Hey Reader - Comedian Ana Gasteyer served up a dose of reality to TikTokers: If you shoot your walk through the airport buying snacks, clearing security, and waiting to board, you’re missing the point. That video isn’t a POV. It’s just what people do when they go through the airport! Unfortunately, Ana’s observation also applies to work. Have you ever been in a meeting with someone talking in circles? Who is so busy finishing a monologue that they’re not aware that everyone else has checked...
17 days ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader - You don't need to be a parent to feel the change in the air. Every September, the collective thinking becomes, Let's get down to business! But does that mindset leave you feeling overwhelmed or anxious? Then take a page from the kids and go into learning mode. The trick is to leave behind everything you disliked, like memorizing boring facts you never use. In its place, make learning personal and relevant. From a grown-up perspective, Job 1 in any industry is learning the What:...
24 days ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader - Actor Hank Azaria came close to quitting New York City. Minimizing fan interactions in Los Angeles was easy since he spent most of his time driving. But being back on the streets of New York put him into daily situations that were a little too close for comfort. Hank knew how to be diplomatic and accommodate strangers. However, he still found himself feeling “restless, irritable, and discontent,” a phrase he learned in recovery. As he reflected about why he felt off kilter, the...
2 months ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader - Actress and singer Cynthia Erivo has some pretty colorful tales about life before Wicked. In her early days, someone suggested that she train at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. Cynthia found herself rotating through a series of small roles, which seemed odd. She had enough entertainment experience to have already secured an agent. And her talent was undeniable. But the tipping point over casting came when several women in a musical suddenly became ill. Normal...
2 months ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader - My friend Alex upgraded his address and bought into a neighborhood which is kind of fancy. Alex and his wife had big plans for the yard, but between work and bad weather, those plans were delayed. They were surprised but pleased to come home one day to a freshly manicured lawn. He thought it might be a “welcome to the neighborhood” service from the Homeowner’s Association. But then the older couple across the street mentioned their landscapers had done the job because Alex and...
3 months ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader - You’ve probably heard of looksmaxxing, the trend in which young men believe that maximizing their appearance will help them with everything from social status to dating. But work is the opposite. Instead of looksmaxxing, gymmaxxing, or sleepmaxxing, you spend most days stressmaxxing! 🥵 Daily strain and pressure aren’t your imagination. They’ve become such a societal factor that Dr. David Spiegel, a psychologist at Stanford, has made it a focus of his research. His perspective is...
3 months ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader - There was a fiery debate at dinner a few weeks ago. My friends are attorneys, and their youngest son just landed his first internship at a prominent Los Angeles firm. His parents tried to warn him about the ups and downs of Big Law. The war stories kept rolling about last-minute briefs to be written, long nights researching legal precedents, and scrambling to please a partner. Their son listened intently and then laughed, “Thank heavens I have AI. I can crush those assignments...
3 months ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader - In a recent dating clip, a woman wavered on the infamous stay-or-go decision. Her boyfriend wasn’t a terrible guy—she just wanted him to have that extra something, something. But the craziest part was that the woman couldn’t describe what was missing. Have you ever had a similar business relationship? The kind that started off well, but now you’re getting a little snappy, dreading interactions, and beginning to wonder if it’s time to cut the cord? In the June series, Constructive...
3 months ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader - You have to give it to the new brass at CBS: They've given a masterclass in how to mess up what works! There's plenty of finger-pointing to go around, but the short version is that Bari Weiss and friends believed “60 Minutes” needed an overhaul before it went stale. In fairness, the “60 Minutes” team knew the network was in trouble. However, they hoped their new owner would bring a fresh outlook plus much-needed capital. They had plenty of reasons to be optimistic. The show was...
4 months ago • 3 min read