Metrics tell us what happened. The people closest to the work can help us understand why. Have you ever walked into a place where everyone else seemed to know the routine, yet you felt like you had somehow missed the orientation? Being the new person has a funny way of helping you notice what everyone … Read more
One of my favorite things about Dolly Parton was that she never seemed to apologize for taking up space. Last week, we lost Dolly Parton. And it feels strange to write that sentence. Dolly was many things. Singer. Songwriter. Actress. Businesswoman. Philanthropist. Rhinestone enthusiast. Purveyor of homespun wisdom and one-liners that could make you laugh … Read more
There will always be more work than time. Summer is winding down at our house. The back-to-school clothes have been purchased. Somehow, my son is now wearing a men’s medium, which I’m still trying to wrap my head around. School supplies have been gathered, and my daughter is especially excited about her new pencil case. … Read more
Lately, I’ve been wondering how many relational paper cuts we experience in our interactions. Paper cuts are the worst. They’re tiny. You can barely see them. Yet somehow, they hurt ten times more than they should. Lately, I’ve been wondering how many relational paper cuts we experience in our interactions. The little, ordinary moments: None … Read more
A guest book, a little cabin in Amish country, and a reminder that the places (and people and work) we remember most are the ones that hold our memories. Oh, if the walls could talk…. This weekend we headed to western Wisconsin for our annual family kayaking trip. Every year we rotate locations, and this … Read more
Maybe life doesn’t need a full vacation. Maybe it just needs one small side quest. Last week I wrote about liking things. And while there are certainly parts of life (lots of daily life) that aren’t exactly enjoyable, I’m becoming more convinced that liking things, enjoying things, and creating little moments worth looking forward to … Read more
Generic questions tend to produce generic answers. How are you? It’s one of the most common questions we ask. “How are you?” Most of the time, we don’t even think about it. It’s an automatic greeting. The responses are just as automatic. “I’m good.” “I’m fine.” “Busy.” “Same old, same old.” It’s a great way … Read more
I’ll share what’s on my radar for the second half of 2026, and then I’d love to hear what’s on yours. Believe it or not, we’re already halfway through 2026. Somehow, summer arrived, the calendar kept moving, and here we are staring at the second half of the year. Which naturally leads to one question… … Read more
The magic was never missing. We were just moving too fast to notice it. Lately, I’ve found myself watching videos about what some people are calling “The Great American Sleepover” as visitors from around the world arrive for the World Cup. I didn’t expect to enjoy them as much as I have. Some have made … Read more
There’s the professional voice (the one you answer the phone with or use during a presentation). The customer service voice… I used to have to call my dad at work, before there were cell phones, to ask if I could go to a friend’s house. And I would usually have to talk to someone else … Read more
