Wildfires…wildfires…wildfires…
Sometimes leadership lessons show up in the smallest of places—like the square inch of a post-it note, the blocked-off hour on a calendar, or the mindset shift when plans suddenly change and you have to pivot. Simple tools, yes—but used with intention, they can be game changers for how we lead, work, and live.
LEADERSHIP
Post-its and Time Blocks
Leadership rarely comes one task at a time. More often, it’s five things at once—each with its own urgency, deadline, and impact. The skill isn’t juggling perfectly—it’s knowing what has to move today, what can wait until later this week, and what belongs in the “longer than a week” bucket.
My system is simple: a master list on a sheet of paper, with a post-it layered on top for today’s must-dos. Double-checking an item off both feels ridiculously satisfying. For longer-term projects, I block time on my calendar—sometimes even for “thinking” or “prep.” It keeps the urgent from swallowing the important.
Sure, there are plenty of great tech tools out there (and I do love a good Trello board), but sometimes a plain sheet of paper does the trick. Prioritization isn’t about creating the perfect to-do list—it’s about making steady progress on what matters most. And when leaders model that, they give their teams permission to organize, block time, and protect priorities too.
If you haven’t read Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy, it’s a quick read with some practical tips and tricks.
What’s one of your go-to organizing strategies?
LIFE
Wildfires…wildfires…wildfires…
After months of training for a rim-to-rim Grand Canyon hike—countless treadmill hours at incline 10 with 30 pounds on my back—we got the call: wildfires had burned through every campground on our route. Just like that, the trip was cancelled.
We couldn’t control the fires, closures, or disappointment. What we could control was our response. So, we pivoted. Yes, it stung, but I’m grateful for the strength I built, proud I proved I could do it, and hopeful for next year.
Instead of the Canyon, we’re heading to Sedona for mini-hikes (a first for me!) and poolside sparkling drinks. It’s not the Grand Canyon, but it is still an adventure—and a reminder we all need sometimes: the reaction matters more than the setback.
Have you ever had a trip plan completely derailed? I’d love to hear your story—maybe share a laugh, or even a tear. Because if nothing else, life always keeps us on our toes.
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