I just got back from a whirlwind three days in New York City. It’s my first solo trip to New York in three years. I try to treat myself to a weekend getaway every August for my birthday, but life often gets in the way. But this year I made the decision to go, even…
I never knew my grandfathers. My father lost his father when he was in high school, and my mother’s father died when I was three. I don’t remember him at all. As a baby, she said I was very attached to him. When I was older and started showing signs of ambition and independence, she…
As I begin my fourth month of full-time freelancing, I am giving myself some grace in that I have not yet figured out my personal brand. I know how difficult it is to develop an organization’s brand and how long it can take (hello LSS, 4 years of my life!), but I still thought this…
Lately I’ve been thinking about the word “should”. I’m realizing just how often I use this word, mainly when I am talking to myself. I “should” work this weekend. I “should” eat fruit instead of ice cream. And my personal favorite (NOT!), I “should” do another 30 minutes on the treadmill. Or course, “shouldn’t” is…
I didn’t really want to post a blog last week given how it ended. I’m not really sure I should post today either. But I was thinking this morning about this post I had written a couple of years ago about “othering” and how much damage it can do when writers, leaders, or anyone with…
It’s been a long, difficult week for all of us. There were moments when I wondered if I should just go back to bed instead of facing reality. But I am blessed, and I can’t hide from the world when everyone else has to live in it. So, I’m going to recap some positive things…
One of the things I miss the most about my job at LSS was the advocacy work we were doing. I had taken on the initiative a couple of years ago because I thought we should have a seat at the table when our government leaders discuss and decide on policy that affects our clients.…
I am a branding expert. I’ve created brands for businesses and nonprofits. I’ve even created a brand for my own coffeehouse 100 years ago. Now, it’s time to create a personal brand for myself again, this time as a freelance brand strategist. And I am lost. I don’t know where to start. I don’t know…
How long have we been working from home? Three months? Four? It seems like both two days and ten years. I have to be honest. This new normal is great. As the most introverted of introverts, I love staying home. I would much rather spend a quiet day reading, walking my dog, researching some obscure…
