#58: Balancing a Full-Time Job With (Paid) Passion Projects – Kelly Cordell-Morris

What do software product management and dog behavior have in common?Well, the answer is — more than you think.This week’s guest, Kelly Cordell-Morris, has a full-time job as a product manager at Siemens Digital Industries Software, and she’s running a side job as a clinical animal behaviorist working with dog owners.She discusses the challenges of balancing a full-time job with her passion for dog training, the importance of understanding client needs, and how she applies agile methodologies to her work with dogs.Kelly did such a great job showcasing the similarities between her two seemingly unrelated jobs, and so many of the tips she shared can be applied to all of our freelance business, including her insights on integrating scrum methodology into both personal and professional life, emphasizing the importance of flexibility in scheduling, the significance of prioritization and metrics in marketing, and the necessity of recognizing exhaustion to maintain a sustainable work-life balance.So, keep listening if you want to find out how to balance the two, the importance of acquiring a variety of skills, niching down, and what we should consider if we’re running two things at once and want to make the switch.Enjoy!Takeaways:The drive for knowledge is essential in both personal and professional growth.Navigating difficult conversations is a learned skill.Agile methodologies can be applied to dog training and client management.Prioritizing tasks is key to managing workload and client expectations.Recognizing signs of exhaustion is crucial for maintaining balance.Protecting personal time is important to avoid burnout.Breaking tasks into smaller steps can enhance productivity.Online coaching can yield better results than in-person training for some clients.Here's where you can connect with Kelly:WebsiteE-mail series for dog owners (the 2-week reactivity reset)LinkedInInstagramFacebook_______________________________________Let's connect on LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjalordanic/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠You can donate and support this podcast here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/freelancebusinessunlocked⁠⁠⁠⁠Thank you and see you next week!