There are a lot of changes going on behind the scenes here at Rebecca Thomas Designs. Today, after downloading Firefox 2.0, I decided to give Performancing a try. It can’t handle the Niche blogs, mainly because it doesn’t recognize the way Multiply handles things, but this is part of why I’m trying to decide if MU is a better way to handle this site.
I’m also getting closer to letting myself be talked into doing consulting work of the technical writing/course developer variety. As part of the process, my poor resume is in a constant state of flux as I try to figure out what information is needed and how best to present that information. It’s probably been a few months since I really overhauled my resume anyway, so this is a good use of my time.
I’m going back over my collection of resume links, including one I just added to the collection. I like this article because it covers typography, something that’s almost an afterthought in developing a resume, but really controls the presentation aspect. I’m not sure I agree with everything here (The indentation issue actually doesn’t sit well with me, but I’m sure I could find half a dozen experts extolling the virtues of indentation.)
Posted by Rebecca as Changing careers at 7:44 AM EDT
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I’m sure we’ve all heard or read the nightmare stories of being a freelancer. I know I’ve read countless pieces of advice on watching for pitfalls, but I think this is the first time I’ve seen a list of potential pitfalls combined with great suggestions for how to avoid them. It targets artists and creative freelancers, but I think it really applies widely to most freelancers, regardless of field.
It’s important to get the word out to newer freleancers, in the hopes we can convince these less-than-honest people that “freelancer” is not a synonym for “sucker”.
Posted by Rebecca as Uncategorized, Freelancing at 8:10 AM EDT
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With the help of a friend, I’m trying to gear up to become a freelance k-12 course designer (I think that’s the term we’re shooting for). Knowing that I’m weak in business skills, I’ve been trying to read through the Personal MBA program (when the local library doesn’t completely revamp the eBooks catalog to make it utterly useless).
Life Beyond Code recently shared a great collection of articles on entrepreneurship, and I’m now making my way through those as well. Every little bit will help as I pursue this route.
Posted by Rebecca as Entrepreneurship at 8:17 AM EDT
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It’s no secret that ever since I started my new role at work in June, my motivation has just been flagging. I haven’t been my normal overachieving self.
I’ve been working on that, trying to find the right combination of internal and external motivators to get me headed back in the right direction, and now I’m fighting not only my motivation level, but my sense of self.
There are any number of ways to motivate yourself, you just have to find the ones that work for you. Some of my favorite motivators include: jasmine incense or tangerine tea lights, my Eric Stuart/Edwin McCain playlist, an “I’ve accomplished” list (as opposed to a “to do” list).
I’ve considered paying myself a wage and marking it toward either the occasional hot chocolate out with friends or books, but I’m having a hard time convincing myself to accept payment for what I do when I’m just trying to get my own work done. That may end up becoming a New Year’s thing.
Do you use any of the motivators on the list? How do you keep yourself going when you feel like you just can’t?
Posted by Rebecca as Creativity, inspiration, and motivation at 8:09 AM EDT
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I’ve been shifting from Bloglines to Google Reader, and just finally caught up on all of my reading. One of the gems was an article from Fast Company last week on not being afraid to show your shortcomings. I thought that sounded an awful like my honesty post from Monday.
I think for an entrepreneur or a freelancer, an easy to combat the discomfort of exposing your weaknesses is to find someone who is strong where you are not and team up with them. Ideally, this is really how any entrepreneur should be hiring. In this case, you are recognizing areas that could potentially cause you trouble in the long run, and addressing those areas by finding someone who can do those tasks far better than you could on your own.
Posted by Rebecca as Uncategorized, Freelancing, Entrepreneurship at 7:33 AM EDT
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For as much as I’ve always hated the interview question about my weaknesses, I tend to be open and transparent in my work. Even if I had to give some sort of bad news, I’ve always gone for empathy and honesty in my interactions with people.
When I was in college and working in retail, this actually led to customers returning and asking specifically for my assistance. In my current job, this has led more than once to parents who were disgruntled when I had to talk to them being bright friendly and chatty with me, even while they’re driving my directors mad.
When you aren’t afraid to say, “Hey, look, I’m sorry. this won’t be handled the way we initially expected because of (insert a brief explanaton here),” people respect that. They appreciate the heads-up, especially if you give it to them as soon as you know.
A little honesty can go a long way as customer service.
Posted by Rebecca as Responsibility at 7:30 AM EDT
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As we continue to have more and more demands placed on our time, we have to figure out how to balance everything out. Leave time to get the most important things done. Take time to relax.
It just feels like there are never enough hours in the day.
Lifehacker recently shared a link to an article on surviving school, filled with great suggestions for students, but I think there is a lot there that those of us not in school could take to heart and benefit from.
Much of it is broken into student-relevant areas, but in the end, every single bit of it is really talking about how to use your time to your advantage. It’s the same for those of us beyond school. Subsitute employee/freelancer for student, and projects, evaluations, and meetings for homework, examinations, and class, and you’re looking at the same level of useful information.
Posted by Rebecca as Work skills, Organizing at 7:33 AM EDT
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As we barrel on toward November and National Novel Writign Month, I’m watching a disturbing scene play out in my region. The same scene tried to play out in my region last year, but I was the leadership, and I refused to sit there and let it happen.
This year, I decided to take a break from being a leader, hoping to make good use of my free time, not only in wrinting a new manuscript, but also in completing some other projects that have sat around neglected. Slowly, the worms are making their way out, looking to step up as the new leadership, if not over the entire region, then over one small group within the region.
It’s a bit disturbing to watch because both NaNoWriMo and the region mean so much to me. I know I’ve laid the groundwork to allow a strong, considerate leadership to step up, but I’m a bit concerned about what will happen if they don’t. The factions vying for control only want it so they can either get their way in every argument or so they can walk around and brag about being the leadership.
THey aren’t in it for love of NaNoWriMo or love of the region. They’re in it for themselves. It’s been my experience that these type of people never succeed as leadership.
When you choose to step up and take charge of something, you’re saying that you want to see whatever it is succeed. You want to grow it into something people want to be part of. A good leader is someone who is looked up to for his positive traits, someone others want to be around, to work with.
A smart person never takes a leadership role to further their own agenda. They do it because their agenda is the welfare and growth of the group.
Posted by Rebecca as Uncategorized, Leadership and management at 8:25 AM EDT
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