I learned a metaphor for teams without defined roles when I played volleyball back in the day. Hear me out. There’s a slang term called the “hubby/wife serve” or “campfire” serve. The idea is to put the serve exactly between two players on the other team. Both players think the other will get it…so no one … Continue reading “Productive teams have clearly defined roles”

Have you found your rhythm yet? Optimal productivity isn’t about perpetual motion. To find your peak productivity time, you must discover the right rhythm of activity and breaks throughout your day. This is especially true if you work from home and your personal and work life intertwine. The key is to notice repeated interruptions. When … Continue reading “Why finding your productivity rhythm helps you get more done”

Tired of meetings that go on forever? Determine the stop time when you schedule it. Begin the meeting with a reminder of this hard stop time. It may even be helpful to instruct someone to give gentle nudges as the end time draws near. By having a predetermined “stop” time, it forces attendees to stay focused … Continue reading “Before starting a meeting, decide when it will end”

I received such a thoughtful gift over the weekend! Fellow LinkedIn Learning instructor, Dean Karrel, sent me this puzzle of the New York skyline with a friendly note. He saw my post a few weeks back about my ACL reconstruction. He also knows I love visiting New York, and that family means everything to me. He used his knowledge to send … Continue reading “How a small, thoughtful action can build relationships remotely”

What is your definition of success? Some people may say your income level defines your success. I discussed my definition of success with Zach White recently on his new podcast show, The Happy Engineer. For me—while money is important—it shouldn’t be the defining factor. Success is having the ability to live the kind of life … Continue reading “Why money shouldn’t be the main definition of success”