I started this Substack a couple of months ago as an extension of my blog, JaimeVelez.net.
At first, it was simply a place to share essays I was already writing.
But the more time I spend here, the more I feel drawn to make this my primary creative space.
Not because “everyone and their cousin” is moving to Substack.
But because I finally understand what so many of us are trying to escape from.
I started my blog as a way to cope with the stress that comes with being a cybersecurity program manager: long hours, constant pressure, tight deadlines, and inboxes that never sleep.
Writing gave me room to breathe. And in that space, I began to discover something deeper:
I started finding my voice.
And through that voice, I began to uncover my calling.
Not just to teach people how to work more calmly and intentionally, but to help us all remember what we often forget:
We’re still human, even at work.
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Why “Make Work Human”?
I chose this name because it represents something I believe with my whole heart:
We’re not meant to grind ourselves into dust to prove our worth.
To Make Work Human means to bring dignity back to the way we show up professionally.
It means designing systems, schedules, and careers that honor our health, our relationships, and our desire for meaning.
It’s not just about being “productive.”
It’s about doing work that matters without losing yourself in the process.
It’s also about being graceful with yourself.
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The Four Pillars of Calm Productivity
Through my own journey, I discovered a different way to work. One that feels aligned, sustainable, and alive.
I call it Calm Productivity, and it’s built on four foundational pillars:
🧘 Calm Mindset
Inner peace is not a luxury. It’s a prerequisite for clarity and creativity. This pillar is about rethinking how we measure progress, finding meaning in the present, and creating boundaries that protect your energy.
🔄 Digital Flow
This is the art of crafting a tech stack and digital workspace that serves you. You should never feel like you’re serving the tools. Less clutter, more flow. Fewer tabs, more traction.
🤖 Personal AI
I believe AI should be a partner, not a threat. This pillar focuses on how to use tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Perplexity to amplify your gifts instead of replacing them.
💡 Life’s Work
Whether it’s your job, your side venture, or something still forming in your heart, this pillar is about doing work that connects to your purpose.
👉 If you want to go deeper into the 4 Pillars, here’s a post that unpacks each one in more detail: The 4 Pillars of Calm Productivity: A Guide to Designing a Life That Works
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My Personal Path: The Hybrid Solopreneur
Some people are born to be full-time entrepreneurs. Others thrive within a structured 9-to-5.
Me? I’ve come to realize I’m what I call a hybrid solopreneur. I still work inside a traditional company, but I’m quietly and consistently building something on the side that’s deeply meaningful.
It took me 53 years to figure that out.
I’ve had a successful corporate career, but I also tried to build multiple businesses over the years:
PcNetworkTech.com – My first venture, ran it for 4 years
WebForce1 – 2-year experiment in cloud computing
Ping Momo – A social app idea that taught me a lot
Cloudtivity – A consulting practice focused around the people side of digital transformation
Each one taught me something about timing, energy, passion, and purpose.
And each one brought me closer to this:
Creating on my own terms, at my own pace.
That’s what I’m doing here.
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I Can’t Be the Only One
If any of this resonates with you, and you’ve been trying to work with more clarity, focus, and calm, you’re not alone.
This publication is for people like us.
People building a career and a calling.
People who want to grow without burning out.
People who know there must be a better way and want to help shape it.
I’m here to share what I’ve learned, learn from others, and build a community around making work more human.
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What You Can Expect from This Publication
Weekly(ish) essays on productivity, mindset, and calm work
Reflections on AI, tech tools, and how to use them wisely
Honest stories about navigating work and purpose
Resources to help you design a meaningful path forward
No hype. No hustle sermons. Just signal.
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My Promise to You
As long as I have the strength and clarity to write,
I will show up.
I will keep sharing, teaching, and building this space for as long as I can.
Not because I need to be a guru.
But because I believe in the power of showing up with intention and heart.
If this speaks to you, I hope you’ll stay.
Better yet, I hope you’ll bring someone with you.
Let’s keep building this together.
~ Jaime V.