Finding the Bright Spots

November 12th, 2021 by Kelly Kienzle

We all feel the burnout.  We all sense our energy dropping.  The bars of our gas gauge are dwindling faster than a cell phone in the desert.  We are surrounded by negativity and struggle, such as political finger-pointing and systemic inequity. While these struggles are very

True Refuge

October 31st, 2015 by Kelly Kienzle

Buddhists believe that false refuge is where we go when we feel terrible and hope to feel better. We think we will find refuge there, but then we don’t actually feel better afterwards. In fact, we may even feel worse. Blowing up an afternoon by eating

I (Don’t) Know

September 29th, 2015 by Kelly Kienzle

We always want to know things. We yearn for certainty and assurance. But why? We want to know what will happen, who will say what and how the work will go. We assume that we will be happier and more secure if we can forecast what

How to Make Your Vacation Your Biggest Professional Accomplishment for the Next 12 Months

August 4th, 2015 by Kelly Kienzle

I love vacation. You love vacation. We all love vacations. Why? Because we can disconnect, physically and electronically, from our routines. We can step back and view our world and our thinking differently. We can let our minds meander. We can remember how we used to

What is Not a Manager’s Job…

November 11th, 2014 by Kelly Kienzle

“It is not the manager’s job to prevent risks. It is the manager’s job to make it safe to take them.” Ed Catmull used this maxim to guide Pixar, Inc. through its birth and emergence as one of the most creative and innovative companies of its

Where is your choice?

August 7th, 2014 by Kelly Kienzle

Summer offers so many choices. We can choose to go outside or work from home; choose to wear sandals or flip-flops; or choose to stay out later or not. But is it only the season that gives us more choice? Why aren’t we at choice more

Make Victory Inevitable

May 6th, 2014 by Kelly Kienzle

Small superhero

“Design and launch a meaningful marketing initiative for 2014.” I wrote that 4 months ago in January. Since then I haven’t done anything meaningful in tackling that goal. It is critically important, requires huge mental energy, and has many moving parts and multiple steps. All of

Thank You Fridays

November 8th, 2013 by Kelly Kienzle

Don’t you wish that you could feel just a little calmer?  What is that elusive “thing” that would help you feel more engaged and at peace?  How do you put just a little more joy in your work life? Try “Thank You Fridays.”  “Thank you Fridays”

Helpful Envy

April 30th, 2013 by Kelly Kienzle

Green with envy.  We often think of envy as a prickly thing that can only hurt us.  So, let me explain how someone recently used envy in a helpful way. Consider what sort of person you always wish you were.  What characteristics of your friends or