The Rundown
May 2023
This month has been a whirlwind. I just returned from an extended vacation. Taking legit time off when you work for yourself, by yourself, is hard. It takes a lot of preparation to make it happen and be able to truly unplug. I’m incredibly lucky to have the most amazing clients and partners who help me make that happen.
I hope you’ve also had a chance to plan for some time off this summer, and I have a resource below with some tips for doing that if you’re self-employed.
Here’s your rundown for May.
What I’m Reading
Books
I’m on a streak of amazing books right now and just finished another one that has fundamentally changed my life. I read a lot of books about time, productivity, etc. Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman has a completely different perspective in terms of using your time to the fullest by actively deciding what you can't do so that you can focus more purposefully on what you can.
As someone who has an addiction to to-do lists and checking things off, I think a lot about when I call things “done” so that I can stop and rest. There will always be more things to do; the only way to get them all done is to do less, not try and find ways to do more.
“Convenience culture seduces us into imagining that we might find room for everything important by eliminating only life’s tedious tasks. But it’s a lie. You have to choose a few things, sacrifice everything else, and deal with the inevitable sense of loss that results.”
― Oliver Burkeman
Other Stuff
The Forever Labor Shortage, Aki Ito | Business Insider
Redesigning How We Work, Lynda Gratton | Harvard Business Review
How To Focus on What’s Important and Actually Get It Done, Me | My blog
Podcast
In May, we released the following podcasts:
You can look forward to these episodes in June:
Following Your Dreams with Andrea Sager
Breaking Glass Ceilings with Rachel Everington
Me, Out In the Wild
I’ll be hosting my FREE workshop, Tiny but Mighty: The Five Game-Changing Principles that Create a Thriving Business of One, in partnership with Freelancer’s Union, on June 20th at 9 am MST.
Click here to sign-up. While the session is free, the event is capped, so make sure to sign-up now while there’s still space.
Resources
[Article] Leveraging the Power of Generative AI: A Freelancer’s Guide to Thriving in the Digital Age
[Resource] Free Legal Clinic for Freelancer Artists + Creatives
[Blog] How To Take a REAL Vacation When You Work for Yourself
Hustlers in the News
Unionizing Freelancers: What Recent Progress Means For The Self-Employed
Exploitative freelance jobs are on the rise. Here’s what you need to know
Not yet a hustler?
Check out my book Instant Freelancer: How to Start a Business of One for the shortest path to independent work and money in the bank. No venture capital, fancy website, or MBA needed.
Already got a hustle, but want to do it smarter?
Find out more about me and my company, Fruition Initiatives, here.
© Sarah Duran 2023
The Obvious Disclaimers…
This information is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed as, professional advice. What you decide to do with this information is up to you and all repercussions are on you.