Community Insights for Impact
3 Ways to Use AI to Support Your Business Operations
In this blog post, Kaitlin shares her journey from initially fearing AI to embracing it as a supportive tool in business operations, highlighting three key ways she uses AI. Kaitlin emphasizes that while AI isn't perfect and requires human oversight, it significantly enhances her productivity by reducing time spent on tasks like email composition and research. Ultimately, she concludes that AI is a valuable efficiency-boosting technology that should be viewed as a collaborative tool rather than a threat, and encourages professionals to integrate it into their workflows while maintaining a human touch.
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Harnessing Freedom as a Freelancer by Crafting an Ideal Week
In this blog, Tori Hennis emphasizes the importance of managing time effectively as a freelancer by utilizing the concept of an "Ideal Week." Inspired by Todd Duncan's book Time Traps, the Ideal Week helps freelancers structure their time around priorities, blending both non-negotiable tasks and personal goals. Hennis shares strategies for building this ideal schedule, such as time blocking for focused work, allowing for breaks, and minimizing context switching by grouping similar tasks. While acknowledging that life may not always go as planned, she encourages freelancers to remain flexible, adjusting their Ideal Week as their circumstances evolve, to achieve a balanced and fulfilling work-life experience.
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A Freelancer’s Most Powerful Asset
Sometimes life forces change before we’re ready, and in Spring 2023, that happened to Tegan when she lost her mentor and longtime boss. His passing profoundly shifted her career path, leading her to pause, grieve, and reconnect with her network. Over the summer, the support and camaraderie of her friends and colleagues helped her heal and ultimately gave her the confidence to start her own consulting business. It was through their encouragement, advice, and belief in her that she realized our greatest asset as entrepreneurs is our community, and together, we can achieve incredible impact.
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Reflections & Gratitude
In celebrating one year of full-time freelancing, I’m reflecting on the alignment of support, strategy, and hard work that led me here. From my early steps with Stratejoy's Holiday Council to using a Cultivate What Matters planner, I’ve been intentional about manifesting my goals. Throughout 2023, my community has been my backbone, with friends, family, mentors, and even my dog, Zoë, cheering me on. This milestone is a testament to the power of belief, action, and the people who lift us up.
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A Guide to Planning for Your Client's Extended Out-of-Office
This blog will guide you through the essential steps to prepare for a client's extended out-of-office period. From initiating early communication and prioritizing tasks, to creating a detailed plan and preparing for the unexpected, these strategies will help you manage the situation smoothly. By following these steps, you can turn potential disruptions into opportunities for efficiency and strengthen your client relationship. Let’s dive into the best practices for navigating your client’s extended absence.
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Freelancer Automation: Ways to Save Time and Money
One simple way to extend your capacity and to increase profits for the freelancer or small business owner is to more efficiently use your time. And nothing increases efficiency more than setting up automations for recurring or simple tasks so that you can direct your energy in places where it’s most needed, like writing a new project proposal, connecting with a potential client, or thinking through creative ways to increase your revenue.
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Putting the "Life" Back in Work Life Balance
My son has a half day of school today, so we are signing off early and going camping with a number of other families. This is the "balance" I was looking for when I started freelancing full time. Balance doesn't mean 50/50 (and likely never will), but the autonomy to decide to shut down and venture into the woods with my family is one of my driving purposes for freelancing full time. 2023 was a learning year where I didn't allow space for my personal needs and priorities. I'm still learning, but this year is better!
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Unlocking Workflow Mastery: Elevate Productivity with These 5 Essential Steps
In a world that's always buzzing with information and demands, mastering your workflow is a secret weapon for unlocking productivity and reclaiming your time. As a virtual Executive Assistant juggling multiple clients, Erika Ferrell realized the urgent need to develop an intentional workflow. This journey began as an attempt to streamline her responsibilities and reduce mental fatigue, allowing her to focus wholeheartedly on driving her clients' work forward. Today, she'll walk you through the five crucial steps that transformed her work life and can do the same for yours.
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The Why Behind Curate Impact
In this blog post, Heather Owens, Founder of Curate Impact, shares her journey from educator and non-profit professional to successful freelancer. She opens up about the challenges of freelancing, such as loneliness and overwhelming responsibilities, and how her network's support helped her succeed. Heather also introduces Curate Impact, a community designed to connect freelancers with resources, opportunities, and each other, to help them overcome freelancing hurdles and achieve their goals.
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