Laura Berger
I love jumping into cold water. Well, wait. Let me back up. I love jumping into cold water with other people around. Why? Because after 30 seconds of acclimation, I get to chuckle as my friends negotiate the inner fortitude to get themselves to do the very thing they just watched me do. It’s a … Read more
“Sylvia is here!” Everyone perked up as she came through the door and deliberately hugged them all. “Michael, how is your dog’s leg?” “Shana, how is your Mom doing?” “Oh my, Jennifer, she’s precious!” she said, caressing the face of a new-born infant. It felt like a church group meeting, maybe a fraternity, sorority, or … Read more
Millennials now comprise a significant portion of the workforce, and they walk to their own beat. They are revolutionizing work culture, and managers must acknowledge their workstyles, especially because by the year 2030, 75% of the workforce will be millennials. Managers often struggle with millennials wanting flexible work schedules and work-life balance, and the fact that they … Read more
COVID-19 is an event that has created strain in every aspect of life—an understatement, of course. That strain in pivotal times creates a natural fight or flight or response—or response or reaction—that truly separates the winners from the losers. This is exemplified by Warren Buffett, who has stuck to his guns through thick and thin … Read more
In True Grit, Grace, and Gratitude, I used the term “happy hour” as a constructive and necessary analogy, but I do have a good bit of aversion toward the expression. Why does an hour we reserve to be happy have to be after work? I also have tepid excitement for the sayings “Work hard, play … Read more
Maybe you were passed over for partnership. Maybe you lost that promotion you thought you had in the bag. Or maybe you simply feel so stretched that you have no time for yourself. The truth is being too nice can wreak havoc on your career aspirations. Even many top executives struggle with confrontation and simply … Read more
Fresh Air Source: Shutterstock Creating goals keeps you productive, but it is important to make sure you don’t overload yourself with too many or unrealistic ambitions. What’s more, wanting to do something is step 0. Step 1 is getting started, and that doesn’t happen without a calm mind and a view of what lies ahead. The steps … Read more
Do not speak unless you can improve upon the silence. ―Ram Dass My 14-year old niece recently called to ask what to pack for her upcoming visit. In the middle of my suggestions, she interrupted. “Can I ask you a question?” “Sure!” I said. “I am debating what I should wear for Halloween this year … Read more
“Jeez, Laura. I thought you were afraid of heights!” Glen said in a rainforest preserve in Costa Rica’s South Pacific zone. A panic came over me. “I totally forgot!” I thought as I looked down at the rainforest floor passing rapidly, far beneath me. Then, the comedy of the matter suddenly occurred to me. For a moment, … Read more
I lay in bed at night with Glen by my side. The cacophony of the rainforest attempted soothing solace for the horrible thoughts I was having. Why don’t we have water at the house yet? Why don’t we have a phone? Why is living in paradise so hard? Moving to the Costa Rican jungle in … Read more