While I've mentioned this verbally to people that I know, face to face, over the phone and in e-mail, I haven't really set a stake in the ground: I've shut down the formal consulting part of my life. I've been wrapping things up since the beginning of this year and transitioning things to others as much as possible.
It would be wrong to say that I'm shutting down "Radiotope," as it existed before I was formally consulting, and will continue on now.
I also use the term "formally consulting." Well, people still consult me on a variety of topics. We're all consultants to someone, in some form, no? However, consulting will not be my main source of income, nor will I be offering the service at all. Questions can certainly still be directed my way, and I will always do my best to answer them - technical question or otherwise.
After 7 years in the consulting arena, I really had to examine what I do and how I do it. While I've been "successful" by many measures, I failed to grow the business past myself. This is bad for me, and not particularly good for my clients. Upon examination, I'm a pretty good tech, but perhaps not so good of a businessman. Otherwise, I would have know where the points to grow were, or, taken the chances on finding out.
Overall, this gives me time to spend a little more time with my family (important), get back to some technology learning (important), see my extended family a bit more (important) and get involved in some community projects (important).
Life has been filled with surprises and wonderment lately - all good things. Things, though, that need a little investigation, discipline and concentration. Always watch this space for announcements.
