The 5 D’s Of A Successful Freelance Career

From Freelance Folder, and perhaps not quite profound, but very very true!

In summary:
1- Decision Making
Your ability to quickly decide what needs to be done right now, to decide how you’ll do it and where, will increase your chance of success, no doubts there.

2- Delegate Tasks - Decentralize
Can't/shouldn't do everything yourself.

3- Dedication And Drive
The more dedicated you are, the better are your chances of success.

4- Decompressing
It’s extremely important to take some time off to decompress.

5- Discipline (Self-Discipline, I should say)
Yep, the last one, but maybe the most important one, Discipline.

It's well worth reading the full story, whether you're freelance or a self starter (or required to be one) at a formal "job"

Thanks to David Finch for the heads up!

What is personal branding and why you should care!

Stephen Northcutt and I have written an article on Personal Branding.

It is very slightly focused on people like us, security dudes, but has widespread applicability. We don't claim to be profound or original, but include our thoughts and experiences and feedback already has been extremely positive.

Personal branding is what prevents you from being a commodity and receiving commodity pay. It's why people want to hire you, work with you, have lunch with you, and generally associate with you. Your personal brand prevents you from being outsourced, ignored, or easily replaced. It's why you are not just another cog in the machine. Your personal brand is the unique value you bring to the table.

Read more: Personal Branding continued

Cool Book of The Day

What No One Ever tells You About Blogging and Podcasting has been chosen as the "Cool Book of The Day!"
Thanks Dan, My Fearless PR Leader.
Cool Book of the Day does feature some pretty interesting books -- and I've ordered a couple based on their recommendations already.