ExitLab was a place for experiments. It turned out to be one itself. When I launched ExitLab, I wanted to document real projects as they happened—the successes, the mistakes, the numbers, and the lessons. I believed that sharing the journey in real time would create more value than simply writing about the final results. After
After a short summer break, I’m back. Earlier this year, I started building an online business. Stepping away for a couple of weeks gave me something I didn’t expect: perspective. I realised that I hadn’t just spent the first half of the year building projects. I’d been building the ability to build projects. That may
Over the past few months, I’ve talked quite a bit about wanting ExitLab to become more than just a series of projects. I want it to become a way of working. Instead of guessing, I want to test. Instead of assuming, I want to measure. And instead of trying to read my way to every
My intention with every ExitLab project is to share regular updates as I build. This eBook project didn’t quite turn out that way. One thing I’ve already learned is that building in public also means building a lot behind the scenes. I’d rather not publish updates just to prove that I’m working or report every
When people decide to start an online business, they often begin with the business. The business model. The content strategy. The income goals. The systems. The deadlines. That’s exactly what I did. When I launched Hamster Wheel Exit in January, I started by asking how to build an online business. But if the goal is
I’ve had a few open decisions sitting in the background lately.This week, I decided to deal with them. ExitLab – Week 1This week wasn’t about output.It was about decisions. I’ve also been working on the e-book. Not by writing pages, not yet, but by structuring them. Through experience, and a fair amount of trial and
AI can write fast.But most of what it writes feels empty. I think that’s creating a strange illusion right now. Because text shows up on the screen, it’s easy to believe the hard part is done.That writing has somehow become easy. But typing words was never the skill. The skill is knowing what to say.Why
When an idea stops feeling right, it’s often only clear in hindsight. It’s been a couple of weeks since I wrapped up my first ExitLab project.Long enough to get some distance — and to see what actually happened. One thing became very clear: These projects take more time — and more energy — than you
I wish this was a victory post. It isn’t. It’s something more useful. Seven weeks ago, I set clear goals for this project.100 published designs.A completed social media campaign.$100 in revenue. None of those goals were reached. If you only look at the targets I set in January, then yes — the project failed. But
ExitLab – Week 6Online business maintenance sounds boring, right?It does — until your hosting provider sends a security warning and WordPress greets you with alerts.Suddenly, “maintenance” doesn’t feel so dull anymore. This week in the ExitLab wasn’t about growth.It was about stability. It started with an email suggesting that my website may have been compromised. “May.”Just
