If you're a solopreneur, here's how to build a network that will have your back. Check out my latest for @fastcompany.com www.fastcompany.com/91458231/sol...

A solopreneur’s starter kit: What you need on Day 1 Check out my article for @fastcompany.com www.fastcompany.com/91439714/sol...

Sometimes I work really late. Or on weekends. Usually because something unexpected interrupted my day. But I 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 to work outside of my normal hours. There's a big difference between making a choice and having extra hours forced upon you.

I started freelancing because the idea of looking for another job was exhausting. It wasn't the only reason. Or even the primary reason. But it was definitely a reason.

Stop. Publishing. Garbage. On. The. Internet. kthanksbye.

Next time you're asked to do something, ask yourself: Is it worth exchanging some of your free time? Or time for your family? Or time for the things you enjoy?

Location Bias: Favoring people who come into an office over people who work remotely. So, so bad for many reasons. I see comments all the time, "If you don't come into the office, you'll only have yourself to blame when you're passed over for a promotion."

As a solopreneur and mom, flexibility controls my life. (Is that an oxymoron? Flexible control?) But it's true. Flexibility is the engine that makes everything happen. I'm able to make space for both work and my family.

Leaving your corporate job for a solopreneur path is a bold move — and it can feel terrifying. But as long as you’re prepared, it can be a *smart* move, especially in the current rocky job market. www.fastcompany.com/91445195/how...

Gentle reminder that you can take ownership when something doesn't go as planned... AND also recognize when you haven't been set up for success. Without the right resources (time, people, information, etc), there's no way you can be successful.

A report from MIT found that 95% of AI pilot programs at enterprise companies fail. AI isn't failing because the tech is bad. It's failing because companies are chasing flash promises over function. And forgetting the people who *actually* have to use it.

A recent Wall Street Journal opinion piece argued that work-life balance keeps you mediocre. I couldn't disagree more. In my experience, balance made me more focused, more empathetic, and a better leader.

Why are we still stuck on "time" as a bucket that needs to be filled during the day? I see the argument from return-to-office advocates: "𝘙𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯'𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 8 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘺!" Is the work getting done? If so, then what's the problem?

One sign (of many) that it's time to move on from a job: Your motivation is lacking when you used to really enjoy the work. You're bored. You're not challenged. You feel like you're spinning your wheels. It's ok to admit that you've outgrown a job, even if you're really good at it.

Work-life balance shouldn't be the goal. It's never a perfect balance. Sometimes work demands my attention. Sometimes my kids demand my attention. Sometimes I want to focus on my own projects. It's about the freedom to prioritize between work and life-outside-of-work.

The first 15 years of my career had NOTHING to do with marketing - I was a product manager and tech executive. I taught myself by watching smart people in the industry. That's what makes unconventional paths possible.

Yes, two weeks' notice when quitting is customary in the U.S. Employees give notice out of loyalty to the company or because it feels like the "right" thing to do. But it's important to protect yourself first. You don't know how your employer will react.

Bad conversation starter: "What do you do for a living?" Because some people have roles that are hard to describe. It also assumes that our paid work defines who we are and our sense of worth. Better question: "Tell me about yourself. What do you like to do?

Workplaces promised flexibility, then snapped back to old habits. Long hours and in-office work are BACK. 😩 Why did things change so fast? And what can you do to protect your time?

Good reasons to have meetings: - Virtual chats - Kickoff calls with new clients or sales calls - Problem-solving that would be hard via email or asynchronously Bad reasons to have meetings: - Status updates (🙄)

Bereavement policies and support need to be better for grieving parents. www.fastcompany.com/91426266/pre...

"Not a good fit" is something we don't talk about enough. The employee might be great. The job might be great. But they're not good for each other. And it's ok to step away from a job like that.

The main people advocating for in-office work are people who benefited from an office (like played office politics) or people who own office buildings / financially benefit in some way.

Bereavement policies and support need to be better. www.fastcompany.com/91426266/pre...

Have you ever worked for a micromanager? It is 𝙨𝙤 stifling.

"Flexible work" doesn't mean "my boss let me leave an hour early after I asked for permission." Flexible work gives people the freedom to choose the hours and locations that work best for them.

If you work for yourself, money isn't the only factor. www.fastcompany.com/91421814/her...

A return-to-office demand only means that people have to put on pants. There's no guarantee of productivity.

How many companies can actually 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞 their culture? What sets their culture apart from other companies?

On the Wisepreneurs podcast, I talked about my brain surgery a few months ago, recovery, and the systems I set up to keep my business running in the background. Give it a listen! www.wisepreneurs.au/anna-burgess...

Have you ever worked for a micromanager? It is 𝙨𝙤 stifling.

Chasing the algorithm is exhausting. I'd much rather show up as my human self.

Freelance isn't code for "semi-unemployed." The end.

What does "right-paced" work mean for you? Not feeling overwhelmed Not feeling like you're on a hamster wheel But it's also ok to work in intervals. You push when you need to and then settle back into a pace that works.

I’ve been recovering from brain surgery for the past few months. Now I’m back at work, but things feel different. I’m not sure I want to go back to the way things were before. Here’s what I’m thinking about right now.

I set goals, but I'm also gentle with myself. Sometimes life gets in the way, and that's ok.

I want to show my kids a better way of working. One that isn't focused on the grind or tolerating an employer that doesn't value you.

Working parents don't talk enough about juggling the demands of work and the demands of our families. We've got a LOT going on behind the scenes.

"ABC worked for me!! Therefore it can work for anyone!!" It doesn't work like that... I'm always really careful when I share. I'll say something like "XYZ worked for me and here's why it worked for me. But it may not work for you."

Even though I spent most of my career in the corporate world, I have worked for companies with a LOT of flexibility. I was used to putting boundaries around my time. Otherwise, it's really easy to overwork - especially in a remote environment.

My oldest child is 16. But I remember the early days and how hard they were. New parents: You're doing just fine. ❤️

Freelance isn't code for cheap or desperate. The end.

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. When my daughter was stillborn, I had to recover from labor and delivery - even though I had no baby to bring home. Pregnancy loss deserves more time, support, and empathy at work.

Sure, AI can help you brainstorm social posts and other content. But when it takes over your LinkedIn comments or cold emails, PEOPLE CAN TELL. And not in a good way.

I played by all the rules. Hustle, hustle, hustle. Long hours. Keep my opinions to myself. I finally asked myself, "What else is out there?" Recalibrated my thinking. Which led to a total career pivot. I'm a lot happier having more control over my work.

Setting boundaries during a medical crisis can feel hard, especially when people want to help. But it’s also one of the kindest things you can do for yourself. These simple scripts help make it easier.

This academic used to think work and life needed to be kept separate. But over time, working on the beach helped her build her own version of worklife.

A bad apple will drag the entire team down. *Everything* will take longer because of friction and people won't feel good about the work.

Career pivots are possible. You don't have to do what you've been doing. You can find something that will make you happy. I'm proof of that. Don't stop looking.

When managers favor certain employees, it creates selective memory. 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 employees can do no wrong. And everyone else has to fight to make their voices heard.