What I'm Reading: April 2021
Books I read in April 2021: A Religion of One's Own, The Sand Sea, The Midnight Library, Pure, Wintering.
Relentlessly Human
Reflections on building and human flourishing in a complex technological world.
2021
When You Lose Your "Why"
Simon Sinek advises his readers to "start with Why"—the question from which all other questions and answers flow. Yet we all have times when we lose sight of our Why.
The Challenge of Bad Days
Any hard endeavor presents uniquely good days and uniquely bad days. One of our most important challenges is learning to manage the bad ones.
April Newsletter
My new book release, forthcoming short story, blog updates, and some recommendations for things I love.
The Pursuit of Connection
Modern economics is largely built on the assumption that human beings maximize wealth. What would life look like if we maximized connection?
Leaning into Fear
Life often presents decision points: do we avoid fear, or do we lean into fear? Our strongest personal growth comes through the latter.
Committing Moves
Life involves irreversible "committing moves", which result in success or failure. Rock climbing has taught me a lot about approaching them.
2020
What I Learned in 2020: Adding My Light
Despite the sense of winter darkness, I continue to search for the bright places. They are always there, if I look for them.
The Promise and Peril of Orbiting the Giant Hairball (Part II)
There are many possible career paths for orbiting the giant hairball. Part of your journey is learning to chart your own course.
The Promise and Peril of Orbiting the Giant Hairball (Part I)
In this series, I reflect on my experiences orbiting the giant hairball—serving my organization from above the stratosphere.
What I'm Reading: October 2020
The Startup Community Way, Beyond the Summit, Endymion, The View from the Cheap Seats, Power to the People, Solaris
A Survival Guide for the Next Four Years
Regardless of who wins the election, we must all reflect on how we intend to live for the next four years.
Life as Commitment: Remembering Steve Chiabotti
A well-lived life entails making commitments, planting oneself in a community and purpose. My colleague Dr. Steve Chiabotti lived that out.
Raising Citizens in The Two Americas
How do you educate children, moving from America's most liberal city to one of its most conservative? You teach them to be citizens.
Personal Branding vs. Our Whole Selves
Thoughts on preserving our whole selves in a world that constantly asks us to brand our identity.
What I'm Reading: September 2020
Crossing the Unknown Sea, Essentials, Startup Life, Startup Communities, Faith, The Bureaucratic Entrepreneur
When Innovation Bites You in the Ass
When innovation bites you in the ass, remember: the arc of innovation is long, but it bends towards improvement.
Harnessing Your Discontent
Your discontent is the source of your unique, creative contributions to your service... but only if you let it be.
It's OK to Love Your Family and Yearn For Meaningful Work
Meaningful work and meaningful relationships are not in stark opposition. Both are pillars of a well-lived life.
Living Near the Cliff Edge
To thrive in life, we need to stay close to our cliff edge--the frontier where we connect with our vital energy.
Mark D. Jacobsen — Relentlessly Human
Reflections on building and human flourishing in a complex technological world.