Upwork

From $25 projects to over half a million earned, Expert-Vetted freelancer Andrew Kravchenko has built a career around creating real, lasting impact for his clients—even in the most unpredictable conditions. For businesses, that’s the kind of commitment you can hire with confidence. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e6Efeb6R

Employee engagement has fallen sharply from its 2020 peak, with the biggest declines among younger workers. At the same time, expectations around work are changing faster than most organizations are adapting. Upwork research shows that 83% of skilled freelancers say their work positively impacts their well-being, with autonomy and flexibility strongly linked to higher engagement. If engagement is dropping, the issue may not be motivation. It may be how work is designed. So the real question is: what needs to change about the way work is structured to re-engage talent? We’ll go first - more flexible hiring models. Learn more: http://spr.ly/6043hDgGX

Be honest: what’s keeping your workflow together right now? System, mindset, or ritual? Let us know below 👇

Q1 isn’t a warm-up lap, it’s the starting blocks.

Most small business leaders aren’t short on ideas. They’re short on time. Our latest research found that leaders are spending a significant part of their week on work outside their core role, and it’s showing up as burnout, missed growth, and less time for strategy. The interesting part? Most leaders already know what they’d delegate first. The harder question is where to find support they trust. Share this if it feels a little too familiar.

💡 The 70/20/10 Rule: Working with AI. Born from a proven business innovation framework, this principle offers a clear, confident blueprint for integrating AI without workplace panic. 70% Human-led work. Your core expertise remains your superpower. 20% AI-assisted work. Unlock new opportunities amplified by technology. 10% AI-led experiments. Accelerate bold ideas and explore the unknown faster. Think of AI as your strategic, creative problem-solving sidekick, not your replacement. The payoff? Innovation without overwhelm. We’ve charted it out so you can see exactly where AI belongs and where it doesn’t. In 2026, will you use the 70/20/10 Rule to lead with confidence?

Staying ahead is easier when the right reads, tools, and inspo hit your feed first.

January is the best time to set the tone for Q1. Before the momentum builds, take a beat: ✅ What worked? ❌ What didn’t? 🎯 What actually matters this quarter? Start with clarity, then build with agility. Need a designer, strategist, or developer to move faster? Upwork gives you instant access to freelance talent, so you can execute without the hiring delay. #Q1 #Freelance #FutureOfWork #Upwork