At the beginning of 2025, like many others, I set ambitious goals for myself. Hell, I do it every year! And this year was going to be no exception. Think big! Go for the gold! So, one of those goals was to significantly expand my presence on YouTube, with a commitment to weekly video content. I’ve done other weekly content before. Surely, I could do this.
The plan seemed solid: leverage AI tools to streamline the video creation process, build my audience, and establish myself more firmly in the content creation space.
However, not everything was as bright and easy as it seemed. As we approach the end of February, I've had to face a difficult reality. And despite my enthusiasm and the potential I saw in this project, I've come to recognize that it's time to make a strategic retreat.
The Reality Check
Here's what I've learned about knowing when to quit:
- Time is a finite resource: Hoo boy, do I know this. And when my working day is every day from 7:30AM to 9PM, there’s not much time left. Managing five different professional commitments already stretches my capacity thin.
- Energy allocation matters: Creating quality content requires more than just time — it demands creative energy and focus. When I only get 4-5 hours of sleep per night, focus is hard to come by.
- Numbers don't lie: The current growth metrics don't justify the intensive investment of resources. I think people are not willing to commit to the story I’m telling one chapter at a time. The successful YouTubers making content are publishing the whole book at once.
- Burnout is a real risk: Pushing too hard on too many fronts is a recipe for exhaustion. I’ve burned out one other time in my life about 10 years ago, and I never want to do that again.
The Decision-Making Process
Making the decision to quit something isn't easy, especially when you've publicly committed to it. However, there are several key things that helped me recognize it was time to step back:
- When the cost (in time, energy, and resources) consistently outweighs the benefits.
- When you find yourself constantly struggling to meet your own deadlines.
- When the project starts affecting your performance in other important areas.
- When the stress of maintaining the commitment overshadows the joy of creation.
Reframing “Quitting” as “Strategic Pivoting”
I love a good reframing! It's important to note that this isn't about giving up entirely. Instead, I'm making a strategic decision to scale back to a more manageable commitment: one full story per quarter. This approach allows me to:
- Maintain my presence in the space without burning out.
- Focus on quality over quantity.
- Better balance my various professional commitments.
- Create content that truly reflects my best work.
I think I’m better prepared for this scaling back, but I’m also willing to reevaluate it by summer.
The Takeaway
Sometimes, quitting isn't about failure. It's about wisdom. It's about recognizing when a current approach isn't serving your larger goals and having the courage to adjust course. I’ve done this so many times in my career that I’m surprised I’ve accomplished anything! But I always do.
By scaling back my YouTube commitment to quarterly content, I'm not abandoning my goals; I'm approaching them in a more sustainable way.
Remember: It's better to excel at a few things than to perform adequately at many. This decision allows me to continue growing as both a content creator and AI expert, but at a pace that better serves my overall professional journey.
So, What are the New Goals?
- Finish The Blender's Bargain story so I can publish it as an ebook and paperback.
- Find other ways to promote my work via audio, like in a podcast or on sites like Spoken.
Thanks for listening!
