First, why the Coffee Break newsletter, and what is it, anyway?
The Coffee Break newsletter is for readers intrigued by the idea of starting their own Substack publishing and writing careers and eventually leaving their corporate jobs for good. Join me as I share my journey, filled with challenges and wins, and see if I can achieve this goal over a three-year period.
When can you expect me?
I publish consistently every Wednesday at 11:00 GMT.
Each week, the published issue is a little different:
1st week OTM: Personal essays and fiction book summaries. We will explore the topics of burnout, time management, mindset shifts, and online writing and highlight the key takeaways from non-fiction books that can help us shift our mindsets.
2nd week OTM: Take a break thread: A chance to slow down and hone down on one specific challenge over a cup of coffee ☕️. This is a great place to share your insights, opinions, and advice, as well as your work and expertise, with my readers.
3rd Week OTM: Behind the Substack series: Interview with Substack writers (fast-growing and admired)
4th Week OTM: Issue#: This is a collection of round-ups and recommendations, including key takeaways from the latest non-fiction books, podcasts, movies to watch, and other Substack publications you need to know about.
The complete archive is available to all subscribers.
All subscribers get:
All of the above
Paid subscribers get:
This is a free newsletter. I don't paywall any of my posts, but you can choose to pay if you enjoy what I deliver.
As paid subscribers, you will receive exclusive access to a thread and private chat, where we discuss mindset shifts and work on our goals.
I will also include the behind-the-scenes tactical and strategic steps I am taking to make this publication an actual online magazine.
You should subscribe if you
have a dull full-time job and want to create a strategy for exit, and hand in your notice one day.
lack the time to pursue your big, juicy, hairy dreams and only have enough time for a coffee break.
are interested in getting a peek behind the scenes of how I’m growing this newsletter into a thriving online publication. I’ll include the challenges and wins, tactics and strategies.
want to be part of a community of readers who enjoy non-fiction books, like to highlight them, underline them, take notes on them, and want space where they can discuss them.
want to share your work with my readers and promote your work
are interested in learning how other Substack writers work, their growth strategies and how they manage their time and well-being.
want access to the threads and chat groups where we discuss mindset shifts, from “I hate this—nothing is working out for me TO “I 100% got this!” and feel supported along the way.
And a bit about me….
I am by no means an expert. I enjoy writing on various topics and compiling multiple posts for you, from interviews to complete personal essays, opinion pieces, recommendations, and book summaries.
You can find articles on time management and productivity, mindset shifts, writing, burnout and insecurities.
The coffee break newsletter is a passionate experiment I started during my coffee break in my dull job.
I have three years to make this publication a half-thriving online newsletter you'd like to support. In three years, I'm handing in my notice and leaving my management job for good.
Three years may seem like a long time, but it's pretty short when it comes to making a big shift in your career.
Why did I start the Coffee Break Newsletter?
I am a coffee enthusiast and have been since I turned 14.
I've been a full-time manager for over 15 years. It's a dreadful, soul-sacking, and, for the most part, unrewarding job. My dream job would be journalism. In a way, by setting up my publication, I've created my dream job.
I don’t know much, but I know how to get things done, so I’ll share that with you.
I am fascinated by learning about how other writers work and think, their strategies for appealing to readers, their time management and planning techniques, and their self-care practices.
A year ago, I experienced full-on burnout; now, I’m recovering. I think the strategies and tools I am using might be useful to you, so I’m going to share them here.
I love nonfiction books. I enjoy reading and learning from them, and I am fascinated by how they shape and change my mindset and perspective. I want to read more and chat about them with you.
I am a bit too obsessed with pens and Post-it Notes.
What others say about the Coffee Break:
Thank you for taking the time to visit and read about my newsletter.
One last thing before you go: subscribe. You never know, you might enjoy it. You will for sure have my gratitude.
Been meaning to subscribe for a few weeks now. This post re-confirmed why. Cheers on the publication Jana! I'll be seeing you in the comments...
I love your start here post, it fun reading one that I keep reading. Curious, tho. You said you have three coaching qualifications. What are they? I wanna know