#361: Your Second Act — Moving From Freelance Success to Significance
Release Date: 12/18/2024
#388: How to Quickly Go from Messy Transcript to Clear Outline with AI
High-Income Business Writing
Working with transcripts can feel overwhelming. Client calls. Workshop recordings. Interview transcripts. Pages and pages of raw material—good ideas buried under tangents, half-finished thoughts, and off-the-cuff remarks. The problem usually isn’t lack of content. It’s too much of it! In this episode, I walk you through a simple, repeatable workflow I use to turn messy transcripts or rough notes into a clear, usable outline—without losing the nuance that actually matters. If you’ve ever dropped a transcript into AI, asked it to “summarize this,” and felt underwhelmed by the...
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#387: The Freelancer Health Reset—5 Micro-Habits That Actually Stick, Including Key Midlife Insights for Women
High-Income Business Writing
Freelancers are great at pushing through. We hit deadlines, juggle clients, and squeeze productivity out of thin air. But here’s the truth many of us avoid: Our physical health often pays the price. In today’s episode, we’re talking about the side of freelancing that rarely gets airtime — the slow erosion of our health when the business becomes the only priority. And we’re doing it with someone who brings deep experience, grounded wisdom, and a refreshingly simple approach: my friend Lucie Robazza, a certified health coach, personal trainer, kinesiologist, and founder of . ...
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#386: The Packaging Problem—Why Your AI Help Isn't Making You Money (Yet)
High-Income Business Writing
Freelancers are giving away their most valuable AI insights, and not getting paid for it. In today’s episode, we’re taking a hard look at one of the biggest blind spots for freelance writers and content pros right now: the failure to package your AI knowledge into a paid offer. Your clients want to use AI. They’re trying. But they’re confused, overwhelmed, and scared of doing it wrong. And guess what? You already have the skills and experience to guide them. But unless you turn that informal help into a structured service, it’s just free advice that goes nowhere. In this...
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#385: What to Do When Clients Break Their Promises
High-Income Business Writing
Ever had a client drop the ball? They miss a key deadline, shift direction mid-project, or conveniently “forget” what you both agreed on? It’s maddening, right? Those moments can make even the most seasoned freelancer question everything about their business. But here’s the twist: those “broken promises” might actually be pointing to your biggest opportunities for growth. In this short episode, we’re diving into what really lies beneath client chaos — and how to turn frustration into a roadmap for stronger systems, better communication, and a more resilient business. ...
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#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...
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.