Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, communications, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?

From around the web:

• The power of the self-imposed deadline [Poynter]
• New Freelancers Union Head Plans To Prioritize Gig Worker Legislation [Forbes]
• CBC union urges caution on reforms to broadcast rules [CWA Canada]
• Networking for introverts [Freelancers Union]
• Six counterintuitive goals to shake up your writing routine [The Writer]
• Canadian media diversity: calls to action [J-Source]
• Why are j-school students saying no to reporting careers? [J-Source]

Recently on Story Board:

• Researcher seeks Millennial freelancers in Toronto: If you were born between 1980 and 1995 and freelance in media in Toronto, you’re invited to share your experiences with a researcher at the University of Waterloo...
• Staff at the National Observer staff are officially unionized with CWA Canada: Staff at the National Observer became CWA Canada’s newest members Wednesday with the announcement that an application for union certification had been approved...

Spot a story you think we should include in next week's Off the Wire? Email the link to editor@thestoryboard.ca or tweet us at @storyboard_ca.