In Heaven, Socks are Optional

In Heaven, Socks are Optional

Sean O’Brien* never wore socks. It was his trademark. He was in sales and no matter how big the client or how important the deal or how influential the decision maker, Sean did not wear socks. His sock-less-ness was a badge of honor and a mark all his own. It was one of the ways […]

Traveling Light: Keep Only the Things that Bring You Joy

Traveling Light: Keep Only the Things that Bring You Joy

You know how sometimes there’s a movie or a scene from a movie that just sticks with you? Here’s one that sticks with me: In the Fisher King, Robin Williams plays a down-and-out dude living on the street. Toward the end of the movie, there’s a scene where someone says that they feel sorry for […]

How to Maintain Work-Life Integration as a Solopreneur – Asked and Answered

How to Maintain Work-Life Integration as a Solopreneur – Asked and Answered

This question was submitted as part of the Limeade Summer Reading Club where the group is reading Bring Work to Life! and virtually discussing work-life. Here’s the detail: As a solopreneur/entrepreneur, how do I maintain work-life integration? A lot of people launch their own business – whether on their own as a solopreneur or running a business […]

On Being Wonder Woman

On Being Wonder Woman

My cousin and his wife have one of those families that is really, really cute. We keep up on Facebook, so I’m always in the know about their latest activities. They are engaging and funny and real and seemingly have the best little family life ever. Iain is entering preschool and loves the drums. Ava […]

How to Shape Company Culture at Your Organization – Asked and Answered

How to Shape Company Culture at Your Organization – Asked and Answered

This question was submitted as part of the Limeade Summer Reading Club where the group is reading Bring Work to Life! and virtually discussing work-life. Here’s the detail: Given all the recent media coverage about what some consider to be ‘toxic cultures’ at large companies, what are some ways that individuals can help shape culture at their own […]

Navigating the Great Loop of Work and Life: Relaxing into Uncertainty

Navigating the Great Loop of Work and Life: Relaxing into Uncertainty

Taking a year off and circumnavigating the waterways of eastern North America isn’t the typical path to renewal, but for Mary Ellen Kettelhut it has marked a sea change in her perspectives on life, and work, and what really matters. For those who don’t know, the Great Loop is a boating voyage undertaken by about […]

The 4-Day School Week: Why it’s Not that Easy for Families or Work-Life

The 4-Day School Week: Why it’s Not that Easy for Families or Work-Life

There’s a new study* that suggests there are neutral-to-positive academic effects of 4-day school weeks on children. Hmmmm… This is all about cost-cutting. Districts that reduce to a 4-day school week save money on everything from utilities to busing costs. I get it. Schools are strapped and it’s all good for budgets and balance sheets, […]

How to Ensure Integration Doesn’t Turn into Interruption – Asked and Answered

How to Ensure Integration Doesn’t Turn into Interruption – Asked and Answered

This question was submitted as part of Limeade Summer Reading Club where the group is reading Bring Work to Life! and (virtually) discussing work-life. Here’s the detail: My personal life has recently interfered with my work life. How can I better structure my time so my performance doesn’t start slipping?  First of all, congratulations on recognizing the […]

When a Badge is More than a Badge: How to Create Motivating Work Experiences

When a Badge is More than a Badge: How to Create Motivating Work Experiences

This post was published on the Mars Drinks Blog. PDF Version: When a Badge is More than a Badge_ How to Create Motivating Work Experiences _ MARS DRINKS

What We Leave Behind: Lessons from Pompeii

What We Leave Behind: Lessons from Pompeii

We had the privilege of visiting Pompeii last month. It was fascinating and sobering. It was destroyed hundreds of years ago in a volcano. Most people weren’t killed by lava, but rather by the ash that covered them. There are casts of their bodies. People covering their noses and mouths as it became impossible to […]