Three Pin-Worthy Words

I have been doing a lot of reading. Reading, listening and researching. (As you may tell by the intervals between each blog I posted, since I decided to embrace the writing path.)

I’ve been trying to understand the ins and outs of the trade.

Whilst building my portfolio, on the side, I am constantly changing, improving, implementing. It’s been a daily testing to give me a better idea of what is virtually correct and what’s not.

In this learning path, three key words have stuck to the back of my mind like chewing gum. I came across them in copywriting-related podcasts, and in business and coaching articles.

As I do with everything, I always go to the origin of things first, so looked for their common meaning as well.

Mindshifting

Mind shifting is really important to help you achieve your objectives. The way you perceive yourself and the way others really see you can be miles apart.

We can understand things in a technical perspective but making sense of them when you apply them to your own experience is another.

How do you start in a trade without experience?

How do you start in a trade without a qualification?

What if you don’t have either?

They all sound like dead ends, don’t they? They go hand in hand.

You can have a certification but not the experience, in which case, you only know the theory. There’s the risk that your work is too technical because you are following a taught rigid structure. And there’s not one recipe that fits all.

If you have the experience, you risk being too liberal in your work, you will have accommodated bad habits, you will probably have worked in a niche of a sort.

You look around and all you see is amazing people doing the job. And you can’t stop thinking “what have I got to offer that compares in any way to them”? (Yup, that Impostor Syndrome bug). In reality they’ve been there since always.

But have you ever noticed that only until you get that one car, that one piece of clothing or that one gadget, you realise how many of those are actually in use around you, and that you haven’t noticed before? Why do you think that is?

This is where mindshifting is so useful.

To expand your range of skills, you have to take risks. You may have to make a complete fool of yourself (but at least you were brave enough to come forward) or even work for free. But it will be worth it! And then you can show it off on your portfolio.

Either way, the important thing is that you are honest about what you have to offer and brave enough to face the world.

Frictionless

Once again, the notion of less being more is lingering on.

The concept intends to pass the idea that keeping obstacles to a minimum will enable you to get where we want more easily.

It can come down to little things as keeping a TV remote in a high drawer to incentivize us to move more. Putting your children’s technology on a higher shelf (maybe they won’t bother to reach for them).

Reducing the friction of little tasks that you can avoid to progress with a bigger task.

Thinking about it, this really isn’t an old concept. It’s just reframed to adapt to our current lifestyle. Really it is common sense.

The questions you need to ask are:

What would you like to achieve?

What can you do to make achieving it easier and quicker?

What tasks/processes can you cut down?

Reducing the friction is all about a mindframe shift and a remap of your objective. This exercise can help you become more productive and hopefully see more results in a short term.

The best steps to reduce or keep friction to a minimum:

Visualize your Goal

Trace all possible routes to get there
Analyse which routes can you cut tasks/steps from (that can save you time and stress)
Replace all negative thinking thought process
Cut the routes that don’t suit your purpose
Take time in actually drawing the route down (all steps)

This is equally the case with people visiting your page. How many times do they need to click to get to you (or you offer)? How well does it flow? How slow does it load? How quick can you pass the message? All friction needs to drop.

To Resonate

This relates to identification, sympathising, meaningfulness.

We can look at it from both our perspective and the potential client. Guess what it’s related to?

It relates to your common interests, between you and your client. That’s pretty much your niche. That will be what is more likely to work for both, which will then have an obviously higher chance of success.

So basically, go with what you like, what you’re comfortable with. But never stop absorbing everything there is to know about your niche. This IS qualification. The clients will eventually come and everything will fall into place.

“You must fake it till you make it trusting that if you build it they will come and believe it, everything will fall into place.”

Witty Freelancer

Fellow Freelancers, I Salute You

Time to Face The Music

You decide to go freelance in an era where more and more people are looking to be one. Competition is deemed to be fierce.

And the vision of our goal is like a dark endless tunnel. There seems to be no reaching it any time soon.

It’s anything but easy. And there’s too much going on: finances, a full-time job, partners, children, lockdowns, Winter… You put all available time into it and it seems like it’s just not going anywhere. Everyday it feels like you are swimming against the stream, like all the traffic lights are red, all the level crossings down…

You want to believe it will work. You gave up more times you would like to admit. You still go through the same struggles. Nothing you do seems to be working.

Your Impostor Syndrome is still lingering… Your fear of public embarrassment of making publicly visible mistakes is always with you: “Everyone is going to think I’m a failure. A joke. That I’m nothing but a wanna be.”

Who in their right mind nowadays would think the simple act of writing can provide you with a living?

Shake Off the White Noise

All those fancy marketing strategies and promises to give you the overnight solution to getting more visibility and public recognition of your brilliant talent.

But you keep looking at your social media feeds. You see all these nice photos of other pseudo-freelancers that made it.

These entrepreneurial coaches that promise to change your perspective in a life-changing programme.

“You too can be your own boss and get a 6-figure income!”

The over-romanticised vue of the freelancer working from home can be as off putting as inspiring.

You can’t help but feeling inapt, unskilled, a professional misfit. Usually promoted by gorgeous fit and sophisticated people, under the perfect landscape, the perfect light, they portray the lifestyle most of us dream of.

We all know those are digitally pimped photos and that real freelancers don’t really look like that.

Before

We all have things to juggle with. We are all multitasking in our lives.

There is so much pressure, so much competition for popularity, so much disproportionate ambition resulting from the constant defficient information we are being fed on a nano-second basis.

After

Facebook, Google, Alexa, Microsoft, are all working in chaotic unison. Have you ever connected the dots of when you have a conversation around a tech device (your phone, Alexa…) that your news feeds across all platforms will be bombarded with sponsored-related ads?

Or did you really think it was all an act of the mystical powers that surround us? All of the world is finally becoming One? Romantic, right?

Take Time Off The Internet

(not just Social Media!)

It’s overwhelming. Just think about how much time you waste daily reading fake news, dismembered and unrealiable sourced pieces of information.

If we take some time to think about it at least 75% of it adds nothing to our lives, and would have made no difference if we hadn’t read it.

We subscribe to useless Newsletters and mailing lists only to find we don’t have the time (interest or patience) to read them all. Scanning through the email headers and cherry-picking the most interesting ones, and if you’re like me, unsubscribing some of those only a few days after subscribing ‘cause it’s too much.

Go for walks every so often. Mingle with nature, interact with the elements, use your five senses to help you find alternative and more vibrant ways to write. It works for me.

Taking time off technology can only be beneficial to our mental health. The decrease in the stress level is oppositely proportional to the level of self-confidence we achieve.

Having an offline break contributes to inspiration, away from all the neuro-stimulus incited by the all of the colours and movement around the internet. Similar to those of a hypnosis I would imagine…

Photos by Anthony DeRosa s, Andrea Piacquadio, Yan, Anastasia Shuraeva, Prateek Katyal, Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels

When Remote Work Gets You Stuck

It’s all good and well when you are working remotely. Surely by the third lockdown we’ll be used to all this. But now, baby, it’s cold outside.

We enjoy staying indoors, managing our own time AND actually getting things done, which I thought was going to be proven difficult.

Working desks, comfort, regular breaks, everyone is good. We are all on a schedule. All we need to make sure is that everyone knows what they’re doing. (Most of the time we’re all like cats and dogs, between four walls but we go with it…)

Until you need to pop out to run an errand. It’s cold and the cold affects not only us people but also machines. Living in the UK for nearly 20 years, did I ever expect a cold blast? Yes. Was I ready for it? No. Just over a month from its last MOT. Mr Bean-typical!

No charging kit, and we can’t necessarily knock at the neighbours door to ask if they’ve got one we can borrow… We are in the middle of a lockdown! Off we go to Halfords. Thank God they’re still classed as essential!

Spring will soon be here and the end of the lockdown is not expected until at least the Summer.

Then we get rid of the cold only to reach the second Spring in Covid lockdown. The weather will be inviting, people will want to get outdoors and you know people, they don’t follow rules…

Well, at least Trump is no longer President, property prices will decrease, remote work will go on, vaccines will roll out everywhere. Vive les vacances!

7 Remote Work Recommendations

If you’re working from home (like me) then you’ll value anything that makes your life easier.

Never before the expression “creature comforts” was so well placed.

Going forward, you want to make sure you continue to be productive whilst working from home. This is the future and there is hardly a return from it, the pandemic only precipitated it.

We are familiar with most of the numbered points. We know we will rip benefits in sticking to them, but it can be hard for anybody to self-discipline to a routine.

it is important to go back to the drawing board, finding a consistent method and making sure we stick to it. Find a good balance between your career and wellbeing. Then everything else will fall into place.

1. Sit straight!

It is important to continuously ensure your posture, whilst sitting down for long periods of time, is a correct and comfortable one. I’ve tried using the laptop as per its original design, but it was not designed for routine use.

Sitting on my bed has shown to be an ergonomic challenge. It was ok for one week. I’ve also tried using a portable table by the bed but then I started getting backaches, there was no back support.

I sorted it out by finding a comfortable chair. Failing that the kitchen/dining table is probably the next best thing.

2. Break often

The best way to do this is to set reminders on your phone. I know I have to do this, otherwise, I get so zoned into my work that I can miss breaks, lunch. (And I’m sure it was causing bladders stretching…) NOT GOOD!

If you are employed, the UK law states you are entitled to 20 minutes per each six-hour period. Try and spread those break times in a balanced way throughout the day.

There’s no legal stand about the safety of working on display screen equipment. But the

Health and Safety Executive recommends 5 or 10 minutes every hour. If you are self-employed, you can afford this health and safety “luxury”.

Take these breaks to stretch your whole being! Fuel up on healthy meals (now that you have the control to prepare. No more excuses for not having the time. And no lingering to unhealthy snacks!

Make sure you keep yourself hydrated. I was not much of a pure water drinker myself, I’m barely ever thirsty. In fact, if I don’t go to the gym or is Summer all my liquid intake resumes to coffee, milk, tea and wine.

But working from home restricted my movements. And cramps started to creep in whenever I stretched. I found out the hard way (and some research) that these can be avoided if we drink a reasonable amount of water. Drink up, fellow remote-workers!

3. Accessorize

Noise-cancelling headphones are a God-send! For those of us who are parents to small children (for obvious reasons), these are not recommended. My choice goes for Bluetooth-enabled ones.

4. Remote Outdoors

When the lockdown is lifted and it’s safe to do so and if you know the places that welcome remote workers, it’s brilliant!

Cafés
Garden Centres
Libraries
Hotel Lounges
Coworking hubs or hotdesk spaces (at a more reasonable cost than paying for another rent, you pay a monthly fee and have access to a bunch of perks as well. Free coffee or access to gym facilities) If you find the idea interesting try this search.

5. Keep Distractions Off

Make sure you discipline yourself as well as others around you. Keep all distractions away during your working hours. This means ideally all your notifications should be off. ESPECIALLY Social Media ones, because they can be irresistible.

6. Move

With every break (and other opportunities) move and even jump around. It gets the heart pumping, the blood flowing (kicks your brain), warms you up and improves the mood.

7. Reset

Sleep is essential to a fully functioning body. As vital as the water we drink. See it as a full reset as it is your most valuable device.

Remember those moments in some days where you feel like you’re hitting a brick wall?

You can’t focus and think about that same topic anymore, you can’t find an answer no matter how hard you try. Even a break doesn’t do the trick. A good night sleep will 9/10 give you the answer.

See? Easy peasy!

Stay safe everyone!

Coronial Resolutions

Following a much-needed idleness and lethargic thinking, I have decided. I am joining in the world-viral coronial resolutions movement.

Over time New Years’ resolutions perspectives have changed.

In my teens they were like a haircut, improving my social life, or finding a hobby.

In my twenties, it was to travel more, to finish Uni, working in the European Commission.

In my thirties, to travel, to stop smoking, to start a business doing what I love, to become a mother.

As life goes on (and even having had a few of our resolutions fulfilled), we would expect to be able to relax a little. Relax and turn the spotlight in our direction to try and achieve more. Yet we can never be too careful, and this year’s resolutions MUST cover that too.

So, without any further ado, these are my 2021’ Resolutions.

Stay safe & ensure my family’s safety (where possible)
Persisting in healthier options (eg. more sleep, more water intake, more greens, exercise, reduce portions, fewer meats)
Relearn to focus (eg. better time management, ignoring external “stimulus” during working hours, focussing on business targets)
Reading More, Writing More
Finishing my Copywriting course
Travelling

I recognise most of my resolutions will be a result of my second resolution. I know I need to work on my time management skills.

Working from home has been this year’s challenge for me. It was quite a dynamic change. At first I didn’t want it at all. I thought it would be easier to deal with the pandemic if I continued my routine, as much as possible. I wanted to be able to choose not to stay at home, but I only postponed the inevitable. But it has also shown to be a game-changer.

It will be important to strengthen the ability to manage time whilst working from home. It is not easy to draw a line between being at home and working from home.

Whilst for some, this may mean to become more sluggish, lazy, eat more, exercise less.

My struggle is to be able to sit and focus. To be able to get work done without using a 5-minute break to do a load of washing or some prepping for that night’s dinner.

This struggle doubles if you’re stuck indoors with children. Although they have their routine, I am unable to switch off the Mum-mode when they’re on my radar.

This must feel like a weird situation for them. They can actually be on technology for a good amount of hours a day without getting told off, all thanks to Corona.

This Government was incapable to pass the urgency message, with all the give and take. Katy Perry’s Hot N’ Cold wouldn’t have made more sense if she had written it to mark the year of 2020.

When it should be a time to reflect on the dangers of viruses instead it is unalarming, as if it was of no consequence. The result is children failing to grasp the concept of how their actions can have an impact. Not only on themselves but as well on other people.

The main resolution has to be ensuring that my children understand the power their actions can have on other people. And there is something more useful than moaning about how poor my children’s academic progress was. That will be to ensure none of us is part of the negative statistics. If they survive this, they will have plenty of time to catch up.

Happy New Year!

Why do I like going to the Gym?

My 7 Motivations

It may sound a little bit of a cliché but it is what it’s all about. Some choose to jog. Some prefer to walk (which I also do btw). Some need pets as an excuse (lol!). Others go to the gym.

Some friends of mine have this idea that going to the gym is like an image cult. Personally, I don’t go to the gym to feel better with my image on the mirror. I actually enjoy it. And it comes with a wide range of undisputable benefits.

During my teenage years and all the way up to the Uni years, I used to do acrobatics. I loved it! It was never a chore for me. It was so much fun! And I was good at it too. But I got into it too late so never got me anywhere competition-wise.

When I started my adult working life, I had to quit. I was too focused on both studies and work to find the availability. I still tried and kept doing some form of physical exercise maintenance.

Heck I used to have a room all equipped at home. That proved ineffective. Didn’t help the fact that it was RIGHT THERE. So I went back to lunch and evening classes, only to keep active.

I’m not a go-into-the-gym-and-help-myself-to-whatever-equipment-I-feel-like-using-each-day type of person. And I can’t be bothered to plan workouts. Nor can I afford a PT. I’m a fitness class type of person.

When I moved abroad, I made a point to go back to it more consistently. So, I got myself an annual gym membership. I thought if I forced myself to go by being conscious that I was paying for it, I would go. And it seems to be working so far.

However that doesn’t mean I don’t skip the odd class. Some nights just get too busy.

After a careful reflection, I found seven main reasons why I go to the gym.

It helps with my balance – I found that my balance is way better when I attend classes on a regular basis. (I can actually put a shoe on whilst standing!)
It relieves my headaches – I have noticed that since my acrobatics days. And unless it’s a migraine it works 9/10 times.
It stimulates my brain – I notice my thoughts get sharper, clearer. My focus increases and my ability to remember things becomes swifter.
It boosts my mood – (Very likely a result of the previous point). Mood swings vanish, my snappy, little patience self ceases to exist.
It increases my self-confidence – Because I feel better in myself I act more in a more confident way. And that reflects in my posture, and in my attitude as a result.
It’s a challenge – It’s an opportunity to challenge myself, by trying to do better or harder or go further each day. It’s a competition with nobody else but myself.
It’s a social activity – I always say the gym is like a second home. If you are sticking to a routine you get to know the regulars (as you become one). I see them near enough as an extended family.

For the sake of moderation, I choose to do 3 to 4 workouts/week. I stick to a mish mash combo of classes that give me a good balance between cardio and strength. I also recognise it’s important to have a break.

And the result shows in the mirror at the front of the class, as you keep going. ou can see the progress right in front of your eyes: a happy and confident human being!

My Choice of Work Spot for Today

Tired of working from home, I decided to get out. On the last day that seems to be the one, we are being told that our lockdown measures will become tighter.

What better place to work from than a garden centre? For me, there is nothing more soothing and inspiring than having green all around me. They make great coffee…!

This is something that I am now including on my calendar. With all my exhaustive organization skills: under the category Places I Can Work From Today I will build a good range of options. And constantly looking for more.

More and more businesses are now offering this facility. It seems to be one of the safest home-alternatives under the current climate. It’s a trade. Inspiration for support. This Work-Out has given us a joyful reason to commute :)

Cafes and restaurants all have to find more useful approaches to businesses. Welcoming remote work is definitely one that’s already going viral:

Tired of working from home? Looking for some fresh air? A space to work that inspires?

You can find your spot as safe as home at [business name].

The kettle’s always ON here and you only need to wear the mask till you hit your spot.

Reserve Yours Now! or Spot On!

I can even see myself having a specific table once a week, to work from. A spot by the window that oversees the whole garden centre outdoors. Or on a farm (provided I can have a landscape view!).

There’s something quirky and wonderful about surrounding yourself of dozens of strangers. Sitting by yourself. Watching all their social contacts exchanges and observing real-life people’s behaviour.

Someone with a good sized-property could invest in “sowing” a few working pods over. Around a lake or with a field view. How wonderful would that be?

Pods equipped with all required commodities (electricity, heating, water, wifi, fridge, kettle). All you needed to do was to bring your working tools (and coffee!).

Even when the pandemic is over, that idea will still stick. It allows people to work from a more creative environment. Their jobs don’t have to be necessarily creative. Any job is more pleasant if your working setting is appealing.

Garden centres are great places to visit and meet friends. Their food is always delicious. And you certainly leave feeling more refreshed. And guess what? I wasn’t the only one!

I Confess

I have the Impostor Syndrome

Like many starting off, I have the impostor syndrome. I often bring myself down, especially when I read articles and posts by other writers. I can’t help but thinking I will never get to their level.

I commit to endless administrative tasks of planning and scheduling, organizing, preparing to the continuous procrastination of writing as well as many writers out there.

I add books to my Amazon wishlist, I even start reading them, but then it always seems like I always being interrupted by a house chore or by the children. They are like continuous reminders of my inability to stick to the plan and just fulfil.

But then I read other writers and so-called “entrepreneurs” that seem to have the Dunning-Kruger Syndrome, the displaced excessive self-esteem and over-confidence to deliver, and you don’t see anybody talking about that now, do you?

But you see people promising the world-class business that you are looking for even guaranteeing you will be earning a 6-figure income in a matter of weeks, as long as you follow their awesome “schedule” or join in into their Premium Training to become the Freelancing Super-hero that every Freelancer dreams of.

I and you know that nothing is achieved without putting real effort into it. And I want to believe that hard work pays off more than just paying a random stranger to give you a miracle recipe for success or, better yet, to do the work for you.

I’m determined to shift my mind frame from its procrastinating-mode to the accomplishing-mode for 2021. Nuff messing about!

And I Vow

To commit to learning from real-life writers and absorbing all their teachings to achieve my goal.

To network, to read and write (about no matter what), and to ultimately stick to my 2021 planner.

The Web Way Or The Highway

This Christmas is the least jolly we have ever had.

Many popular businesses collapsed. Christmas will hardly be the same without them. And some of them were traditional symbols that everybody recognised. Particularly in fashion.

The truth is society’s frame of mind has changed and with it our dressing needs. Convenience is now taking the place of the politically correct.

Businesses that were not ready for such radical change are struggling to remain open. It’s the web way or the highway now.

Those that are lucky to work remotely have no longer a care in the world most of the days. The more comfortable the better, making use of a more posh attire when going to briefings, meetings and other more special gatherings.

Some have folded, gone into administration, collapsed. Others are struggling to stay afloat, letting people go. Sometimes it could survive with a slight change in the marketing strategy. Think novelty, think good old days but adapt it to today’s quick and constantly moving world.

This is why if you are going through this transition you need to ensure you do it well. Market research. Business is not only about bringing new customers in. It is also about looking after the existing ones.

Many times it can be more cost-effective to preserve the portfolio you already have. Get to know them. SPEAK to them. It doesn’t matter how you communicate, make sure you are out there, visible AND available. It’s about staying connected. At the head of businesses are people.

Bear in mind many online businesses aren’t reliable. They fail in quality, they fail in deadlines, in expected delivery. In most cases they make unrealistic promises. Stick to the plan and keep the communication channels open.

Businesses that were not ready for such radical change are struggling to remain open. It’s the niche way or the web way now. Businesses have to find new ways to keep the customers, to attract them.

Ask yourself: What don’t other businesses offer? What processes can you simplify for your user? How quick is your turn around?

Then all you need is to craft those compelling, product-gripping words to pass your message clearly, without compromising your brand.

How would you like your customers to see you?

Is Tech Killing Our Memory?

Not that far back

In a not so distant past, our desk would be populated by notebooks, pens, a calendar, a diary, a calculator, a hole-puncher, a stapler, perhaps a ruler. Now, apart from the PC and the mobile phone, we’ll be lucky to find a pen on our desk.

Most of this has been incorporated into our personal tech devices. We are no longer required to remember birth dates, meetings, appointments or telephone numbers. Nor we need to know our way home.

Here we are, face to face with technology, on a daily basis. It’s a sad state of affairs.

I see myself as tech-curious with old habits, as there are some I have not managed to part with. Although I know it’s more environmentally friendly not to, I still print what I class as important stuff. The stuff I know I will need to produce or refer to regularly.

I still use the stapler and the hole-puncher. I still use a family calendar hanging on the wall. My reading is still more enjoyable (now more than ever) in printed books. Heck, until 2 years ago I was still making my shopping lists in a loose piece of paper that I’d then put in the wallet inside my handbag.

But I have admittedly resigned to technology in all things that require short to medium-term memory, i.e. phone numbers, birthdays (if all fails there’s Facebook), calculator (hate maths!), appointments and meetings.

However I still remember silly things like my first ever landline number, my first licence plate and I remember the birthdays of the people that are closer to me. I remember my phone number (tho I never call myself) and I don’t remember anyone else’s… Oh, and I can still get around (LOCALLY) without GPS assistance.

Surrendered to Tech

I totally recognise technology is handy, if not vital, in some instances. It that allows us to keep in touch, to stay safe, to alert, to inform, as well as to entertain. We certainly would not be as aware as we are today if it weren’t for the miraculous evolution in technology. And it’s like a backup memory.

“Alexa, remind me to go to the Doctors at 2.30pm!”

“Alexa, how much is 256.846 minus 34.945?”

Technology has taken over our ability to memorize things and like any old computer, our brain is constantly defragmenting the information in our brain, screening, selecting, removing files, all for the sake of pragmatics and to make us available for more worthwhile productive tasks. But what is that dependency doing to our brain?

I strongly believe that, now that technology is taking over so many tasks in our lives, all our brains have left to do is to focus on the emotional side: forcing us to absorb useless and brain damaging information, which make us develop anxieties, lead us to depression, dementia and other psychological conditions and disorders science studies about.

Soon enough we won’t have to think at all.

More interesting reads on this topic just below:

Memory loss isn’t just an old person’s problem

Is Technology Destroying Our Memory?

8 Ways Tech Has Completely Rewired Our Brains