Can You Trade Off for Ease?
I was thinking of how I make tradeoffs. In many projects, people often think we need to optimize for time and against quality. It’s a fake tradeoff, because the cleaner…
Read moreWhat Does the Data Mean?
Sometimes, I find it difficult to see the data in front of me. I might think there is no data. I might make meaning of the data—possibly incorrectly. We need…
Read moreWhat Are You Sentimental About?
My town is busy planning and discussing and planning and discussing (yes, continue for several more recursions) the plans for the new high school. We need a new high school…
Read moreWhen Do You Pay It Back or Pay It Forward?
I was thinking about being transactional: you do this for me, I do this for you. Often, the transaction is about money. When I pay for a thing—a book, a…
Read moreDo You Want What’s New or What Works?
How do you feel about change: do you like what’s new or what works? Sometimes I like new things. I love to try new recipes—often with company! I’ll try new…
Read moreDo You Have Permission?
I’m part of another group writing effort that’s just starting. We were using regular email, not a listserve to communicate. I got confused with all the emails because we didn’t…
Read moreHow Do We Reconcile Our Perceptions vs Our Realities?
I find the current sexual harassment and discrimination scandals dispiriting. Regardless of the good work these men (and some women) have achieved in their lives, their legacy will always be…
Read moreWhat Energizes You?
I was watching Ken Robinson on Passion. He made the claim that too many people live lives that are not fulfilling. Your work drains you. Instead, what energizes you? I…
Read moreAre Your Shoulds Trapping You?
One of my readers sent me a private email responding to the When Are You Excessively Above Average? question. The reader felt as if he should want to master some…
Read moreWhen Does Your Groove Turn Into a Rut?
I like my routines. I have exercise routines, eating routines, writing routines, to name three. I find comfort in my routines. I think of my routines as a groove. My…
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