Work-Life

A "clueless ask" is when a well-meaning stranger asks for an investment of a successful person's time and energy. What are such people owed, if anything?

As some of you may recall, I’ve been seeking solutions to my chronic back pain, which I assume is partly

Update (9/15/14): I've written a new post explaining what eventually resolved all of my back pain problems. Like most writers,

In this talk from the 2013 Midwest Writers Workshop, I explain the process of growing my readership since 2008, then share a few key principles I follow to make it an enjoyable and sustainable process.

On Tuesday, March 5, I found (via Twitter) the following piece by freelance journalist Nate Thayer: A Day in the

Yesterday, over at Neal Abbott's blog, I answered a few questions about my new job at the Virginia Quarterly Review,

It's hard to a remember a happier day than when I was offered a position at the University of Cincinnati

Passion has become a cheap word. I'm starting to roll my eyes when I hear it. But it hasn't always

To some, I may appear productive. But like many, I'm a horrible procrastinator. I try to think about my weakness

[Update: The discussion in the comments—on this site and on some of my other profiles—has made me realize that my

On the last day of April 2008, I launched my first professional blog, There Are No Rules. Every day since

I don't think my age is a secret, but just to be clear: I'm 34. Sometimes when I speak at

When I attended TEDxCincy in October 2010, there was one session where I was furiously taking notes: the session by

From Solitude by Anthony Storr: Human beings need a sense of being part of a larger community than that constituted

One of the classes I'm teaching at CCM requires me to study up on the history and practice of public

From Bill Murray interview in Entertainment Weekly (via TerryStarbucker.com): “I just really want to work when I want to work.

A wonderful commencement address from Steve Jobs. I love that he mentions life can only be lived forward, and understood

There are a few people I read religiously for insight and perspective on work/business life. Probably on the top of

From Kenny Moore's blog post, "Losing Your Job? Psychological, Spiritual & Practical Advice." This is the most meaningful discussion I

My job as Writer's Digest publisher often leads people to remark what a great life I have. So young, so

From "Beyond the Elevator Speech" by Michael Carroll, Shambhala Sun (March 2010) My survey indicates that most of us think we want

From "We Can Measure the Power of Charisma", Q&A with Alex Pentland, Harvard Business Review (Jan-Feb 2010); read full article at

No talented person stays at a company for a paycheck or a sense of security. Talented people stay because they

I'm often asked what my job at Writer's Digest encompasses, or what my typical day is like. My official title