#361: Your Second Act — Moving From Freelance Success to Significance
Release Date: 12/18/2024
#384: The Value Shift—Where the Money Goes When AI Makes Content Creation Effortless
High-Income Business Writing
Freelancers everywhere are feeling it. The ground beneath our feet is shifting, because AI isn't just changing how we write. It's also changing where value lives in our industry. In this episode, I break down what few people are talking about: your writing skills might still be world-class, but they're now solving the wrong problem. Much of what I discuss was inspired by the brilliant new book Reshuffle: Who Wins When AI Restacks the Knowledge Economy by . The constraint that once made your writing indispensable has moved. And if you don't move with it, you risk becoming the business...
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#383: The Art of ‘Conversing’ with AI
High-Income Business Writing
Imagine walking into a friend’s house and rattling off a 20-minute monologue with every single detail of a challenge you’re facing. No pause. No space for questions. Just a nonstop, 20-minute word vomit. That’s how most of us are using AI. We dump a giant wall of text into a prompt, cross our fingers, and hope for magic. Instead of working with AI, we’re treating it like a command line. No wonder the results often fall flat! In this short episode, I share a better way—one that mirrors the way we’d talk with a trusted colleague. When you approach AI as a conversation...
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#382: The Truth About AI and Freelance Writers — What 157 Writers Just Revealed
High-Income Business Writing
The AI adoption picture is nuanced In this episode, I share some fascinating insights about AI usage among writers and the impact it’s having on their business. Last month, I sent out a simple 10-question survey to my community about AI usage, fears, and business impact. I received 157 complete responses from writers across every experience level, from brand-new freelancers to 15+ year veterans. What they shared was, in some ways, congruent with what I’ve been saying for the past few months on the topic of AI integration in our businesses as freelancers. But in other ways, the...
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#381: How to Have Better, More Productive Conversations with AI
High-Income Business Writing
AI is changing how we work. But many freelancers are falling into the trap of using it in the least effective way possible: by relying on massive, fully pre-written prompts that remove you from the creative process. In this episode, I share a better, more natural approach that treats AI like a trusted collaborator rather than a black box you dump instructions into. You’ll learn my simple 3R Prompting framework and see how an iterative, conversational workflow can help you get sharper insights, stronger ideas, and better final results. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why...
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#380: The AI Writing Debate — Moving From False Dichotomies to Creative Synthesis
High-Income Business Writing
The conversation around AI and writing is heating up. But too often, it’s framed as a false choice: AI is either “bad” and deceptive, or it’s the ultimate shortcut to productivity. In this solo episode, I challenge that binary thinking and unpack the real issues at stake for freelance writers. Sparked by a provocative LinkedIn post from Mariya Delano, CEO of Kalyna Marketing, this discussion dives into the myths and misconceptions that keep us stuck in unproductive debates. I lay out 10 false assumptions fueling the AI writing controversy. And I explain why the future belongs to...
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#379: 15 Reasons Why Hourly Billing Is Holding You Back
High-Income Business Writing
Hourly billing is the default pricing model for many writers. But it’s also a hidden trap that can sabotage your growth, undervalue your expertise, and limit your income. If you’ve ever felt frustrated by the ceiling on your earnings or struggled to position yourself as a trusted partner rather than a hired hand, this episode will change the way you view pricing forever. In today’s episode, I break down 15 compelling reasons why hourly billing is actively working against you — and what you can do instead to unlock your earning potential and build trust-based, outcome-focused...
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#378: Why AI Change Is Happening Faster Than You Think (and What That Means for Writers)
High-Income Business Writing
If you're feeling like your freelance business is shifting beneath your feet—but you can’t quite name what’s changed—you’re not alone. Most writers sense something is different… but they don’t know how to respond strategically. In this solo episode, I dive into what I believe is the real driver behind the changes we’re seeing in the freelance writing space. Yes, the economy has cooled, and that’s still a big factor, since marketing is one of the first areas to get cut when business is slow. But AI is now playing a much bigger role than most writers realize. And the pace...
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#377: When a Referral Goes Sideways (and How to Recover)
High-Income Business Writing
What do you do when a dream referral turns into a nightmare-in-the-making? One of my coaching clients recently found herself in a tricky spot. Her best referral partner had sent her what initially seemed like a solid lead. But after a few back-and-forths, things started to feel… off. The red flags were waving, and she could sense this prospect would likely become a difficult client. She wanted out. But she didn’t want to burn bridges with either the potential client or the trusted source who referred them. In this week’s short episode, I share the guidance I gave her — a...
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#376: The Capability Revolution: Why You’ve Been Using AI All Wrong (and What to Do About It)
High-Income Business Writing
AI isn’t just a tool for writing faster. It’s the key to systematically expanding your professional capabilities and breaking free from the “experience prison” that’s been capping your income. In this week’s episode, we dive into a powerful shift in mindset for freelancers: moving from viewing AI as a speed or productivity tool to leveraging it as a capability multiplier. I share how I used AI to confidently take on new, high-value projects I would have previously turned down. And how you can do the same to expand your business without months of study or expensive training. ...
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#375: The Lies We Carry With Us (and How They Hold Us Back)
High-Income Business Writing
What if a story that’s haunted you for years… was never true? In this short but powerful episode, we dive into a jaw-dropping true story that will make you question the narratives you’ve been carrying — especially the ones that have shaped your identity and decisions for years. It’s the story of Derek Sivers, entrepreneur and author, who spent 16 years believing he had ruined a woman’s life in a devastating car accident. The guilt became part of who he was — until a shocking encounter revealed the truth: the story he’d built his life around was never real. And that...
info_outlineFreelancing can be an exhilarating journey — building a business from scratch, gaining financial freedom, and securing prestigious clients. But what happens when the work that once lit you up begins to feel hollow?
If you've ever wondered if there's more to your career than just success, this episode is for you.
In today’s show, we explore the concept of “Halftime,” a mid-career pivot that shifts your focus from external achievements to deeper personal fulfillment and significance. Drawing from personal experiences and the transformative lessons of Bob Buford’s book Halftime: Moving from Success to Significance, this episode invites you to rethink your path and take actionable steps toward a more meaningful second act.
What You’ll Learn
- The concept of Halftime and why it’s a proactive, purposeful pivot—not a reactive crisis.
- How to identify the signs that you’re ready for a career transition.
- Strategies to realign your work with your core values and personal goals.
- Practical ways to leverage your existing skills and experience to build a meaningful legacy.
Key Insights and Takeaways
Why Halftime Matters for Freelancers
As a solo professional, you don’t have a corporate roadmap for navigating career transitions. The freedom to chart your own course is both a burden and a gift. Halftime provides a framework to help you pause, reflect, and realign your business and life in a way that serves your higher purpose.
Recognizing the Need for Change
Do any of these resonate with you?
- You’ve achieved financial milestones but feel unfulfilled.
- Burnout or fatigue has crept in, leaving you questioning the purpose behind your work.
- The creative spark that once energized you has faded.
These are common signals that it’s time to pivot toward significance.
The Pillars of a Successful Halftime Journey
1. Success Without Significance is Hollow
- Many freelancers measure success by income, clients, or accolades. But these metrics alone often lead to burnout and dissatisfaction.
- Reflect on moments in your career that felt truly meaningful. What made them stand out?
- Practical steps:
- Revisit your core values and align them with your business goals.
- Conduct a career audit to identify areas of fulfillment and disconnect.
2. Build on Your Foundation to Create Your Legacy
- Halftime isn’t about starting over; it’s about using your experience and skills as a launchpad for the next chapter.
- What does legacy mean to you? It could be as simple as meaningful client work or as ambitious as creating a program that outlasts you.
- Envision your ideal second act.
- What kind of work excites you?
- How can you structure your career to reflect your values?
3. Embrace Experimentation and Small, Purposeful Steps
- Transitioning doesn’t require a drastic overhaul. Start with small shifts:
- Say yes to projects that align with your values.
- Begin phasing out work that drains you.
- Introduce joy and creativity back into your routine with passion projects.
- Create margin in your schedule for reflection and exploration.
Actionable Exercises
- Identify Your Big Why
- Ask yourself: What matters most to me at this stage of my life and career?
- Write down 3-5 values that guide your decisions and revisit them regularly.
- Conduct a Legacy Audit
- Reflect on your career and identify moments of significance.
- Ask: How can I create more opportunities for this kind of work?
- Try the “Joy Alignment Check”
- List current clients or projects.
- Which ones energize you? Which ones drain you?
- Take one small action this week to bring more joy into your work.
- Draft Your Legacy Statement
- Example: “In the next 10 years, I want to be known for helping [audience] achieve [outcome] through [method].”
- Use this statement as a guidepost for decisions moving forward.
Listener Challenge
This week, carve out 30 minutes for a personal “vision session.” Ask yourself:
- What would my career look like if it fully aligned with my values?
- What small changes can I start making now to move closer to that vision?
Memorable Soundbites
- “Success without significance is ultimately unfulfilling.”
- “Your first half built the foundation; your second half builds the legacy.”
- “This isn’t about starting over—it’s about leveraging everything you’ve built in a more meaningful way.”
Join Me for a Transformative Coaching Experience
If today’s episode resonated with you, I have an invitation. Next month, I’m hosting an 8-week small-group coaching program designed for freelancers and solo professionals ready to embrace their Halftime journey.
We’re going to work together over the course of 8 weeks to write a new story for yourself — one that’s unique to you and will enable you to navigate through this fog of doubt and overwhelm.
I'll provide a supportive environment where you can engage deeply with your professional challenges. Together, we'll tackle tough questions that will help you discover the answers you need to confidently navigate your future.
This journey could very well be the catalyst for that profound transformation, helping you navigate through uncertainty with newfound clarity and confidence.
The program is intentionally small and deeply personal. If you’re in your 40s, 50s, or 60s and ready to explore your next act, email me [ed@b2blauncher.com] with “CLARITY” in the subject line. I’ll reply with all the details.