Greetings Portable Income Earner!

We wrapped up a powerhouse session this week — and before we get into your recap, let’s talk about next Tuesday, because it’s one you’ll absolutely want on your calendar.

⭐ Next Week: Experience Into Evidence — The 3 Portfolio Upgrades Clients Notice

If you’ve ever wondered “What do clients actually look for in a portfolio?” this session is your answer.
We’ll be diving into:

• How to turn past experience into clear, relevant proof of skill

• What kind of “transformative moments” from your work history clients will respond to

• Simple ways to show 3rd-party evidence (ratings, metrics, outcomes, credibility markers)

• Fresh examples pulled from current projects

This is one of the most confidence-building sessions we teach — especially for those who have decades of experience but haven’t yet translated it into portable-income language.

If you want your portfolio to work harder for you in 2026, you don’t want to miss this.

👀 Don’t miss next week’s call! — If this will be your first time attending, REGISTER NOW

This week’s call was all about “7 Loose Ends to Tie Up Before 2026”—simple moves that let you finish the year with intention and start January feeling clear instead of scattered. 

We walked through checking in with your current clients so you know what’s wrapping, rolling over, or ready to expand, then auditing what you actually delivered this year so you can decide which services to double down on (and which to quietly retire). 

From there, we talked about refreshing your proof and categories so your profile, samples, and titles actually match the kind of work you want next, and putting a light plan under Q1—a short list of people to contact, projects to propose, and a quick cleanup of your admin, finances, and digital files. 

We closed with a reminder to protect the asset: keep your skills sharp, your relationships warm, and your security settings (passwords, backups, logins) current so your portable income engine is ready to roll in 2026.

Now here’s the news from the Barefoot Consultants’ world,

A One-Minute Pulse Check for Your Portable Income Goals

Before we all slide into full holiday mode, we put together a quick Year-End Readiness Check-In — a simple 5-question survey designed to help you get clear on what to prioritize before we flip the calendar.

Think of it as a tiny pit stop between now and January that can save you hours later.

If you’ve been thinking…
“I should really get organized for Q1…”
OR
“I don’t know yet what January even looks like…”
then this little check-in will give you instant direction.

1. How clear are you about your January client workload and priorities?

• I’m fully booked and organized

• I have some clarity, but need to confirm things

• I have no idea what’s coming yet

2. Which loose end feels MOST important for you to tackle?

• Updating my portfolio with this year’s work

• Refreshing my categories/overview

• Clarifying my client commitments

• Cleaning up admin & finances

• Planning Q1

3. What do you want MORE of in 2026? (Choose all that apply)

• Better-paying clients

• Easier, more enjoyable work

• Repeat clients

• Clearer systems + less stress

• More predictable income

4. What’s your biggest obstacle right now?

• Not finding enough good-fit jobs

• Still figuring out my category/skills

• Client communication

• Time/organization

• Confidence in my next steps

🎉 Congratulations for taking the Year-End Readiness Survey!

Whether your answers felt like “I’ve got this,” or “Oof… time to tune a few things up,” here’s what we want you to know:

⭐ You already have strengths working in your favor.

By simply showing up, answering honestly, and taking stock of where you are, you’re doing what most freelancers never do — you’re checking your bearings before the new year starts.

That alone puts you ahead.

From where we sit, people who take this survey typically discover they’re already strong in things like:

• Knowing the kind of work that feels right

• Being willing to learn a system instead of winging it

• Wanting clarity and consistency going into January

• Recognizing the value of small steps that build momentum

These are the traits that create traction on Upwork.

🔧 And if a few answers made you think, “Yep… that’s where I need support”?

Good. That’s what this little checkpoint is for.

To make January feel dramatically easier, think:

• Cleaning up or adding portfolio items

• Refreshing your profile categories

• Rebuilding your proposal rhythm

• Clarifying the kinds of clients you want

Tiny hinges swing big doors.

🔧 Your Next Step: Set Yourself Up to Win in 2026

Before you close this newsletter and slip into holiday mode, take one more step that your future self will thank you for:

This week’s call made something crystal clear:
Most freelancers don’t need a massive overhaul — they need a few smart, well-timed tune-ups before the calendar flips.

These seven strategies are the same ones we walked through live, and they’re designed to:

• Clear out the “mental clutter” that slows proposals

• Help you tighten up your profile, searches, and systems

• Reset your Upwork rhythm so January feels light, not overwhelming

• Bring back the sense of control and clarity that makes freelancing enjoyable

• Put you in the small percentage of people who start the year organized instead of reactive

They’re simple. They’re doable. And they deliver.

If any question in the survey gave you that “Yep… I should probably fix that” moment, this guide will walk you through exactly where to begin.

👉 Download your guide: Top 7 Year-End Strategies That Deliver

Both the below workshops will open first to the waitlist, then to members, and finally to the general public — so if you’re thinking of joining, get your name in early before they reach capacity!

✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ 

Join us in person this spring at Fast Track Panama (March 20) or the Rome Conference (April 10) with International Living. 

Because of the holiday season, this month's After Party will be combined with the Tuesday Night Call on December 30th…

This will be a live Q&A and roundtable-style session, more interactive than usual, with plenty of opportunity to ask your questions and share what’s working for you. And yes, rumor has it there may even be a little quiz — and maybe even a prize — to keep things fun.