Ready to turn your personal passions into professional rocket fuel? 🚀

Working remotely doesn't mean keeping your interests locked away in a separate box. In fact, blending what lights you up with what pays the bills can transform your entire work experience. 

It's time to stop treating your passions as just "weekend hobbies" and start leveraging them as your secret career superpower.

🔍 Let's explore how to make that magic happen.

— Shellie, Ric & Sarah

CAREER QUEST

From Hot Mess to Hot Yoga: How My Mat Made Me a Better Leader

by Shellie Sullivan, Thrive Remotely, Co-founder

Let's talk about that moment when you realize your "outside of work" passion isn't just a hobby—it's your secret career superpower. For me? It was hot yoga. (Yes, really!)

Picture this: There I was, a sweaty disaster trying to hold a pose in a 110-degree room. Not exactly your typical leadership training, right? But here's the plot twist—those 90-minute sessions became my masterclass in professional growth.

At first, I was that person who couldn't make it through class without collapsing in a puddle of defeat. Sound familiar? Maybe not with yoga, but we've all had those moments where something feels impossible.

But here's where it gets interesting: The skills I developed on that mat? They're the exact same ones that saved my bacon when a crisis hit at work. When a devastating fire shut down our global business for six months, guess what helped me lead my team through it?

That same ability to stay focused under pressure. The energy management that got me through those brutal yoga sessions? It's how I kept my cool during back-to-back crisis meetings.

The best part? You're probably already doing something that could be your professional secret weapon. Maybe it's parenting (hello, negotiation skills!), running marathons (anyone say perseverance?), or even gaming (strategic thinking, anyone?).

Here's your challenge: Take a fresh look at your personal passions. What skills are you building without even realizing it? Those "just for fun" activities might be your ticket to becoming an even more awesome remote leader.

Remember: The best remote workers aren't just good at their jobs—they bring their whole selves to work. And sometimes, that means bringing a little bit of your sweaty, determined, slightly chaotic personal growth journey along for the ride.

Now, excuse me while I go practice my warrior pose. Leadership training calls! 💪

QUICK TAKES

Grow for Success

✅ 5 Ways Personal Development Catapults Your Remote Career

✅ Best Practices for Encouraging Personal Growth in the Remote Workplace

✅ How You Can Be More Passionate in 6 Steps

✅ Align personal development goals with career aspirations for leadership growth.

✅ Passion Meets Profession: How to Align Your Career with Your Personal Passions.

LAST WEEK’S POLL RESULTS

What's your biggest "aha moment" about mixing personal passions with professional growth while working remotely?

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POLL – NEXT WEEKS TOPIC

Our next issue will talk about how local connections with other remote workers can boost both your professional success and personal wellbeing. Remote work offers incredible freedom, but even the most independent among us crave genuine human connection.

THRIVING TRIBE CHRONICLES

The Power of Declaring Your Vision: A Path to Personal Well-Being

In my last story, I shared my journey of prioritizing personal well-being and balancing it with work and financial goals. Many people assume this balance requires a massive overhaul, but it doesn’t. The first and most essential step is declaring a clear vision for what your heart truly desires at this time in your life.

I’ve always loved imagining my future, so the concept of declaring a vision came naturally to me. However, about half the people I speak with, whether clients or casual connections, struggle with this clarity. Do you feel resistant to sitting down and writing out a simple, detailed vision? If so, start by identifying the essence of what you desire—the feelings, generalities, and overarching themes. Sometimes, drawing this vision out requires help, and that’s perfectly normal.

For those who find visioning easier, focus on the present. When you get up in the morning, does your vision come easily to you and inspire your day? If not, clarify what you want right now: the relationships, income level, work, location, and feelings you want. Write it down. Refine it until you feel a visceral connection when you read it. That’s when you know your vision is ready.

Are you fearful that if you declare a vision, you’ll close out other opportunities? This is common, but the opposite is true. Declaring your vision doesn’t limit possibilities; it creates alignment. Without clarity, we remain unfocused.

When I first desired to work remotely, I resisted declaring my vision—not because I lacked clarity, but because I doubted it was possible. I couldn’t see how my in-person job could shift. Fear and self-doubt held me back. Once I declared my remote work vision, opportunities aligned almost immediately.

I’d love to hear your thoughts! What struggles or questions would you like me to address in future articles? Your input can shape what I write next.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Time to Connect

AVL Digital Nomad 2025 Kickoff Party | Thu Jan 30th 5:30 | Asheville, NC

Weaverville Nomad Lunch | Fri Jan 31st 12:00 | Weaverville, NC

Cargo District Crawl | Fri Jan 31st 6:00 | Wilmington, NC

Hit da Balls @ Spin Philadelphia | Sat Feb 1st 9:00 | Philadelphia, PA

Monday Trivia | Mon Feb 03rd 7:00 | Cedar Park, TX

Let's Get Buzzed, Coffee Style | Tue Feb 04th 10:30am | Hampstead, NC

AVL Digital Nomads - Book Club! | Tue Feb 04th 6:00 | Asheville, NC

☕️ Coworking at Foster Street + Lunch at Durham Food Hall | Wed Feb 05th 9:00am | Durham, NC

Fractional Professional Life | Wed Feb 05th 4:00 | Asheville, NC

Board Game Night at Well Played | Thu Feb 06th 6:00 | Asheville , NC

Coworking at Blue Mind | Fri Feb 07th 9:00am | Wilmington, NC

Voices of Impact, Pre-Event Warm-Up | Fri Feb 07th 4:30 | Asheville, NC

It all happens in Thrive Local Communities – Learn more 

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Until next Thursday! 🕺