Anna Burgess Yang
@annabyang.com
Former tech exec turned journalist
Workflow and automation geek.
Career pivots are fun. 🎉
https://start.annabyang.com/
Workflow and automation geek.
Career pivots are fun. 🎉
https://start.annabyang.com/
Sometimes I work really late. Or on weekends. Usually because something unexpected interrupted my day.
But I 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 to work outside of my normal hours.
There's a big difference between making a choice and having extra hours forced upon you.
But I 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 to work outside of my normal hours.
There's a big difference between making a choice and having extra hours forced upon you.
December 5, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Sometimes I work really late. Or on weekends. Usually because something unexpected interrupted my day.
But I 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 to work outside of my normal hours.
There's a big difference between making a choice and having extra hours forced upon you.
But I 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 to work outside of my normal hours.
There's a big difference between making a choice and having extra hours forced upon you.
I started freelancing because the idea of looking for another job was exhausting.
It wasn't the only reason. Or even the primary reason.
But it was definitely a reason.
It wasn't the only reason. Or even the primary reason.
But it was definitely a reason.
December 4, 2025 at 8:15 PM
I started freelancing because the idea of looking for another job was exhausting.
It wasn't the only reason. Or even the primary reason.
But it was definitely a reason.
It wasn't the only reason. Or even the primary reason.
But it was definitely a reason.
Stop. Publishing. Garbage. On. The. Internet.
kthanksbye.
kthanksbye.
December 4, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Stop. Publishing. Garbage. On. The. Internet.
kthanksbye.
kthanksbye.
Next time you're asked to do something, ask yourself:
Is it worth exchanging some of your free time?
Or time for your family?
Or time for the things you enjoy?
Is it worth exchanging some of your free time?
Or time for your family?
Or time for the things you enjoy?
December 3, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Next time you're asked to do something, ask yourself:
Is it worth exchanging some of your free time?
Or time for your family?
Or time for the things you enjoy?
Is it worth exchanging some of your free time?
Or time for your family?
Or time for the things you enjoy?
Location Bias: Favoring people who come into an office over people who work remotely.
So, so bad for many reasons.
I see comments all the time, "If you don't come into the office, you'll only have yourself to blame when you're passed over for a promotion."
So, so bad for many reasons.
I see comments all the time, "If you don't come into the office, you'll only have yourself to blame when you're passed over for a promotion."
December 3, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Location Bias: Favoring people who come into an office over people who work remotely.
So, so bad for many reasons.
I see comments all the time, "If you don't come into the office, you'll only have yourself to blame when you're passed over for a promotion."
So, so bad for many reasons.
I see comments all the time, "If you don't come into the office, you'll only have yourself to blame when you're passed over for a promotion."
As a solopreneur and mom, flexibility controls my life.
(Is that an oxymoron? Flexible control?)
But it's true. Flexibility is the engine that makes everything happen.
I'm able to make space for both work and my family.
(Is that an oxymoron? Flexible control?)
But it's true. Flexibility is the engine that makes everything happen.
I'm able to make space for both work and my family.
December 2, 2025 at 8:15 PM
As a solopreneur and mom, flexibility controls my life.
(Is that an oxymoron? Flexible control?)
But it's true. Flexibility is the engine that makes everything happen.
I'm able to make space for both work and my family.
(Is that an oxymoron? Flexible control?)
But it's true. Flexibility is the engine that makes everything happen.
I'm able to make space for both work and my family.
Leaving your corporate job for a solopreneur path is a bold move — and it can feel terrifying.
But as long as you’re prepared, it can be a *smart* move, especially in the current rocky job market.
www.fastcompany.com/91445195/how...
But as long as you’re prepared, it can be a *smart* move, especially in the current rocky job market.
www.fastcompany.com/91445195/how...
How to build a solopreneur safety net
What to do before you leave your 9-to-5 job.
www.fastcompany.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Leaving your corporate job for a solopreneur path is a bold move — and it can feel terrifying.
But as long as you’re prepared, it can be a *smart* move, especially in the current rocky job market.
www.fastcompany.com/91445195/how...
But as long as you’re prepared, it can be a *smart* move, especially in the current rocky job market.
www.fastcompany.com/91445195/how...
Gentle reminder that you can take ownership when something doesn't go as planned...
AND also recognize when you haven't been set up for success.
Without the right resources (time, people, information, etc), there's no way you can be successful.
AND also recognize when you haven't been set up for success.
Without the right resources (time, people, information, etc), there's no way you can be successful.
December 1, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Gentle reminder that you can take ownership when something doesn't go as planned...
AND also recognize when you haven't been set up for success.
Without the right resources (time, people, information, etc), there's no way you can be successful.
AND also recognize when you haven't been set up for success.
Without the right resources (time, people, information, etc), there's no way you can be successful.
A report from MIT found that 95% of AI pilot programs at enterprise companies fail.
AI isn't failing because the tech is bad. It's failing because companies are chasing flash promises over function. And forgetting the people who *actually* have to use it.
AI isn't failing because the tech is bad. It's failing because companies are chasing flash promises over function. And forgetting the people who *actually* have to use it.
The AI bubble is here and it's filled with failed experiments
What we're getting versus what we need.
www.workbetter.media
December 1, 2025 at 2:15 PM
A report from MIT found that 95% of AI pilot programs at enterprise companies fail.
AI isn't failing because the tech is bad. It's failing because companies are chasing flash promises over function. And forgetting the people who *actually* have to use it.
AI isn't failing because the tech is bad. It's failing because companies are chasing flash promises over function. And forgetting the people who *actually* have to use it.
A recent Wall Street Journal opinion piece argued that work-life balance keeps you mediocre.
I couldn't disagree more.
In my experience, balance made me more focused, more empathetic, and a better leader.
I couldn't disagree more.
In my experience, balance made me more focused, more empathetic, and a better leader.
How work-life balance improved my career
There’s no badge of honor for 100-hour workweeks.
www.workbetter.media
November 25, 2025 at 2:15 PM
A recent Wall Street Journal opinion piece argued that work-life balance keeps you mediocre.
I couldn't disagree more.
In my experience, balance made me more focused, more empathetic, and a better leader.
I couldn't disagree more.
In my experience, balance made me more focused, more empathetic, and a better leader.
Why are we still stuck on "time" as a bucket that needs to be filled during the day?
I see the argument from return-to-office advocates:
"𝘙𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯'𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 8 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘺!"
Is the work getting done?
If so, then what's the problem?
I see the argument from return-to-office advocates:
"𝘙𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯'𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 8 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘺!"
Is the work getting done?
If so, then what's the problem?
November 23, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Why are we still stuck on "time" as a bucket that needs to be filled during the day?
I see the argument from return-to-office advocates:
"𝘙𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯'𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 8 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘺!"
Is the work getting done?
If so, then what's the problem?
I see the argument from return-to-office advocates:
"𝘙𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯'𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 8 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘺!"
Is the work getting done?
If so, then what's the problem?
One sign (of many) that it's time to move on from a job:
Your motivation is lacking when you used to really enjoy the work.
You're bored.
You're not challenged.
You feel like you're spinning your wheels.
It's ok to admit that you've outgrown a job, even if you're really good at it.
Your motivation is lacking when you used to really enjoy the work.
You're bored.
You're not challenged.
You feel like you're spinning your wheels.
It's ok to admit that you've outgrown a job, even if you're really good at it.
November 22, 2025 at 2:15 PM
One sign (of many) that it's time to move on from a job:
Your motivation is lacking when you used to really enjoy the work.
You're bored.
You're not challenged.
You feel like you're spinning your wheels.
It's ok to admit that you've outgrown a job, even if you're really good at it.
Your motivation is lacking when you used to really enjoy the work.
You're bored.
You're not challenged.
You feel like you're spinning your wheels.
It's ok to admit that you've outgrown a job, even if you're really good at it.
Work-life balance shouldn't be the goal. It's never a perfect balance.
Sometimes work demands my attention.
Sometimes my kids demand my attention.
Sometimes I want to focus on my own projects.
It's about the freedom to prioritize between work and life-outside-of-work.
Sometimes work demands my attention.
Sometimes my kids demand my attention.
Sometimes I want to focus on my own projects.
It's about the freedom to prioritize between work and life-outside-of-work.
November 21, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Work-life balance shouldn't be the goal. It's never a perfect balance.
Sometimes work demands my attention.
Sometimes my kids demand my attention.
Sometimes I want to focus on my own projects.
It's about the freedom to prioritize between work and life-outside-of-work.
Sometimes work demands my attention.
Sometimes my kids demand my attention.
Sometimes I want to focus on my own projects.
It's about the freedom to prioritize between work and life-outside-of-work.
The first 15 years of my career had NOTHING to do with marketing - I was a product manager and tech executive.
I taught myself by watching smart people in the industry.
That's what makes unconventional paths possible.
I taught myself by watching smart people in the industry.
That's what makes unconventional paths possible.
November 20, 2025 at 2:15 PM
The first 15 years of my career had NOTHING to do with marketing - I was a product manager and tech executive.
I taught myself by watching smart people in the industry.
That's what makes unconventional paths possible.
I taught myself by watching smart people in the industry.
That's what makes unconventional paths possible.
Yes, two weeks' notice when quitting is customary in the U.S.
Employees give notice out of loyalty to the company or because it feels like the "right" thing to do.
But it's important to protect yourself first. You don't know how your employer will react.
Employees give notice out of loyalty to the company or because it feels like the "right" thing to do.
But it's important to protect yourself first. You don't know how your employer will react.
November 19, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Yes, two weeks' notice when quitting is customary in the U.S.
Employees give notice out of loyalty to the company or because it feels like the "right" thing to do.
But it's important to protect yourself first. You don't know how your employer will react.
Employees give notice out of loyalty to the company or because it feels like the "right" thing to do.
But it's important to protect yourself first. You don't know how your employer will react.
Bad conversation starter: "What do you do for a living?"
Because some people have roles that are hard to describe. It also assumes that our paid work defines who we are and our sense of worth.
Better question: "Tell me about yourself. What do you like to do?
Because some people have roles that are hard to describe. It also assumes that our paid work defines who we are and our sense of worth.
Better question: "Tell me about yourself. What do you like to do?
November 18, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Bad conversation starter: "What do you do for a living?"
Because some people have roles that are hard to describe. It also assumes that our paid work defines who we are and our sense of worth.
Better question: "Tell me about yourself. What do you like to do?
Because some people have roles that are hard to describe. It also assumes that our paid work defines who we are and our sense of worth.
Better question: "Tell me about yourself. What do you like to do?
Workplaces promised flexibility, then snapped back to old habits.
Long hours and in-office work are BACK. 😩
Why did things change so fast? And what can you do to protect your time?
Long hours and in-office work are BACK. 😩
Why did things change so fast? And what can you do to protect your time?
The whiplash of work culture: From flexibility to 996
It has always been about boundaries
www.workbetter.media
November 17, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Workplaces promised flexibility, then snapped back to old habits.
Long hours and in-office work are BACK. 😩
Why did things change so fast? And what can you do to protect your time?
Long hours and in-office work are BACK. 😩
Why did things change so fast? And what can you do to protect your time?
Good reasons to have meetings:
- Virtual chats
- Kickoff calls with new clients or sales calls
- Problem-solving that would be hard via email or asynchronously
Bad reasons to have meetings:
- Status updates (🙄)
- Virtual chats
- Kickoff calls with new clients or sales calls
- Problem-solving that would be hard via email or asynchronously
Bad reasons to have meetings:
- Status updates (🙄)
November 17, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Good reasons to have meetings:
- Virtual chats
- Kickoff calls with new clients or sales calls
- Problem-solving that would be hard via email or asynchronously
Bad reasons to have meetings:
- Status updates (🙄)
- Virtual chats
- Kickoff calls with new clients or sales calls
- Problem-solving that would be hard via email or asynchronously
Bad reasons to have meetings:
- Status updates (🙄)
Bereavement policies and support need to be better for grieving parents.
www.fastcompany.com/91426266/pre...
www.fastcompany.com/91426266/pre...
Pregnancy loss shouldn't be a taboo topic in the workplace
www.fastcompany.com
November 1, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Bereavement policies and support need to be better for grieving parents.
www.fastcompany.com/91426266/pre...
www.fastcompany.com/91426266/pre...
"Not a good fit" is something we don't talk about enough.
The employee might be great.
The job might be great.
But they're not good for each other.
And it's ok to step away from a job like that.
The employee might be great.
The job might be great.
But they're not good for each other.
And it's ok to step away from a job like that.
November 1, 2025 at 1:15 PM
"Not a good fit" is something we don't talk about enough.
The employee might be great.
The job might be great.
But they're not good for each other.
And it's ok to step away from a job like that.
The employee might be great.
The job might be great.
But they're not good for each other.
And it's ok to step away from a job like that.
The main people advocating for in-office work are people who benefited from an office (like played office politics) or people who own office buildings / financially benefit in some way.
October 31, 2025 at 7:15 PM
The main people advocating for in-office work are people who benefited from an office (like played office politics) or people who own office buildings / financially benefit in some way.
Have you ever worked for a micromanager?
It is 𝙨𝙤 stifling.
It is 𝙨𝙤 stifling.
October 30, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Have you ever worked for a micromanager?
It is 𝙨𝙤 stifling.
It is 𝙨𝙤 stifling.
"Flexible work" doesn't mean "my boss let me leave an hour early after I asked for permission."
Flexible work gives people the freedom to choose the hours and locations that work best for them.
Flexible work gives people the freedom to choose the hours and locations that work best for them.
October 30, 2025 at 1:15 PM
"Flexible work" doesn't mean "my boss let me leave an hour early after I asked for permission."
Flexible work gives people the freedom to choose the hours and locations that work best for them.
Flexible work gives people the freedom to choose the hours and locations that work best for them.
