On the eve of my birthday, I started writing this blog. I had some reflections on this birthday and I wanted to capture them before the feelings faded. I published it that evening, thinking I would share it later. But then my actual birthday happened, and this is what the first 2 waking hours of … Continue reading On (being real about) Being 37
Almost every organization has annual performance reviews. The best companies and managers also have regular check-ins on their biggest, most pressing goals. Employees are coached midstream and encouraged to adapt performance based on the current status. What's leading the pack? What's coming up short? Organizations like this have good coaches, leaders, and a culture of … Continue reading On Mind Mapping and Performance Reviews
This is the third and final installment of a series. To read previous posts, please use the links below. On Brotherly Love, Part 1 On Brotherly Love, Part 2 Part 3, and Final: There was one year. ONE. One year where my brother and I rooted ourselves in the same soil of the same state. … Continue reading On Brotherly Love, Part 3
I had to dig out an old photo a while back for a work event. I needed a sports-themed picture from my childhood, a rarity considering my fairly unathletic youth. I played middle school volleyball for 2 years, preceded by 2 years of little league softball, and that was it. I had flunked out of … Continue reading On Middle School Me
I've been to many, many shows in the last two years. After divorcing a person who did not enjoy live music or any of the scene that went with it, I threw off those shackles and made it my mission to see as many live shows as I could in 2018. As it works out, … Continue reading On Rude Concert Fans
(If you haven't read part 1, here is On Brotherly Love, Part 1.) Do you know what causes a white pine's trunk - normally stick straight with branches fanning out like the rays of the sun - to diverge about halfway up the tree? You'll notice once in a while, especially in the northern regions … Continue reading On Brotherly Love, Part 2
I really lost it this morning. As with all things, over something simple, yet irritating. My son is a good kid. Ten years of struggling to find his personality, his voice, his passions constantly buffeted by two strong-willed, opinionated, and sometimes overbearing parents. Two parents who are now "ex-" and "co-" and I am so … Continue reading On the Sins of the Father
It's a long story that's led to here. Family trees are just like the trees in the forest. Some are imposing royal structures with deep winding roots and a full canopy of symmetrical branches and lush green leaves. Others are gnarled and knotty, with scraggly twisted limbs that seem to have no relation to each … Continue reading On Brotherly Love, Part 1
I forgot to mention that one of the side effects of doing hard things is that you just end up being a little weary. All. the. time. "Tired" doesn't quite cover it. "Sleepy" or "Exhausted" is definitely a factor, but this is something that pervades and persists even when you get a solid 7-8 hours. … Continue reading On Being Weary
Talent. Challenge. Growth mindset. Development. Doing hard things. These are buzz words I explore almost every day at work as a Talent Development Manager. There's another blog somewhere in my head on how I accidentally tripped and fell into this line of work. But for right now, let's just say that I really enjoy watching … Continue reading On Doing Hard Things
A Persistent Thistle 