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I recently met a computer programmer who does government contract work. When I asked about the state of the industry, he complained that most of his competitors were frontloaders. Not being familiar with the term, I asked him to explain. He said their entire business model is getting the business. And that’s it. Nobody said anything about actually delivering. Once they get what they want, they collect their commission,…

Sadness is an inherent part of the human condition. It’s not depression, it’s not devastation, it’s not a chemical imbalance, it’s not a sign of weakness, it’s not the end of the world and it’s not going to last forever. It’s just part of life. My approach has always been to have a positive foundation in place for when the sadness hits. To maintain a diverse portfolio of happiness,…

In my work, I’ve always been the youngest person in the room. Partly because I started right out of college, partly because of the nature of the industry, and partly because I’m just an old soul. And for the longest time, I made the mistake of viewing my youth as a handicap. I assumed nobody would listen, or if they did, nobody would take me seriously. And as a…

I don’t have one mentor, I have a galaxy of mentors. Teachers, family members, coaches, advisers, guides, therapists, professors and industry veterans – who saw something in me that somebody once saw in them – generously took me under their wing, and shaped me into the person I am today. Apparently, this is rare. I just assumed everybody had mentors. But when I started asking people who their mentors…

Passion doesn’t pay the mortgage. Production does. When you carry your idea to completion, disarming whatever weapons of mass procrastination stand in your way, the money will come. Ask yourself, “Is what I’m doing right now consistent with my number one goal?” Proactivity does. When you get over thinking you’re not in sales, spending just as much time marketing the work as you do making it, the money will…

One of my clients serves on the board of national charity. Her biggest complaint about the organization was, they don’t know how to thank their donors. At least, not in a way that’s memorable, unique and personal. Not in a way that encourages them to pledge continued financial support. Sherry’s charity defaults to the same, boring outreach efforts that every other organization on the planet uses. Thank you letters,…

It takes courage to follow our convictions. But it takes character to reevaluate them. The problem is, our brains have this motivational drive to reduce inconsistency whenever possible. When given the choice between flexibility and certainty, between looking stupid and looking right, our egos will always choose the latter. We’d rather stick to our guns, even if we shoot ourselves in the foot. We’d rather stand our ground, even…

You’ve chosen an uncertain path. You’ve adopted an inconvenient lifestyle. You’ve embarked upon an unconventional journey. You’ve felt the voice inside you growing more urgent. You’ve committed yourself enough so you can’t turn back. IN SHORT: You’ve decided to play for keeps. This is the critical crossroads – the emotional turning point – in the life of every young artist. I’ve been there myself. I’m still there myself. Here’s…

We should have learned by now that there will always be more. That just because a shorter line, a bigger piece, a better spot and a faster lane is always available, doesn’t mean we always have to take it. We should have learned by now that love doesn’t disappear. That despite our best efforts to put bars to our heart, we can’t not feel. We can’t pretend that emotion…

I’m rarely stopped by not knowing how. Instead, I’m sparked by knowing why, stirred by knowing what and sustained by knowing who. And more often than not, those forces are potent enough to overwhelm the void of how and carry my ideas to execution. But I’m not immune to the occasional surge of permission. Especially when I’m working on a new project that, deep down, I’m afraid to tackle…