2016 is going to be a back to basics year on at The Buzz on HR.

When I started this blog almost 5 year ago, my dear friend about Jamie Gaymon gave me three pieces of advice that have always stuck with me:

1. Write about what you’re passionate about … Writing isn’t easy. Most people dread it. If you’re lucky enough to like it and be good at it, choose to write about something you enjoy. Otherwise, you will burn out and resent the work involved in building, maintaining and growing a blog.
2. Know your audience … When you write, you need to have an idea in your head of the person you’re talking to. Of course, you want anyone and everyone to read your work. You want people in all 4 corners of the world to read it and love it! Initially and immediately, that won’t be the case. So make sure you know who you are talking to — and what you’re talking about.
3. Be consistent … Whether it is once a day or once a week or once a month, set a consistent schedule for when you will post new content. You can always add more if/when you want to — but reducing the schedule will hurt your following.

I’ve violated rule #3.

I’ve said over and over that stuff of life and other demands zapped my creativity and pulled me away from writing. It’s my truth.

It’s also my truth that my inconsistent posting and occasional hiatuses hurt my following and cost me opportunities. This is the year that I right the ship.

I’m going back to basics.

I’m going back to writing weekly posts directed at active managers, leaders and human resources professionals. I will sprinkle in humor and sarcasm and pop-culture references. I will share real stories from my escapades in the HR trenches but change the names to protect the innocent. I will connect my every day happenings with management lessons for practical wisdom.

But that’s not enough. That’s not all.

Because part of the reason I took those hiatuses was because I wanted to share other stuff but didn’t know how. Stuff about my faith and my frustrations and my fears. Stuff about my perspective on race and gender in our world at large and especially in the world of work. Different stuff. Uncomfortable stuff. Stuff of life stuff.

Now that I’m back, I’m going to share that stuff. I need to share that stuff. It is scary. I’m going to have to change my style, my approach and push myself. I’m going to have to trust the message will find its way to its audience and that it will resonate with anyone who chooses to read it. I’m going to have to trust my audience to both rebuild and grow with me.

I’m going back to basics. Will you go with me?