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Hey friends,

Remember when “career growth” meant begging for a better chair in a windowless cube? Same. Hard pass.

These days, you’ve got something way better, the power to design a career that fits your life, not someone else’s org chart.

This week, Rachel and Thomas spill how they stopped drifting through jobs and started building on purpose. If you’ve ever wondered what your career could look like if you were in charge…

This is your sign.

Let’s get intentional,

– Ric & Shellie

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Why I Chose to Design My Career Intentionally – Not by Default

By Thomas Phillips

Ever feel like you're floating in your remote career instead of flying? 

Thomas ditched the traditional playbook and designed a path that actually fit his life, not the other way around. From NYC to Nashville to landing at a medtech company that wasn't the "obvious" choice, his intentional pivot strategy reveals why the most rewarding careers happen when you stop asking "what's next?" and start asking "what's right for me?" 

Here's the framework he used to turn career uncertainty into purposeful direction.

Dive into Thomas' intentional career design blueprint →

QUICK TAKES

Where Are You Going

✅ Change Your Mindset, Reframe Your Future

✅ How to Keep Building Your Career Remotely

✅ The Rise of Portfolio Careers: Designing a Career That Honors Your Sensitivity

LAST WEEK’S POLL RESULTS

What's your biggest career design challenge as a remote worker?

THRIVING TRIBE CHRONICLES

Why People Think Rachel's a Spy

By Rachel Thompson

"So, what do you do?" 

It's the question that makes Rachel squirm—not because she doesn't work, but because she's braided together multiple projects into a career that doesn't fit traditional boxes. From organizing conferences in DC to editing fiction to Greek adventures, she's discovered how to weave professional threads into a life that follows her energy instead of someone else's org chart. 

But her blueprint for designing careers that actually fit your life instead of forcing your life around a job? That's where things get interesting.

See Rachel's career braiding secrets (no spy training required) →

THE VIBE

News to Use

🔆 Why Forward-Thinking Companies Are Betting Big on Part-Time Talent. Losing part-time workers is far costlier than companies realize.

🔆 How to Succeed as a Freelancer and Turn a Side Hustle into a Full-Time Career. A practical guide to building your reputation, finding your network and working on your own terms.

🔆 Why Remote Work Could Be the Lifeline Your Retirement Needs. Remote work is helping older people stay employed and giving them a more flexible on-ramp to retirement.

POLL – NEXT WEEKS TOPIC

Next week: Trends Shaping Remote Work: The workplace of 2025 is defined by flexibility, digital collaboration, and a growing freelance economy—empowering workers and organizations alike to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Your Couch Called BS

Time to prove remote work isn't just pajama pants and Netflix binges. 

From happy hours in Philly to slot canyon adventures in Texas, your fellow location rebels are trading isolation for connection. Whether you're craving coffee shop coworking in Colorado Springs or river floating in Boise, there's zero excuse to hermit anymore. 

Pick your poison and show up.

🗓️ Check out the Community Calendar!

RESOURCES