One solopreneur’s take on Topknot’s support — It takes guts and heart to start your own business. We’re lucky to have our fair share of entrepreneurial pioneers in the Topknot community — from freelancers to coaches to creatives to caretakers and everything in between. …

What do you *really* want? — There’s a time for dreaming and there’s a time for doing. In the ideal career search, both get their due. For example, in a past post we explored how member Clara Ma attempted to let her mind wander freely, but it kept coming back to one true passion. …

Recognizing internal shifts to inform — roughly — where you’re headed next, plus a conversation with Topknot member & Ask a Chief of Staff founder, Clara Ma — The phrase “hindsight is 20/20” was coined for a reason. Our path to a decision is much easier to follow in retrospect. But the benefit of hindsight only happens once things are in the past. We need to make decisions in the present. …

How using low-code tools empowered us to make quick changes — Back in May we celebrated Topknot Time’s first birthday. I used that as an opportunity to reflect on the past year. …

Strong bonds are complicated. They have the most context on our lives, and their input often comes with a mix of deep care and personal opinions. Semi-strangers benefit from distance. They are relational, without the baggage. …

The future of work is less dependent on employers, opening up new possibilities for growth — Work is forever changed. Remote and hybrid work are commonplace; AI becomes more sophisticated daily; multi-hyphenates are drawing multiple income streams; the number of solopreneurs has skyrocketed. As the employer-employee relationship loosens, there’s an opportunity to take stock of all of the benefits (named and unnamed) that were derived from…

Networking is a great way to learn about what’s out there; processing with Topknot helps you uncover what’s within. — If you’re considering a career change, you’ve probably done some networking. Talking to others about their roles, especially if you plan to switch fields, is the hallmark of many job searches. These networking calls or events are a great way to get exposure to what’s out there. …

Evaluating the support that will serve you best during a time of transition — Whether it’s seeking a new job or considering a career change, making a transition at work can come with strong feelings ranging from hope to dread — and everything in between. These emotions bubble to the surface because career satisfaction can be like a finger on the scales of leading…

A guest post by Sarah Filman — Sarah Filman is a leadership coach, facilitator, improviser, and Topknotter. She founded Playful Perspectives to help individuals, leaders, and teams thrive by dissolving the work/play divide. As someone who leads with playfulness as a foundational aspect of my work identity, I will admit that I am not feeling very playful…