Work-Life
Creative Planning for Authors and Poets
Creative planning is the act of mapping out where you are, where you want to go, and how you are going to process today’s challenges.
How I Recovered From 3 Years of Chronic Back Pain
As some of you may recall, I’ve been seeking solutions to my chronic back pain, which I assume is partly
Chronic Back Pain and The Writing Life: A Few Remedies
Update (9/15/14): I've written a new post explaining what eventually resolved all of my back pain problems. Like most writers,
Placing Too Much Importance on Passion
Passion has become a cheap word. I'm starting to roll my eyes when I hear it. But it hasn't always
Look for People Who Believe What You Believe
[Update: The discussion in the comments—on this site and on some of my other profiles—has made me realize that my
The End of an Era: Goodbye to There Are No Rules
On the last day of April 2008, I launched my first professional blog, There Are No Rules. Every day since
3 Boring Elements of Success
I don't think my age is a secret, but just to be clear: I'm 34. Sometimes when I speak at
Study Slow Culture, Not Just Fast
When I attended TEDxCincy in October 2010, there was one session where I was furiously taking notes: the session by
Reading Notebook #24: Our Life at the Office Is (In Fact) Important
From Solitude by Anthony Storr: Human beings need a sense of being part of a larger community than that constituted
The Pure Heart and Pure Superficiality of Social Media
One of the classes I'm teaching at CCM requires me to study up on the history and practice of public
Reading Notebook #16: Life Interferes With Work & Vice Versa
From Bill Murray interview in Entertainment Weekly (via TerryStarbucker.com): “I just really want to work when I want to work.
Have the Courage to Follow Your Heart & Intuition
A wonderful commencement address from Steve Jobs. I love that he mentions life can only be lived forward, and understood
Can Excellent Advice Make You Unhappy?
There are a few people I read religiously for insight and perspective on work/business life. Probably on the top of
Reading Notebook #12: Existential Angst at Work
From Kenny Moore's blog post, "Losing Your Job? Psychological, Spiritual & Practical Advice." This is the most meaningful discussion I
You Are Bad at Making Yourself Happy
My job as Writer's Digest publisher often leads people to remark what a great life I have. So young, so
Reading Notebook #8: Another Secret to Success Is Confidence
From "Beyond the Elevator Speech" by Michael Carroll, Shambhala Sun (March 2010) My survey indicates that most of us think we want
Reading Notebook #7: The Secret of Successful People (at Work)
From "We Can Measure the Power of Charisma", Q&A with Alex Pentland, Harvard Business Review (Jan-Feb 2010); read full article at
Why People Stay at (or Leave) Their Jobs
No talented person stays at a company for a paycheck or a sense of security. Talented people stay because they