Presence over productivity.

In a world obsessed with hustle, checklists, and non-stop motion, it’s easy to believe that our worth is tied to how much we get done. Productivity is praised like a badge of honor—“I’ve been so busy” is worn like a trophy.

But what if the real power lies not in doing more, but in being fully present?

The Trap of Constant Doing

We wake up with a to-do list buzzing in our heads. Before we even brush our teeth, we’re already feeling behind. We fill our days with back-to-back tasks, only to collapse at night, wondering where the time went.

The problem? We’re living in fast-forward, skipping over the very moments that give life meaning.

What Presence Looks Like

Presence is pausing to feel the warmth of your coffee mug in the morning.
It’s hearing the laughter of someone you love—and really hearing it.
It’s working on a project not just to check it off, but to be fully immersed in the process.

Presence isn’t passive. It’s intentional. It’s the deep breath before a decision, the full attention in a conversation, the grace to notice your own emotions rather than numbing them.

Productivity Without Presence is Empty

Productivity without presence leads to burnout. It might get you the results, the numbers, the applause—but at what cost?

Presence invites you to slow down and experience your own life instead of racing through it.

When you lead with presence:

• Your work becomes more meaningful.

• Your relationships deepen.

• Your creativity expands.

• And you remember that you’re a human being, not just a human doing.

How to Practice Presence

1. Start your day slowly. Give yourself 5 quiet minutes before the world rushes in.

2. Do one thing at a time. Multitasking scatters attention. Focus gives life depth.

3. Take mindful breaks. Even 60 seconds of deep breathing can reset your nervous system.

4. Check in with your body. It often knows what your mind is trying to ignore.

5. Celebrate the moment, not just the milestone. Joy lives in the now.

Maintaining your creativity.

Creativity isn’t a switch you flip—it’s a rhythm, a relationship, and sometimes, a bit of a rollercoaster. One day you’re flowing with ideas, the next you’re staring at a blank screen, wondering if you’ve “lost it.”

Here’s the truth: You haven’t.

Creativity doesn’t disappear. But like any relationship, it needs attention, care, and sometimes a little breathing room. Whether you're a writer, designer, course creator, or someone who solves problems creatively every day, maintaining your creative energy is essential—not just for your work, but for your joy.

1. Make Space for Inspiration

You can’t create from an empty well. Fill yours with things that move you—books, nature, conversations, music, art, silence.

Tip: Take a walk without your phone. Wander through a bookstore. Watch a film in a language you don’t speak. Creativity thrives in unfamiliar textures.

2. Set Gentle Routines (Not Rigid Schedules)

Creativity doesn't always love pressure, but it does like rhythm. Create a soft structure that gives your creativity a place to show up.

Try this:

• Mornings for writing or sketching

• Afternoons for editing or tech work

• One day a week just for play or learning something new

3. Protect Your Creative Energy

Not everything that demands your attention deserves it. Distractions, endless emails, and digital noise can slowly chip away at your mental space.

Creative boundary tip:
Block out creative time on your calendar—and treat it like a client meeting. Show up. No multitasking. No guilt.

4. Embrace the Messy Middle

Not every project will flow perfectly—and that’s okay. Trust the process. Creative work often looks like chaos before it takes shape.

Permission slip: You don’t have to be inspired every second. Progress is still being made even on slow days.

5. Rest Is Part of the Process

Rest isn’t the opposite of productivity—it’s the fuel for it. Breaks give your brain space to connect the dots and birth new ideas.

Build rest into your routine:

• A walk after a deep work session

• A creative Sabbath once a week

• A weekend off social media

6. Try New Mediums

If you’re a writer, try photography. If you’re a designer, try poetry. If you’re always on the computer, try painting with your hands.

Shifting forms can unlock fresh perspectives and shake loose stuck energy.

7. Create Just for You

Not everything you create needs to be polished, monetized, or posted. Some of the best ideas come when there’s no pressure to perform.

Create for joy. For healing. For the love of the thing.

The benefits (and pitfalls) of working in-house.

Whether you're a designer, writer, developer, or strategist, one of the biggest career decisions you’ll face is where you want to work—and how. For many, that means choosing between freelancing, agency life, or an in-house role.

Working in-house—being employed directly by one company—can offer a solid sense of stability and collaboration. But it’s not all ping pong tables and paychecks. Like any work setup, it comes with its own set of pros and cons.

Let’s break them down.

Benefits of Working In-House

1. Stability & Structure

One of the biggest perks? A consistent paycheck. You don’t have to chase clients, worry about feast-or-famine months, or constantly market yourself. You know what’s expected, and there’s comfort in that.

2. Deeper Brand Knowledge

In-house creatives and professionals get to know their brand inside and out. This leads to more aligned work, deeper strategy, and long-term impact that freelancers often don’t get to see.

3. Built-In Collaboration

You’re working alongside a team who shares your goals. Daily access to marketing, product, sales, and leadership can help you move faster, brainstorm better, and get feedback in real time.

4. Opportunities for Growth

Many companies offer career development paths, mentorship, and internal promotions. You get to grow with the business—and pick up leadership skills along the way.

5. Work-Life Balance (sometimes!)

Depending on the company, in-house roles can offer predictable hours, paid time off, and benefits—things freelancers often have to manage on their own.

Pitfalls of Working In-House

1. Creative Burnout

When you work on one brand day in, day out, the work can start to feel repetitive. You may lose the excitement of variety or the adrenaline that comes from fresh, fast-moving projects.

2. Limited Autonomy

You’re not calling the shots. You might need to follow internal politics, wait on approvals, or have your ideas reshaped by higher-ups—whether you agree or not.

3. Less Flexibility

Unlike freelance life, in-house roles usually come with set hours, specific work locations (or time zones), and defined roles. It’s not as easy to change direction or try something new.

4. Risk of Stagnation

If the company doesn’t invest in innovation or personal growth, it’s easy to get stuck doing the same kind of work, without leveling up your skills or creativity.

5. Pressure to Fit the Culture

Every company has its own vibe. If you’re not aligned with the values, pace, or communication style, it can feel draining—especially if authenticity matters to you (and it should).So, Is In-House Work Right for You?

It depends on your personality, goals, and season of life.

In-house might be ideal if you want:

• Consistency and collaboration

• Long-term brand-building experience

• Growth within one company or industry

But it might not be your best fit if you crave:

• Creative freedom and variety

• Flexible schedules or location independence

• Being your own boss and shaping your own path

Putting yourself in the client's shoes.

You’ve probably heard the phrase “put yourself in their shoes” more times than you can count. But in the world of client work—whether you’re a designer, copywriter, developer, or coach—it’s not just good advice. It’s a game changer.

When we see things from our client’s perspective, we don’t just deliver a service—we build trust, offer value, and create solutions that actually work for their world.

Let’s talk about what that really means—and how to practice it well.

Why Empathy Wins Every Time

At the core of every great project isn’t just talent—it’s understanding.

When you genuinely care about what the client cares about, you:

• Speak their language

• Anticipate their needs

• Remove friction from the process

• Build lasting partnerships (not just one-off gigs)

Empathy isn’t fluffy. It’s strategic. It helps you create experiences that feel personal, intentional, and impactful.

What It Looks Like in Practice

1. Understand Their “Why”

Before jumping into deliverables, dig into their goals:

• Why did they come to you?

• What does success look like for them?

• What challenges are they up against?

This insight helps you align your work with what really matters to them—not just what they say they want.

2. Speak Their Language

If your client isn’t a creative or a tech expert, avoid jargon. Simplify your process. Explain the “why” behind your decisions in clear, confident terms.

Remember: If they don’t understand it, they won’t trust it.

3. Respect Their Time & Budget

Clients are often juggling 10 other priorities. Make things easy for them:

• Be clear and timely in communication

• Stick to timelines (or give heads-up if you need more time)

• Be transparent with pricing and scope

When you show you value their time and investment, they’ll value your work even more.

4. Anticipate Their Needs

What questions might they have? What pain points can you smooth out? What could you provide before they ask?

Proactive service builds confidence—and keeps clients coming back.

5. Celebrate Their Wins

When a launch goes live, a brand book is approved, or a sales page starts converting—celebrate with them. You’re not just a vendor. You’re part of their success story.