A good idea from Derek Sivers inspired this page (explore inspiring examples and create your own here).
Hey there, it’s Desi! Here you can get a quarterly snapshot of what’s going on with me right now, both professionally and personally. If you’ve made it this far, I assume you know a bit about me; if not, check out my bio to learn more about who I am.
Why this page?
We can all relate to being asked, “What are you up to?” when we are out in the world. No matter how often you have to answer that question, the mental energy you put into formulating a response at the moment can be a task (at least for me).
After stumbling upon the Now Page Movement sometime back around 2016 or 2017, I knew that I wanted to create a page like that on my own website, and here we are! Learn more about the movement and why I created this page.
This page is a place for you to see what’s going on and a personal reminder of my priorities and goals when I need clarity. Should we meet, we’ll most likely strike up a conversation around some of the things mentioned here. And, if we don’t meet, you can always connect with me on social media or email me if you want to know more.
March 2024 Update
I know that I haven’t made an update in a while…my days have been super busy lately. There have been a lot of changes happening for me and I am just trying to go with the flow. Read on to see what I’ve been up to lately.
What’s going on in my career?
- I have been enjoying my role as a Member of AmeriCorps VISTA. I’ve been working at the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing for four months, and I’m gradually starting to settle in. I am learning new skills like grant writing, relationship building, and project management.
- Earlier this month, I went to Dallas, TX for In-Service Training with AmeriCorps VISTA. I made so many connections, learned a lot, and got to see some family. Read more about this experience.
- The Lansing Marketing Hackers Group is now MIpreneur! This year, Paul and I decided to take the Lansing Marketing Hackers Group in a new direction by rebranding it to MIpreneur. Learn more about this change and what’s to come.
- I started working part-time as a Youth Advisor for the Footprints Residential Program through Peckham. As a Youth Advisor, I provide direct care to court-involved, at-risk female youth. I am working on trying to find a project that can create a bridge between Footprints and the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing so that the girls in the program can get more support when they leave or matriculate.
What’s going on in my personal life?
- I finally finished making major changes to my portfolio and blog websites! For a while, I was convinced that I had to create separate identities for myself to manage my online presence and personal brand. After taking some time to work it all out, I have published my personal (this one) and blog websites and I am super excited about where things are!
- After many hours of obsessing and stressing, I’m finally ready to start posting on my social accounts again! Around the end of last year, I brought this goal back into focus, but I needed more time than I’d realized to figure out how I wanted to present myself online for my personal brand. Follow me on your favorite social media sites @desimslaughter.
- My primary goals for the next quarter are adding more work to my portfolio, building my social presence, growing my blog, and fostering a content creation habit.
- I am still working on my email newsletter, “From Desi’s Desk”. If you aren’t subscribed, sign up to make sure you get my first email!
- Lately, I am getting more intrigued with the PKM movement. I am focused on enhancing my note-taking process to transform the information I obtain from books, articles, podcasts, and other sources into useful insights that I can apply in my daily life.
What’s next
- I’m creating an “I Met You Today” page on my website. I recently reached out to Nate St. Pierre and J. Money of Skeleton Crew Creative to tell them how much I loved their “I Met You Today” project. I also asked if it would be okay to recreate it on my website. They were happy to hear that their project inspired me and gave me the green light. They even said they’d love to check it out once it’s live on my site! I’m excited to get started on it and will be sure to let them know when it’s up. Read more about this project.
- I’m working on Brand & Press Studio. I plan to start pushing my freelance business services more to obtain clients. I am working on a signature service for my freelance business that includes an e-course, workbook, ebook, mini-courses, workshops, and more.
Explore previous updates below
December 2023 Update
After looking and going through several emotions during the job search process, I have decided to join AmeriCorps for the next year. Read on to learn about what I’ve got going on right now.
What’s going on in my career?
- I became a Member of AmeriCorps VISTA. On December 4th, I started working at the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing as the Women’s Economic Empowerment and Outreach Coordinator.
- I have been enjoying my role as a co-host of the Lansing Marketing Hackers group. We are planning some very big changes for the community and I can’t wait to see how it grows!
- I am a Meta Certified Digital Marketing Associate! In October, I applied for and was awarded the Meta Elevate Scholarship. After taking and passing my exam on Sunday, December 17, 2023, at 8 AM, I am officially certified!
What’s going on in my personal life?
- After a long sabbatical, I’m finally refreshing and creating content for my personal brand. My primary goals are building my social presence, lifestyle blog, and content creation habit.
- After plenty of changes, I’ve settled on my personal blog name, JustDesi. My blog is published and I am working on creating content. My goal is to update my blog twice per month to start and increase from there with a posting schedule that matches my capacity. Check out my latest blog post, “A Pescatarian Thanksgiving.”
- I am still working on my email newsletter, “From Desi’s Desk”. If you aren’t subscribed, sign up to make sure you get my first email!
- I am still updating my websites, including my portfolio (this one), my blog, and my freelance websites.
- I recently stumbled across a project called “I Met You Today” by Nate St. Pierre and J. Money of Skeleton Crew Creative and I want to recreate it here. It is a project where they document their most interesting encounters in daily life.
What’s next
- I plan to start pushing my freelance business services more to obtain clients. and create more income
June 2023 Update
There have been a lot of changes that have happened in my life since March. Adulting can be challenging, but I try to remain positive and take it one day at a time. Read on to learn about what I’ve got going on right now.
What’s going on in my career?
- I am looking for full-time employment. Stepping back into the job-searching pool is tougher than ever, but I have updated my resume and geared up for the challenge. If you know of any open opportunities that I might be a good fit for, please send them to me via email or contact me!
- I’m no longer working as a Content Marketer at Public Sector Consultants (PSC). Although my goal was to remain at PSC for the foreseeable future, things didn’t work out that way.
- I recently moved up from a member to a co-host of the Lansing Marketing Hackers group, where I help plan, host, and facilitate events dedicated to local marketers and techies who want to learn how to be power users in marketing apps and services.
- June 12th-16th, I am volunteering with the Mansion of Dreams Youth Entrepreneurship Program by Myles Johnson, dedicated to educating high school students to learn entrepreneurship skills. For the 2023 summer break program, I will be helping facilitate the weekly schedule around teaching local youth entrepreneurs how to start a T-Shirt Business and gain fashion experience.
What’s going on in my personal life?
- I am still working on my email newsletter, “From Desi’s Desk”. If you aren’t subscribed, sign up to make sure you get my first email!
- I am still updating my websites, including my portfolio (this one), my blog, and my freelance websites.
What’s next
- I need to secure a full-time job!
- I plan to start pushing my freelance business services more to obtain clients. and create more income
March 2023 Update
Apparently, we are now in the Post-COVID era. This means that a lot of us are rethinking what life after COVID looks like, both personally and professionally. Although there is a lot of confusion and trial and error happening now, I am thankful that I have the space and opportunity to work toward my dream life. Read on to learn about what keeps me busy right now.
What’s going on in my career?
- I’ve really been enjoying my Content Marketer role at Public Sector Consultants (PSC). I’ve been there for almost 6 months now, and I spend my days translating abstract public policy concepts into compelling, digestible content across various digital channels and creating modern, scalable, functional websites for both PSC and clients.
- Being fairly new to corporate life with this new job, I am learning how to navigate the nuances of work-life and the responsibilities, relationships, and experiences that come along with it.
- Since I have a full-time job, finding the right balance between work, life, and my side hustles is an art form. I am taking time to update and restructure my freelance branding studio with signature services, digital products, and e-courses to earn passive income without over-dedicating my time.
What’s going on in my personal life?
- I moved into a new apartment in Downtown Lansing. With my new job, it made sense for me to move away from the college students and closer to work. I found an apartment less than 5 minutes away from my job and moved in a few days ago.
- After years of procrastination, I’m finally getting around to using my personal blog, Eat. Nerd. Create. by desimslaughter. My blog is published; check it out here. My goal is to update my blog twice per month to start out and increase from there with a posting schedule that matches my capacity.
- In addition to my blog, I’m also working on my email newsletter, “From Desi’s Desk”, to connect with my email list subscribers. If you aren’t subscribed, why not?
- I’ve been working on updating all of my personal websites, including my portfolio (this one), my blog, and my freelance websites.
What’s next
- I am working on making this website the main space to find all of my work and information.
