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THE WEEKLY BRIEF UPDATE1. #Achillesgate2020 Update Nothing too too new to brag about this week other than I WAS CLEARED TO DRIVE MOTHERFUCKAS. Up until this past Tuesday I hadn’t been behind the wheel of a car since May 23rd. My wife has been carting me everywhere.
On top of that I’m pretty sure Lyft is still operating in Boston because of me. So it was a nice reprieve and welcome change of pace to be able to drive this week. Onward! 2. You can now purchase CORE @ Home for whatever it is you want to pay. During quarantine I started a platform where I’d deliver 20-40 minute workouts that could be performed in everyone’s living room using minimal equipment. In all I curated 36 workouts using nothing but bodyweight, bands, and kettlebells and/or dumbbells. With many people still reticent to head back to their regular gyms (not to mention the scarcity of gym equipment out there to purchase) I figured this would be a nice opportunity to help. Whether you want to spend $1 or $100, the workouts are ready and available to start. For more information go HERE. SOCIAL MEDIA SHENANIGANS
STUFF TO READ WHILE YOU’RE PRETENDING TO WORKNiched: Demystifying the World of Finance – Pete Dupuis/Sahil BloomFull Disclosure: Pete’s a good friend and former business partner of mine. His Niched podcast is excellent either way you slice it. Sahil is also a good friend (and one of the first athletes I trained at Cressey Sports Performance). He’s now doing some pretty cool things in the world of finance, telling stories, and making it more palatable for us minions. He’s been CRUSHING Twitter of late with his “Allegory of Finance” series. So much so that Sahil picked up a follow from Tim Cook. He’s now one of 69 people the CEO of Apple follows. However, I’M only one of 48 people Sahil follows…;o) A Step by Step Push-Up Progression List – Matthew IbrahimI’ve always stated that if one improves his or her’s ability to perform a GOOD push-up, pretty much every other lift will benefit from it as well. Unfortunately, as much as push-ups are slept on because they’re deemed “too easy” or not worth our time, many, MANY people cannot perform them well. This article will help. Best Habit Advice Ever: Never Miss Twice – Mike T. NelsonLoved this short and to the point blog post from Mike. Did what you just read make your day? Ruin it? Either way, you should share it with your friends and/or comment below.via Blog – Tony Gentilcore http://tonygentilcore.com/2020/08/stuff-to-read-while-youre-pretending-to-work-8-21-20/
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A typical project consists of many moving parts. One freelancer may be responsible for delivering one part, while another puts it all together. Deadlines that aren’t met can send the entire project plunging. Project scheduling involves creating a timeline for upcoming tasks and establishing clear deadlines. It keeps everyone on the same page and allows project managers to address bottlenecks before they become a major issue. If you're working for multiple clients at once, it helps you manage your workflow so you're never the one who holds a project up. Struggling to manage all your different projects? Here are five project scheduling techniques that you can use to streamline your workflow. 1. Set SMART GoalsThe reason many projects fail is because they lack objectives. Whether you’re launching a new site or planning an event, setting clear goals keeps you on the right track. Follow the SMART methodology. This is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Based. (Image Source: Hubspot) If your goal is to generate more traffic to your site, a SMART goal might be: Increase our monthly traffic by 15% before the end of the year by publishing at least four blog posts a week and promoting them on Facebook and Twitter. This statement is much more concrete than simply saying you want more traffic or better search engine rankings. It lays out a specific goal and has a timeline attached to it. The next step is to put it all together and track your efforts. 2. Schedule Tasks With Gantt ChartsA single project can involve a large group of people. Keeping track of tasks for each person can be challenging, especially for more complex projects. The next crucial project scheduling technique is to have the right tools. Writing things down in a notebook or on a piece of paper just won’t cut it. One powerful tool that enables you to visualize your projects and view timelines for each step is a Gantt chart. Here’s an example of what a Gantt chart looks like: Each horizontal bar shows key information about individual tasks, including who’s working on them, as well their start and end time. It also shows the order of each task and how they link with each other. For example, if you’re working to improve your SEO, a Gantt chart can help you visualize each step of your project schedule, from conducting keyword research to analyzing your competitors and more. Using a Gantt chart can also help you identify bottlenecks in your workflow. If someone on the team misses a deadline, you can address it directly before it becomes problematic. Take the goals that you created from the previous step. Break them down into the smallest tasks and add them to your Gantt chart. There are a number of both paid and free platforms that offer Gantt chart templates. You can also consider other project management tools, like kanban boards — a visualization tool that uses cards and columns to manage tasks. Experiment with different tools until you find one that fits your workflow. 3. Use Chatbots to Organize QueriesHandling customer queries can take time away from important projects. One option is to implement software like live chat or conversation widgets — a chat box that integrates directly on a website. It allows visitors to interact with a customer service representative and get help. A representative can realistically handle about five interactions at a time. That means some visitors may have to wait a long time before they can get help with their query. Not to mention that you’ll also need to spend resources to hire and train representatives. A more efficient way to handle and organize queries is to use chatbots — software applications powered by artificial intelligence to simulate human conversations. There are also rule-based chatbots, which follow predefined steps. Use chatbots to create ticketing systems to organize customer queries. You can even program chatbots to automate invoicing and payments. For example, after a customer books an appointment, you can ping them with a message and send them an invoice afterward. Chatbots can help streamline many processes in your business, allowing you to focus more of your attention on important projects. 4. Automate Repetitive TasksCompanies engage in numerous tasks to reach their target and generate more sales — building email campaigns, following up with leads, creating landing pages, etc. But such tasks tend to be repetitive and time-consuming. Consider using marketing automation tools in your projects to streamline and automate certain workflows. For example, using a calendar scheduling tool makes it easy to schedule demos with potential leads and avoids the back and forth. This can save you and your team tons of time. You can also use forms to create ticketing systems to organize queries and marketing software to automatically follow up with them. Email is another area that benefits from automation tools. Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to reach your audience and grow your business. But you can’t make key decisions about a campaign without accurate metrics. Use an email tracking software to manage your campaigns and follow up on leads. Email tracking allows you to see who is engaging with your emails and links they’re clicking through. If a lead clicks on a link, you can follow up with a more personalized email. And because it’s relevant to their interests, they’ll be more likely to open your email and click through. Think about recurring tasks and find software that can improve your overall efficiency. 5. Remember to Take a BreakGetting enough rest is key to staying productive. Most adults require between seven to nine hours of sleep, but data shows that those in the workforce typically get less. It can be tempting to pack your schedule to make the most out of each waking hour. Make sure you don’t overschedule your projects and tasks to the point where you’re not getting enough sleep. Numerous studies show that inadequate sleep has an adverse impact on productivity. Take breaks throughout the day. Go on a walk, listen to a podcast, or meet up with a friend for coffee. Most importantly, aim to get at least seven hours of sleep a night. That way, you’ll feel more refreshed the next day and ready to take on your projects. Keeping track of all individual aspects of a project is incredibly difficult without a proper system in place. You’ll end up spending tons of time handling processes that can either be automated or delegated. Use these project scheduling techniques to streamline hectic processes and improve your overall productivity. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/08/21/manage-your-workload-with-these-project-management-tools/
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Cold client outreach has been the bane of every freelancer's existence for as long as freelancers and clients have roamed the earth. And now, thanks to the COVID-19 economy (read: sluggish and uncertain), your ability to successfully reach out is more important than ever. Look in your spam folder and you'll see that poorly written cold emails make up a large portion of its contents. Emails that begin with Dear sir and/or madam. Emails that are barely coherent. Emails that are pushy or even insulting to the recipient. Emails that focus on just one thing: the sender. The reason you get so many of these horrible cold emails is because cold email works if it's done right. According to VentureBeat, email still provides the highest ROI for marketers — and it isn't even close. However, if you want to make sure your cold email outreach is effective, you must first master the four pillars of cold-email writing. The 4 Pillars of Cold Email WritingYou're going to need to know a few things before constructing a cold email with catnip-like power and control. AudienceWhat words and phrases do they use? What are their pain points? What specifically are they looking for in a freelancer or the benefits you provide? LinkedIn is a great tool for audience research. Find your audience by title (small business owner, CEO, VP of marketing, etc.) and read through a couple dozen individual profiles. The words a lawyer will use will be much different than those a small business owner uses. Speak to them through your cold email outreach in the way they speak and your chances of success will skyrocket. BenefitsBenefits sell, period. If your cold email is focused on features or yourself, your prospects won't care, and your email will fail. For example: If you're a copywriter reaching out to a small business owner, focus on things like building an audience, engagement, and conversion. Even the most successful business is looking to improve upon what may already be working. Client Pain PointsWhat problems might the client be having that your services can solve? Generally, pain points are the inverse of benefits, and you won't find these on your prospect’s website. You have to think about it at a macro level: What are the problems this particular group of prospects has in common? Using our example from above, every small business owner wants to find more potential customers they can turn into loyal customers. Their pain points would be difficulty finding and engaging with their target audience, not being able to build an email list of qualified potential customers, and an inability to nurture and convert those they do attract and engage with. PersonalizationYou have to add a touch of personalization to your cold email, even if that simply means addressing your message to the right person. Company websites usually have team information, and Rocket Reach and LinkedIn are good options for finding names and titles. Finally, show that you respect your prospect's time and keep your cold email brief. You don't have to tell your prospect you hope they're doing well or whatever small talk you have planned. Just get in and get out. If you can keep it under 100 words, that's ideal. A Plug-and-Play ExampleThe following cold email is one I've been using for a couple of years with great success. The prime recipients have been SEO agencies, website development companies, and marketing agencies. Typical replies I get from this email are: "Great email but we don't use freelance copywriters," "Thanks for reaching out; we'll keep you in our database," or "Good timing; I have a project I need help with now." When emailing prospects, one thing to keep in mind is the quality of your subject line. Good subject lines entice readers to open, while bad subject lines inspire a quick trip to the trash file. While a person could write an entire book on subject lines alone, try keeping them short, benefit-centric, and intriguing — and there's nothing wrong with being clear. Subject: Freelance copywriter with grit seeking The recipient knows why I'm reaching out. If he or she has a need, my message will probably get opened. If the recipient doesn't have a current need, the inclusion of the phrase "with grit seeking" may create enough intrigue to warrant an open regardless. Hi (name), My name’s Nick, and I’m a freelance copywriter. I’m reaching out to see if you have any copy or content needs I can help you with. Introduce yourself and tell the recipient exactly who you are and what you do. Don’t make it salesy, and word it in a way that makes it seem like you’re reaching out to help them. I realize there can be a bit of unprofessionalism in this industry. And that some people calling themselves copywriters can’t tell the difference between a landing page and a blog article. What does unprofessionalism look like in your industry? What are some ways that you can differentiate yourself from inexperienced or unqualified freelancers? What is a common complaint from clients in your industry? If you're tired of mediocre copy and content by undependable copywriters, shoot me a reply. Pain points: freelancers who are unprofessional, undependable, and turn in mediocre work – all common complaints – combined with a call to action. If you don’t have that problem, that’s great news. (Not for me, obviously.) Leave on a high note and make the reader smile. We all want to work with people that we like, so don't discount the effects of likability. To this point, the email has been all about them and I've used some variation of the word “you” four times. Cheers, Nick P.S. While my website is niched for health and wellness, I have plenty of "unhealthy" copy and content experience as well. The P.S. is read more often than the body, so make it count if you use it. You can use it for more personalization and connecting with the prospect. Or you can use it for more clarity, as I have, with the added benefit of getting one last smile out of the reader. Above all else, make sure your cold email sounds like it came from a human. Make it conversational and personable. And finally, put yourself in your prospect's shoes and make sure it's speaking to them and not about you. I prefer to contact prospects using a web form on their contact page as long as the business is on the smaller side, so my message won't get lost in the ether. I've also been told by several clients that contacting them this way feels less spammy. However, for larger businesses, always get an email address for the person you should be contacting. If you can learn to master cold email outreach, the strength of the economy won't matter nearly as much, and you'll spend much more time earning instead of looking to earn. And isn't that the whole point? via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/08/20/everything-you-need-to-know-about-sending-cold-emails/
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Do you want to grow your freelancing business without working extra hours? Are you sick and tired of working ten-hour days and running through life like a zombie on autopilot? I’m a full-time freelancer spending my days working when I want, with whoever I want to, and enjoying every aspect of the freedom that comes with it. I can travel and live wherever I want to. And I can take time out of my day to enjoy everything the world has to offer. But my life hasn’t always looked like this. I started my freelance career from scratch with no knowledge, industry skills, or expertise. But with a bit of hustle, I quickly grew my freelance business into a thriving and sustainable content empire. And whether you’re just starting your freelancing journey or have a bit of skin in the game, I’m here to tell you that creating a long-term, sustainable business isn’t beyond reach. Yes, building a profitable business does take effort, but it doesn’t have to take extra hours or consume your life. With a little practice and these handy tips, you can grow your business while keeping those nightly Netflix binges. Let’s get started! Prioritize Your TimeBetween email, social media management, content creation, client meetings, and actually working you have thousands of tasks you are itching to get to. Unfortunately, the pipe dream of the complete to-do list is just not possible. Like the rest of us, you’ve only got 24 hours in a day. You’re going to have to use your time wisely — but how? Set your priorities. The best way to use your working time is by prioritizing the tasks with a high return on investment. Your paycheck depends on clients. Recruiting clients is hard, but it doesn’t have to be time-consuming. Try creating a marketing plan you can actually stick to. Remember to prioritize your skills, journey, and talents. Forget the website redesign — start creating killer content that showcases your skills. When creating that killer website content, you don’t need to overdo it with daily posts. Instead of trying to write your own Jane Austin novel, focus on novel, engaging articles that are written for readers - not robots. Quality content shows the world what you have to offer, and it will always win you clients. Here are some of my best tips to ensure you’re writing quality website posts: ● Prioritize using facts and expert perspectives in your post. ● Always link your sources, and be honest with your readers. ● Use images, graphs, and stories to add more meaning to your words. ● Stay professional and limit your use of adjectives. Once you’ve got regular clients, it’s important to treat them correctly. You can start by creating a top-notch client onboarding process. Use a business email address and send proper invoices. If you’re still tracking your income on an Excel spreadsheet it’s time to get some proper accounting software. Professionalism is important — both for your business and to win your clients’ trust and respect. Of course, a true professional knows how to show their clients they’re grateful. Customer loyalty programs might sound too much like “business babble,” but decreasing your client churn rate will increase your profits. For freelancers, I recommend a digital loyalty program like Candybar. Image via TechnologyAdvice Your business is special to you, so make it just as special for your clients, too. You don’t have to shower your clients with gifts, but a “thank you” goes a long way. Business is inherently personal. Don’t be afraid to bring a personal touch into your work. Delegate, Delegate, DelegateMost freelancers run their business as a sole enterprise, which is creatively freeing but leaves you spending hours on administrative work. Tasks like scheduling posts, answering emails, and filling out invoices are important, but they’re zapping your creative energy. Instead of relying on caffeine for an energy boost, try delegating some of your more onerous tasks. You’ve got three great options to choose from. 1. Find a business buddy.If you work better in a team, try finding a freelancing friend. Together, you can share feedback and edit each other’s work, taking the frustration (and the legwork) out of editing. For a great motivation boost, I recommend scheduling a weekly video conference. Trust me — it’s a game changer. 2. Hire a virtual assistant.Part-time virtual assistants are an affordable option for many freelancers. For a comparatively small fee, you can hire an assistant to answer your emails for you, handle your invoices, project proposals, and contracts, and take over your social media accounts. While an assistant may raise your costs short-term, a great assistant is an asset that will only bring value to your business long-term. You’ll get to ditch the inbox and practice management skills while you’re at it. 3. Invest in an employee.If you need someone to take on some of your client work, consider hiring an employee. Motivated employees will push you to work harder, faster and better — not to mention they’ll increase the amount of client work you can take on. Take your freelancing efforts from solo to tango, and watch your business grow. Innovate Through AutomationBy constantly exhausting yourself with minor tasks, you’re draining your creative juices dry. Not only is this wasting your precious work time, but it’s also cluttering your workday with tasks so monotonous a robot could do them. You don’t have to be a programmer to outsource work to robots! Some of your biggest business problems can be solved through the magic of automation. Problem: You spend too much time reaching out to new clients. Solution: Cold email software! If you’re spending all of your time reaching out to new clients, try cold email software! Instead of spending all your time sending our repetitive pitch emails, use software like SalesHandy to effortlessly connect with new clients. This robot won’t just help you push ‘send’ - it will save you from writing thousands of emails that are cluttering up your creative brain power. Problem: You’re putting too much thought into email marketing. Solution: Email marketing software! Stop yourself from overthinking your email marketing campaigns and invest in email automation software. Email marketing software is great for big businesses that want to run sales campaigns or nifty freelancers who want to keep their clients in the loop. You’ll get stats, tips, and scheduling options that will keep you from overthinking your outbox strategy. Problem: You get distracted on social media. Solution: Social media scheduling tools! Another great way to save yourself time is to put your social media on autopilot. Manually posting to Facebook is a guaranteed way to distract yourself. Instead, get yourself a free social media marketing tool that helps you create content quickly, schedule it, and analyze the success of each post, distraction-free. Hey presto, procrastination is gone. Problem: Clients are getting lost on your website. Solution: Landing page software! Instead of investing in an expensive website redesign, have landing page software do the work. These software options will guide you through making a homepage that converts leads into clients. Problem: You’re missing customer calls. Solution: Callback software! If you’re constantly missing customer calls, callback software can help. When a customer can’t reach you, the software takes a message and schedules a callback with you. Callback software is very popular, with 75% of clients preferring a callback over a game of email-tag. Stop OverworkingFinally, the best way to stop overworking is to actually switch off and stop working. If you haven’t already, set yourself dedicated workday hours. No matter how busy you get, always make sure you: ● Eat every three to four hours. ● Drink water throughout the day. ● Take a screen break every hour. Some simple self-care will boost your productivity while making you feel great. However, for many of us, the problem is outside the office. If you’re still coming into the office tired every morning, it’s time to take a look at your sleep schedule. Answering emails at 11 pm gives your clients that close relationship, but it’s destroying your sleep. Give yourself time to relax, and leave the email in the office. If you can’t help yourself, simply place your phone on “do not disturb” and give yourself a bedtime. From a bud to a blossomWhile there are thousands of ways to grow your freelancing business without working extra hours, the simplest solutions are the most effective. Investing in yourself, your employees, and your work processes will seem expensive upfront, but the return on investment will be worth it. Freelancing is all about investing in yourself. No empire was built overnight, but by mastering the art of prioritizing, delegating, and automating, you’ll reach your goals with ease. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/08/18/how-i-grew-my-freelance-business-without-working-extra-hours/
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You ever head to the gym, get there, and then all you want to do is leave? No matter how hard you try you just can’t muster the mojo to get going and preserver through a training session. I had one of those days yesterday, actually. I stayed and swallowed a somewhat decent session down, but I definitely veered off my program and just opted to perform some random exercises that filled my training love tank that day. In today’s guest post by TG.com regular, Shane McLean, he shares some ideas you can implement when you just need a slight change of pace on any given day. Enjoy! The Art of DistractionYears ago, my son was getting a cavity filled. Let’s face it, nobody likes going to the dentist and getting those big needles stuck into your mouth. It sucks. My son’s first shot didn’t take, and needed a second one to numb the pain. Then the water works started. Who can blame him? Those needles are scary. The dental nurse had no bedside manner plus no clue on how to turn the water works off, so I had to think fast. “Hey, do you realize your bottom lip is so fat the astronauts in space can see it,” I said. “What are you talking about, Dad? It’s not fat!” “Feel it. It’s huge,” I said. He smiled, touched his lip and the crying stopped. Problem solved. I see it! You’re thinking, “What the heck has this got to do with exercise?” Let me explain. Sometimes you are sore, tired, or uninspired and the last thing you want to do is knock out sets of deadlifts, squats, and overhead presses. The trick (when feeling meh) is to exercise without realizing it. Hence, the art of distraction training. I find the best way to achieve distraction is through game play, plus a little friendly competition because you can have fun while exercising, even if you have goals. Plug the following drills into your warmup or as a substitute for any exercise you have planned. You’ll be sweating and smiling in no time. NOTE: These ‘games’ work well in a personal training and group exercise setting too. 1. Balloon Tennis (Not Just a Kid’s Game)This is a great substitute for planks, pushups, or shoulder work, and it’s simple and easy to play. Set Up – For your “net” you need three step up risers on either side, a body bar, space, plus a blown-up balloon. Rules – Imagine a straight line down from the edge of your risers. That is your boundary. Now you and your partner assume a pushup position with feet wider than hip width apart and set up within arms distance from the net. “Serve” the balloon over the net and bat it back and forth over the net until
All the above results in a point. First to 5 points wins. You’ll be surprised at how much this drives up your heart rate. 2. Reaction Ball SquashThis is a great drill to get you moving in all directions quickly while improving your hand to eye coordination. Play this on the squash or racquetball court. Think of it as squash without a racquet. Set Up – The server serves from inside the service box while the receiver stands anywhere within his or her service half. Rules – Once the ball has been thrown against the far wall and bounces once, it is fair game. If the ball is dropped, missed, or has bounced twice this results in:
The first person to 10 points wins. 3. Core WarThis is a fantastic drill that I “stole” from PTA Global. Core war works on the anterior, posterior, and lateral core while challenging balance. This drill will improve hand-to-eye coordination and quickness. Set up– Face each other with 1-2-foot distance between each other. Place your hands to shoulder height, elbow bent and palms facing towards your opponent. Rules– Each person is trying to slap the others hand while avoiding being slapped. You can do this for time for warm up purposes PLUS each partner can keep score. First to 5, 10 or 15 slaps wins. To make things interesting, the winner can decide a “punishment” for the loser. 4. Stability Ball WrestleI know some fitness professionals debate the use of stability balls and Bosu balls in a gym environment. Even some have taken their anger to extreme levels. Note From TG: It was a dark time in my life. However, I see them as another tool in the toolbox. Stability ball wrestle can be used in place of single leg or balance exercises. You’ll be too busy trying to knock each other off balance you’ll never realize (and workout partner) you are training your ankle stability, mobility, and balance.
Set Up – Standing in front of the stability ball put your right foot on top of the ball making sure your right knee is bent 90 degrees. Your partner who is directly across from you on the other side puts their left foot on the same ball, right beside your foot. Your other foot is flat on the ground, This is your stabilizing leg. Rules – You are both trying to knock your opponent’s foot off the stability ball by rolling the ball aggressively with the foot on the ball. There is no kicking, just pushing the ball any way possible to knock your opponent’s foot off the ball. Person whose foot stays on the ball wins the point. This can be done as a timed warmup, for 30 seconds on each foot. Or turn this into a friendly competition. Every time some loses his balance it results in a point for the opponent. First to 5 or 10 points wins. 5. The BoxerUse this in place of any chest or shoulder exercise. This drill will work on power, muscular endurance, and hand-to-eye coordination. Think of it as a fun band chest press. Set Up – Use a resistance band with handles looped around a solid anchor point and bring hands to shoulder level with the resistance band under and not over your arms. Your partner puts his or her hands up, open palms facing forward and away from their face. Rules – You hit the open palm (with a clenched fist), one hand at a time. Your partner can change his hand position up, down, or left and right to increase the challenge. You can do this for time and record the amount of hits or use it as an upper body finisher, using a timed interval of your choice. Wrapping UpThese five games can be integrated into any training session to turn the tedious part of your workout into something fun that can help improve your performance too. Let’s put some fun back into exercise. About The AuthorShane “Balance Guy” McLean, is an A.C.E Certified Personal Trainer working deep in the heart of Louisiana with the gators. Did what you just read make your day? Ruin it? Either way, you should share it with your friends and/or comment below.via Blog – Tony Gentilcore http://tonygentilcore.com/2020/08/the-art-of-distraction/
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I often tell people that what “connects” you to the barbell during the deadlift isn’t your hands. Rather, it’s your lats. Having the ability to engage them and firing on all cylinders during the set-up and execution has profound ramifications on deadlift technique and performance. The thing is: For some trainees, asking him or her to “turn on your lats” is akin to understanding Klingon or, I don’t know, being able to perform long division. What are “lats?” How in the heck do you turn them on? Squeeze the OrangeExternal cuing for the win! This is one of my all-time favorite cues, and one I use often because it accomplishes a lot when it comes to cleaning up deadlift technique:
Did what you just read make your day? Ruin it? Either way, you should share it with your friends and/or comment below.via Blog – Tony Gentilcore http://tonygentilcore.com/2020/08/60-second-deadlift-tip-squeeze-the-orange/
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The coronavirus pandemic has been motivating factor for some freelancers who have moved to avoid being in a virus hotspot or to be closer to family. While it can be advantageous to move in some regards, it may also affect your tax situation. It’s important to know what is considered an official "move" and how it may impact your local, county, and state tax obligations. For example, I have received a lot of calls from freelancers telling me that they moved out of New York City and therefore don't want to pay New York State or New York City taxes (New York City charges 2-3% income tax). My answer to them is simple: Just because you have been living out of state for a few months doesn't mean you have moved — at least not in terms of state and local tax laws. From a tax perspective, if you retain your residence in a particular state but live temporarily elsewhere, you are merely living out of state. That isn’t a move that absolves you from paying taxes in your primary geographic location. In fact, if you own a freelance business, it may actually open you up to having to pay tax in another location. Here’s an overview of how this might play out for you as a freelancer: Speaking in broad, general terms, any location you temporarily relocate to work for a year or less is not considered a permanent location. A temporary work location is any place where you realistically expect to work (and do, in fact, work) for less than one year. If you have a regular place of business outside of your home, you can deduct the cost of commuting to a temporary work location. Be aware of how working in another location — even temporarily — may affect the tax nexus of your freelance business. When businesses engage in economic activity in multiple states, such as when a freelancer works in one state and moves temporarily to another to work, they are creating a tax nexus in those locations. The tax nexus determines which states, cities, and counties have a right to tax the freelance business. The term "apportionment" refers to how much of the business’s net income those states can claim. The tax nexus also determines whether a freelance or other business has sufficient presence in a locality, county, or state to be obligated for taxes on any part of its revenue-generating activity. The apportionment determines the division of that income to ensure the appropriate amount is paid to each state. Become familiar with the tax rules related to each locality and state you do business in. Each local government and state determine the share of a company’s net income that is subject to income tax through an apportionment formula. Each state and locality are different but all use sales and may also factor in property and payroll located in its jurisdiction. Sales tax may also factor into your obligations. If you sell products requiring you to collect sales tax, you may already be aware of the collection and reporting obligations required when you sell in different states. States impose sales tax both based on a physical and economic nexus. Each state has its own rules — check your local regulations. Beware of your freelance tax implications if you have relocated during the pandemic. The pandemic has forced many people to change the way they live and work. If you have moved to work in a different city or a different state, it is imperative that you understand how this change of working location impacts your taxes. Do your research now so you do not have a surprise during tax time. Jonathan Medows is a New York City-based CPA who specializes in taxes and business issues for freelancers and self-employed individuals across the country. He provides tax, accounting, and business articles for freelancers on his website, http://www.cpaforfreelancers.com — which also features a blog and a comprehensive freelance tax guide. Please note, due to the high volume of inquiries in regard to COVID-19, Jonathan may not be able to respond to individual requests for information at this time but he will do his best. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/08/17/moved-temporarily-heres-how-it-could-affect-your-taxes/
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This is a post from our partner Reedsy, a marketplace for the best freelancers in the publishing industry. To join their curated community of professionals and access thousands of authors, apply here and receive a $50 Reedsy credit toward your first project. The fickleness of the freelance market — especially right now — can leave you with the impulse to immediately say yes to any gig that comes your way, simply because it feels wrong to turn down a job. Yet before accepting any kind of freelance work — from writing to designing to proofreading — there are several important things other than the obvious issues of payment and deadlines that you must consider. Hit pause on your instant response and take time to ask a few of the following questions before you agree to take on each job. 1. Do you have a particular style or vision in mind?When you are considering accepting an assignment from a client, make sure you’re absolutely clear about what it will entail. It may sound obvious, but the more details you can get, the more informed your decision will be — and all this information will come in handy if you do choose to accept. Ask to see examples of comparable work to get a sense of the typical tone and target audience, and make sure the client lets you know of any pre-established standards or style guidelines you’re expected to follow. In addition, inquire about the overall creative vision: what is the aim of this project and what does the client hope to achieve with it? What are some ideas they have, if any? In discussing all this, you’ll also find out whether there are very specific things they insist you include, or whether they’re trusting fully in your own expertise and interpretation. With this information, you’ll also be able to avoid jobs with styles that you don’t enjoy too much, whether it be highly structured or very free work. 2. How many rounds of edits will I be responsible for?Your time and effort are valuable, so consider negotiating with the prospective employer and committing to only a fixed number of editing rounds, after which you will charge additional fees for further requests. If you are not clear in the negotiation process about how many rounds of reviews are included in the agreed-upon rate, you might suddenly find yourself caught in endless revisions — costing you far more time (and money) than you had initially forecast. Stipulating these in your contract will prevent you from going back and forth with a client who's difficult to please or with an overzealous editor who will accept nothing but unrealistic-expectations perfection. 3. Who is in charge of oversight and approval?Know beforehand how many people will be monitoring your work, so you are not overwhelmed by juggling multiple points of contact and, more importantly, different sets of expectations. The more people responsible for overseeing the project, the more people you need to communicate with in order to complete it. A multi-head project will be somewhat more complicated and time-consuming for you, so make sure you know what you’re getting into. Furthermore, you’ll want to ask whether there will be someone monitoring your progress along the way, or whether you’ll get feedback after the work is submitted. If the ultimate approver is not the same person with whom you initially communicate about the job, it might be worth getting in touch with them before accepting it so that you can know exactly what is expected from the uppermost manager. 4. Can I use this work in my portfolio?For some jobs, clients will not credit you directly on the finished content, so ask about it before accepting to know if you have a byline or your name attached to the project. Understanding from the outset whether or not you will be able to claim credit for your work is essential, in case you hope to be able to share it with potential clients in the future. Having a piece of work credited to you is always high on the priority list for freelancers, since it's the best way to strengthen your portfolio, gain exposure, and get new gigs in the future. It's important to ask this question before committing to a job. 5. How does this job fit with my professional goals?This is a question to ask yourself rather than the potential client: Is this job actually something that I want to do? Perhaps more importantly: Does it make sense to add onto my professional journey? The scope and remuneration of the work should be 100% worth your time and effort. Consider how this short-term gig fits in with your long-term goals. Are you comfortable being associated with the company or website? Is the project in line with the types of work or media outlets you most long to be engaging with? You may fill income gaps with a variety of projects that don’t always fit with your areas of expertise or creative ambitions, but to establish your personal brand as a freelancer, you should always keep in mind the kinds of clients you most want to be working with. Throughout your gigs, you should continuously be building connections and heading toward your desired field. If all goes well, these questions will be met with satisfactory answers that lead to you saying yes without hesitation. If that’s not the case, politely decline. It might pain you to turn down work, but carefully considering each opportunity and deciding what is right for you can save you further anguish down the road from a job that’s not a good fit. Strong relationships between freelancers and clients are built upon open conversation and honesty — so don’t be afraid to ask a few questions, and don’t be afraid to say no. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/08/14/5-questions-to-ask-before-you-take/
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THE WEEKLY BRIEF UPDATE1. #Achillesgate2020 Update I’m out of the boot! Well, kinda. In the past week I’ve spent a little more time out of the boot walking around the apartment and occasionally living live dangerously and walking around the neighborhood. It seemingly took me a week to walk to the bank and back the other day, but it was a nice “win” for me nonetheless. I still have a ways to go before I am doing anything remotely athletic – running seems as unlikely as time travel at this stage – but it feels great to be making progress. Onward! 2. You can now purchase CORE @ Home for whatever it is you want to pay. During quarantine I started a platform where I’d deliver 20-40 minute workouts that could be performed in everyone’s living room using minimal equipment. In all I curated 36 workouts using nothing but bodyweight, bands, and kettlebells and/or dumbbells. With many people still reticent to head back to their regular gyms (not to mention the scarcity of gym equipment out there to purchase) I figured this would be a nice opportunity to help. Whether you want to spend $1 or $100, the workouts are ready and available to start. For more information go HERE. SOCIAL MEDIA SHENANIGANS
STUFF TO READ WHILE YOU’RE PRETENDING TO WORKIs It Safe to Exercise With a Mask? Is It Safe to Go to Gyms? – Michael StareThere are few more controversial topics given all the disarray with current events. I appreciated this well written and thought out article. The Post I’d Never Thought I’d Hit Publish On – Chris CooperSocial media, if nothing else, has amplified the notion that everyone’s life is hunky dory, that nothing ever goes wrong, and that everyone is on cloud nine 24/7/365. This is especially the vibe in the health/fitness industry. Everyone hits PRs every workout and looks like a model in their Lulus. Mental health is not something to scoff at or be cynical about; yet the prevalent thought process – still – is that it’s a taboo subject and that one should just suck it up and deal. I LOVED this post by Chris and how honest, open, and REAL it was. Give it a read. Oh, and also check out his Landmine Everything resource he just released. (<– not an affiliate link). It’s pretty baller if you ask me. The Forgotten Art of Squatting Is a Revelation for Bodies Ruined by Sitting – Rosie SpinksStolen from Dan John’s weekly recap – Wandering Weights – this was a delightful article to read. Did what you just read make your day? Ruin it? Either way, you should share it with your friends and/or comment below.via Blog – Tony Gentilcore http://tonygentilcore.com/2020/08/stuff-to-read-while-youre-pretending-to-work-8-14-20/
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A few weeks ago a good friend and colleague of mine, Andrew Coates, took some time on his Facebook page to note that he’s not just this 6’2″ 260 lb behemoth of a human being who likes to lift heavy things. He’s a lot of other things too. Canadian, for example…;o) So, I figured since I’m in a bit of a writing rut of late anyway (and that I too am not just some deadlifting Terminator) there’s really no better topic to help me break the funk than… … Me, Me, Me. It’s All About Me– I grew up in a small village in Central NY (in the Finger Lakes region) that still doesn’t have one traffic light. Or fast food chain. Or electricity. – Just kidding. My hometown (Groton, NY) has electricity. In fact, it has it’s own electric company. The station is named after my grandfather – I graduated high-school in 1995 and was one of the few athletes from my hometown to have the opportunity to play sports at the collegiate level. – I played two years at Onondaga Community College (Syracuse, NY) where I was named MVP Pitcher for both the 1996 & 1997 season in addition to being named 1st Team All-Region in 1997. – I then transferred to Mercyhurst University (Erie, PA) in 1997 where I was named a Division II Player to Watch for the 1998 season. I played there for two years and SPOILER ALERT: There weren’t many MLB teams clamoring for a right-handed pitcher who topped out at 87 MPH. Yep, that’s me. – I then transferred back to NY to finish my degree at SUNY Cortland where I earned a degree in Health Education with a concentration in Health/Wellness Promotion (and kicking ass). – I was thiiiiiis close to becoming a health teacher. However, a stint student teaching a bunch of 7th graders what nocturnal emissions are all about pretty much put an end to that dream. – Instead I opted for a career where I could wear sweatpants everyday to work. Doesn’t suck. – I was never a voracious reader growing up – except for The Source and Sports Illustrated magazines. It wasn’t until my then girlfriend broke up with me in 2002 (and I needed to find something to occupy my time other than crying in the fetal position in the shower & envisioning her hooking up with other dudes) that I began reading more novels and literature. My favorite author is Kurt Vonnegut. My favorite book is The Grapes of Wrath. The final pages of that book still haunt me. – I’m a 90’s hip-hop head through and through. 1993-1995 is the best two year span of hip-hop ever. Prove me wrong. – I never thought in a million years I’d ever be a “writer,” let alone paid to do so. I wonder if any of my high-school English teachers – Mrs. Davie, Mrs. LaVack, Mrs. Gambetta – ever refer to me as their crown achievement? I like to think that they used to include units on “the works of Gentilcore” alongside Shakespeare, Langston Hughes, and Proust. – I also like to think that one day I’ll make out with J-Lo. – I firmly believe there’s a middle ground to everything – whether we’re referring to politics, bar position on the back squat, or agreeing that all keto recipes taste like sheetrock. – I will never, ever, ever, never, not in a million-years, ever, ever, ever…start a podcast. – The only two live concerts I’ve ever attended are Alicia Keys and Norah Jones (twice). – I know everyone says this (and it’s entirely not a profound statement to make), but I love watching movies. I was asked recently what profession I’d want to do if I weren’t doing what I am doing now. First would be “professional beat Jason Bourne in a street fight guy.” Second, though, would be a movie reviewer. I can think of no better way to spend my day than to be a jacked Gene Siskel. – If there’s one piece of advice I like to give everyone it’s simply this: Be nice. Most of the time. Nazis (and/or Megatron, Skeletor, Cobra Commander, pretty much any doctor/charlatan who writes a mainstream nutrition book) should be punched in the face or pancreas whenever possible. – I think it’s silly (and bordering me not having enough eye rolls to give) when gym owners post videos of themselves vacuuming their facility. – That said, who am I to toss shade!? I once posted a video of me doing a Turkish Get-Up. You do you. – I met my wife on Match.com. We exchanged emails for two days (<– writing skills came in handy there), spoke on the phone for one day, and met for tacos the next. Five years later I proposed on our apartment balcony in sweatpants. Not kidding. – My cat just took a massive shit in her litter box which is four feet away from me. Perfect segue to end there. – This was fun. – I’m awesome…;o) Did what you just read make your day? Ruin it? Either way, you should share it with your friends and/or comment below.via Blog – Tony Gentilcore http://tonygentilcore.com/2020/08/minutia-about-me/ |
AuthorI have 5+ years experience working as a medical transcriptionist. When I am not working, I enjoy sports like playing basketball or judo. I love making friends and connections. Archives
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