Leader
Unclaimed money
There's a frightening amount of money unclaimed and awaiting collection, about $458 million at last count. Are you one of the 500,000 Australians who’s owed something? Find out here. 
How to write a mission statement
This video by Dan Heath over at Fast Company shows you exactly how the mission statement of a small business goes from tasty to terrible in one brainstorming session.
Just how much are meetings costing you?
This basic, but very effective tool easily gives you the answer. Simply tell it how many people are in attendance, their daily rate and the clock starts ticking. Very, very scary! 
Any procrastinating writers here?
Thought so. This little site is a corker. Select how many words you're trying to write, your deadline and punishment mode and you'll get some pretty sharp reminders if you start to slack off. 
Need a financial health check?
Superannuation advice, budget planners and tips for saving are all on offer at the Understanding Money website. This Government operated site provides real back to basics information on how to, err, understand money. 
Font of all knowledge
Not sure what your default font should be? This site is sure to help. Simply paste in some text, choose from hundreds of different fonts and take your pick! 
Feeling demotivated?
The motivation industry has had its day in the sun. How's this for a contradictory view? Despair.com's demotivators claim to 'increase success by lowering expectations.'
Office pod
We want one. Well half a dozen, actually. These office pods have got to be the coolest little workspaces we’ve seen. They look so yummy in the garden.
18 smokin' hot business cards
If you’re just starting up or looking to redesign your business cards, here is a wealth of inspiration from our friends at Freelance Switch.
Wordle on the street
This cool free tool at www.Wordle.net generates funky looking word clouds based on your website or selected text. You can even try different colour schemes and layouts.
Hot or cold?
Stay up to date with the climate debate on this site. Great for those pro action and sceptics, it lists calls to action and dissenting voices from around the world.
Are you free?
If you struggle getting small groups of people together for a meeting, this little gizmo may help. It certainly saves on the email tennis.
Get help from the crowd
The Flying Solo forums are where you can talk and network freely. If you're looking for help, seeking a referral, or just itching to share some news or knowledge, there's a mob of supporters here.
Someone trying to empty your pockets?
SCAMwatch will help you recognise, report and protect yourself from scams that target you or your small business.
Want to get your articles out there?
ArticlePR features a free list of article submission sites or article banks, to which you can submit your articles in order for them to be distributed far and wide.
Keep it simple, silly
More often than not, a soloist’s life is about multi tasking and coping with complexity. If this sounds like you, our friends at Freelance Switch have some worthwhile tips: 10 Ways to Simplify Your Freelance Life.
Calling all Flying Solo fans!
If you're an active networker or involved in any small business groups, we'd love you to get involved in our snappy little promotional program. Find out more. 
Who's following you?
Twitter fans may like Twittersheep, which tells you which kinds of folk are following you. Give it a go! 
When it all gets too much
When it all gets too much. A big thanks to web developer, Simon for this little gem. Apparently it’s where he heads when clients drive him nuts.
Save (on) your energy
Make It Cheaper provides a free service that helps you ditch and switch energy providers. There’s a handy blog with money saving tips, too.
Have you read our manifesto?
If you've yet to read Flying Solo the book, have a read of the Soloist's Manifesto to get a feel for what it's about. Alternatively, browse some reader reviews.
Anatomy of Australia’s micro business owner
Flying Solo’s Understanding Micro Business, 2010-2011 – Australia’s largest micro business survey takes the pulse of this critical business sector. Download the results now.
Get projects over the line
If you admire 'The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People' (and who wouldn't?) and recognise you need some assistance to get over the finish line, this online goal tracker may well appeal.
Text for dummies
Ever wondered where to find that dummy text used by designers? The answer is here. Given it's a practice that's been around since the 1500s, this may not be the original source!
What say you?
Become a member
Join Flying Solo and start promoting your business in our member directory; post comments on articles and dive into the lively forum discussions. It's quick, free and easy. Join the community now!
Profile | Trish Weston
Trish Weston
Trish Weston left her promising academic career at 20 and ran off and joined a business. She learned many tricks in this magical world - how to juggle (20 things to be done by yesterday); how to make things disappear ("Where is that invoice?"); and most importantly, the art of walking the highwire ("What, no safety net?").
Trish has since left this crazy life and spends her days having wonderful conversations with people about what really important to them - in life and business - and how they can make their own world seem less like a circus.
Trish is an Accredited Life Coach (LCA) and, now, has post graduate qualifications in Psychology.
Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself - George Bernard Shaw
Articles by Trish
A little clarity for Big Decisions
12 May 10Trish WestonBig Decisions are those once or twice a year ideas that blow into my business like a welcome breeze, bringing fresh perspectives and limitless possibilities. Read more
Comments: 3Meeting your clients' needs
13 Sep 09Trish WestonWhen cashflow gets tight, a natural response is to start eliminating those expenses that aren’t ‘essential’. How do you meet your clients' needs and ensure that you don’t get crossed off their essentials list? Read more
Comments: 0Understanding your needs as a soloist
05 Jul 09Trish WestonTo succeed in your solo business, you have to understand your physiological and psychological needs. So how do you identify these needs and get your business to satisfy them? Read more
Comments: 5Career change: My new brilliant career
24 May 09Trish WestonThere is plenty of career advice out there for job jockeys who want to change their employer. But what about a career change for soloists? What do you do when you’ve lost heart in your business? How do you tell it “I’m just not that into you”? Read more
Comments: 16Dealing with non-paying clients
17 Mar 09Trish WestonI recently had my first non-paying client as a soloist. And, if I may share, it hurt. As someone who likes to go on about the importance of building great client relationships, this really stung. Read more
Comments: 29How will a sea change affect your business?
08 Feb 09Trish WestonThe decision to make a tree or sea change is relatively easy. But have you thought through how your solo business might be affected by such a move? Read more
Comments: 11Business survival skills: Five tips
11 Dec 08Trish WestonRebounding from a Really Bad Day is essential for the soloist, so here are some business survival skills to make bouncing back easier. Read more
Comments: 11Getting clients: Who are your people?
26 Oct 08Trish WestonIf you’re struggling to find and connect with new clients, then perhaps it’s time to turn to your people. Today, I got a call which dramatically changed the way I viewed getting clients. Read more
Comments: 19Organic business: Why I’ve gone organic
18 Sep 08Trish WestonAs a soloist, I’ve struggled to find the right amount of structure to keep my business fresh, enjoyable and with a healthy cash flow. I have discovered over time that the organic business approach works best for me. Read more
Comments: 19Business emails: Five simple rules
07 Jul 08Trish WestonThe proliferation of mobile phones and ever-changing rules and etiquette around their use got me thinking about another modern day bugbear of mine – the incorrect use of business emails. Read more
Comments: 14The soloist’s business support team
28 Feb 08Trish WestonHow many of us would achieve what we do without our partners, friends, peers, family and pets who make up our unofficial business support team? It's time these silent partners got due thanks for the part they play in making our businesses a success. Read more
Comments: 5Economic sustainability: When everyone profits
27 Jan 08Trish WestonWe are acutely aware of cash flow, ROI, profit and assets in our solo ventures. But when we look at how our business impacts upon the economy sustainability of our communities, we discover that we're not the only ones who can benefit from our business. Read more
Comments: 1People skills: Creating a sustainable business
16 Dec 07Trish WestonHaving good people skills and treating people we work with well is an important aspect of creating a sustainable business. This area, however, doesn’t get a lot of attention despite its presence behind many of our concerns about work and fairness. Read more
Comments: 7Seven ways to create a sustainable business
07 Oct 07Trish WestonThe evidence is everywhere. If we don’t treat clients with respect, we lose them. If we take non-renewable resources from the planet, they run out. It’s time to look past our financial bottom-line to see how to create a truly sustainable business. Read more
Comments: 11The best things about being my own boss
09 Sep 07Trish WestonI bounced out of bed this morning. No alarm clock, no “just five more minutes”. It was my first day of freedom after spending eight months working for someone else and I am once again able to appreciate the great things about being my own boss. Read more
Comments: 16Mixing solo business with employment
29 Jul 07Trish WestonMost of us reckon our solo business ought to provide all our work, career and financial needs. But rather than going it alone all the time, maybe there are benefits to mixing your business with part time employment. Read more
Comments: 14How to cope with low morale
14 Jan 07Trish WestonIf you are a business owner who struggles to cope with low morale, be assured you're not alone. Losses in enthusiasm are particularly common after the initial six or twelve month honeymoon period. Read more
Comments: 4Work attitudes: Four lessons learnt from my four hour day
05 Nov 06Trish WestonWhat seemed like a simple reduction in work hours turned into a valuable experience in understanding my work attitudes and how I work best. Read more
Comments: 13Work less: Why I changed to a four hour day
01 Oct 06Trish WestonMy four hour day started innocently enough. There was no revolutionary zeal nor aspirations to the loafer’s lifestyle. My idea to work less came simply from my desire to more fully enjoy my work. Read more
Comments: 7Setting up your Business Action Group
27 Jul 06Trish WestonIn an earlier article we talked about getting together with other soloists to support and grow your business through a Business Action Group (BAG). If you’re thinking “This is for me” then here are the steps to setting up your very own BAG. Read more
Comments: 11Business Action Groups: Your Success is in the BAG
22 Jun 06Trish WestonWhen you work in isolation, running a successful business isn’t just about getting clients but about building relationships in a supportive environment. That's where Business Action Groups (BAG) come in. Read more
Comments: 3Join the community! It’s free.
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