Why I Stopped Writing LinkedIn Newsletters Last Year

Last year, I made the difficult decision to stop writing LinkedIn newsletters for awhile and to close my award-winning digital marketing and business development agency, The Star Factor Effect (TSFE). This was not a decision that I took lightly, as TSFE had been a major part of my life for the past eight years. However, after months of working long hours and feeling stressed out, I knew that I needed to make a change.

One of the main reasons that I decided to close TSFE was because I was no longer feeling fulfilled by the work that I was doing. I was spending a lot of time on projects and tasks that didn't excite me or bring me joy, and I knew that I needed to make some changes.

In addition to feeling unfulfilled, I was also starting to struggle with my health. I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes and high cholesterol, and I knew that I needed to prioritize my health if I wanted to be around for my family. I have three adult children, one in college, and a teenage daughter, and I recently became a grandmother to my first grandchild, Jasmine. (and I believe there's another one on the way)

So, last year in April, I made the difficult choice to close TSFE and take a step back to reevaluate my service offerings and self-care. I knew that I needed to take some time to focus on my health, my family, and my own happiness. I stopped saying yes to everything and started only saying yes to things that excited me and brought me joy. It was a difficult decision, but I believe it was the right one for me.

It has helped me in a number of ways:

1. Taking time to focus on my health and well-being has had a huge impact on my physical and mental health. I have been able to get my pre-diabetes and high cholesterol under control, and I feel more energized, productive, and focused as a result.
2. Allowed me to spend more time with my family: One of the main reasons that I decided to close that specific business was to be able to spend more time with my family. Being able to spend more quality time with them has been incredibly rewarding.
3. Given me the opportunity to pursue my passions and be more productive: Closing that one very demanding business has given me the opportunity to pursue my passions and interests in consulting, public speaking, and project funding (this is what I really like to do). Which is helping me to travel more, learn new skills, and explore new opportunities, and this has brought me a lot of joy and fulfillment.
4. Making the decision to take a step back has allowed me to prioritize my own happiness and well-being. I have learned to say no to things that don't bring me joy and to focus on the things that truly matter to me and that's why I stopped writing LinkedIn newsletters last year.

However, I am excited to announce that I will be back writing the monthly newsletter this year! It's been a long time since I last wrote one, and I am excited to reconnect with all of you and share my thoughts and insights once again.

This year, my newsletter The B.E.A.T will focus on personal and professional development, as well as sharing my own experiences and lessons learned along the way. I will be writing about a variety of topics, including Black empowerment, education, entrepreneurship, entertainment, arts, tech, and travel (B.E.A.T), as well as sharing tips and resources that I have found helpful in my own journey.

I am committed to making this newsletter a valuable and enjoyable resource for all of you, and I hope that it will inspire and motivate you to achieve your own goals and aspirations.

I wish you all a Happy New Year, and I look forward to connecting with you in the months ahead. Here's to a year of growth, learning, and personal and professional development! Brand Rising!

Shanta Lana LLC is a top-rated business development, crowdfunding, and branding consultancy company owned and operated by H.E Shanta Lana Hereford, a highly respected and accomplished business leader. Ms. Hereford has been nominated for the Stone Mountain's Business Person of the Year Award three times, and has received numerous other accolades, including the FIGHR Sustainable Communities Award, the WAOW Business Excellence Warrior Award, and the Global Women in Leadership Award. She is also a member of the Smart Women Partner & Grow Rich Network, and has been nominated for the Wisconsin Innovation Award. In 2022, Ms. Hereford's former digital marketing and business development agency, The Star Factor Effect, was voted the Best SME Business Development and Branding Agency in Southeast USA by Acquisition International. She is also a part of the diplomatic and distingued steering committee for VisionAfric helping to develop the Africa Vision 2050 Agenda (AVA 2050). With a reputation for excellence and innovation, Shanta Lana LLC is a trusted partner for businesses looking to grow and succeed. Schedule your complimentary consultation or book via https://buildyourbrandnow.setmore.com.

Learn about "The Power of Crowdfunding" every Monday at 8:30 am (EST) hosted by H.E Shanta Lana Hereford and Bill Huston (Inc Magazine's Top Rated Global Crowdfunding Expert) on LinkedIn audio events.