Forty weeks.
That’s how long it takes to grow a baby.
And apparently, to grow a newsletter habit.
When I started this, it felt like labor pains without the epidural, awkward, messy, and something I swore I’d quit. If it weren’t for two friends (Heythem Naji and Mike Romaine) nudging me along, you would not be reading this.
Yet here we are.
Forty weeks later, what once felt like resistance has become my most joyful ritual. Instead of dragging myself to write, I now look forward to it.
Last weekend, stomach bug and all, I sat by the pool while my daughter swam and, for once, didn’t bring my laptop.
I listened to a podcast with Simon Sinek and Rob Lowe, and they talked about having a “serious case of the FUCKITS”: the urge to start something just because you feel pulled to and you dont care if it bombs.
That’s what this newsletter has been for me. A pocket experiment that turned into something far bigger than I imagined.
Quote of the Week
“Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.”
John Lennon
And forty weeks of newsletters taught me exactly that.
What 40 Weeks Taught Me
When I pressed publish on issue one, I didn’t think of this as a midlife career moment. I thought of it as torture. But over time, the reps created clarity.
Research shows it takes an average of 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic. Forty weeks? That’s more than enough time to rewire how you see yourself.
Here’s what happened to me:
- Visibility without force.
Publishing weekly opened doors to podcasts, articles, and consulting clients I never pitched for.
2. Conversations that matter.
Instead of cold calls, my inbox fills with women (and men too) saying, “This hit home.” That’s the power of showing up.
3. Joy in the practice.
The writing habit I once dreaded is now where I process, reflect, and experiment. It’s my weekly appointment with myself to evaluate what’s moving the needle, and proof that what feels like resistance can turn into the most sustaining ritual.
This consistency hasn’t just grown my voice.
It’s fueling what’s shaping up to be my biggest consulting year yet.
My business is busy, really busy, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
From now until December, I have space to work with at most three individual clients on a full-time basis. If you’ve been thinking about exploring what that could look like, the time to do it is now.
Own It: Start Before You’re Ready
If 40 weeks of writing taught me anything, it’s that pivots aren’t always planned. They happen one step, one conversation at a time.
You don’t need to know where it’s all heading to start, but you do need to begin. And if you’re ready to explore what your own 40-week experiment could unlock, here’s your next step.
👉 Book a call with me and let’s map how you can turn your own 40-week experiment into a business that feels as good as it looks. With my consulting capacity limited to just three full-time clients until December, now is the right time to explore if one of those spots should be yours.
Reader Love
“Wow. What a great email to read while walking the halls to my office at 5:00am. Inspirational, motivating, challenging my current views and confidence or lack thereof when it comes to compensation, title, and the big question – what else is out there? Starting to see things from a different perspective.”
“Just keep sharing your story. Your past, your transitions, your grit, they are so inspiring. You are really making a difference Claudia. Thank you.”
“I never read newsletters. But yours? I actually look forward to. You’re so authentic, so clear. That’s why I followed you on Instagram. I was like – ‘Who is this chick?’”
“Wow I have received and read carefully your daily emails and what a help it is and how true it is. It’s nice to know I am not alone in feeling all this. Your emails are amazing to read every day.”
These words remind me why I keep showing up here every week.
They’re fuel for the next 40 weeks and beyond.
Thank you for being there through this entire pregnancy of a project – you’ve made the growing pains worth it.
My heart is full. See you on Wednesday.
Claudia
