcast etc in one... so you can just play around to see if you or your audiences have preferences 🤷♀️ I've played with long form so now gonna try another medium within the platform. The most useful thing I've found to combat doubt or tryna choose is just to experiment. Don't have to announce it to anyone, just avoid pigeon holding yourself while you tinker.
Just what I needed to read today. Thank you for sharing this documentary - I don't have Netflix right now so wouldn't have come across it organically and love your reflections and connections on vulnerability.
As for building online communities, I think they will exist in one way or another as we need to connect and find our tribe online & offline where we feel safe, heard and understood. I do believe we are going through a new season of growth in terms of what social connection looks like online and would be a great time to explore it if it feels right for you!
Thanks for sharing, Corbett. Stutz wasn't really on my radar, but now I'll have to check it out.
As for the newsletter and figuring out what to do in terms of a community or whatnot, I'm reminded of the question "What would it look like if it was easy?"
Maybe you don't need a community at all. Maybe paid subscribers just get a virtual fistbump and the pleasure of knowing they're contributing to your expression on this medium.
Yes, there are a lot of online communities, and most of them are not worth time or energy. Since my last days of BBSing in the mid-90's, I've only been involved in a couple of online communities that were worth anything.
Yes, it's a lot of work, and it may not be something you're up for, but I absolutely think there's a need and an opportunity for quality online communities.
Thank you Corbett for this article. I watched Stutz on Netflix shortly after reading this and loved it. I am already planning to watch it a 2nd time, to show my girlfriend and with a notebook in hand 😄.
I really felt like Jonah being the one to bring his own therapy / therapist public gave the entire process a really welcome blast of authenticity, esp because we normally see Jonah as a comedian. His (very normal) struggle with mental health really reminds me that we are all human, famous or not, rich or not, it does not matter. Any documentary on therapy would be welcome, but to come from someone who is a very famous actor really powers up the message.
That said, anyway, stoked to read more of your community here. Don't quit yet :)
Thank you for an excellent article. In the age of the Internet, radical transparency is required as its difficult to remake ourselves when all our personal details are our for display.
I've found when I'm challenged in making a decision, I readdress if I'm living my authentic self and living in the Now. Fear is the human condition when we focus on the future and/or past instead of the Now. We can't live with no thought to the past and future, but our decisions are made in the now.
This was particularly valuable, Corbett - thank you. I echo your sentiments about Jonah. I appreciate your candor, too. As for paid vs free, I was (am) happy to pay you not so much for what's to come - or not - but for the value you've already given me all these years.
Always thought-provoking Corbett. I remember watching Brene at WDS years ago and how scary/amazing it was thinking about being vulnerable.
My vote for some of your content would be watch you build stuff. You've been an inspiration in my journey to build side-hustles and watching the ups and downs.
I have been really enjoying Brian Johnson's Philospher's Notes (and Heroic app). It's got some good summaries and lessons from books like The Tools from Phil Stutz. https://www.heroic.us/optimize/pn
Thanks for sharing Corbett. I’ve been following you for quite some time through the fizzle journey. I’ve enjoyed HOURS of the fizzle show.
I love how thought provoking your articles are and when I think about your question about paid subscribers I am scratching my head as to what I really “need” from you. I’m not sure I would pay for thought provoking and as I think about more “practical” help it makes me lean towards something like fizzle as a resource.
I wish I had a brilliant suggestion but until then, keep the emails coming!
I love reading stuff that has been written by you. It’s the only newsletter I read without exception - simply because your thoughts are well formulated and worth my time.
I would pay for in-depth articles or other stuff written by you. I don’t need to engage or comment that much to appreciate it.
I would pay for a weekly mail in which you link a bunch of stuff that you read this week and that you think is worthy of my time.
Your experience is obvious and it helps me to focus on what matters - thats the skill you have that I would gladly pay for.
Great post, Corbett. I too struggle with so much of what Jonah shared with Phil. I was a Brene Brown fan for years. Your post hits the nail the head of the things that strangle the inspiration, work, and productivity of creatives and singularly drains us of our passion. You got things (re)started over here!
Running a business has been the best personal growth driver I could have imagined. I have never been good at the whole vulnerability thing. Being a business owner made the problem much worse, and then made it much better.
I started a business 14 years ago believing that I needed to be perfect. Hiring employees did not improve the situation; now I was responsible for their “morale” too. I felt like I was performing all the time and it was depleting.
Eventually, I had to learn how to ask for help, how to recognize how much of this was about my own ego, to connect with other entrepreneurs who all felt the same thing, and to trust my own feelings. I still struggle with it, but I doubt I would have come this far without a business to force these changes.
Thanks, Corbett for your vulnerability. The word 'time' kept coming up and I'm wondering if your answer is connected to it. Do you want to know if we have time (or interest) or is this really about your time (or inclination). We can be easily polled but getting to your reasons might take more thought.
I recently joined a community via another Substack. A writers group with a connected Discord channel. To be honest, I’m not much of a joiner and find the ritual of keeping up and all the commenting quite exhausting. It takes me away from my writing and artwork. I tend to favor books and helpful newsletters over podcasts and social media communities.
Thanks for the vulnerability Corbett. Your emails are a highlight in my inbox; I only subscribe to your email and James Clear's 123. That's it. You're a darn tootin' good writer :)
AND I rarely comment on ANYTHING online. Except for your damn posts...I can't seem to help myself.
I would love a podcast from you, hopefully with the same insight and intelligent content. I love podcasts because they make otherwise wasted driving time somewhat useful. Right now I kinda feel guilty about spending time writing an online comment when I really should be working. But driving time is different. Anyway, I know you will figure it out and I look forward to whatever you do.
No. You are spot on. In fact, earlier today, before your email even hit my Inbox, I thought, "Man, Corbett is a genius. Maybe I should do that. To be able to just write. On anything. THAT is the life."
I just launched an online community. I am not saying it is a life sentence. But, my time is absorbed with supporting that to include videos, podcast episodes, and articles. It never occurred to me that I could just write on all the other stuff I find interesting.
While we are being honest. When I read today's article, I was distracted b meetings all day. I didn't care for the article as a result. I wondered, "how much am I paying for this?" My internal conversation concluded with, "twelve bucks? Oh. Ok. Totally worth it."
I did come back to your article with time and less stressed and enjoyed it. Obviously, since I am here commenting yet again. If you want my advice, keep doing what you are doing.
I do hope. However, you simplify the authentication process.
I have a side hustle I was debating continuing, but felt like content for it was a real drag. I started an experiment, creating satire articles and just doing an affiliate link in the P.S section. It was addictive and the opposite of a drag! Now I have to see if anyone in real life likes it, or just me 😂 I also have a substack for my freelance biz. The cool thing about Substack is it's a blog, newsletter, podcast etc in one... so you can just play around to see if you or your audiences have preferences 🤷♀️ I've played with long form so now gonna try another medium within the platform. The most useful thing I've found to combat doubt or tryna choose is just to experiment. Don't have to announce it to anyone, just avoid pigeon holding yourself while you tinker.
Just what I needed to read today. Thank you for sharing this documentary - I don't have Netflix right now so wouldn't have come across it organically and love your reflections and connections on vulnerability.
As for building online communities, I think they will exist in one way or another as we need to connect and find our tribe online & offline where we feel safe, heard and understood. I do believe we are going through a new season of growth in terms of what social connection looks like online and would be a great time to explore it if it feels right for you!
Here for writing and the vibes as always.
Thanks for sharing, Corbett. Stutz wasn't really on my radar, but now I'll have to check it out.
As for the newsletter and figuring out what to do in terms of a community or whatnot, I'm reminded of the question "What would it look like if it was easy?"
Maybe you don't need a community at all. Maybe paid subscribers just get a virtual fistbump and the pleasure of knowing they're contributing to your expression on this medium.
Yes, there are a lot of online communities, and most of them are not worth time or energy. Since my last days of BBSing in the mid-90's, I've only been involved in a couple of online communities that were worth anything.
Yes, it's a lot of work, and it may not be something you're up for, but I absolutely think there's a need and an opportunity for quality online communities.
Thank you Corbett for this article. I watched Stutz on Netflix shortly after reading this and loved it. I am already planning to watch it a 2nd time, to show my girlfriend and with a notebook in hand 😄.
I really felt like Jonah being the one to bring his own therapy / therapist public gave the entire process a really welcome blast of authenticity, esp because we normally see Jonah as a comedian. His (very normal) struggle with mental health really reminds me that we are all human, famous or not, rich or not, it does not matter. Any documentary on therapy would be welcome, but to come from someone who is a very famous actor really powers up the message.
That said, anyway, stoked to read more of your community here. Don't quit yet :)
Thank you for an excellent article. In the age of the Internet, radical transparency is required as its difficult to remake ourselves when all our personal details are our for display.
I've found when I'm challenged in making a decision, I readdress if I'm living my authentic self and living in the Now. Fear is the human condition when we focus on the future and/or past instead of the Now. We can't live with no thought to the past and future, but our decisions are made in the now.
This was particularly valuable, Corbett - thank you. I echo your sentiments about Jonah. I appreciate your candor, too. As for paid vs free, I was (am) happy to pay you not so much for what's to come - or not - but for the value you've already given me all these years.
Always thought-provoking Corbett. I remember watching Brene at WDS years ago and how scary/amazing it was thinking about being vulnerable.
My vote for some of your content would be watch you build stuff. You've been an inspiration in my journey to build side-hustles and watching the ups and downs.
I have been really enjoying Brian Johnson's Philospher's Notes (and Heroic app). It's got some good summaries and lessons from books like The Tools from Phil Stutz. https://www.heroic.us/optimize/pn
Thanks for sharing Corbett. I’ve been following you for quite some time through the fizzle journey. I’ve enjoyed HOURS of the fizzle show.
I love how thought provoking your articles are and when I think about your question about paid subscribers I am scratching my head as to what I really “need” from you. I’m not sure I would pay for thought provoking and as I think about more “practical” help it makes me lean towards something like fizzle as a resource.
I wish I had a brilliant suggestion but until then, keep the emails coming!
Hey Corbett,
I love reading stuff that has been written by you. It’s the only newsletter I read without exception - simply because your thoughts are well formulated and worth my time.
I would pay for in-depth articles or other stuff written by you. I don’t need to engage or comment that much to appreciate it.
I would pay for a weekly mail in which you link a bunch of stuff that you read this week and that you think is worthy of my time.
Your experience is obvious and it helps me to focus on what matters - thats the skill you have that I would gladly pay for.
Hope this is useful!
All the best from Spain,
Leo
Great post, Corbett. I too struggle with so much of what Jonah shared with Phil. I was a Brene Brown fan for years. Your post hits the nail the head of the things that strangle the inspiration, work, and productivity of creatives and singularly drains us of our passion. You got things (re)started over here!
Running a business has been the best personal growth driver I could have imagined. I have never been good at the whole vulnerability thing. Being a business owner made the problem much worse, and then made it much better.
I started a business 14 years ago believing that I needed to be perfect. Hiring employees did not improve the situation; now I was responsible for their “morale” too. I felt like I was performing all the time and it was depleting.
Eventually, I had to learn how to ask for help, how to recognize how much of this was about my own ego, to connect with other entrepreneurs who all felt the same thing, and to trust my own feelings. I still struggle with it, but I doubt I would have come this far without a business to force these changes.