Hello, fellow tinkerer π - I'm not a fan of football, but I have "celebrated" the Super Bowl in my house every year since I was a kid. My dad was a football fan growing up, and now my spouse is (go Green Bay Packers π). I understand the game, but I'm mostly there for the food, the commercials, and the Halftime Show. If you're a football fan and this upcoming Sunday is exciting for you, I hope you enjoy the day. May your team win. 1) Reflection: More than at any other point in my life, the...
17 days agoΒ β’Β 1 min read
Hello, fellow tinkerer π - Happy Wednesday. I'm currently writing this while wrapped in a wearable blanket. The Chicago area has been hit by frigid temperatures. Cold weather is exhausting and I'll do whatever I can to stay warm. (Including writing gloves to make me feel fancy.) 1) Reflection: For several weeks, I've been thinking about my attention span. More specifically, what grabs my attention. Definitely my phone, more than I'd like to admit. Email, in a mostly frustrating way. It seems...
about 1 month agoΒ β’Β 2 min read
Hello, fellow tinkerer π In true New Year fashion, I don't know what day it is. I legit thought yesterday was Tuesday until early afternoon when I realized it was Wednesday, the day I normally send my newsletter. Oopsie. Do you love this newsletter and look forward to receiving it every week? Forward it to a friend! Sharing is caring. π 1) Reflection: In January 2020, I earnestly picked up a painting habit. I was entirely self-taught, with no particular artistic background. However, I found...
about 1 month agoΒ β’Β 2 min read
Hello, fellow tinkerer π - The happiest of holidays to you if you celebrate this time of year. My kids were awake at 6:15 a.m. yesterday to open Christmas presents. My youngest is 7 years old and still believes in Santa, so the holidays are filled with wonder and magic. 1) Reflection: For years, I've taken a break from work between Christmas and New Year's, and this year is no different. It's not exactly relaxing since I'm doing things with my family, but it's something different than my...
about 2 months agoΒ β’Β 1 min read
Hello, fellow tinkerer π - December 11th... is it too early for year-end lists? Nope! The Verge asked employees to come up with lists of their favorite stories of the year, favorite tech gadgets of the year, and favorite non-tech things of the year. I loved the episode so much that I want to do the same. It required some serious thinking! Without further ado, here are my favorites. And if you have something cool you'd love to share, reply to this email and let me know. I love checking out new...
2 months agoΒ β’Β 2 min read
New eBook! Check out my latest guide: a list of incredibly useful AI tools (FAR beyond ChatGPT). Get the guide Hello, fellow tinkerer π - It's Thanksgiving week in the U.S.! My kids don't have school, we went to see the Wicked movie, and we tried making fudge out of Stephen Colbert's cookbook (it did not turn out well). Thanksgiving can be a really loud, overwhelming holiday. I hope you're gentle with yourself this week. 1) Reflection: Growing up, my dad had a record player and an enormous...
3 months agoΒ β’Β 2 min read
Hello, fellow tinkerer π - Happy Wednesday. I've been thinking a lot lately about "things that take up space in our brains" β and how we can preserve mental energy. When I'm anxious, I find that I flip back and forth through different apps or projects, rather than just settling into one thing. Spoiler: that does not help with anxiety and tends to make me more anxious because I go to an app, think of something I need to do... go to another app, think of something I need to do... repeat. My...
3 months agoΒ β’Β 2 min read
Hello, fellow tinkerer π - Happy Wednesday. I'm halfway through a week I designated for "internal work" (minimal client work). I'd intended to work on a few projects β and have been doing that β but also am recording three podcast episodes, did a LinkedIn Live (view the recording here), and have seven meetings scheduled. No one but myself to blame for a jam-packed schedule. π€£ Next time I do this, I'll be more mindful of leaving my schedule ACTUALLY free to work on projects. 1) Reflection: I...
4 months agoΒ β’Β 1 min read
Hello, fellow tinkerer π - Happy Wednesday. It's that time of year when I need a heavy blanket in the morning and air conditioning by afternoon (thanks, Chicagoland). But as I write this, I'm staring at a stunning red tree outside my office window. Fall colors! A friend of mine shared on Facebook that, having grown up in California, she's always awed by fall. I am also, and I've lived in this part of the country my whole life! I'm forever inspired by the changing seasons. 1) Reflection: My...
4 months agoΒ β’Β 2 min read