28 Comments
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Anna Mackenzie's avatar

It's been so lovely being a small part of your figuring-it-out journey. Big and exciting things for you in the future, I'm sure of it ❤️

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Iwana Johannsen's avatar

Thanks, Anna, very curious what's ahead! But always better to have people with you along the path. 🫶🏻

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Joshua Zloof's avatar

Didn’t know about this term - love this!

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Iwana Johannsen's avatar

Same! I was really happy to discover it a few months ago 🙂

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Camille Robins's avatar

Likewise! (And thank you, Anna!)

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Digital-Mark's avatar

People don't realise how valuable some time off is. Most people are doing in this time off with a deep introspection of how their life will be like without the rat-race and the results are mind-blowing. Investing (blockchain) in different tech is a very good opportunity nowadays. You others (including me) are going with the flow where rigid rules are not there anymore. It's like breaking the invisible 9-5 chains.

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Iwana Johannsen's avatar

A big yes to all of the above. 😉

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Elodee ดี's avatar

Reading your post made me realize I was building my portfolio career since I've quit my Corporate job 4 years ago! At first my intention was to built my startup but I quickly got involved in freelancing jobs and caught the entrepreneurial fever to start many side projects. This looks a bit chaotic for the outside world but this is my best way to create, learn everyday and feel free. Your post resonates with me so much! Congrats on your journey ✨

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Iwana Johannsen's avatar

Thanks, Elodee! Love meeting another fellow on the portfolio career path. For me, framing it this way really helped make my work look a bit less chaotic from the outside. :)

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Elodee ดี's avatar

Yes you inspired me to start structuring it ! Because my LinkedIn looks weird haha

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Iwana Johannsen's avatar

Nice! 👏👏

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Ruth Allen, PhD (MNCPS)'s avatar

I've been evolving my portfolio of work for 10 years. It's just baked through with me now, a mature set of practices that entirely sustain me fincially yes but importantly intellectually, emotionally, spirtually. I feel aligned. I shudder at the thought of doing differently now. Bravo you!

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Iwana Johannsen's avatar

Thank you, Ruth! And that's amazing that you have already created something fully aligned with you. 🙂

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Ruth Allen, PhD (MNCPS)'s avatar

It happens quick with the intention. Go after it!

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Pia Mitchell's avatar

Are you kidding me!!! This is a term I've been needing to hear for years. Traditional roles just don't make my heart skip a beat the same way - thank you for sharing your journey.

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Iwana Johannsen's avatar

Haha. I know, that’s the kind of excitement I felt when discovering it. 😂

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Lara Hayward's avatar

Hi @Iwana - I’d love to hear more about how you’ve used AI to support your portfolio career and where it is most helpful. I’ve been resistant to it for so long but as I’m soon to be a team of one and embarking on a similar exploration journey as you, I know it can probably be very helpful. Any insight you’ve got would be super helpful! And thanks for this article - good to be reminded that it can work and that it takes time. 🙏

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Iwana Johannsen's avatar

Hi Lara,

Yes, I really recommend starting to use AI as it’s a game-changer. I use it to support almost everything in my life now. Anything I used to google, I ask ChatGPT instead. When working, it’s like my expert colleague: answering questions, complementing my strengths, covering blind spots, and helping me test ideas quickly. I work with it much like I used to work with my team: delegating tasks, giving feedback, iterating together, and getting things done.

I use it for writing but not to generate the article but to edit, challenge ideas, and provide new perspectives. I use it for research, medical questions, identifying plants, figuring out repairs - you name it. Anytime I have a question during the day, I ask.

I think how you can start is this: Don’t overcomplicate learning lots of tools but get the ChatGPT Pro Version (around 22$ per month, but it’s worth it), you can basically do everything with this one. And then just start talking to it. Every question you have during the day, ask it. If something is unclear, ask further. Don’t expect outcome to be perfect at the beginning, tell it what you don’t like, and iterate with it. And you‘ll see step by step how to use it and what to use it best for in your work day but also your life.

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Engels José's avatar

That’s a great way to say "I have a multi-passionate career"

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Iwana Johannsen's avatar

Haha, yes, very true!

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Lisa Cunningham DeLauney's avatar

I've been building my portfolio career for 2 decades now. No regrets, but it is harder to measure progress without a set career paths, promotions and pay scale. Sometimes I feel like I've achieved so much, and other times so little!

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Iwana Johannsen's avatar

That’s amazing! I can definitely relate even though I’m not that far into the game but overall, it’s actually really rewarding.

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Tom Scitt's avatar

Really resonated. Thanks for writing.

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Iwana Johannsen's avatar

Glad to hear and thank you for letting me know! 🙂🙏🏻

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Ryan Bollenbach's avatar

Great to hear your portfolio career journey, Anna! 🥳 I also wrote an article about this recently that I’d love to get your 2 cents on it: https://open.substack.com/pub/ryanbollenbach/p/building-a-portfolio-career-in-the?r=5vrqm&utm_medium=ios

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Iwana Johannsen's avatar

Thanks, Ryan! Not sure if you wanted Anna’s or my two cents 😉, but I really enjoyed your article. Totally agree that AI is a huge boost for solopreneurs, and it’s helped me create my own little team of one. With automation and AI making the job market more competitive, I think many more people will (need to) turn to alternative work models.

In my case, I’m not necessarily focused on earning more or getting more done, I’m using a portfolio career to design work around my values and passions, and to stay more in control of who I work with and how I spend my time.

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Ryan Bollenbach's avatar

I meant your two cents, I got mixed up there! 🥳. Re: values and passions, do you feel like you’ve defined a mission for yourself as well with work?

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Maria Rocha's avatar

This is it, Iwana. I found you by accident and I can relate to almost everything. We need more testimonials of this reality and trying to change. And changing it while exploring and testing. I've subscribed and I look forward to read and learn more about you and your experience. I may even apply to my own journey. Keep going! :)

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