Free Agents 61: The Morning Routine

Join Mike and me on a fresh episode of Free Agents. We dig in on our morning routines. Mike finds himself entering the Free Agent arena like never before, and I want to start year-end planning.

This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by:

  • FreshBooks: Online invoicing made easy.

  • Timing: The automatic time-tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Check out the Timing blog for articles for independent workers.

Free Agents 60: Be Strategic About It, with Mike Vardy

Productivityist founder Mike Vardy joins Mike and me on this episode of Free Agents to tell his free agent story, from Costco to comedian to productivity strategist. He shares how he learned to think outside the big box store, the importance of establishing systems, and how to create time and freedom for what's important.

This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by:

  • Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

  • FreshBooks: Online invoicing made easy.

Free Agents 59: Kaizen

In this episode of Free Agents, Mike and I look at the concept of kaizen and how little changes can add up to big results. We also help listener Michael, who wrote in, as he makes his second attempt at free agency. Then, Mike and I share what we do for fun, how bad I am at using virtual assistants, and the music we listen to while we work.

This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by:

  • FreshBooks: Online invoicing made easy.

  • Timing: The automatic time-tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Check out the Timing blog for articles for independent workers.

Free Agents 58: A Better Path, with Joe Buhlig

Podcaster and programmer Joe Buhlig shares his free agent journey, from bean field to office to family room. Listen to this week’s episode of Free Agents to hear Mike talk about his experience solving problems, how to let things go, and finding your own definition of success.

This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by:

  • Timing: The automatic time-tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Check out the Timing blog for articles for independent workers.

  • Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

Free Agents 57: Chef = Boss

This episode of Free Agents is all about space. Mike and I discuss the role of mise en place (French for “set up” or “putting in place”) for a successful free agency. Also, I talk about the effect of dedicated spaces on production, Mike is thinking about leaving his co-working space, and I’m plotting a sabbatical for more "space".

This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by:

  • Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

  • FreshBooks: Online invoicing made easy.

Free Agents 56: Iterate in Public, with Sean McCabe

Sean McCabe started his free agent journey as a designer doing hand lettering and has built a successful online business through teaching what he knows. On this week’s episode of Free Agents, Sean talks about the lessons he has learned along the way, including the power of rest and why he takes a sabbatical every seven weeks.

This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by:

  • FreshBooks: Online invoicing made easy.

  • Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

Free Agents 54: I Have to Try It, with Casey Liss

Podcaster and programmer Casey Liss joins us on this episode of Free Agents to talk about his free agent journey, what caused him to take the leap, the tendency to do too much, and his desire to pull the thread which  led to him becoming an accidental YouTuber. 

This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by:

  • Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
  • FreshBooks: Online invoicing made easy.

Free Agents 53: The Value of Your Time

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Mike and I talk about protecting your most valuable resource and how to figure out what you shouldn’t be doing anymore on this week's episode of Free Agents. Mike gets inspired during his personal retreat and learns how to say “no.” I learn the hard way from my recent travels, but I have a plan for what to do differently next time.

This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by:

  • Hover: Show the world what you’re passionate about with 10% off your first purchase.
  • Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
  • FreshBooks: Online invoicing made easy.

Free Agents 52: You Can't Be What You Can't See with Ann Shen

Ann Shen started her career as a grant writer and realized that the ladder she was climbing was leaning against the wrong wall. She then took the courageous step of going to art school and starting over again. Since then, with a combination of skill, grit, and newfound faith in herself, she's gone a long way as a free agent. Click here to listen to Ann's story on this week's episode of Free Agents.

This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by:

  • Hover: Show the world what you’re passionate about with 10% off your first purchase.
  • FreshBooks: Online invoicing made easy.

Free Agents 51: Freedom Frogs

On this week's episode of Free Agents, Mike and I talk about why “eating your frog” is an important free agent survival skill. I talk through a pivot in my approach to book publishing, and Mike shares his struggles with “Imposter Syndrome” and how he overcomes it.

This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by:

  • Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
  • FreshBooks: Online invoicing made easy.

Free Agents 49: Panting to the Finish Line

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Family members with employment issues remind Jason about just how far he has come. I grapple with letting go of control and working with an assistant. And Jason hands in his resignation and participates in an "exit interview" with me. Join us for the latest episode of Free Agents.

This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by:

  • Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
  • FreshBooks: Online invoicing made easy.

Free Agents 48: Lousy with the Stink of Freedom, with Merlin Mann

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Podcaster Merlin Mann joins Jason and me on this week's Free Agents to discuss his long journey as an independent worker, during which he has pivoted from tech guy to productivity expert to a specializer in cult hits.

This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by:

  • Timing: The automatic time-tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase.
  • Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

Free Agents 47: Personal Floating Holiday

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There's a lot to think about on this week's Free Agents. I need to deal with some clients who aren't paying me. Jason thinks about "taking a personal day" and how that's different from going on vacation or taking a few hours off. I ponder creating a mission statement for myself. And Jason questions whether he's unable to give himself credit for doing certain kinds of work.

This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by:

  • Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
  • Warby Parker: Quality eyewear at a fraction of the usual price. Order your FREE Home Try-On kit today.

Free Agents 46: Being Comfortable Is Not an Option, with Jaimee Newberry

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Longtime web developer, tech executive, start-up co-founder, inspirational speaker, and coach Jaimee Newberry joins us on this week's episode to discuss her own journey, when to go out on your own, when to walk way from projects, and how to deal with unexpected success.

This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by:

  • Timing: The automatic time-tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase.
  • Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.

Free Agents 45: Like Going Back to High School

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My home workspace gets invaded by teenagers, Jason reprises his old commute and learns to appreciate the ability to work from anyplace, and a listener reminds us of a classic technique: making promises that your future self has to keep. Join us for the latest episode of Free Agents.

This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by:

  • Timing: The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase.
  • Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.

Free Agents 44: Maybe You'll Get a Real Job, with David Wain

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You might not realize it, but creative professionals in the entertainment industry are also free agents. In this episode, we talk to writer/actor/director David Wain of Wet Hot American Summer and The State about his life as a free agent, from hitting MTV right out of college to the lean times that followed. Turns out that juggling a busy schedule, learning to say no, and not being able to plan vacations far in advance are all features of his line of work.

Guest Starring: David Wain

This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by:

  • Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
  • Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.