ICYMI: Ellen from The Ask

As with many recent new-year beginnings, 2026 has already been eventful, particularly on the world stage. My heart goes out to those affected by and processing events as they continue to unfold.

Over in London, I’m writing to you from my co-working space, feeling grateful for the stability and comforts I experience day to day. When I wrestle with procrastination, the unpredictability of the LinkedIn algorithm, or the daily juggle of serving clients, eating well, seeing the people I love, and finding time to move my body, I know these are good problems to have.

As I shared last week, my Q1 focus continues to centre on long-form writing. That means spending more time on my own work, with the support of a writing coach I’ll be starting with soon and through supporting my clients achieve their business goals through the power of words, too. When it’s not writing, client sessions are focused on articulating a clear vision, mission, and business model that genuinely serves their goals.

That’s why I’m so excited to be soon running Authority Letters once again, the cohort-based sprint to write the long-form essay that articulates your central thesis and calls in aligned clients. You can register your interest to receive updates.

January’s Newsletter Round Up

^{Everything I shared last month to catch up on ICYMI}

1/ Authority-led businesses scale differently. After coaching 80+ entrepreneurs building theirs, as well as my own, I can safely say that “compounding” is a goal worth pursuing when it comes to you becoming known.

READ: The Quiet Compounding of Authority

2/ Whether you are planning intense sprint-type work patterns this year, or simply want to align your work and energy levels effectively to do your best work; this piece offered tried and tested advice doing your best work in 2026.

READ: How to do your best work this year

3/ If you’re selling your thinking and intellectual capital as your product, the words you use to explain what you do are critical. But positioning yourself is even more about the living, breathing choices you make each and every day.

READ: Authority is more than words on a page

4/ From December, the most popular post on this newsletter was my personal look back on 2025 across life and business: what shifted, what held, and what’s next.

READ: My Biggest 2025 Lessons: An Annual Reflection

Community Conversations

Editorial Highlights from clients past & present

• The talented Eleanor Warnock shares my sentiment that professionals who use consistent public writing will sharpen their thinking, build networks, and attract opportunities. She announced her exciting move to join Every.to as Managing Editor, and published her first piece for the publication; check out The Heyday of the Writing-first Practitioner.

• Whilst scrolling my inbox this week I had an unexpected ‘proud coach moment’ when The Atlantic shared one of their most popular reads that day: The Father Daughter Divide. Congrats to Isabel Woodford on an incredible op-ed. It is well worth your time reading.

• Emma Pegg, product storyteller and founder of Cantadora has shared her Hero Piece manifesto on why our world (and nature tech) needs more story keepers and more love stories: Where are the modern day myth-makers? A shining example of the power of long-form writing to express an idea that sits at the heart of Authority-building.

Work with Ellen into 2026

Support with your Authority led business

I work with people who have strong ideas but no clear centre of gravity. Working together, we turn your thinking into long-form work and a focused business model that actually compounds.

If you want 2026 to be the year your ideas finally pull their weight: Join Authority Letters to define your One Big Idea and write your Hero Piece, or apply to work with me privately to take your entire business to the next level. Not sure? Book a 25 min chat to explore your options.