We all have waves of busy seasons. Even if we think our lives are full every day, we see the peaks and valleys. Sometimes we see a peak coming. Sometimes they creep up on us. Either way, taking an hour when one hits to think through a plan can relieve stress. Stopping...
I recently spent time with the 2025 World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report. There are many data points and charts throughout the report that it would be interesting to dive into and write more about. However, I was drawn to the two shown below comparing the...
I heard an interesting rule for meetings. The only reasons to have a meeting are to decide, debate, discuss, and develop. The item that is overused and rightfully missing from the list above is update. Professional days get quickly filled with status meetings. The...
In 2000, Faith Popcorn wrote the book EVEolution: The 8 Truths to Marketing to Women. At the time, I was working at GM and just started a Brand Character Manager role at Saturn. The book focused on how women make purchasing decisions and how that approach differs from...
Recent years have triggered more conversation around the shifts that are defining the future of work. The ability to work from anywhere is just one of the trends. Trying to adjust old systems may prove to be more difficult than setting aside “the way it was done” and...
I read a Fast Company article that highlighted an Amy Poehler quote from a year ago. “The Boomers are all about money. Gen X is like, ‘is it all about money’? Millennials are like, ‘where is the money’? And Gen Z is like, ‘what is money’?” – Amy Poehler (Gen...
I’ve always been focused on organization. Data. Trends. Customer Segmentation. Information. Closets. Pantries. You name it, I look for structure in chaos. I want to find ways to sort, group, and organize to make systems better. Throughout my career, an area that I’m...
Market research isn’t just about numbers, surveys, and focus groups. It’s about understanding human behavior, spotting patterns, and making informed decisions. My background in market research has given me a unique lens. For evaluating situations, reducing...
This time of year, we focus on many things. The hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Parties to attend. Holidays to celebrate. Gifts to give. Season’s greetings to send. The Clearing Season Yet, there are days in the middle of the celebrations that are quiet. We...
Since the time changed, it seems so dark in the house. The kitchen in particular has been a problem. I’m constantly turning on all the lights under the cabinets and above the sink. The main six bulbs above the island just weren’t cutting it. It bugged me, but I...
It’s wrapping season. We are wrapping gifts. The vibe is more relaxed. And we are preparing for the year ahead. This got me thinking that the gifts aren’t the only thing being wrapped. We are wrapping up the year. Tying up loose ends for a fresh start in the new year....
In the past, we’ve discussed how managers feel unique pressure in the middle of the organization and they aren’t getting the support they need. Gallup even wrote a book on the topic called It’s the Manager. They highlighted the role managers play in the engagement of...
Losing a job shakes more than your schedule. It can rattle your identity, your confidence, and your sense of security. The early days are often a blur of emotions including shock, anger, grief, and uncertainty. There’s no single “right way” to navigate this. I believe...
How do you organize your life? That is a big, and vague question. These days, the answers are interesting. Tools – digital and physical come up: A calendar. A planner. A to-do list. A physical “in box”. A software system like Trello. The opportunities are endless. My...
The last quarter of the year is a great time to clear up and reset for the year ahead. In fact, clearing before Thanksgiving (in the US) can add some calm to chaotic December. For those inspired to clear some space, here are some ideas for each dimension of wellbeing:...
“A body at rest stays at rest. A body in motion stays in motion.” This isn’t just a physics lesson; it’s a leadership lesson. Inertia is real. In our teams. In our meetings. In our change initiatives. We’ve all felt the weight of an idea that never leaves the...
Yes, this title seems counterintuitive. We are already busy at work… Why do we need a “busy box”? I heard an episode of Before Breakfast where they were talking about a busy box for adults. For children, the box has interesting items to keep them occupied…. hence...
Clarity Capital research indicates 1 in 3 Americans have layoff anxiety. The fear that our job is going to disappear. Nearly 50% of us have less than 3 months of money on hand to get buy. And confidence in finding a job quickly is on the decline. With the current...
Culture is group behavior. When people join families, friend groups, book clubs, communities, and companies, a set of norms are established. These set the foundation of the culture. At the core, culture is the result of people and how they behave. When it comes to our...
Our lives are full of systems and routines. Often these are beneficial and necessary in our lives. Systems at work include invoicing, time logs, and other administrative tasks. Systems at home include food preparation, laundry, cleaning and so much more. Finding ways...
I am always fascinated by organization. How we each approach “order”. The interesting thing is that we all have a different definition of order vs. clutter. I’ve written about this in past posts, including these two: Clutter & Organization are Different and...