From analog to digital notebooks — Find the best note-taking tool for your needs. — If you were to see my office, you’d be greeted by a pile of notebooks on my desk. And that would only represent what’s visible — I have another stash of virtual notebooks on my computer. But my notebook collection isn’t random. Each notebook has a very singular purpose. And…

I need to allocate my energy between different writing projects. — Many writers feel like they’re caught in a game of tug-of-war. You have professional writing commitments that pay the bills. Maybe you’re a journalist, content marketer, or freelancer. In any case, you have a paying client and deadlines to meet. And you have your passion projects — the writing that…

We have the power to decide how we spend our time — I grew up with some very traditional views of career success. Work hard, prove your value, and rise to the top. My dad began his career as a social worker and eventually became the CEO of a nonprofit. I spent my college years working at a bank, watching smart loan…

No one can predict the future, but you can brace yourself for hard times — Recession. Kind of a scary word and one that has entered the conversation. Along with economists and financial gurus, you’re probably wondering what will happen. Are we headed toward another recession, à la 2008-style? No one knows for sure. But soaring gas prices and high inflation have led to a…

Test out your content and unique POV with a small but mighty following. — The creator/solopreneur world sometimes feels crowded. There are a lot of “thought leaders” telling you how to grow your audience and make money online. And usually, they’ve already amassed tens of thousands of followers. At that point, the money is pouring in from various revenue streams. It’s interesting to reflect…

Change is unavoidable and an adjustment period is necessary. — I’m a very routine-driven person. My days run a predictable course of getting my kids off to school, work, and household responsibilities. My time is divided into neat little blocks and I know what to expect most days. Benjamin Franklin famously followed a daily routine that was broken down into…

Traveling requires a lot of organization. — Of all the parenting advice on the internet, no one warned me exactly how much my future travel plans would revolve around the school year. And it didn’t really hit me until my oldest son was in kindergarten. Our district — like many — has an entire week off for…

Stop celebrating a steady paycheck as a career win. — In 2021, I joined The Great Resignation and quit my job. I’d been with the same fintech for 15 years and decided I’d had enough. Not only did I leave my job, but I also embarked on a new career, pivoting into content marketing and journalism. The huge shift has…

I need a reliable pulse on how things are going. — Only a fraction of a manager’s job is managing work. The larger (perhaps most important) aspect is managing people. And by “manage” I don’t mean “micromanage” — I mean caring for the wellbeing of one’s team so that they can do their best work. I was the product manager and…