Thanks for sharing this journey! I think that monetization can be a trap at times. In today's world, there's a rush to monetize everything, which then reduces the fun of many things. Taking the newsletter as an example - monetizing it can mean you feel obligated to post on a consistent schedule even when you don't feel like it, and maybe also can mean you then feel the need to write things that you're not fully interested in. Whereas, keeping it as a casual side project where you can write for years with monetization as an open door makes writing an easier task, ironically. I've come to a similar conclusion - the newsletter has already opened so many doors for me that I can keep it an enjoyable outlet that I can write for when inspiration strikes, rather than being on the "content treadmill."
Anton, congrats on getting the job, and moreso on learning so much about yourself.
I left my job to learn more about myself in June. I've been writing here on Substack ever since, while also exploring other creative fields.
I just came across your Substack today, and the timing really couldn't be better. I'm grappling with a lot of the same questions you did - Do I want to own the whole business, or just a piece? Is creativity something I need to exert in my work every day, and if so, does that leave any room for personal creativity?
It was inspiring and thought provoking to read through your experience. Thanks for sharing :)
I definitely think the decision to have the space ti explore was a great one. For me, the outcome was that I want to do the same things I did previously for my main job - and continue explore on the side :)
Glad you could take a 8 months break, To find out what really make you click!
I always thought of doing that during my EM career, But could never gather courage to do so !!!
Then the universe made it happen with an LR, And that was a big-turning point in my Career! Found my IKIGAI after trial-and-error of few projects/businesses, And now focussing all my energies to fuel & build on that!
Wishing you success - with more firepower - in your new assignments!
Using Heroic App - Is like programming life (as we have been programming software). The Heroic App is built by Metalab - Who built Tinder, Slack, Uber Eats!
This made "Self-Development" - Simplified & Gamified, Systemized & Optimized (like 1, 2, 3 ...) for me over past 1+ year ...
The easier, faster, simpler way - to achieve goals in personal well-being, career growth & relationships!
Huge congrats on the new job, Anton, and wow, kudos to you for being one of, if not the most transparent tech writer out there. It's very fun to read about your journey, maybe one of these days a Hollywood director will reach out 😂
This was such a brutally honest and resonant read, thank you for sharing it so openly, Anton.
I relate deeply to the doubt, the excitement, and the constant process of figuring out what matters. I’ve shifted directions many times too, and I’m still learning as I go.
Your point about writing for the long game really stayed with me. I’ve been building the VibeCodingBuilders community, and once I started talking about it publicly, people joined in with their own energy and ideas. That kind of shared momentum makes it feel less like a project, and more like something worth committing to.
Yeah, I feel when thinking long-term, it both helps make some decisions easier, and gives energy in the lows :)
I know if I would try to optimize for growth or monitization, I'll have more frustrating moments. But when I imagine that I'll just publish for years to come, it gives me energy to keep going no matter what.
I'm sure that you'll have much more empathy to Sales people selling features that don't yet exist. Unlike the common knee-jerk engineering reaction, you'll now know that it's the best way to build software. Sell first, build second.
Fascinating to see the inner workings and the realization that stability is more important to you. Thank you for sharing!
I would push back on the lack of paywalled articles, how else could you possibly make any money writing? But stating your position differently you would have to be an absolute and utter superstar at writing to even approach a fraction of what you make as an EM / Director / VP.
Reading the article makes me think there are not enough roles for coaches without direct people management responsibility. Easy to see why a company would hire you to manage, but for some strange reason harder to have an IC engineering culture role. Maybe that’s not what you want, but curious if you considered doing consulting on EM culture for multiple companies as an in between a steady job and a startup.
Regarding paywalled articles - I agree, it's very very hard to get full-time salary without paywalling. I actually don't plan to - I prefer the writing to be a side gig, making some money and increasing it throughout the years, in parallel to full-time job.
I actually thought about that EM consulting gigs - I would definitely enjoy it. The problem is I don't think there is a lot of budget and awareness for such a role, and getting such gigs consistently will be hard.
What an amazing and inspiring journey. I absolutely love your transparency and your courage to be true to yourself. Thank you for sharing this journey, Anton, and I wish you the very best!
Comprehensive summary of the "What if?" thought experiment that went live!
Thanks, Anton, for sharing private bits. It's rare to be that open, many learning.
I've saved the final quote. It's great.
Thank you Michal!
Thanks for sharing this journey! I think that monetization can be a trap at times. In today's world, there's a rush to monetize everything, which then reduces the fun of many things. Taking the newsletter as an example - monetizing it can mean you feel obligated to post on a consistent schedule even when you don't feel like it, and maybe also can mean you then feel the need to write things that you're not fully interested in. Whereas, keeping it as a casual side project where you can write for years with monetization as an open door makes writing an easier task, ironically. I've come to a similar conclusion - the newsletter has already opened so many doors for me that I can keep it an enjoyable outlet that I can write for when inspiration strikes, rather than being on the "content treadmill."
Love your perspective here.
Exactly!! That’s were 100% my thoughts. I believe a part of why I enjoy writing is that I don’t have to do it :)
And pleasing readers and meeting expectations would have taken a lot of joy out of it
Huge +1 here
Anton, congrats on getting the job, and moreso on learning so much about yourself.
I left my job to learn more about myself in June. I've been writing here on Substack ever since, while also exploring other creative fields.
I just came across your Substack today, and the timing really couldn't be better. I'm grappling with a lot of the same questions you did - Do I want to own the whole business, or just a piece? Is creativity something I need to exert in my work every day, and if so, does that leave any room for personal creativity?
It was inspiring and thought provoking to read through your experience. Thanks for sharing :)
Thank you Eric, I’m glad it was timely!
I definitely think the decision to have the space ti explore was a great one. For me, the outcome was that I want to do the same things I did previously for my main job - and continue explore on the side :)
Glad you could take a 8 months break, To find out what really make you click!
I always thought of doing that during my EM career, But could never gather courage to do so !!!
Then the universe made it happen with an LR, And that was a big-turning point in my Career! Found my IKIGAI after trial-and-error of few projects/businesses, And now focussing all my energies to fuel & build on that!
Wishing you success - with more firepower - in your new assignments!
Thank you Keyoor! What was the Ikigai you found? :)
I am working on an Idea (Launch planned in 2026) -
Idea - Flourish5151
To help 51% of world population flourish by 2051.
This moon-shot goal conceived by Martin Seligman, Father of +ve Pshycology
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/10/seligman
This moon-shot goal is our mission at Heroic Public Development Corporation
https://www.heroic.us/ (Search for 2051 on this webpage)
I am undergoing their 1 year long "Heroic Coach Certification"
Completing in 2026 - https://www.heroic.us/coach
To give back to the tech community - which has given me so much ...
To play my part of Flourish5151 (Put some ideas on LinkedIn ...)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/keyoorpoojara/
PS:
Using Heroic App - Is like programming life (as we have been programming software). The Heroic App is built by Metalab - Who built Tinder, Slack, Uber Eats!
This made "Self-Development" - Simplified & Gamified, Systemized & Optimized (like 1, 2, 3 ...) for me over past 1+ year ...
The easier, faster, simpler way - to achieve goals in personal well-being, career growth & relationships!
Looks really interesting, good luck!!
Thank you Anton!
Thanks for sharing Anton and great work!!!
Huge congrats on the new job, Anton, and wow, kudos to you for being one of, if not the most transparent tech writer out there. It's very fun to read about your journey, maybe one of these days a Hollywood director will reach out 😂
Haha thanks Jordan! Maybe if I’ll become a billionaire 😂
This was such a brutally honest and resonant read, thank you for sharing it so openly, Anton.
I relate deeply to the doubt, the excitement, and the constant process of figuring out what matters. I’ve shifted directions many times too, and I’m still learning as I go.
Your point about writing for the long game really stayed with me. I’ve been building the VibeCodingBuilders community, and once I started talking about it publicly, people joined in with their own energy and ideas. That kind of shared momentum makes it feel less like a project, and more like something worth committing to.
Thank you Jenny!
Yeah, I feel when thinking long-term, it both helps make some decisions easier, and gives energy in the lows :)
I know if I would try to optimize for growth or monitization, I'll have more frustrating moments. But when I imagine that I'll just publish for years to come, it gives me energy to keep going no matter what.
This is so wonderful and inspiring. Thanks for sharing so transparently. Excited to see how things go for you going forward, Anton.
Thank you Sarim, I appreciate it!
That startup experience is priceless.
I'm sure that you'll have much more empathy to Sales people selling features that don't yet exist. Unlike the common knee-jerk engineering reaction, you'll now know that it's the best way to build software. Sell first, build second.
Good luck Anton!
Yep, definitely more empathy for sales and marketing people :)
Thanks Gilad!
Awesome writeup Anton, was a great read. You did a lot of stuff in this 8 months. Wish you all the best with your new role, I'm sure you'll do great!
Thabk you Gregor! Yeah it was quite busy :)
Fascinating to see the inner workings and the realization that stability is more important to you. Thank you for sharing!
I would push back on the lack of paywalled articles, how else could you possibly make any money writing? But stating your position differently you would have to be an absolute and utter superstar at writing to even approach a fraction of what you make as an EM / Director / VP.
Reading the article makes me think there are not enough roles for coaches without direct people management responsibility. Easy to see why a company would hire you to manage, but for some strange reason harder to have an IC engineering culture role. Maybe that’s not what you want, but curious if you considered doing consulting on EM culture for multiple companies as an in between a steady job and a startup.
Regarding paywalled articles - I agree, it's very very hard to get full-time salary without paywalling. I actually don't plan to - I prefer the writing to be a side gig, making some money and increasing it throughout the years, in parallel to full-time job.
I actually thought about that EM consulting gigs - I would definitely enjoy it. The problem is I don't think there is a lot of budget and awareness for such a role, and getting such gigs consistently will be hard.
What an amazing and inspiring journey. I absolutely love your transparency and your courage to be true to yourself. Thank you for sharing this journey, Anton, and I wish you the very best!
Thank you Gaurav, I appreciate it!
Congratulations 🙂. Sounds like it was a very successful career break!
Thanks Natasha! Yep, I would see it was quite successful :)
Appreciate the transparency, the shared journey and lessons, Anton! This was a great read! 🙏
Good luck in the next adventures!
Btw, I’d love to learn about the course creation. I’m thinking a lot about doing one but still haven’t started it. 😕
Thanks Petar!
It was a great experience. My top tips:
- Do some public speeches to see what resonates and get some experience in public English speaking.
- Write down fully the lessons, and ask for feedback from people you appreciate.
- Do the first cohort for a small amount (just so people will be serious) and collect feedback
That's at least what I tried :)
Great to read your thoughts process about your career and manager.dev. All the best in your new job and evangelist role!
Thank you Tom, I apprecaite it!
The Emerson quote fits perfectly, not everyone needs to be a founder, and that’s perfectly fine.
Strength is knowing what works for you.
Yep, and I couldn't have figured this out without taking some time off :)