Oh the wonders of what happens when you lock in...

Hi [[subscriber.first_name]],

How are you doing? I am doing great! So much has happened in the last few weeks, it’s quite difficult to think of where to even begin!

My life has been packed with all sorts of new and exciting events recently across life and work - I’ve been so busy I’ve been unable to appreciate just how far I’ve come and how much I’ve grown in this short span of time until well, just now, as I am writing this newsletter. Very grateful to be where I am in my life, and excited for whichever wonderful thing is next!

To bring you up to speed, this is my first newsletter in my new format so be warned that whilst I get into the rhythm of things parts of it might not be as groundbreaking as I know it could be, or things might be broken (pls tell me I'll give you a hug or a high five) but I am sure this edition will be interesting for you to read regardless!

That said, in this edition I’ve included: an overview of what's been going on, quick tips you might find useful, some behind the scenes looks on what I am working on, a thing I found cool this week, links to more stuff of mine you might be interested in, and an option to find out how to work with me should you be interested. Pretty fun, right?

Without further ado please enjoy this newsletter, and have a brilliant time living your life this week. Hope you are well!

(Btw: First time seeing this style of my newsletter? Click here to find out how it’s changed, what to expect, and how to elect not to receive it anymore, should you wish to do so - but I sincerely hope you’ll stay ☺️)

What's been going on?

My personal life: I've been going on dates - shocking, I know, making time for things outside of work, incredible behaviour! Also went to Bournemouth to visit a friend - whilst I was there I got us into Comic Con for free, just by asking 😂 - oh and I rode a zipline that involved me jumping off a 60 foot (16 metre) tower on the pier!

My work life: A quick rebrand to "Business Catalyst & Productivity Doctor", a Charity Gala event I was invited to and attended gratefully, plus buttloads of marketing work and last but not least I am actually developing three separate businesses! There will be more info coming soon, but for the time being I gotta tell you that they're going to be ones you'll want to hear about - I'm not telling fibs, I promise!

Quick Tips from these weeks....

1. Did you know you can use ChatGPT, and other AI, to take a physical sketch of a drawing and turn it into a design mockup? 
   
   This is incredibly helpful if you have an idea for the design/layout of a poster, flyer, or even a website in your head, but you need help bringing it out into the world or putting your relevant content in.
   
   You just need to take a picture of your drawing, give it to your AI, tell it to create a mockup using your drawing, and voila! Mockup created!
   
   Just remember to try recreate the result manually, as you don’t want to get sued for copyright and it also feels lovely and does you good to make things yourself.
   
   
2. Did you know there is a password manager built in to iPhones, iPads, and Macs?
   
   Best of all, it’s free. It’s called the Passwords app and is the place where your phone autosaves all the passwords it generates when you sign up for a new thing (e.g., Netflix, bank, black market, etc.).
   
   You can also find your WiFi passwords in there too! TLDR, that website you logged into once but can remember which email it was attached to? It’s probably in there. 
   
   If it's not, check your web browser to see if it's saved in there instead - if that fails too, bye-bye, time for a new account!
   
   
3. Did you know that, nobody really knows what they’re doing?
   
   Seriously, terrifying but liberating - just wanted to throw this one in lol.
   
   Sometimes we need a reminder that we are all as clueless as each other, and are all learning as we go along our ways in life :).
   
   Just keep swimming. Keep going doing what you're doing, you've got this! And if you don't have this, take comfort in knowing you haven't got this just as much as the next guy! 😂
   

From the Logbook

Can't think of any work related stuff to show here, so here's something semi related!

You may have heard me talk about this if you've met me recently, but I've been getting into modelling! Well, I started applying to modelling agencies but quickly realised my wardrobe needed an update before I could seriously be considered. I also needed to start working out again which I am so glad to say has felt amazing!

I recently bought some new suits, and here's a sneak peak of a recent fit that I intend to use for a modelling shoot coming soon this week :)

Nailing the smart-casual look with a crisp white shirt, olive trousers, and a timeless leather messenger bag.

This also doubles as a work outfit - call me anything but not efficient!

Cool thing of the week

You may have noticed, but in case you didn't, I'd like to inform you that Apple announced a folding phone, and it's available next month!

The "iPhone Duo"...ngl, I’m so enthralled by it and how it animates between the folding screens when you open it and I want it BADLY.

iPhone Duo

iPhone Duo | First Foldable iPhone

Images from Apple.com

Looks cool right? Do I have a use for it? Nope! Could I make one up so I get one? ABSO-FECKIN-LUTELY. Don’t ya just think tech is incredible these days? Neat!

Choose your own adventure ✨

Everyone starts here, with the main newsletter.

But you can also tell me what you’re particularly interested in, so I can send you more of the things you actually care about.

💻 Tech & Systems
Technology, automation, software, digital infrastructure and making systems work properly.

🌐 Websites & Professional Presence
Websites, branding, digital presence, UX and communicating what you actually do.

⚙️ Business Operations & Fractional Consulting
Processes, internal systems, operations, decision-making and behind-the-scenes business work.

📓 My Logbook
Projects, experiments, observations, things I’m learning and slightly more personal writing.

And if you don’t choose anything? That’s completely fine. You’ll just keep getting the main newsletter.

Work With Me 🚀

I help businesses and busy people figure out what's broken and make it work.

That often means improving technology, operations, websites and internal systems in ways that are practical, proportionate and easier to live with.

If that sounds like something you need, get in touch today to see if I can help you.

or, submit a form and get a reply by email.

Until next time...

That's all for now, stay awesome 🤩

Positive vibes from the home office! Charlie gives a double thumbs up from his desk.

Best,

Charlie

P.S. Got questions? Just wanna say hi? Please do. I love hearing from you and I read and respond to every email.