Blog x Newsletter

Leif Latiff — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 09:08:15 +0000

Ever struggle with deciding what to post on your blog versus your newsletter? I feel you.

Here’s what I would normally do.

For me, my blog is where I toss out ideas. It’s casual - a place to share thoughts with friends and family. I don’t promote it much, but it’s there for anyone who’s curious. In this case, it’s my grains site. A place where I talk about everything. Life musings, career, memes?

If you’re into a specific topic, like coding or marketing, you might want a dedicated blog. That’s your pro space, perfect for sharing on social media. This is my fractional CTO blog, and Airtable Wiz blog.

Your newsletter can be flexible:

Full blog posts in email form
A personal update with links to relevant posts
Snippets from recent blog posts (the “curated” approach)

There’s no perfect formula. Play around and see what feels right for you and your readers. The key is to be intentional about where you share what.

Ready to start writing? Let’s go!

Why I Walked Away from an AI Accelerator Before It Even Started

Leif Latiff — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 15:21:23 +0000

I applied for an AI accelerator program in Astana, KZ, and passed the first round. The next step was a Zoom interview. But I’ve decided to drop out before everything even started.

Here’s why:

Burnout

I experienced a major burnout at the end of last year. After almost eight months of recovery, I’m just beginning to feel normal again. It took longer to recover this time, and I’m still not 100%.

So, jumping straight into something as intense as an accelerator program feels like stepping into a fire. If that makes any sense.

Mental Health

These programs are fast and furious, the “hustle till you drop” kind of situation. I’d have to sacrifice my sleep, social life (if I even have one), and relationships with my family.

The idea of going through sleepless nights, constant pressure, and an uncontrollable workload just doesn’t vibe well to me.

Sure, I’m exaggerating. But knowing me, it would happen somehow.

Value Reset

To fit into this program, I’d have to reset my values and priorities. The +$22K funding is tempting, but is it worth the suffering and stress? I’m not so sure.

Right now, I just want to focus on my personal well-being, business growth, and family. A more back-to-basics stuff.

Authenticity

I want to stick to my own pace. Joining this program feels like it’d push me into a style that just doesn’t vibe with me.

Everyone’s got their own rhythm, and mine isn’t about always hustling. I’m more about working smart, not just hard.

Plus, I’m all about finding that sweet spot between getting things done and still having time for myself. This program’s full-speed-ahead approach just doesn’t match up with how I roll.🚶🏻‍➡️🛞

Reflecting on My Decision

If it’s 5–10 years ago, I’d definitely consider it. I like the program’s goal: “Build AI Product That Sells”. And not just build any AI product, which is something many of us struggle with.😅

I will definitely go back to building one, with an idea that syncs with my personal values. Meh, values again. What does it really mean, right?😝

Just build something that people want. Something that you will use. Not building for the sake of building something.

Final Thoughts, and Reminders to All🫶🏼

At the end of the day, do what makes you happy and take care of yourself. Life is too short to spend it on things that drain you.

For now, I’ll dive into smaller, exciting projects that fit me. I’ll keep learning, growing, and creating my way. Exciting times ahead! Whee!🎢

Let’s go! 🏃🏻‍♂️💨

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