Where I’m landing with this book (after a 5 month hiatus from this Substack)

I'm back!

Cyclone Alfred ravaged through South-East Queensland last week.

I had five solid days of work booked in this week (the Red Carpet Campout is now in June + a 2-day strategy off-site with a high-growth client, rescheduled for next month).

The silver lining? I’ve been given me back the gift of time: A whole, glorious, spacious week of zero meetings/commitments.

Of course, I’ve managed to fill it with other things, like trying to heal my Achilles (lots of strength work, dry needling, massage, physio), nail appointments, a random, spontaneous long lunch yesterday…and my other project this week? Deciding to make a decision on my next book (so meta).

In my last post in November (eek! Ages ago!), I shared how I wasn’t writing this next book from a place of unconscious competence.

Instead, I wanted to stay in that sweet spot of conscious competence—where I still remember what it took to get the result I’m offering in my book, where I can break things down step by step.

That clarity? It felt good.

Then reality hit.

Because if I’m honest, I’ve spent the last few months circling around the idea, obsessing over making it uncopyable.

I’ve been thinking so much about differentiation, about how to ensure this book isn’t just another take on standing out, that I caught myself in the exact trap I warn others about: overthinking.

What’s helped me move forward? Working in public.

I’ve been testing these ideas in real time—on my 2025 daily podcast, Leanne on Demand where I can riff on a concept, see what sparks, what feels flat, what gets people messaging me.

And on LinkedIn, where I’ve been posting thoughts, noticing which angles get engagement, which ones start real conversations. I did a post earlier this week on how to differentiate yourself, which blew up (in a good way).

Every time I share, I see the patterns. I see where people light up, where they push back, and where they start tagging their friends saying, “You need to read this.” That’s been my feedback loop.

So, here’s where I’m landing:

What’s the next book about?

This book is about why some people seem to attract the best opportunities while others—just as talented—get overlooked.

It’s about how to stand out in a sea of sameness without resorting to desperate self-promotion or exhausting hustle.

It’s for people (and businesses) who are doing great work but feeling invisible.

It’s for the professionals and consultants who are tired of waiting to be picked and are ready to take control of their reputation, their positioning, and the way they show up.

And honestly? It’s for me, too.

I’ve realised that part of writing this book is about figuring out my own next evolution.

AI is making execution faster than ever. Ideas are easier to replicate.

But what can’t be copied? How you see the world. How you connect ideas. How you package them into something people can’t ignore.

This book isn’t just about differentiation. It’s about making sure you never get left behind.

Because, now, I’m not really getting FOMO. I’m getting FOBO: The Fear of Becoming Obsolete.

I’ll be sharing more soon, but for now, I’m curious:

How does this book topic land with you? Resonate?

Yay or nay?