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Archives for August 2008
Coffee Break: Tricks for Self-Motivation
August 29, 2008 by 1 Comment
At the moment, my friend Christina is struggling with doing up her grad school apps, and preparing for the GREs. The biggest problem? Motivation.
I think we can all understand that (or am I the only one with a penchant for procrastination?).
The thing she’s doing that I find absolutely brilliant is that she’s using FutureMe as a self-motivating tool, sending herself messages that list what she hopes she’s accomplished by then.
I use Ta-da List to list what I need to get done, but it doesn’t periodically nudge me, which is probably something I’d benefit from. If you need a nudge, check out the links after the jump, and then let us now how you keep yourself motivated, whether you reward yourself with a cup of coffee (or six) or celebrate your accomplishments with a night on the town.
My (More Than) 5 Favorite Things In: The Anti 9 to 5 Guide
August 28, 2008 by 6 Comments
I read a ton of books in my personal journey toward freelancedom, but I have to admit, the one that provided the impetus to my actually leaving my 9-to-5 was Michelle Goodman’s The Anti 9 to 5 Guide. In fact, my copy is so dog-eared that I couldn’t stop at just listing my five favorites:
Marketing Basics: Playing To the Right Crowd
August 27, 2008 by 2 Comments
Over the past few months, I’ve struggled to find new freelance projects to supplement my regular proofreading and blogging income. Only recently was I able to admit to myself the reason for this partially self-imposed period of limbo: I wasn’t sure what I was looking for.
Obviously, it’s impossible to put together an effective marketing campaign when you’re not quite sure what you’re marketing, or who you’re marketing to. After the jump, the three most basic questions you need to ask yourself before launching your own campaign:
Product Placement: Laptop Bags That Cost More Than Your Laptop
August 26, 2008 by Leave a Comment
Or at least they cost more than my old laptop…the one I picked up at a computer show a few years ago for a couple hundred bucks. I recently got rid of that thing, and just borrow my husband’s from time to time, but I still have a thing for sleek and functional laptop bags.
The one above is $285. After the jump. another gorgeous bag I can’t afford, and don’t even need:
PSA: There’s A New Cat In Town
August 25, 2008 by 3 Comments
Hello all! I’d like to apologize for missing a day of posting. As you can see, I was a bit distracted. Over the weekend, Michael and I adopted Lusa, a sweet little girl who is nevertheless able to strike fear into the hearts of my 8-year-olds, Gizmo and Mercutio. And so, the weekend was a mishmash of hissing, territorial spraying, despondency, and my own feelings of guilt and self-doubt. Ain’t she cute, though?
It’s good to know that, as an awesome self-employed person, the world doesn’t end when distractions pop up. Life is more flexible now. It’s a huge part of why I started moving toward freelancedom in the first place. I wanted to eventually maintain my work while raising children.
What have you been able to fit into your life now that the boss of you is…you?
Coffee Break: Home Ec for Entrepreneurs
August 22, 2008 by 1 Comment
Earlier this week, Jezebel had this interesting post, in which the writers tried to recall what bits of knowledge they had actually retained from early-childhood home ec classes.
They went on to ponder what sort of knowledge they would have actually benefited from.
My 5 Favorite Things In: Monday Morning Choices
August 21, 2008 by Leave a Comment
Okay. So David Cottrell’s Monday Morning Choices isn’t exactly a freelance-specific book, but I have a weakness for the self-help genre. I find that — like a good session with my shrink — self-help books inspire me to be the best version of myself.
As people who have willingly given up benefits and a regular salary to go it alone, I can’t help but feel that we’re all trying to find a career that’s in tune with the very best version of ourselves. After the jump, some things to keep in mind if you want to maintain a winning attitude:
Setting Business Goals: 3 Questions To Ask Yourself
August 20, 2008 by Leave a Comment
We’ve talked a lot about how to take the steps necessary to switch careers and/or start your own business, but it occurs to me that some of you may not have the clearest idea of exactly what type of business you’d like to start, or what product, skill, or expertise you’re interested in selling.
This is completely normal. Our imaginations seize on a vague idea or activity and, all of a sudden, our brains are running at breakneck speed, eager to follow a dream that is hazier than we realize. It’s no wonder that starting a business can feel so confusing and overwhelming.
After the jump, I outline the 3 questions you should ask yourself when attempting to solidify a distinct career path.
Product Placement: Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000
August 19, 2008 by 1 Comment
The other month, as a favor to my cousin, I photographed a corporate event that her company was hosting. As payment, I received a gift card to Circuit City, and decided to invest in a webcam for blogging purposes. See my very first video post — in addition to pricing and purchasing information — after the jump.
