Keep Going
Last week, I was in Portland for an action-packed few days. I got to see family, catch up with old friends, and deliver a six-hour Art of Resilience workshop at the Luke Center for Catalytic Leadership.
These kinds of workshops always remind me why I do what I do. When I give talks, I don’t just lecture, I build experiences. I weave in activities that get people out of their heads and back into their own stories. The goal isn’t to teach resilience; it’s to help people remember it. Because when life gets hard, we forget how much we’ve already survived.
I saw it in the room that day. People reconnecting with their strength. Reflecting on how far they’ve come. It hit me too. After months of juggling fatherhood, work, and everything in between, it was the reminder I didn’t know I needed: keep going.
Having a baby changes everything. The pace. The priorities. The meaning of “free time.”
The truth is, for the past few months, every spare moment has gone into caring for our son. It’s been beautiful, exhausting, and life-changing. But lately, I can feel my health slipping. The workouts became rare. The late-night snacks too frequent. The mental space that used to fuel creativity started getting eaten up by tasks.
So my wife and I made a decision. We’re reprioritizing our health, physical, mental, and creative. Because when you’re building a life, a family, and a business, your energy is everything. Having a partner who understands that is all I could ask for. It really does take a village, and I’m grateful for ours.
Finding My Way Back to the Work
That Portland trip reignited something in me. Being around people who are showing up and doing the work reminded me that I need to get back to mine, my next book.
I’ve been slowly outlining again. Not forcing it. Just sitting down, opening the document, and writing a few paragraphs when I can. It’s not about perfection. It’s about returning to the page.
Ryan Holiday just released his fourth book in his Stoicism series. Four books. Six years. All built around the same idea, refined and expanded through discipline. He’s a perfect example of staying focused, doing the work, and letting time compound the results.
That’s where I want to be. Not chasing trends, not overthinking, just creating timeless work.
Creating Over Consuming
As we head into the Holidays, I’m choosing to consume less and create more. Less scrolling. More building. Less reacting. More writing.
I’m proud of myself for one thing this year. I’ve written and sent this newsletter every week for the past year without missing a single Wednesday. There were weeks I thought I’d skip it. Nights when squeezing in any writing felt impossible. But that looming Wednesday deadline kept me accountable. It reminded me that discipline and creativity aren’t opposites; they feed each other.
So I’m applying the same principle to my next book. I’ve set a deadline to deliver my manuscript to my editor friend by February 1st. No extensions, no excuses. Because sometimes the best way to create momentum is to give yourself something real to aim for.
Keep Going
It’s ok if you slip up. It’s ok if you fall behind, miss a post, or lose your rhythm. What matters most is that you keep showing up.
Keep going. Keep sending the emails. Keep being creative. Keep a smile. Keep perspective. Keep writing.
Because resilience isn’t about never falling off track, it’s about coming back to what matters every time you do. That’s where the growth happens. That’s where the real brand, the real voice, the real purpose take shape.
So if you’re in a messy season right now, don’t overthink it. Rest when you need to. Reflect when you can. But when you’re ready, pick up the pen, open the document, and keep going.
Author X: Brand Camp (January in Tucson)
To start the new year strong, I’m hosting a two-day Author X: Brand Camp here in Tucson this January.
This isn’t another lecture-style event. It’s a full, hands-on creative experience designed for authors, coaches, and entrepreneurs who are ready to build their online presence and get known for their expertise.
Here’s what’s included:
A full day of strategy and clarity work to refine your message and rebuild your entire online presence
A professional photoshoot for new headshots, website, and social content
A video podcast recording in the RAE Van to capture your story and message in high quality
And a full month of one-on-one coaching calls afterward to keep your momentum going
You’ll just need to fly down and book a local hotel or Airbnb. I’ll handle everything else.
If you’ve been wanting to finally get serious about your visibility, your YouTube or podcast presence, or how you position your expertise online, this is the workshop where I’ll teach everything that has worked for me and for my clients.
This is for people who are ready to invest the time and effort to build something real, something that lasts in the new year.
If that sounds like you, message me to get early details.
I'll share more in the weeks ahead.
Keep going.
Hussein
