WE NEED TO TALK! TAKING A BREAK - BIG CHANGES COMING SOON!

There’s something I need to get off my chest after much deliberation as of late. Recently I’ve been feeling stuck in a rut so things need to change around here! After coming back from travelling I was so inspired and full of ideas which was both good and bad. 

On the upside, I feel so motivated to fill JBS.com with incredible content that I am SO excited to write! On the downside, it has made me realise that the tough decision needed to be made to scrap all of the pre-scheduled content I had organised to go up over the next month. It just doesn’t tie into the vision I now have for the blog and I also don’t want to rush into things and just chuck up any old post for the sake of keeping content fresh. 

So, it has led me to the decision to take the rest of the month as a break from posting content and spending that time preparing fresh new content to go live starting in April! I’m hoping in the next 10 days to focus on crafting quality posts that inspire me and writing that I feel giddy with excitement to share - because that’s what this platform has always been about! I don’t want to spoil anything but here’s a brief rundown of what to expect on JBS.com once we’re back up and running… 

Behind The Desk - March 2019 - Bali, Airlie Beach, RHCP, Arctic Monkeys + Uni

Hello! Long-time no talk! After doing a whole heap of travelling last month, March has been all about settling into a routine for 2019 that is going to assist me in achieving all those huge goals I set out for this year. 

I’m so excited to sit down and recap on how my travels went and other things I’ve been up to lately! I’m divulging a detailed run-down of both Bali and Airlie Beach in upcoming features providing ‘The Ultimate Guide’ to those destinations but I’ll also be sharing a quick overview in this update. 

Behind the Desk- January 2019

Hello! How has 2019 been for you so far? 

We have managed to speed through the first month of 2019 and are finding ourselves now at the end of January! I have so much to talk to you about including how I’m headed to Bali in just a couple of days and have so many other cool things coming up! Bali Let’s start with where I’ll be next week….

Life Highlights from 2018

I need to stop living life like I read books – quickly turning to the next page in anticipation and speed reading through the action-packed parts. If you keeping flipping to the next chapter you might find yourself finished the book so focus on soaking up each and every moment instead of wanting to fast-forward everything....

At least that is the advice I am currently giving to myself. It is also the reason why I decided to reflect on this year and compile a list of highlights to appreciate. I honestly did not realise what a jam-packed and achievement filled year 2018 was for me until I sat down and put everything on paper so I would highly recommend for you to do this as a little activity to wrap up 2018. I had some of the proudest moments of my life this year! Let’s get into them…

23 Lessons I've Learned in 23 Years

Today I turn 23 years old and while I still feel like I have no idea what I'm doing, I thought it would be interesting to share 23 of the lessons I have learned in my 23 years on this planet. 

I did this type of article last year when I turned 22 and I have set a challenge to myself to not repeat any of the things from that list so head over there and give it a read first.

Now let's get into the 23 things I've learned. 

Books I've Ready Lately #7

Can you actually believe it?! I only have 3 more books to read before I hit my target of 30 in 2018! 

It has been much easier than I expected and I think I might have to bump it to 40 for next year just to challenge myself a bit more. Okay so here are the four books that I have read just lately.

Behind The Desk - Breakups, Starting a PhD + My Book

Hello! OMG it has been like 2 months at this point since my last BTD! 

I’m at this weird stage where I’m chilling out and Christmas shopping but also nose diving into the deep end to wrap up 2018 with a bang! So much has changed! Where do I even start?

November is my birthday month and also my favourite time of year - I love when it's just getting hot and the beach always seems like a good idea. You can start to feel the anticipation and excitement of Christmas as well as the rejuvenation of a fresh new year approaching. But for the meantime, we get this whole month of in-between bliss where everything is less stressful and you feel like you could handle anything.

How To Multi-Task and Boost Productivity

Multitasking is a rising trend that has taken over the world now a days and usually people believe that multitasking can effectively boost the productivity. 

Everyone likes to do several tasks by themselves and tend to believe that it eventually enhances their creativity and productive skills. Here we will see whether it’s true or not:

I WROTE A BOOK!

I WROTE A BOOK! Sorry all caps but I am so unbelievably excited it's not even funny. I have been waiting so long (3 years to be exact) to be able to say those words to you! 

I really couldn't wait any longer so I pulled the trigger today on a whim and announced it is released for pre-order with the official release date of November 1st! 

Holding my printed book in my hands is probably one of my greatest accomplishments to date and I'm trying to fully soak in this feeling but it's extremely overwhelming. 

I'll keep it short because my brain is in overload right now - here are the things you should know about the book!

What is the book about?
“The book will act as a resource for understanding the digital landscape of blogging as a form of creative advertising as well as an instructional manual which will act as a guide for any creatives wishing to enter the advertising industry through the blogging medium.”

How does it work?
The guide is split into three main sections, each reflecting a new stage in becoming a full-time blogger. The book will teach readers how to;
>CREATE A DURABLE BLOG
>BUILD AN ONLINE AUDIENCE
>GENERATE FINANCIAL SUCCESS

Where can I buy it?
You can purchase a printed copy or eBook version from ProBloggerCareer. If you purchase the printed book, you automatically receive the eBook as a bonus. It is currently on pre-order right now but all copies will be officially released on November 1st!

What the heck is PBC?
Pro Blogger Career (PBC) is the business I have set up to host the book, a Podcast I am about to release and it also works in conjunction with my consultancy agency JDC Marketing. I have big plans for this business and lots of good stuff is going to come out of it so keep an eye out. You can follow PBC on Twitter (@bloggercareer), Instagram (@ProBloggerCareer) and Facebook (@ProBloggerCareer). You can join the super exclusive FB community here. 

If you take just one thing from this post please have it be - THANK YOU! 
I could not have done this without you! I have been blogging now for a decade and whether you have just joined me on this journey or been here all along – thank you for all of your love and support over the years. This book is for you and I couldn’t have done it without you.

Behind The Desk September - Work and More Work + Exciting Project Launching

Hey you! It’s me – I’m still alive but I’m barely breathing. I joke but…once you hear about all the stuff I’ve been doing over the past few weeks - you’ll get it. 

Let’s just say my last month has involved being piled in assignments…again…and I’m not even a Uni student anymore. It’s also been a lot of flipping between stressed out mess and bouncing off the walls excited about a project about to launch…

First of all! Holy crap… we are mid-way through September and next month are entering the last quarter of the year. Shortly I will be writing an article about ways you can make the most of the rest of the year and still smash those goals you set out in January – keep an eye out. It’s not too late to accomplish everything you set out to do in 2018! Gear up instead of slowing down for this last quarter to see massive results.

I’ve been in work mode pretty much all month, not stopping to do much else. Which is to be expected honestly since I have about 5 jobs; my full-time gig as marketing manager, teaching a Uni subject at QUT, freelance consulting, running this blog AND…working ridiculously hard on this special project about to launch. So I knew what I was getting myself into. But now you can laugh at how boring my life has been lately. Let’s get into it shall we…

About My Company – JDC Marketing Explained

October last year I launched my freelance consultancy company - JDC Marketing. Just recently, our website had a makeover and is now sporting a brand new look. 

The main difference? I'm now putting my face to it. What was previously a relatively unbranded company has now come closely under my wing and clearly seen now as my baby. Not only that but we have had a brand re-focus where we are less about in-person consultancy and more about providing valuable free resources for any small business owners who visit the site.

I wanted to take the opportunity to properly introduce you to my company, because it's a a relatively big chapter of my life at the moment and will only increasingly become more important to me. I feel like I've left you in the dark a little about what the company does and what it's all about so here we are - introducing JDC Marketing 2.0.

I'm all about...making the life easier of a small business owner. 

*all pictures in this post are clickable to relevant resources.

Behind The Desk August – Going Brunette, Graduation, Photoshoots and Secret Projects

 

This month has been awesome because it feels like a lot of things are wrapping up and I’m moving in to a slightly different stage in my life now. 

I change my hair to brunette, graduated my Masters of Advertising, had an awesome photo-shoot and have been working on some secret projects under wraps. Not only that, but this blog got a bit of a refresh as did my business. So much newness and it's all very exciting.

Going Brunette 
Well firstly, I feel like a bit of a new woman because of the dramatic hair change I underwent this weekend just gone.

Life Update ♥ Graduating University, My GPA, Becoming a Uni Teacher + Big Upcoming Projects

You may have already caught up with some of what I've been up to lately in this months behind the desk but I have filmed a chatty video to catch up face to face with you! 

We have a lot to catch up on girl! I've graduated Uni now, I share my GPA, I've started my tutoring gig at Uni and I have some HUGE major projects in the works TBA very shortly. 

Don't feel like watching but missed the latest behind the desk and still feel like seeing what I've been up to? You can give it a read here.

The Best Content of 2018 on Weight Loss, Career, Finances, Depression / Anxiety, Productivity and Self-Love

You don’t want to miss this post – it’s like the glossary of JBS highlighting only the BEST content so far this year for weight loss, productivity, career, finances, depression / anxiety and self-love! 

We work through a lot of content together here on JBS don’t we?! Posting so regularly means it’s super easy for you to miss a post so I have gathered all my faves from the first half of 2018, categorised them, have given you a scenario in which it might help you currently and linked ya!

I got you girl - you’re bound to find some answers with whatever you’re struggling with somewhere in this plethora of content.

Behind the Desk – Gym Challenge, Becoming a Uni Tutor and Home Décor

Happy July everyone! Now that we’re half way through the year it’s a fantastic time to go over your goals and track your progress. 

I have done a lot of reflecting over the past week to see what I have achieved and what my next steps are! It’s also a great time to outline any new healthy habits you want to pick up and think of like half year resolutions. I know I have done this and taken it to the extreme so I will get into that a little bit in this post.

Behind the Desk - Massive Life Updates! Moving! Job! Graduating Uni + More

I always feel like I’ve had a semi-quiet month but then I look back and I’m like woah hold up did I really do all those things?!

Yeah another one like that because this month I went to Sydney, attended THREE concerts, attended the YouTube creator day, have been a busy bee at work / with my own company and also having something HUGE in the works.

Not only that but I'll be moving this week and graduating University shortly - it's all happening.

So strap in because I’m going to fill you in on each of these awesome things going on...


Moving House
So the biggest thing currently going on in my life is that I am moving house. My boyfriend and I are really excited to get into the new place and set everything up. I'm going with a modern Scandinavian décor theme with light woods, creamy whites, variations of grey with pops of light pink and rose gold. I will definitely be keeping you updated with the progress and showing you awesome home / décor finds as I come across them and show you how I decorate the new place.

Off to the Races - A Sydney Trip Visual Diary

My boyfriend and I went down to Sydney for the weekend to attend the races that were on a couple of weeks ago (I also had a few business meetings).

Cocktails were had and bets were made.

Here is a visual diary of our trip...

Behind The Desk March - Bikram Yoga, Aladin Musical, Gallery Hopping, Fun Runs, Teeth Whitening and Sneaky Wines

I thought that March had been a quiet month but it was only when I started thinking about everything I had done this month in preparation for the BTD that I realised... it’s been a pretty hectic month!

I completed a fun run, picked up the new hobby of cooking, started Bikram Yoga, attended the Mind Body Spirit Festival and played tourist in my own city going to the museums and art galleries. Needless to say I’ve been keeping busy with work, JDC Marketing and University throughout the week but making full use of my weekends.

Is Uni Necessary? The Argument From Both Sides

With Uni back in full swing, it has made my schedule even more hectic than usual. I like to push myself through the struggle that is full time work, full time Uni and so many passion projects on the side by telling myself that it will all be worth it in the end. But will it?I find University to be extremely fulfilling and it's something that I'm good at but I'm in the third and final semester of my Masters and never before have I questioned the necessity of University so much until now.

It recently dawned on me that I was spending almost 40k on my masters. So while I never entertained the argument that Uni wasn't necessary because I truly saw the value I was getting out of it, it is now that I am beginning to understand the other perspective on this.

As such, it seemed like an interesting idea to examine the necessity of Uni from both sides. I am going to be explaining the opinion I have had for the past 5 years about University being an essential step (at least for the career path I chose) and my experience with the value I have received from the education.

I mean, in my experience yes getting my bachelor was worth it. Primarily because it opened me up to so many opportunities, including landing the new job that I have just started and am loving. But it has made me question if doing my masters is worth it, especially with the hefty price tag of $39, 600 for 12 subjects.

We all hear about the lucky ones who get their foot in the door while still in Uni or land their dream job without studying at all. I started my professional career in marketing during my second year of Uni so I do believe that not only my degree but also my practical experience in the field is what helped me land my current position.

In this blog post, we are going to explore two different sides of if University is worth it based on unique situations. This might be useful for those of you contemplating your current degree or tossing up whether to go in the first place.

I hope this provides some insight into the different experiences myself and my boyfriend have had with University.

I’ll be talking about my experience completing a bachelor and studying my masters. To authentically capture the other side of the story I have backups. My boyfriend, Josh, will go into his opinions on University as someone who is currently completing his bachelor. I want to be as concise as possible, which will be difficult because my opinion on Uni has shifted quite a lot, especially since starting my Masters.

Behind the Desk February - Febfast, Valentine's Day, Fun Runs, Bootcamp and more

A lot has been going on this month between Febfast where I have gone alcohol free, health regime changes, the new job and getting ready for the Mater Breast Cancer Fun Run.

It felt like January lasted at least 2 months and 3 weeks while February has just flown by and it’s nearly over! Considering I’m doing Febfast and haven’t been drinking, this early end to the month is much welcomed.

Let’s start with that…I have not had a drop of alcohol in February as part of Febfast, a charity where you donate the money you otherwise would have spent. The money donated supports youth who have a dependency on or addiction to substances. I did this last year also and wrote in depth about my experience here.