Your newsletter is the best email in my inbox weekly. It feels real, with a unique perspective. I'm grateful you share it with us. Overtime, I hope being more authentic feels applicable to your other brand. It's honestly so refreshing. And, there are a lot of people out here who want to build a profitable business that improves their life but doesn't become their life. 👋🏻
"When you’re big online, you cease to be a person. You’re a thing people project onto. A brand they expect to behave a certain way. And a target when you don’t."
The beauty of "Unsubscribe" is that it's unapologetically human in its expression in ways that feeds your soul Justin. And you get express this to us in ways that presents us real life examples while providing you this release - WIN/WIN
Maybe this is why companies choose to stay private rather than going public. To preserve their own social capital without a one dimensional approach to the soul sucking principle of "shareholder value" at all costs - love this post. Well said. Thanks for writing....
This summer, I only had one client and I wished I had more. I needed more to make more money. Then this fall, I ended up with 6 clients. It's a good problem to have, but now I'm sitting here in the holidays at the end of the year wishing I had about half as many clients so I could spend more time working on other projects that really light me up. It's something I'll be focusing on in 2026.
It's joyful watching your evolution as a writer, entrepreneur, and human. 🧡 Yes, I learned a lot from TSS and The LinkedIn OS, but, TBH, I didn't want to have dinner with that version of JW. That felt like a (performance-oriented) brand. That's changed. Keep sharing! 🎉
Love this real and raw take! I’ve loved this container and your insights, speakers and the community these past couple months and it’s inspired me to really think about my life and how I want to live it, experience it, be present. Going into 2026, my big goal is to work part time in my law firm and the old me would think that’s failure; the new me realizes it’s all my choice and doesn’t care what others will think or say ✨🙏🏽
Yes to all of this. I built a company and reached a FIRE number and kept going because “what else am I going to do?” Now I’ve figured out something else to do but still have that company out of feeling obligated to the team. Over the past year I’ve handed control completely over to my partners and have done a lot of therapy around letting go. What you’re really doing is identity change and that takes some time. Reminds me of recovering from a sprained ankle. There’s really nothing much to do but keep the pressure off and give it time (and ice if we’re talking about ankles.)
Love this Justin, thanks for sharing. I’ve followed you for years, and out of everything, this resonated the most. Life is hard, and I know for me personally, I want to learn from authentic people willing to be real and share their vulnerabilities.
It may not pay as much or be as popular but it’s a great legacy to leave behind. No one has it all figured out, regardless of what their social media may say.
Bravo! Reading such authenticity, literally, delivers a big, deep breath of fresh air for me 🦋
You have demonstrated how NOT to become completly usurped by the powers of economy and manipulations of the digital world. We are magnificent in our humanity! Thank you for reminding us how to return to its brilliance 🪷
Appreciate you sharing this. Your story felt real. Your honesty stood out. Choosing to stay small enough to be yourself? That’s gutsy. Most folks don’t admit they’re still figuring it out.
Keep writing the real stuff. That’s the part people actually connect with.
I did not respond to the piece about trying to finish your life instead of experiencing it, but I saved it in a file I call "lifechangers" - pieces I go back to and read again or listen to if it's a podcast.
I just landed a "whale" project, and I am managing a team of 7 that is now growing to 12. I am up at 5 am and still managing personalities late into the evening. Bigger does not mean better.
I hope you keep this content going, but if you don't and evolve or change, it's your life and you don't owe anyone anything.
Thank you for this newsletter, Justin. I'm glad you have the space here to write and think freely, and I hope Substack will remain this way for individuals with large followings like you. I've been on LinkedIn for years, and I recently started browsing here more actively. You've given me a lot to think about. Thank you.
Love this article, Justin! We get so caught up chasing "Our Dreams" that we often fail to realize whether the dream truly belongs to us or is planted in our minds by outside influences.
As a creative and having been one for over 30 years, I have learned that the best projects, clients, and opportunities come when we have the most fun.
Your article is a reminder to defend and protect our freedom and peace.
With each new potential client I meet, I focus less on the earning potential and more on the opportunities for fun, growth, and learning.
The irony is that the projects I enjoy the most are also the ones that last the longest and bring me the most in the long run.🙂
Thank you, Justin, for being real and sharing your struggles and lessons in life.
Finally a great newsletter from you, Justin. I always admired your work, since you had 10.000 LN followers. But in time your style changed, less "personal" more "salesy". I'm all for business and money but was close to click that unsubscribe many times lately (despite I purchased 3 courses from you). But now I understand the logic of this "change". After a long time I had that aha moment again, thinking we are in conversation. Love it! All the best!
Your newsletter is the best email in my inbox weekly. It feels real, with a unique perspective. I'm grateful you share it with us. Overtime, I hope being more authentic feels applicable to your other brand. It's honestly so refreshing. And, there are a lot of people out here who want to build a profitable business that improves their life but doesn't become their life. 👋🏻
Appreciate all the work you share with us!
Thank you so much. This is such a kind compliment and it doesn’t go unnoticed or unappreciated.
"When you’re big online, you cease to be a person. You’re a thing people project onto. A brand they expect to behave a certain way. And a target when you don’t."
The beauty of "Unsubscribe" is that it's unapologetically human in its expression in ways that feeds your soul Justin. And you get express this to us in ways that presents us real life examples while providing you this release - WIN/WIN
Maybe this is why companies choose to stay private rather than going public. To preserve their own social capital without a one dimensional approach to the soul sucking principle of "shareholder value" at all costs - love this post. Well said. Thanks for writing....
Thanks for reading it, Jon. And well made point about private vs. public.
I just realised this week that its better to not have an overwhelming number of clients, so that I can be on top of my activities and projects.
This summer, I only had one client and I wished I had more. I needed more to make more money. Then this fall, I ended up with 6 clients. It's a good problem to have, but now I'm sitting here in the holidays at the end of the year wishing I had about half as many clients so I could spend more time working on other projects that really light me up. It's something I'll be focusing on in 2026.
Grass is always greener 😂
It's joyful watching your evolution as a writer, entrepreneur, and human. 🧡 Yes, I learned a lot from TSS and The LinkedIn OS, but, TBH, I didn't want to have dinner with that version of JW. That felt like a (performance-oriented) brand. That's changed. Keep sharing! 🎉
Appreciate you, Kris!
Love this real and raw take! I’ve loved this container and your insights, speakers and the community these past couple months and it’s inspired me to really think about my life and how I want to live it, experience it, be present. Going into 2026, my big goal is to work part time in my law firm and the old me would think that’s failure; the new me realizes it’s all my choice and doesn’t care what others will think or say ✨🙏🏽
Yes to all of this. I built a company and reached a FIRE number and kept going because “what else am I going to do?” Now I’ve figured out something else to do but still have that company out of feeling obligated to the team. Over the past year I’ve handed control completely over to my partners and have done a lot of therapy around letting go. What you’re really doing is identity change and that takes some time. Reminds me of recovering from a sprained ankle. There’s really nothing much to do but keep the pressure off and give it time (and ice if we’re talking about ankles.)
Love this Justin, thanks for sharing. I’ve followed you for years, and out of everything, this resonated the most. Life is hard, and I know for me personally, I want to learn from authentic people willing to be real and share their vulnerabilities.
It may not pay as much or be as popular but it’s a great legacy to leave behind. No one has it all figured out, regardless of what their social media may say.
Appreciate you and the time of yours spent reading it. Thank you!
Bravo! Reading such authenticity, literally, delivers a big, deep breath of fresh air for me 🦋
You have demonstrated how NOT to become completly usurped by the powers of economy and manipulations of the digital world. We are magnificent in our humanity! Thank you for reminding us how to return to its brilliance 🪷
Thank you for the kind compliment, Kathie!
Appreciate you sharing this. Your story felt real. Your honesty stood out. Choosing to stay small enough to be yourself? That’s gutsy. Most folks don’t admit they’re still figuring it out.
Keep writing the real stuff. That’s the part people actually connect with.
Me? I like small. 😊
Hey Justin, I hope your mom was OK.....
She's fully recovered, Adam. I should have addressed that! Thanks for the concern.
I did not respond to the piece about trying to finish your life instead of experiencing it, but I saved it in a file I call "lifechangers" - pieces I go back to and read again or listen to if it's a podcast.
I just landed a "whale" project, and I am managing a team of 7 that is now growing to 12. I am up at 5 am and still managing personalities late into the evening. Bigger does not mean better.
I hope you keep this content going, but if you don't and evolve or change, it's your life and you don't owe anyone anything.
Thanks for saving it, Darlene! So glad it's resonating with you.
Thank you for this newsletter, Justin. I'm glad you have the space here to write and think freely, and I hope Substack will remain this way for individuals with large followings like you. I've been on LinkedIn for years, and I recently started browsing here more actively. You've given me a lot to think about. Thank you.
Love this article, Justin! We get so caught up chasing "Our Dreams" that we often fail to realize whether the dream truly belongs to us or is planted in our minds by outside influences.
As a creative and having been one for over 30 years, I have learned that the best projects, clients, and opportunities come when we have the most fun.
Your article is a reminder to defend and protect our freedom and peace.
With each new potential client I meet, I focus less on the earning potential and more on the opportunities for fun, growth, and learning.
The irony is that the projects I enjoy the most are also the ones that last the longest and bring me the most in the long run.🙂
Thank you, Justin, for being real and sharing your struggles and lessons in life.
Much love, my friend!
Finally a great newsletter from you, Justin. I always admired your work, since you had 10.000 LN followers. But in time your style changed, less "personal" more "salesy". I'm all for business and money but was close to click that unsubscribe many times lately (despite I purchased 3 courses from you). But now I understand the logic of this "change". After a long time I had that aha moment again, thinking we are in conversation. Love it! All the best!
Thanks, Kristjan. Appreciate the feedback. I’d encourage you to check out the last 15-20 or so issues of TSS. A lot like this one. ☝️