https://blog.freelancersunion.org/content/images/2018/11/Blog_PageTips_Facebook.png
When it comes to being an independent worker, expertise matters. Being considered an expert often translates into being able to charge more and/or having access to a clientele base that wants to work with someone who is considered a SME (subject mater expert). Years of experience, experiential knowledge, degrees and/or credentials are all pathways to SME status. But, they are not the only variables that matter if you want to stand out as an expert. Get exposure–and experienceWe have a tendency to think of credentials exclusively as obtaining degrees. In some fields and industries this is true. I would not trust someone who professes to be a lawyer if he/she did not have the terminal J.D. degree. However, not all specializations require terminal degrees or even a degree for that matter. Sometimes, specializing boils down to exposure and experience—and a lot of it. Some people are self-taught. They may not have credit hours, but they do have practical hours that they have invested in their skillset. Some SMEs have spent a significant amount of time engaging in and mastering their craft. Obtaining a degree or formalized credentials would not necessarily be advantageous for them. Let’s use a freelance writer as an example. Some freelancers have done extremely well because they write, write, write, and write some more. They take risks in the sense that they have not allowed rejection, naysayers, or missed opportunities to deter them. Instead, they continue to write and their bylines have given them exposure. This exposure and experience, in turn, becomes a type of credential that can open doors, just as a degree might open doors for someone else. This is not to suggest that one should not aim for both a degree and exposure and experience, but it is to suggest that being a SME does not necessarily require a degree. I know of a few successful freelance writers who did not attend college, or they majored in disciplines that were not writing-centric. Over time, people started recognizing their talent and their level of expertise about the subjects they wrote about, and they were able to leverage their SME status to gain more clients. Sharpen your ironIron sharpens iron. And SMEs sharpen other SMEs. I love sharing ideas with people who are more experienced or more established than I am. At 45 years old with a terminal degree, I am like a sponge; the more they share, the more I absorb the wisdom. Because entrepreneurship is relatively new to me, I gravitate towards people who have been doing it for years, even decades, because I respect the time and energy that they have put into carving out and maintaining their businesses. More established SMEs, in particular, may be willing to mentor/coach others. I also seek out people who have been writing professionally longer than I have. Keep in mind that this does not necessarily equate to older mentor/younger mentee. One of my writing mentors is in her mid-30s and one of my mentees is in his 50s. Also, don’t assume that someone is too busy to help. Just ask. The mentors in my entrepreneurial life are not self-described coaches or mentors; I simply asked them if they would help me and they graciously agreed. Don’t rushIf there is one thing, paradoxically, that is on your side as you aspire for expert status, it is time. While there is a tendency to rush, rush, rush and think of success as being instantaneous, success as an SME is an on-going process. As we know, industries change, disciplines add new rules, standards shift, and trends emerge. Fluidity allows one to ebb and flow while holding onto those core elements that make us experts. So, it may sound like a cliché, but take your time figuring out what being an expert in your field looks like. One of the biggest mistakes that I made when I first transitioned from academia to entrepreneurship was rushing through the process. My father kindly reminded me of the saying, attributed to Aesop: “Slow and steady wins the race.” I keep this on a placard in my office as a reminder that every day is an opportunity to get better at what I do. Keep your portfolio and CV updatedAs you get more experience, make sure that you are accurately and consistently updating your portfolio or curriculum vitae. Not everyone will ask to peruse your dossier, but some clients may ask, and you want to be prepared. Unfortunately, there are people who are dishonest about either their work experience, their credentials, and or their skill set, so the more that you can stand out from the crowd, the better. The key to a good SME portfolio/CV is making sure that it reflects your expert status. Think of these as psuedo-billboards: What do they say about you? Portfolios and CVs are not just reflections of your amazing life and outstanding work, but they are marketing tools that others may use for consulting or contractual purposes. If you are old enough, you may remember Cuba Gooding, Jr.’s character saying, “Show me the money!” in the movie Jerry Maguire. Well, as an SME, be ready to show (them) your work. As such, make sure that you continue to add new projects to your CV and portfolio as you complete them. Why SME status?Whether you are going into year 8 or year 18, we all have areas where our knowledge base is strong. Whether it is from experience, education, or a combination of both, keep in mind that your special skillset and understanding of a topic or subject area makes you highly marketable. Just as traditional industries and fields call upon SMEs to help with highly specialized projects, there are opportunities in the gig economy to cater to an audience that needs exactly what you have to offer. And don’t worry if you are just starting out. Continue to grow, continue to learn, and be open to new possibilities. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2018/11/26/how-to-become-a-subject-matter-expert/
0 Comments
https://blog.freelancersunion.org/content/images/2018/11/FU_Blog_12questionsforlawyer_Blog.png
This is a post from a member of the Freelancers Union community. If you’re interested in sharing your expertise, your story, or some advice you think will help a fellow freelancer out, feel free to send your blog post to us here. A short email arrived in my inbox, inquiring whether I still translate documents from German into English. I do, and I replied that yes, I was. I didn’t pay much attention to the sender’s name, the email address or the subject line "Translator Needed ASAP." His reply came almost immediately, thanking me for my quick response and asking me how much it would cost to translate an attached document. Because it seemed that this was a legitimate inquiry that would involve an initial small time commitment on my part by calculating my price and sending a proposal, I started a quick review, as I always do when a potential client reaches me other than through a direct referral. I was not yet alarmed that this might be a scam. The document was a lengthy, well-written medical paper on the effects of smoking on the human body, with a two-page-long bibliography that included an addendum of methodically listed scientific resources that were diligently quoted in the text. This was not a cut-and-paste job, but someone’s researched work. Nicely formatted and professionally presented. I googled the sender’s name, and yes, there were a few doctors with the same name—one even cited as the co-author of a paper on the comparison of diabetic smokers and non-smokers who undergo amputations. So far so good. I sent my price proposal and immediately got a reply back, which triggered my suspicion that something was askew: “Thank You very much for the reply, i [sic] am pleased with your price, I will be making payment via cashier check, i will need your full name an address so i can issue out your payment ASAP.” The cashier's check scamAh, the cashier's check scam. Many freelancers and independent contractors become targets. And since the scammers hide behind a veil of legitimacy and mention a freelancer’s professional line of work and specialty, the suggestion to pay with a cashier's check usually comes up only after a back and forth of legitimate-seeming emails (which cost us precious working hours). Not in this case, though. My scammer was impatient, an amateur. I ignored his email and received an impolite nudge the day after: “Hello, I am still waiting for your reply.” I decided to play along and answered that I would draw up a contract, that I would need his full address and that I don’t accept cashier's checks. The reply came immediately: “Thank You for the reply, i will be paying via Cashier check, let me know if you are OK with that? Regards.” I replied that no, I won’t accept cashier's checks. And I never heard from him again. How the scam worksWhat exactly is a cashier's check scam? A freelancer receives a cashier's check from a “client” that is above the amount agreed upon. The client assures the freelancer not to worry, to deposit the check and send back the overpaid amount in a few days. The cashier's check is cleared by the bank, the freelancer assumes the money has been deposited, and sends the client the overpaid amount. A few days later, the bank informs the freelancer that the cashier's check was counterfeit. The freelancer loses the money that was sent back to the client—and might even be asked by his/her own bank to cover the amount of the fake check. Why it worksThe scam works because cashier's checks have a reputation of legitimacy, are seen as risk-free, and misconceived as quickly available funds. When an account holder presents a cashier's check for deposit, the bank will usually make the funds available within 1–5 business days, although the check, particularly if it was issued from an international bank, may take much longer than that to clear (sometimes up to a month). The check given to the freelancer is counterfeit but looks real; it is drawn on a real account with real funds in it. Once the freelancer’s bank is alerted that the check is fraudulent, however, the transaction is reversed and the freelancer's account is debited. How to spot scammers before they waste your timeThere are tools at your disposal to help you spot a scam like that, even before a cashier's check as payment option comes up. I would suggest following these steps to scrutinize every potential client who doesn’t come through a direct referral. It could help you avoid becoming the next victim of a con artist.
Other ways to protect yourselfThat raises another important point: Secure your email account, and all other accounts, by using 2-factor authentication and come up with strong passwords at the very least, so that your account cannot be hacked and scam emails cannot be sent in your name. If the client claims to represent a company, look it up on Better Business Bureau, google it, and search for the email sender’s name on the company’s website. Then send an email to that contact, using his/her business email and inquire whether the email query you received was legitimate. Attachments and plagiarism alertsOpen attachments with care! Gmail has a preview feature that doesn’t actually download the Word/PDF attachment but lets you read it and copy text from it. It goes without saying that you have to have the latest malware and antivirus software version installed on your computer. If you are asked to translate/copyedit/rewrite a text, check that the copy has not been plagiarized. Use this online tool to copy/paste the text to analyze whether the exact text has already been published online, and where. In my case, no plagiarism was detected. That said, the text might not be online—but that doesn’t prove it is the sender’s to use. Payment options
Even after receiving personal checks from legitimate clients, wait at least two weeks until the check is cleared by your bank (or get the cash) before you start working or continuing your work. What to do if you've been conned
Trust your gutAll these steps can reduce the risk of falling victim to a con artist. But most importantly, trust your gut. One red flag is enough to ditch any prospective client, let alone a scammer. Aim that potential clients and leads come from referrals or past clients—and only engage with them after you do the vetting to see if the client is a good fit, on your own terms. If you find yourself researching and pondering a potential client for too long, if you feel stressed over how to respond to a client, or are put off by the tone of an email exchange, it’s time to walk away. If your potential client asks for too much personal information early on, before a contract is even signed, it’s time to walk away. A real client will respect your privacy; a scammer will continue to probe. Your time is worth money. Your work is worth money. Your sanity is worth money. Walk away if anyone attempts to waste any of it. Tekla Szymanski is a multilingual editor, writer, content strategist and web developer. She is the founder of Content + Design LLC, which focuses on nonprofits and personal brands that have a story to tell and a mission to share. Tekla develops websites around her clients' unique content needs. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2018/11/23/how-to-dodge-scam-clients/
https://tonygentilcore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Fake-deadbug-1024x704.jpg
First off: Yeah, that’s right I just put the slang version of “Gucci” into the title of a blog post about deadbugs. Second: I promise I won’t ever do that again Third: I’ve been swamped with travel the past few weeks (and the subsequent catching up on emails, programs, projects, and life shit-show) and I apologize for my lack of writing prowess. Thankfully I’ve had a handful of regular contributors to the site help to pick up the slack in my absence. Thanks to Boston based coach, Lana Sova, for today’s contribution. Fourth: Maybe I should have used “lit?” No? Okay, I’ll GFM. 5 Deadbug Regressions You Need To TryWhen it comes to core training, people often fight over which exercises are the best, but that’s kind of like arguing whether Cardi B or Nicki Minaj is a better rapper. In my opinion (which no one really asked for, but Imma say it anyways because #internet) there is space for both, much like there is a time and a place for different core strengthening exercises. When people ask me which is the best core strengthener, I give the most boring answer — it depends. There are many things I take into consideration when I include core strengthening exercises in a client’s program. Things like goals, training levels, level of lumbo-pelvic control, and mind-body awareness all matter. Much like the aging process, things are never the same with core training — what could be the best core exercises for a client today will not be the same a year or two from now because they’ve gotten stronger and advanced their skills. Which leads me to today’s article. For some reason, when it comes to core training, we go from zero to a hundred in no time. And by “we,” I mean personal trainers. I get it, often we’re tempted to impress clients and show them what we’ve got under our sleeves. [embedded content] And, often, our clients swear by the fact that they are so advanced they can hold a plank for ten minutes while multitasking and doing 20 other things. Cue *major eye roll*. While it’s a good thing to keep your clients happy and help them fall in love with training and working out, there is also a thing called common sense, not to mention the art of giving a client not only what she wants, but also what she needs. Enter DeadbugsThe deadbug exercise is my all time favorite core strengthening exercise. When done correctly, it’s one of those exercises that looks easy, but isn’t when you do it yourself. Progressions to this exercise are diverse and can be lots of fun. And while progressions are great and we do need them to help a client succeed, we also need not forget about regressions. Deadbugs are one of the exercises where attention to the details matter. It’s easy to spot bad form on a deadbug when you see a client arch her back from the get go. But it’s much more challenging to notice incorrect form when things are not so obvious. For example, ideally we want a client show us that she can maintain a canister position while performing a deadbug. What’s a canister position? If you live under a rock and never heard Tony speak about this concept, here’s a video for you. [embedded content] But often, clients will cheat. Like when I see clients bring their knees closer to their chest to help them with a posterior pelvic tilt. Or maybe the second they begin to extend their leg out, they lose any core tension; to help them reach the floor, they’ll shift into an anterior pelvic tilt. It’s our job as coaches to help a client succeed with this exercise without cheating, because the key to their success is doing exercises with correct form. Happy client AND successful client = Happy coach.Here are FIVE of my favorite deadbug regressions. 1) Deadbug ISO Hold with a Dowel[embedded content] Deadbugs are a core stability exercise. This is where I often introduce the concept of an open or closed canister in relationship to the hips and rib cage. Pssst: (Watch the video earlier in the post.) Before we start moving the legs and arms and begin to resist any movement in the hip region, it would be a good idea to learn to own the closed canister. The reason I love this exercise is it helps the client learn how to keep tension in the whole body while also feeling the abdominals working. Adding a dowel to the equation, with the client holding it above her chest while keeping her legs up in a tabletop position, helps her to learn what it means to activate her lats, which can translate to more advanced exercises like bench pressing or deadlifting later on. I often use the cue ‘’Try to bend the dowel with your pinkies.” Go ahead and give it a try. This should fire up your lats like crazy. 2) Core-Engaged Deadbug ISO Hold with Band[embedded content] Much like the previous exercise, this variation teaches the client to keep the closed canister position while keeping the tension in the entire body. However, she’ll hold a resistance band above her chest, which acts as a multiplier in creating the tension in the upper body. 3) Core-Engaged Deadbug March[embedded content] This is an exercises I stole from Florida-based coach William Richards in one of his guest post for Tony on this site. Note From TG: You can check that post out HERE. This is the exercises where, once your client learns how to control the canister position and knows how to create tension in the whole body, she can start moving her legs and making the exercise so much more advanced. 4) Deadbug w/ KB Overhead Hold[embedded content] This exercise can teach your client how to maintain the canister position with her hands above her head. I like to use this exercise to build up the context for future exercises such as overhead presses. 5) Deadbug with a Pallof Press[embedded content] This is probably more advanced than the previous exercises; nonetheless it’s still a great regression before you dive head first into all the glorious deadbug variations and completely destroy your client’s core. It’s great to show your clients advanced movements and spice things up here and there. But before you do so, make sure your client is competent with the exercises and can perform them well. This will help your client show up at the gym more willingly and ultimately reach her goals. About the AuthorLana Sova is a coach at Shameless Strength Academy and a personal trainer in Boston, MA She empowers women to build and own their strength via powerlifting and strength training. 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/2018/11/deadbugs-gucci-however-pump-brakes-little-try-regressions-first/
https://blog.freelancersunion.org/content/images/2018/11/Blog_ProductiveHome_Index.png
This is a post from a member of the Freelancers Union community. If you’re interested in sharing your expertise, your story, or some advice you think will help a fellow freelancer out, feel free to send your blog post to us here. The term side hustle has become ubiquitous in recent years. It seems like everyone has one. Whether working to make ends meet or save for a vacation, picking up extra work on the side is no longer seen as something to be ashamed of. Some people are content making a little extra cash to finance vacations or pay down student loans, but others are looking for something more. If you’re one of those that are hoping to turn your side hustle into a full-time income, and replace your job in the process, you’re in luck. This is a completely achievable dream. For people who already have a blog up and running, making the leap to a full-time income may be easier than you think. Seek income from a variety of sourcesThere are quite a few ways to earn income from your website. While it may be tempting to focus on only one or two methods and really grow and perfect them, that is not the best choice. It is fine to implement one income source at a time while you learn the ins and outs. During the time that you are treating your blog as a side hustle, income from one stream may be fine as well. Once you are ready to take your blog to the next level, however, you need to diversify. There are several reasons for this. The first is that it is easier to bring in more income when the money arrives from different sources. One person may have no interest in a digital download product, while another may never click on affiliate links. By having a range of methods generating money, your income will almost certainly increase. The other reason it is important to have a variety of sources for income is that when you are counting on an outside source for your income, whether it is an ad agency or affiliate company, you need to understand that they could change the parameters overnight. This can have a drastic change in your income, with no notice to you, and is totally outside of your control. Spreading your income sources around is a way to minimize this risk. Gain readersReaders are your bread and butter. You need a strong base of people coming to your site each day. These are the people that will buy products you offer and their numbers are the ones you will use to attract advertisers. Since you have an existing blog, you know the importance of traffic. What you may have trouble with is knowing how to get more. The most important thing is to know what not to do. Don’t change your writing style or topics just to try to attract more readers. Clickbait titles will not create a long-term following, and may actually cause you to lose readers. Another thing you don’t want to do is take every blog comment to heart and allow it to make you self-conscious when writing. Write for yourself and your readers and provide quality content. There are several things you can do to grow your audience:
Safeguard your websiteIf you ask for your visitors' information, such as with an opt-in box, you need to keep it safe. The new European privacy and data protection rules, known as GDPR, are especially stringent, with major fines for missteps in this area. If your website does not have up-to-date security in place, it is possible for a hacker to steal your readers' data, spam your website, or even gain control of your blog and post their own content. Strong online security is necessary for anyone hoping to turn their side hustle into a full-time job. While it isn’t necessary to understand how these attacks occur, it is important that you understand how to prevent them. Up-to-date malware, an internal firewall, and frequently updating all of your applications are mandatory to keep your blog safe. Know what benefits costLeaving your full-time job means saying goodbye to full-time benefits. It is important that you understand how much it will cost to replace those on the insurance marketplace. You need to earn enough not only to replace your income but to pay for insurance and fund a retirement plan as well. Spend some time thinking about the kind of income you need from your blog in order to take the plunge into self-employment. Obviously, this can be an entirely different number for different people, but your chances of reaching a number increase considerably if you actually have a number in your head. Prevent burnoutWhen working on your blog as a side hustle it’s no big deal to take a day off to decompress and stare at the squirrels cavorting in the trees outside, hoping for inspiration. When a blog is your job, you can’t enjoy that luxury too often. You will need to put in the work day in and day out in order to finance your life. There will undoubtedly be parts of the job you don’t care for, like any job. You’re going to have to deal with it. If you can’t, might want to stay where you’re at. Avoid burnout by creating a clear division between work time and downtime. Have a separate area where you work and out of the house to work occasionally, even if it is at the local coffee shop. Take at least one day a week where you totally step away from the blog. Final thoughtsIt is easy to feel overwhelmed when shifting from side hustle to full-time blogger. While it is a huge change, if you develop a plan for growth and implement it step by step, you can succeed. It is important to understand what blogging as a full-time job entails, and be willing to commit to that on a day-to-day basis. You may find your feelings toward blogging change when it is something you have to do to pay the bills as opposed to something you want to do for spare pocket money. Taking a professional approach to blogging before you step away from your day job allows you to make sure it is for you before leaving the traditional workforce. Gary Stevens is a front end developer. He's a full time blockchain geek and a volunteer working for the Ethereum foundation as well as an active Github contributor. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2018/11/21/how-to-turn-your-side-hustle-into-a-career/
https://blog.freelancersunion.org/content/images/2018/11/FU_Blog_LifestyleSavingMoney_Index.png
This is a post from a member of the Freelancers Union community. If you’re interested in sharing your expertise, your story, or some advice you think will help a fellow freelancer out, feel free to send your blog post to us here. As much as we all love working, the thought of retiring some day is also quite attractive. As a freelancer, your retirement savings are entirely in your hands, so you need to take every opportunity to save as much as you can. In 2019, thanks to some new cost-of-living adjustments to dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement-related items from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), you’ll be able to put away a little more money tax-free. New changes for 2019Here’s an overview of the changes that are likely to impact most freelancers for the 2019 tax year and beyond:
The increases are detailed here: To deduct contributions to a traditional IRA certain conditions must be met. If you are a single freelancer without an employer-sponsored retirement plan, then you likely don’t need to worry about the phase-out limits (although checking with a tax professional is a good idea). However, if you are single or married and during the year either you or your spouse was covered by a retirement plan at work, your eligible deductions may be reduced until it is eliminated, depending on your filing status and income. Here are the traditional IRA phase-out ranges for 2019:
Here are the Roth IRA phase-out ranges for 2019:
The retirement savings contribution creditIf your total taxable income falls into the IRS’s low- and moderate-income ranges you may be eligible for the Saver’s Credit (also known as the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit). The ranges to qualify are as follows: $64,000 for married couples filing jointly, up from $63,000; $48,000 for heads of household, up from $47,250; and $32,000 for singles and married individuals filing separately, up from $31,500. Freelancers with employees, beware of important changes to retirement benefit plansFor those self-employed freelancers who own businesses with employees, there are several changes to the tax rules regarding retirement benefit plans that you should discuss with a tax professional. Most notably increases in the dollar limits for:
As you can see, there are a plethora of changes to the tax rules for retirement contribution limits and deduction thresholds in 2019 that will affect freelancers who are self-employed. For those who also hold down a W-2 job, there are other retirement contribution tax rules which remain unchanged, including the $6,000 catch-up contribution limit for individuals who are employees aged 50 and over participating in 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan. The dollar limitation for catch-up contributions to an employer plan for individuals aged 50 or over remains unchanged at $3,000. Check in with a tax professional to keep your freelance retirement saving on track. If you are dreaming of your retirement from the freelance world, and especially if you still have a few decades before it becomes a reality, it is imperative to make sure you are saving enough. While the increases in contribution limits that have just been announced by the IRS may seem modest, as you are likely well aware, over time they can make a big difference in the size of your nest egg. Make sure you check in with your tax professional to ensure you are doing all you can to one day enjoy the freedom from freelance work that you so rightly deserve. 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 offers a free consultation to members of Freelancer’s Union and a monthly email newsletter covering tax, accounting and business issues to freelancers on his website, www.cpaforfreelancers.com which also features a new blog, how-to articles, and a comprehensive freelance tax guide. Jonathan is happy to provide an initial consultation to freelancers. To qualify for a free consultation you must be a member of the Freelancers Union and mention this article upon contacting him. Please note that this offer is not available Jan. 1 through April 18 and covers a general conversation about tax responsibilities of a freelancer and potential deductions. These meetings do not include review of self-prepared documents, review of self-prepared tax returns, or the review of the work of other preparers. The free meeting does not include the preparation or review of quantitative calculations of any sort. He is happy to provide such services but would need to charge an hourly rate for his time. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2018/11/20/how-new-irs-rules-make-saving-for-retirement-easier-than-ever/
https://blog.freelancersunion.org/content/images/2018/11/Blog_ChildArt_v1-02.png
Many of us may have aspirational goals of growing our freelance enterprises or scaling up. Who doesn't want more clients? More projects? More revenue? Not casting a universal net, but, it is probably fair to say that even if becoming a Fortune 500 company is not your heart's desire, longevity is–and longevity often requires scaling up your business. What does it mean to scale up?The concept of scaling or scaling up is actual derived from the math concept of making “something larger in size, amount, etc. than it used to be.” Something as simple as going from five clients to seven clients can be considered scaling up. Even growing from two employees to four requires a change. Even though these numbers may seem small, or inconsequential, any time we add to what we do, it changes the dynamic of what we do. As much as the idea of scaling up is appealing, to be successful at it, you need to be prepared. Here are two details that are easy to overlook, but you may want to consider them as you prepare to expand. Having more responsibilities, including people to oversee, requires you to understand how you leadI admit that I love the art and technical side of writing more than I love the commerce side. For many of us, scaling up often includes bringing on extra help. For some, this is a relatively seamless transition. For others, having to take on the added task of supervising or overseeing other people may not come naturally. To help prepare, try to determine your leadership or managerial style. Leadership styles can range from being an autocratic leader to engaging in more of a hands-on, participant style of leadership. Because I have a tendency to focus on motivating and inspiring those around me, I consider myself a transformative leader. Before I scaled up, I sat down and I thought about the demerits of this type of leadership style; specifically, I have a tendency to give people third, fourth, and fifth chances after they mess up. This may be great for intrapersonal relationships, but I knew that it would cause problems as my business grew. As such, I decided to surround myself with people who were more detail-oriented and results-driven than I am. While I focus on the bigger picture, they make sure that we have met or exceeded our clients’ technical and business expectations. Their managerial style could be described as transactional, which is “a straightforward leadership style with a focus on work, reward and processes that drive consistent results.” Knowing that transactional relationships are not my strong point better equipped me to identify what I needed others around me to do. The more that I understood how I led before we grew, the more I was be able to take on this new role without feeling as if I was being compartmentalized or being forced to do something that made me feel uncomfortable or compromised. As a result, I can be my clients’ biggest cheerleader and still run a company that is results-driven. As you grow, so does your liability–and your overhead.Scaling up is not just about having employees. It is also about how the addition of new products and services can lead to greater costs. For example, initially, I did not take credit cards because most of my clients paid by other means. As I scaled up, I decided to add new products, such as book covers and press releases. Perhaps it was a coincidence, but around the same time that I added these new items, potential clients started asking about credit card payments. So, we started accepting credit cards. Sure 2.9% to 3.1% of a sale may not seem like a lot, but for large ticket items, the fees can add up and decrease your revenue. However, this new overhead was necessary for us to grow. Today, credit card sales account for 60% of our payment methods, which means that I now have to factor in processing fees when we do our projected budget. Another minor detail that often gets overlooked is insurance. Make sure you increase your insurance coverage and protect your assets. Being an entrepreneur has many advantages, but there are also limitations as it relates to your ability to grow and expand. As such, your insurance needs will often grow and expand as your business does. Before you scale up, make sure you understand how it will affect your liability. Consult with a licensed insurance agent who can make sure that your coverage is aligned with your needs. He/she will be able to help you understand if your current policy, such as umbrella insurance, is the best option for a business of your size. You can do it!Like anything attached to progress, growing pains may be inevitable. By being proactive before you scale up, you can identify the required puzzle pieces before you start putting it together. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2018/11/19/when-it-comes-to-scaling-up-your-business-dont-overlook-the-details/
https://tonygentilcore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Books-1-1024x606.jpg
BUT FIRST…CHECK THIS STUFF OUT1. (Even More) Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint – 2019 DatesThis workshop will piggyback on the material Dean Somerset and I covered in the original Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint. With this iteration, though, we’ll be going a bit deeper into the coaching and programming side of things:
We’re in LA this weekend teaching the course, which is our last “h0orah” in 2018. We have plenty of dates lined up for 2019, however. Check em out HERE. 2. Small Cameo in The Boston GlobeI tweeted this Tweet recently:
Fast forward a few hours later and I’m talking to a reporter from the Boston Globe about when is it too early to start listening to Christmas music? Never. NEVER I say! Check it out HERE. SOCIAL MEDIA SHENANIGANS
STUFF TO READ WHILE YOU’RE PRETENDING TO WORKWhen Is It Okay to Lift With Less Than Perfect Form? – Fayiz Dabdoub (via DeanSomerset.com)Internet commenters. Gotta love them. And by “love” I mean the opposite of that. I’d rather spend a year in Azkaban than deal with some of them myself. But this was a great read. How Much Should a Personal Trainer Keep Personal? – Hayden PernoMovies, relationships, politics, religion, favorite He-Man characters? What’s “safe” to reveal to clients, and what’s taboo? Inside the Retreat Where Grown Men Go to Cry – Nate GreenThis was a lovely read. Not gonna lie: it got me. 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/2018/11/stuff-read-youre-pretending-work-11-16-18/
https://blog.freelancersunion.org/content/images/2018/11/Blog_Zen_Index.png
November is here. Many of us are heading into the Thanksgiving season and shortly thereafter, we are greeted by Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, and New Year’s Eve. These are festive times that often center around family, faith, food, and celebrations. They are also times that may find us being pulled in many different directions as we try to participate in various social events. Like many of you, I love this time of the year and the numerous holiday parties, galas, and fundraisers that accompany it. For many of us who are not anchored to institutions, these events become even more important because we may not have built-in colleagues with whom we socialize with on a daily basis. In turn, communal and familial gatherings often provide us with a chance to catch up, to be sociable, and to celebrate each other. Yet, in the midst of all of this celebratory cheer, we still have to be mindful that we have businesses that need our time and attention. For this reason, staying focused at the end of the year may be difficult, but it is not impossible. Balancing your business life and your end-of-the-year social life requires some planning ahead. Here are a few, quick tips for staying focused at the end of the year. Consider your workload before you say “Yes”After being self-employed or freelancing for a few years, you will start to figure out your peak seasons. For event planners, photographers, tailors, and other service-oriented or seasonal fields, late October to early January may be one of the busiest and most profitable timeframes of the entire calendar year. Based upon prior years’ productivity and time constraints, most of us can project our end-of-the-year workload. This comes in handy when the tidal wave of end-of-the-year celebrations surges and we still need to stay focused. Even if it is just an educated guess, use your own litmus stick to determine just how much socializing you can do. Whereas some people may be uber busy, others may find that things calm down and the workload is relatively light. Whereas some people can be more sociable and able to go out more, others may find that their workload is too heavy. So, before you say “yes” to that invite, make sure that you truly can commit. Keep a master event calendarYou probably already have a calendar that you use for scheduling purposes: Perhaps it is on your smart device, somewhere posted in your office or a combination of both. No matter how strong your memory is, it is important to have a visual reminder of what’s going on in your life. Invitations to events tend to pick up at this time of the year. As you start to get them, or as you start to set the dates for your own events, be sure to plug the dates and times into your calendar, even if your attendance is tentative. As you start to populate your calendar with social events, pay attention to your business project due dates and deadlines. Make sure that the addition of a few new commitments does not lead to your overcommitting, and make sure that your social calendar does not put you in a position where you are overselling and underperforming for your clients. The best way to create a healthy balance between your business and social life is to have a clear sense of your availability and to know when to say “No.” Bow out gracefullyAs much as you might like to attend everything, you will probably have to miss something, and that is perfectly ok. Some of the invites that you receive may be obligatory, whereas others are more personal and intimate. Some events may even be work related and may provide you with an amazing opportunity to network. Regardless of the intent, you have every right to say “no.” The key is to decline the invitation in a manner that does not burn a bridge while also keeping the door ajar for future invitations to social gatherings. Most of the people who know you and/or who love and support you will understand if you can’t attend, especially if they understand the nuances of self-employment or freelancing. In the past when I have had work-related conflicts, I have reached out to friends to see if we could catch up for lunch, dinner, or tea at some other time. The purpose of most social events at this time of the year is to celebrate, so even if you can’t do it in a large group setting, the person who invited you may still want to (re)connect with you in a different capacity. Staying focusedThe reality is that we all make decisions on a daily basis about what’s best for us. If not, we could easily become distracted. Staying focused, especially at this time of the year, is really about prioritizing and recognizing what is important. Yes, there is a lot of societal, and even peer, pressure at this time of the year. At times, it may even seem like everyone is going to something or that we are missing out by not going to something. Just this morning, I received a Facebook invite to an event in December where over 200 people are interested and over 300 indicated that they were going. As tempting as it is to just click "Going," I will think it through first. In the midst of this celebratory season, we must recognize that our need to be business-savvy and strategic cannot be placed on pause. As such, make sure that saying “yes” will not lead to more stress and that you truly can relax and enjoy the time that you have set aside for merriment and joy. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2018/11/16/4-tips-for-staying-focused-throughout-the-holiday-season/
https://blog.freelancersunion.org/content/images/2018/11/Blog_Multitask_Index.png
This is a post from a member of the Freelancers Union community. If you’re interested in sharing your expertise, your story, or some advice you think will help a fellow freelancer out, feel free to send your blog post to us here. The best advice often comes in small packages, through "simple" sentences that reveal profound truths about ourselves and the universe. All of us, especially creative professionals, tend to over-complicate and over-analyze. As creatives, we need to think constantly, but we also run the risk of living too much in our heads. The creative life is hard and often scary, especially if you’re doing things right. In challenging moments, such as when a client doesn’t appreciate the creative risk I’ve taken and wants a more cookie-cutter approach, I find myself repeating "simple" sentences that reveal profound truths and help me re-balance. They remind me to lean into self-awareness and lean away from seeking approval from the outside world. Here they are: "The only way around is through."We all live with blind spots, with elephants in the room, with things that make us uncomfortable and that we want to avoid (I've got a boatload of this stuff myself). And it is precisely these “scary” things that will shape and define who we are. Sooner or later, everyone notices what you're NOT talking about, what you're not dealing with–even when you spend your whole life pretending that nobody notices. Fifteen years ago, I spent an entire year in psychotherapy refusing to talk about what I most needed to talk about, which was why I sought to please everyone but myself. The therapist listened to me every session talk about books and politics and the weather, saw through my endless "arounding and arounding," and at the end of each session would say, "the only way around is through." I had to accept all that "through" means. It can take a long time, but it has to happen, sitting with the fear and, yes, turning around and talking to that ghost you've been trying to ignore. Guess what? That ghost is you. If you want to be whole, you need to stop going around and start talking to the ghosts. I am trying and, trust me, it gets easier. "Don't just do something, sit there."One of my favorites, and I say it to myself every day. It reminds me to choose reflection before action. It doesn't mean NOT acting, but simply prioritizes thinking before acting. I heard this phrase in a podcast with a philosopher, and it made me laugh in the way brilliant epiphanies often do. Never forget that you have every right to take your time, to reflect upon your values, and to think before you do anything. Can you overthink? Yes. There's a happy medium between acting and thinking: Do both, of course, but think first. "In the beginner's mind, there are many possibilities; in the expert's, few."Another favorite. This phrase compels me to see the world with fresh eyes, not to make assumptions about other people, about situations, about what's happening around me. The "beginner's mind" is curious, like a three-year-old's mind. Have you ever watched a three-year-old walk around, seeing the world as if for the first time? They absorb knowledge like sponges and are filled with a sense of amazement and infinite possibility. If someone tells me, "you're acting like a three-year-old," I thank them. Question everything, especially yourself and your motives. "Why" is the only question that matters, and we need to ask it constantly of ourselves and of the world around us. The expert "knows" but fails to comprehend what she doesn't know. For this reason, the expert needs to re-learn the things every three-year-old knows: That the world is large and filled with mystery, wonder, and infinite possibility. Open your eyes, the way a child does, and see. "Put on your own mask before helping others with theirs."You hear this instruction on every airline flight, and it's a profound truth to live by. Balance care for others with care for self. This is not selfish, but the beginning of all compassion. If I'm not well or whole or safe, how can I help others be well or whole or safe? Have I tried to help others whilst I was broken? Oh yes, many times. And it's never worked out for anyone (see sentence # 1 above). Helping others without focusing on ourselves can be a form of avoidance, of deflection and denial. If I can save another, then somehow I might be saved. It's a great theory, and I’ve tested it, but it never works. You must self-care, daily. If I'm stressed out, I need to meditate or go for a walk in nature or talk to a mentor who helps me find my way. When I'm restored, I can help others. When I'm not, then I need help. Life is about learning how to get the help you need and then helping others get the help they need. The word for this is community, and it starts with caring for self. Put on your mask. Boston-based Chuck Leddy is a freelance B2B Brand Storyteller who connects brands and customers through engaging stories. His clients include Sojourn Solutions, The Boston Globe's BG Brand Lab, MITx, abas USA, and The National Center for the Middle Market. His website is www.ChuckLeddy.com. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2018/11/15/4-simple-rules-for-living-a-creative-life/
https://tonygentilcore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Bodyweight-Exercise-1024x683.jpg
SPOILER ALERT: I didn’t write this article. The closest I’ve ever been to calling myself a “ranger” was when I used to watch Walker, Texas Ranger growing up and pretend to roundhouse kick unsuspecting (and imaginary) bad guys in the face. Oh, and there was that one time I dressed up as the Green Power Ranger for Halloween. I am not, nor have I ever been, an Army Ranger. I did stay up past midnight the other night, though. That’s kinda badass. A big “thank you” to ACTUAL Army Ranger, Tom Coffey, for pinch-writing for me today as I make my way to Los Angeles this weekend to present. Enjoy!
For thousands of years, before comfortable fitness centers dotted every corner, the world’s greatest warriors relied on a steady dose of bodyweight exercises—from building high levels of superhuman strength, to increasing cardiovascular conditioning, and even developing mental toughness bodyweight exercises accomplished it all. In the rest of this article I want to briefly share with you what my experience as an Army Ranger taught me about getting strong, using only my body. Life as an Army Ranger
The life of an Army Ranger is quite busy. Between endless training and extended “business trips” to lands far away there is often more to do than hours in the day. Yet the job requires a certain level of what we’ll call “real world strength.” Let me give you an example of what I mean: I weighed about 250 pounds in full military gear (+80 pounds above my bodyweight). Do you think you could also throw on 80 pounds of your own gear, pick me up, throw me over your shoulder, and sprint full out for 100 or 200 yards? That’s what I’m referring to when I say real world strength. But, no matter what elite military unit you’re talking about there is always a high premium placed on being functionally strong. Admittedly, as much as possible my Ranger buddies and I tried to workout in an actual gym. However, life liked to throw us curve balls and often times we were in situations with no iron around at all. But not having access to a gym simply wasn’t an excuse to not workout and get weak. So, how did my Ranger buddies and I keep getting stronger when we didn’t always have access to a gym? The answer: using the best only gym we had available--our body. Are Bodyweight Exercises Better for Building Strength Than Barbell Exercises?Ok, before we dive headfirst into this rabbit hole I know someone is going to ask if bodyweight exercises are better for building strength than barbell exercises. The word “strength” can mean a lot of different things. And, depending on who you ask you’ll likely get a lot of different answers. Listen, if you want to get strong AF there’s no arguing that picking heavy shit up and hoisting it over your head is the way to go. Unless you’re humongous, green, and your name is Hulk, you very likely won’t be joining the 1,500 pound club by using bodyweight exercises.
Bodyweight exercises strengthen the body and allow you to express that strength in ways which the barbell can’t. They can humble even the most experienced of lifters. I’ve seen, with my own two ocular receptors, guys who can easily squat four wheels crumble like dust when attempting a simple pistol squat (one legged squat).
How is that even possible? Ok dude I get it, but how do you build strength using only your bodyweight?I’m glad you asked. And, I’m making the assumption here that you’re stranded on a desert island with no gym equipment in sight. This is only to hammer home the point that you literally need zero equipment to make this stuff work. Obviously, if you start adding gym equipment back in the mix your strength building options skyrocket. But, that’s easy. If you learn how to manipulate your body for strength building purposes you become bulletproof. You can literally get strong from anywhere in the world. Pretty cool, right? Anyway, below are four ways you can turn lowly bodyweight exercises into serious strength builders. Did someone order a serving of humble pie? NOTE: I chose to demonstrate each of these ideas using the pushup. However, you can apply these principles to any number of bodyweight exercises. 1) Remove a Limb (Or Two)Removing a limb (or two) creates a very unstable environment. Instability causes your muscles to tense harder, and tension is good for building strength. That’s just good science. [embedded content] Also Useful For: – Pistol squats NOTE FROM TG: For those watching Tom perform a 1-arm, 1-leg pushup and thinking to themselves “that’s a whole lotta nope,” I’d encourage you to check out THIS article by Nick Tumminello on how to progress towards it. 2) Remove a Limb, Slow Down the Rep, and Add PausesSpeaking of tension, another great way to increase it is by slowing down your repetitions. This is also known as time under tension (TUT). Pausing at certain points in the rep ensures that you kill all momentum. Again, this makes the exercise much harder because you have to be stay tense and in control through the entire rep. There is an inherent difference between taking 30 seconds to perform 1 pushup vs. cranking out 30 pushups. Try a 30 second (or 60 second) pushup and you’ll see what I mean. [embedded content] Also Useful For: – Frog holds Be ExplosiveTo be explosive you must be powerful. And power is more or less strength expressed over a very short time. Paradoxically, you must first be strong before you can be powerful. Explosive bodyweight exercises are great for training you to express the strength you’ve built. [embedded content] Also Useful For: – Jump squats 4) The Kitchen Sink ApproachHave you ever opened the drawers under your sink only to find soap bottles, cleaners, yellow gloves, old sponges, bleach bottles, leaky pipes…etc. I mean, it’s chaos. The kitchen sink approach is our version of controlled chaos by combining many different strength building elements together. In the video below the spiderman pushup involves using slow reps, removing a limb, dynamic movement, abdominal bracing, and re-distributing weight. [embedded content] Pro Tip: Make sure that if you’re doing Spiderman pushups in a field with fire ant hills that you don’t unknowingly place your hand directly on top of one. I did this once, and can safely say I’d rather get stabbed by a Nazgul (like twice) than ever do that again. Desert Island Strength Building WorkoutsOk, now you know how to use bodyweight exercises for strength building. So, my challenge to you is try it. Below are examples of two ways you can spin basic bodyweight exercises into tough little workouts. And the best part, you can literally do these anywhere, anytime—no equipment needed.Sample Routine 1- “Destroyer of Legs and Core” (1) Three rounds of: 5 pistol squats, per leg → Pause for 1 second at the bottom of every rep (2) Five rounds of: 15 air squats (3) Three rounds of: 20 second plank w/ left arm lifted
|
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
April 2023
Categories |