Confessions of a Facilitation Artist

Note: This post is a quick recap of the episode. The podcast is richer — more stories, more texture, more of the real stuff. It’s about 10 minutes at 1.5x speed and worth the listen.After a month away and a year and a half as Confessions of a Facilitation Artist, this show has a new name, Confessions of a Creative Leader.Why “Confessions” stays: It traces back to my Catholic roots — my dad is a deacon, confessions before Sunday mass, vulnerability as practice. It fits what I do here.Why “Facilitation Artist” is gone: It was always an experiment. A conversation with my friend and fellow facilitator Chloe Temple reframed things for me — she described me as a model of self-leadership, and I thought: yes, that’s actually what this is. Lifelong learning, taking responsibility for my own growth so I can show up in service to others. Facilitation is part of that. So is product leadership, entrepreneurship, and figuring out motherhood. Creative Leader is just more honest about the full territory.What April Actually WasIntense. Good-intense, not overwhelmed-bad. A few things made it one of the fuller months I can remember:Work: I went back full-time to build a zero-to-one AI-native product. April was mostly a multi-week design sprint — interviewing higher ed leaders, evolving prototypes, testing them, and this past week, finally starting to build. I was also deep in Claude Code doing POC (that means proof of concept) work to test feasibility, and using Claude Projects and Cowork heavily for context documents and requirements. (Claude is my second husband it seems.)Weekends: Sixteen garden beds don’t prep themselves. Hard physical work, completely restorative after a week at a screen.Health: I’m 47 and perimenopausal (I’m a woman and I’m not hiding from that) — noticing that shift and taking it seriously. Consistent exercise, more intentional eating, and the small delights: fresh eggs from our neighbor’s chickens, kimchi, the occasional fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice.My SisterFor new listeners & readers: in October, my sister was diagnosed with terminal stage four cancer across multiple sites. It was really scary.Mid-April, we had the appointment — the one to find out if her treatment was working. The oncologist, who is normally very measured, walked in with unmistakable joy. The news: treatment is working well, some tumors have actually shrunk, and based on the data, this typically holds for up to two years. We thought we might be down to months.She’s doing well. We’re celebrating. The emotions are complicated — relief and sadness at the same time — but the news is good.If My Response to You Was Short — Here’s WhyA lot of you reached out during the break. Thank you. If I didn’t respond well, or at all: it wasn’t personal, it was capacity. Maxed out at work, exhausted at night, in the garden on weekends. I’m behind on a lot of conversations and I’m working on it.What’s ComingI’m not turning this into an AI or product podcast — there are better ones for that (Lenny's Newsletter - Lenny Rachitsky, Prompt-Led Product | For PMs Building in the AI Era with Elena | AI Product Leader , Product Management IRL with Amy Mitchell ). But I have real experiments to share over the next few episodes:* AI + facilitation — specific tools and prompts for foundation sprints and design sprints, beyond basic brainstorming* AI in product discovery — how I’ve been using it in zero-to-one work* Tactical leadership uses — including Cowork for general tasks and, yes, researching summer camps for my kids* My first vibe-coded app — a facilitation timer I built for myself, and what that experience was actually likeEpisodes may be biweekly for a while. I’d rather show up with something real than force a cadence.Reach out on LinkedIn, Substack, or text. I read everything — I’m just slow to respond.Love you all. Good to be back.— Monica Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

This week’s episode is an unscripted, straight-from-the-heart update — no notes, no rehearsal, just me on a Saturday afternoon with something to share. And yes, I recorded it a few days ago, but share in the podcast why I delayed sharing. Also, this is not an April Fool’s joke. :)Consider this my One Thing reveal. Here’s what I covered:* The personal and professional journey that led me to go back full-time as Senior Director of Product Innovation at Watermark* Why being a maker — not just a leader — has always been at the core of who I am, and how losing that was something I didn’t even realize I was mourning* How reading The One Thing clarified what I already knew: that right now, building AI-native products in higher education is my one thing* What this means for Meeting Kitchen — it’s not going away, just moving slowly and intentionally* Why I’m taking a break from this podcast for April (kids’ spring break, a visit to my sister’s oncologist, an AI product leadership bootcamp, and honestly — protecting my nervous system from the social media noise)* A possible rebrand on the horizon: Confessions of a Creative Leader — and I want your input on thatI’ll be back. But if you’ve ever thought about reaching out, now is a great time. Drop me a DM on LinkedIn or leave a comment — I’d genuinely love to hear from you. Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

This week’s episode is a wrap-up, so I’ll keep this short and sweet. If you’re looking for the deep insights and big frameworks from The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan, head back to the earlier episodes in this series — that’s where the real meat is. This one is more of a send-off.Go ahead and give it a quick listen, but here’s a snapshot of what I covered this week:* The final two chapters of The One Thing — The Journey and Putting the One Thing to Work* Why keeping on stepping — even imperfectly — is the whole point* How to apply the One Thing framework across every area of your life: your job, your team, your family, your health* A personal reflection on grief, loss, and why “I’m glad I did” hits differently when life gets real* My own biggest takeaway from revisiting this book — and the simple daily practice I’ve put back into place* A cliffhanger: next week I’ll be sharing what my One Thing actually is, and some decisions I’ve made that feel pretty life-changingSubscribe so you don’t miss it — on Substack, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.Confessions of a Facilitation Artist is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Note: Thanks to Claude (with me in the loop), the AI blog version is back. All of it is derived from the podcast — which goes deeper if you’re so inclined. Also, any pulled quoted are excerpts from the book. We’re still in Part 3 of “The One Thing” by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan. Last week covered the why, what, and how — purpose, priority, and productivity. This week is about what happens after you’ve identified your ONE Thing: the commitments you need to make to stay on the path, and the forces that will pull you off it.Chapter 16: The Three CommitmentsThe three commitments are the promises you need to make to yourself to actually live your ONE Thing. They build on each other.Commitment 1: Follow the Path of Mastery“When you can see mastery as a path to go down instead of a destination that you arrive at, it starts to feel accessible and attainable.” Mastery isn’t an arrival — it’s a sustained commitment to investing time in the right thing. And this chapter connects back directly to the time blocking we covered last week: four hours a day on your ONE Thing isn’t arbitrary. It’s what the research on expertise says is required.More than anything, expertise tracks with the hours invested. The investment and the intentionality together are what make mastery possible. This is why the four-hour block keeps showing up in this book — it’s not about productivity theatre, it’s about what compounding attention actually produces.Commitment 2: Move from E to PE is entrepreneurial — your default mode. You see something that excites you and you charge at it with enthusiasm and natural ability. This feels like a strength (and it is, for activation). But it has a ceiling.“Entrepreneurial is our natural approach. It’s seeing something that needs to be done and racing off to do it with enthusiasm, energy, and natural abilities.”P is purposeful — and it’s harder. It means doing what comes unnaturally: seeking out new models, new systems, new skills, and new relationships, even when it’s uncomfortable. Their analogy stays with me: the entrepreneurial person grabs an axe and runs into the forest. The purposeful person asks where to get a chainsaw.“Become purposeful during your time block and unlock your potential.”You can time block all day. If you’re filling those hours with comfortable, familiar tasks instead of your actual ONE Thing, you’re staying busy but not growing. The block is only as good as what you choose to put in it.Commitment 3: Live the Accountability Cycle“When life happens, you can either be the author of your life or the victim of it. Those are your only two choices: accountable or unaccountable. This may sound harsh, but it’s true. Every day we choose one approach or the other and the consequences follow us forever.”The victim response: avoid reality, fight it, blame it, make excuses, wait and hope. The accountable response: seek reality, acknowledge it, own it, find solutions, move forward. This maps cleanly onto Jack Canfield’s formula — Event + Response = Outcome. You can’t always control the event. You own the response.Practical tools from this section: write your goals down daily, and share them with someone. Speaking something out loud creates a layer of accountability that’s hard to replicate privately. The book also talks about getting a coach — their claim is that anyone with truly extraordinary results has one.I’ve had mentors and been an apprentice in different ways. One-on-one coaching outside of that is something I’m actively thinking about. Naming it here means I actually have to.Chapter 17: The Four Thieves of ProductivityThis chapter is one of my favorites in the whole book — partly because I teach a lot of this same material in my Deep Work Days course without realizing Keller and Papasan had named it exactly this way. Reading it felt like oh, this is where I got that from.Thief 1: Inability to Say No“When you say yes to something, it’s imperative that you understand what you’re saying no to.”Your calendar today is a record of everything you’ve said yes to in the past. Every meeting, every commitment, every recurring task — all of it accumulated because at some point you said yes. And every yes is also a no to something else.The authors are practical about how hard this is for helpful people. You don’t have to give a flat no. You can ask a question that helps someone find the answer themselves, suggest a different approach, or redirect them to someone better positioned to help. As a product manager, this is half the job. My version: create the doc, build the checklist, point people to the resource. Don’t become the encyclopedia.Thief 2: Fear of Chaos“One of the greatest thieves of productivity is the unwillingness to allow for chaos or the lack of creativity in dealing with it.”Chaos is inevitable. The question is whether you have a relationship with it or whether it catches you off guard every time. The goal isn’t to eliminate disruption — it’s to design your systems so you can respond to it gracefully rather than be derailed by it.A reframe I love from Carla Naumburg’s You’re Not a Shitty Parent: CHAOS = Compassion Helps Alleviate Our Suffering. I’ve extended it for myself — curiosity helps alleviate our suffering, creativity helps alleviate our suffering. When things feel chaotic, those three C’s are worth reaching for.Thief 3: Poor Health Habits“Personal energy mismanagement is a silent thief of productivity. High achievement and extraordinary results require big energy.”Health isn’t separate from your ONE Thing — it’s the infrastructure that makes everything else possible. The book recommends morning rituals, exercise, good food, and time for meaningful connection. I’ve been building these in deliberately: 20 minutes of journaling, some silence or breathing, exercise as a non-negotiable, and breakfast at the kitchen counter with my kids — no tablets, just a quick conversation. Small, but it matters.Thief 4: Environment Doesn’t Support Your Goals“No one succeeds alone and no one fails alone. Pay attention to the people around you.”Your people and your place both matter. Think carefully about who you let into your inner circle. And if you feel unsupported — the honest question is whether you’ve given the people around you the chance to actually support you. I learned this in therapy. I’m not a natural sharer at home. But support requires access. You have to let people in.The Big TakeawayThe three commitments and four thieves work together. The commitments are what you do to stay on the path. The thieves are what pull you off it.Commit to mastery, move from entrepreneurial to purposeful, and live accountably. Then protect that work by learning to say no, accepting that chaos will happen, managing your energy like it’s a resource (because it is), and building an environment — people and place — that actually supports where you’re going.Next week: the final chapter of Part 3 — The Journey — and the last section on applying it all. And then we’re onto something new. See you then. 🎯 Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Note: Hey all. Thanks to Claude (with me in the loop), the AI blog version is back again. All of it is derived from the podcast — which goes deeper if you’re so inclined.We’re into Part 3 of “The One Thing” by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan — and this section is called Extraordinary Results: Unlocking the Possibilities Within You. Today we’re covering the first three chapters: Live With Purpose (the why), Live by Priority (the what), and Live for Productivity (the how).This post stands alone — no book required, no previous episodes needed.The book opens this section with a line I keep coming back to:“There is a natural rhythm in our lives that becomes a simple formula for implementing The ONE Thing and achieving extraordinary results: purpose, priority, and productivity. Bound together, these three are forever connected.”They illustrate this with an iceberg. Above the waterline — what everyone sees — is your productivity. Your output. Your results. But underneath, holding the whole thing up, is purpose and priority. When I work with leaders chasing growth, this is exactly what I see. We can’t just talk tactics and output. We have to go below the waterline first.Chapter 13: Live With Purpose (The Why)This chapter opens with a George Bernard Shaw quote that honestly feels like the mantra for this whole podcast:“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”Real transformation comes from doing — from creating — not from passively consuming. I watch people get paralyzed by information overload all the time. They read everything, listen to everything, and still don’t move. We’re here to create, not just to consume.As a facilitator, I understand that “why” is important, and I often use the Five Whys. You keep asking why (often 5 times) until you get to the root. Whatever your surface goal is — losing weight, getting a promotion, growing your business — when you trace it back far enough, it almost always comes down to happiness. And the book puts it beautifully: “happiness happens on the way to fulfillment.” The journey is the goal.Here’s where it gets practical. A lot of people get completely stuck trying to find the perfect purpose. The book’s take on this is refreshingly direct: time brings clarity. Pick something, go forward with it for a while. You can always change your mind.Don’t make finding your purpose your new form of procrastination. Give yourself permission to start somewhere.Chapter 14: Live by Priority (The What)This chapter opens with a quote that’s been living in my head since I read it:“Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.”This hit me hard because so much of my work — in higher education, in product — is about taking massive strategic plans and making them actually actionable in the present. Long-term planning is only useful if it creates a priority you can act on today.And here’s the historical nugget from this chapter that I think about constantly: the word “priority” didn’t used to be plural. There was no such thing as “priorities.” There was just priority — the one thing that mattered most. Somewhere along the way we started pluralizing it, and now we need modifiers like “top priority” or “first priority” because the word alone doesn’t carry enough weight anymore.I see this constantly. Someone will come to me with six priorities across their product portfolio. My question is always the same: if you could only run one campaign and put all of your eggs in one basket — which one would it be? It drives people crazy. But it’s the most important question you can ask.The book maps this visually — how your priority for right now cascades all the way up to your someday goal. Your ONE daily thing is your first domino. Identify it correctly and it starts knocking everything else over.Chapter 15: Live for Productivity (The How)This is the meatiest chapter, and honestly, the one that changed how I work. Rereading it, I kept having this moment of recognition: oh, this is where I got that from.The big distinction here comes from Peter Drucker:“Efficiency is doing the thing right. Effectiveness is doing the right thing.”You can be incredibly efficient at the wrong things. This chapter is about being effective — focused on what actually moves you toward extraordinary results.The book’s recommendation: “your ONE thing deserves four hours of protected focus time per day.” I know that sounds like a lot — especially if you’re in a corporate role with a calendar full of back-to-back meetings. I work 25 hours a week in my corporate role and don’t always hit four hours of focused time on my personal work. But the principle holds: the more protected focus time you give your ONE thing, the faster you build toward extraordinary results. Less time means slower progress — and that’s honest, and that’s okay.One quote from this chapter that I keep returning to, especially for those of you who are managers or team leads:“To experience extraordinary results, be the maker in the morning and the manager in the afternoon.”When I was managing a team, this is exactly what I did. I stacked all my one-on-ones in the afternoon, on the same day, as much as possible. By then my creative energy was spent — but I could be fully present, a good listener, receptive to what people needed. I protected my mornings for the work only I could do.Three Things to Time BlockThe book gets very specific here. In order of priority:* Block your time off first. Rest and vacation go on the calendar before anything else. Build your productivity around your life, not the other way around.* Block your ONE thing. This is your protected focus window. Even if it’s only 20 minutes on some days — block it. Defend it. Don’t let it be the first thing that gets negotiated away.* Block planning time. 30 minutes to an hour each week to review your goals — annual, monthly, weekly — and reconnect with what your ONE thing actually is.That third one is something I built directly into my Deep Work Days course as the Friday Workbox practice. I review my OKRs, figure out what cascades to the week, set my ONE thing, and decide what I’m going to say no to. It’s one of the most consistently valuable habits I have.The Big TakeawayPurpose is your compass. Priority is what you act on. Productivity is the disciplined practice of protecting time for the things that matter most.The three together:* Start with your why — not the surface answer, the real one. Do the Five Whys if you need to.* Identify the ONE priority that moves everything else. Not a list. One.* Protect that time. Block it. Defend it. Build your day around it.As the book says: “there’s a magic in knocking down your most important domino day after day.” Small, consistent, intentional actions compound into something extraordinary over time. The “overnight success” you admire in someone else almost always came from exactly this — one thing, every day, on purpose.Next week: We’re finishing Part 3 — the Three Commitments and the Four Thieves. These chapters are about what it actually takes to stay on the path once you’ve found it. See you then. 🎯 Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Note: Hey all. The blog version is back this week. All of it is derived from the podcast — which goes deeper if you're so inclined.This week we’re diving back into part two (chapters 10-12) of “The One Thing” by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan. This post stands alone — no book required, no previous episodes needed.“There is an art of clearing away the clutter and focusing on what matters. It is simple and transferable. It just requires the courage to take a different approach.” — George AndersWhether I’m facilitating a design sprint, trying to run a business, or just attempting to not completely fall apart as a working mom — clearing away the clutter is the work. Physical clutter. Digital clutter. Mental clutter. All of it.And this section of The ONE Thing gets right to the heart of how you actually do that. It’s three chapters — the Focusing Question, the Success Habit, and the Path to Great Answers — and they all point to the same truth:How we phrase the questions we ask ourselves determines the answers that eventually become our life.Chapter 10: The Focusing QuestionBefore I tell you what the focusing question is, I want to make the case for why the question itself matters so much.When I work with teams — in workshops, in design sprints, in any kind of discovery session — one of the very first things we do is get crystal clear on the questions we’re actually trying to answer. We don’t go straight to solutions. We go to the question first. That’s because if you ask the wrong question, you’ll get the wrong answer.If you’ve ever read or watched The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, you know exactly what I mean. They ask the supercomputer the ultimate question about life, the universe, and everything — and the answer comes back: 42. Completely useless. Why? Because they asked the wrong question. The question wasn’t specific enough. The question didn’t contain the right intent.Sound familiar?So — what IS the focusing question?What’s the one thing I can do, such that by doing it, everything else will be easier or unnecessary?Deceptively simple, right? But there’s a lot packed in there. The book breaks it into three parts, and so will I:Part 1: “What’s the one thing I can do?” This is your commitment. You don’t get three things. You don’t get a short list. You have to choose. One thing. Not two, not three. That discipline — that act of choosing — is where the real work begins.Part 2: “Such that by doing it...” This is where you have to dig deep. What you pick isn’t just a task — it’s a domino. It’s the first domino in a line of dominoes. And when you push it, it starts knocking everything else over. That’s why it’s so important to get clear on the one thing that actually starts the chain reaction.Part 3: “Everything else will be easier or unnecessary.” This is your payoff. When you find the right thing, you’re not just checking a box — you’re creating momentum. It’s not one task. It’s the onset of a whole path clearing in front of you.Big Picture vs. Small FocusThe book maps this out visually — a big outer circle for your big-picture question, and a dot at the center for your small focus question. (I’ll include a visual of this.)The big picture question sounds like: What’s my one thing for growing my business this year?The small focus question sounds like: What’s my one thing right now, today?I actually use both — and I’ve added a third layer. I set a big-picture intention, then I work in monthly cycles (sometimes aligned to the lunar calendar, because yes, I’m that person) to check in on whether I need to adjust my direction. And each morning, I ask myself: What’s my one thing today?A quick confession: I technically have two “one things” each day — one for my health, one for my business. And I think that’s okay, because they are completely distinct areas of my life. The book actually validates this, which brings us to chapter 11.Chapter 11: The Success HabitThis chapter is about making the focusing question a habit — not a one-time exercise, but a foundational daily practice.The research they reference says it takes about 66 days to truly form a habit. I’ve been doing this consistently for about 30 days, so I’m halfway there. (And yes, every time I say “halfway there,” Bon Jovi starts playing in my head. I can’t help it. It’s a whole thing.)The book introduces something here that I’ve talked about before: the Wheel of Life. It’s a framework for mapping out the different areas of your life — spiritual, health, personal, relationships, job, business, finances — and applying the focusing question to the ones that matter most right now.You don’t have to ask the focusing question in every area every single day. But you do want to be intentional about which areas you’re prioritizing, and honest with yourself about which ones you can let slip for a season. Right now for me, it’s business and health. I have goals pulling me forward in both, and I’ve learned the hard way that I can’t let the health ball drop.The success habit also comes with a rule that someone in one of my Deep Work Days Q&As really needed to hear — and honestly, maybe you do too:Your one thing should be the first thing you do.Everything you do before it is a distraction wearing productivity as clothing.If something is truly your number one priority, why are you waiting until the end of the day to do it? Do the one thing first. Then let the rest of the day happen.(Full disclosure: I recorded this podcast before doing my own one thing for business today. I contain multitudes. Progress, not perfection.)Chapter 12: The Path to Great AnswersThis is my favorite part — because this is where productivity meets facilitation meets my work as a product leader. It all comes together here.The Four QuadrantsThe book introduces four quadrants to help you figure out what kind of question you’re actually asking:* Small & Broad — weak question, low bar, won’t stretch you* Big & Broad — better, but too vague to act on* Small & Specific — targeted, but not ambitious enough for extraordinary results (this is where a lot of us get stuck — we’re basically just writing a to-do list)* Big & Specific — the sweet spotHere’s their example: “What can I do to increase sales this year?” That’s small and broad. Fine, but not exciting.Now change it to: “What can I do to double sales in the next six months?”That second question forces you out of your normal playbook. You can’t just do more of the same and get there. You have to actually think differently. The specificity creates urgency. The ambition creates stretch. That’s what a big, specific question does — it makes ordinary answers impossible.The Three HorizonsOnce you have a great question, the answer you reach for matters just as much. The book frames this in three levels — and if you’re in product management, this is going to sound very familiar.Doable → Horizon 1 (Defend the Core) Small, incremental improvements. Feature enhancements. Keeping the lights on. These are valuable — they compound over time and keep clients happy. But they are not going to get you extraordinary results. They’re not designed to.Stretch → Horizon 2 (Emerging Offerings) This is where you start thinking beyond what people asked for, and into what they actually need. If you start noticing themes in problems your product didn’t intend to solve or workarounds in your product, this can be a flag to consider to think about an emerging offering. Suddenly you’re solving a completely different, and sometimes more meaningful problem.Possibility → Horizon 3 (Innovation) This is where most people get scared and retreat back to the doable. And I get it. I see it constantly with the product managers I coach. So many PMs start out as Horizon 1 thinkers — they’ve been rewarded for that, they’ve been trained for it. My whole goal when I work with people is to help them stretch into Horizon 2 and 3 thinking. But here’s what I see happen: we get into possibility space together, people get genuinely excited, and then the sprint ends and they retreat right back to safe.Safe things and certain things will absolutely move the needle. In small ways. But if you want extraordinary results — for your product, your business, your life — you have to be willing to go beyond the doable.As the book puts it: “a possibility answer exists beyond what is already known and being done.”Search for CluesHere’s what I love about how the book approaches this: before you even try to solve a problem, there’s a step that often gets skipped. It’s one of my favorite things we do in design sprints — Lightning Demos.I give teams 15–20 minutes to go out into the world and look for examples of how similar problems have been solved — not just in their industry, but everywhere. Because copying what a competitor did is only useful if that competitor was thinking at the right horizon. If they were playing small, you’re just inheriting their limitations.The richest inspiration often comes from completely different contexts. I was recently working on something in the higher education space, and one of the most generative insights we found came from health monitoring apps. Completely different industry — but the way they help individuals make decisions about their health gave us a whole new framework for thinking about our problem. That’s what cross-industry research unlocks.Don’t limit yourself to the obvious sources. Look for clues. Ask bold questions. And don’t retreat to Horizon 1 when things get uncomfortable.The Big TakeawayChapters 10, 11, and 12 all point to the same truth:The quality of your question determines the quality of your results.Ask a small, vague question — get a small, ordinary answer. Ask a big, specific question — open yourself up to extraordinary results.And then do the work to find a great answer. Don’t default to what you already know. Don’t retreat to Horizon 1 when the stakes get real. Find some clues. Stretch yourself.As the book says — and I underlined this — “trailblazing up the path of possibilities is always worth it. When we maximize our reach, we maximize our life.”Next week: We’re diving into Part 3 of The ONE Thing — Live by Purpose, Live by Priority, Live by Productivity. I’ve read this section before and it really stuck with me. I think you’re going to love it.And if you’re in West Michigan — come hang out! I’m leading the West Michigan Product Community meetup on Wednesday, March 11th at Cornerstone University, kicking off at 5:30pm. We’re launching a whole series on product discovery and I am genuinely pumped about it.Now go find your one thing. 🎯Confessions of a Facilitation Artist is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Right now, my priority is the podcast over polished Substack posts due to time constraints as a busy working mom—listen for the full, unedited conversation!In this episode of Confessions of a Facilitation Artist, I dive into chapters 8 and 9 of The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan, busting the myths of “a balanced life” and “big is bad.”What I Talked AboutI share raw reflections on shifting from full-time work to part-time (25 hours/week) to build The Meeting Kitchen while prioritizing family time with my boys (ages 6 and 10). I navigate tensions amid personal losses—my sister’s terminal cancer, a neighbor’s death, a friend’s illness, and my former CEO’s passing—highlighting life’s fragility at age 47. Despite seeking balance, I grind harder in AI product innovation and business growth, questioning my path.Key Insights* Counterbalancing over balance: Ditch static “work-life balance” for intentional swings—like a ballerina’s micro-adjustments or a pendulum—leaning into extremes seasonally for extraordinary results, without neglecting health or relationships long-term.* Glass vs. rubber balls: Prioritize irreplaceable “glass” balls (family, health, integrity); work balls bounce back, so focus trade-offs within work for high-impact priorities.* Big is bad myth: Small actions yield small outcomes; fearing big dreams sabotages success—I confess my pull to “safe” AI skill-building might avoid bolder moves for The Meeting Kitchen.Questions to Ponder* Where am I staying “safely in the middle” instead of leaning into an extreme for a season?* What are my glass balls that can’t be dropped?* Where might fear whisper “big is bad,” and what would doubling one goal look like?What’s next? I’ll be back next week with part two of The One Thing, and perhaps I’ll bring back the blog version, but let me know if you miss it. Thanks!Confessions of a Facilitation Artist is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Quick Note: This Week is Podcast-OnlyHey everyone. I’ve decided NOT to create a blog version in Substack because writing that is just not my one thing right now. If you really want to follow along, definitely I encourage you to listen to the podcast. Maybe I’ll bring back the full Substack, but I’m just giving you the cliff’s notes today.In this episode, I share how I’m applying The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan—turning to-do lists into success lists and focusing on my “one thing” to promote my upcoming training.I walk through my real example: battling LinkedIn events (which I hate) to set up registrations that flow straight into my CRM. Shoutout to Jakub from Pont Studio and his Webinar Sprint course for the tip—it worked, with two strangers signing up right away.Key Insights from Chapters 6-7Chapter 6: A Disciplined LifeI don’t see myself as “disciplined” everywhere (evenings? Nope). But the book nails it: success isn’t about total discipline—it’s a short sprint to build the right habits. It takes about 66 days on average. You only need targeted discipline for what matters most. (Mark Manson example: messy life, but laser-focused book-writing.)Chapter 7: Willpower Is Always On Will-CallWillpower is like a phone battery—peaks early for me, gone by evening (hello, snacking defaults). Do your ONE Thing when charged, before decision fatigue hits.Personal Updates & Takeaways* The blog version of this substack (even with AI helping) isn’t my top priority right now.* Action steps: Build tiny habits (66 days/reps), track your energy peaks, schedule your ONE Thing first.Free Training!Join my free training Your Meetings Don’t Have To Suck next Thursday (90 min: 60 min content + Q&A). Steal my recipe for killer meetings—perfect for facilitators or anyone fed up with bad ones.https://mk.themeetingkitchen.com/meetingsworkshop See you next week for the last two lies from Part One. See you then! Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Hello, everyone! If you are reading this in real time, Happy Valentine’s Day. Last week I kicked off a series on The ONE Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan. We discussed the first three chapters. This week we are talking about chapters 4 and 5, which is part of Part One: The Lies: They Lead Us and Derail Us. Don’t worry, you don’t need to read the book unless you choose, and you don’t need to listen to all episodes. Each podcast/blog is meant to stand alone with its own insight and small experiments you can try.New here? Subscribe to follow the full ONE Thing series. It’s all FREE here!Lie #1: “Everything Matters Equally”Chapter 4 opens with a line I’m going to quote directly from the book:“Equality is a lie. Understanding this is the basis of all great decisions.”The chapter asks one deceptively simple question:When you have a lot to do in a day, how do you decide what to do first?Most of us don’t really decide. We react. We start with email, meetings, messages, or whatever is loudest.For me, the roles pile up quickly: I’m a mom, I run a home (hello, endless laundry), I cook most of our meals, I’m growing a business, and I have this podcast I’m still trying to understand in relation to my “one thing.” If you’re on an entrepreneurial path, you probably know that feeling that the work never ends and you’re always behind.The authors talk about how “achievers” operate differently. They write that:“Achievers always work from a clear sense of priority.”They pause long enough to ask what actually matters most, and then they let that answer drive their day. They’re willing to delay or drop things that aren’t essential.To explain this, they bring in the 80/20 Principle (the Pareto Principle):“A minority of causes, inputs and effort usually lead to a majority of results, outputs and rewards… A small amount of causes create most of the results.”If roughly 20% of what you do creates 80% of your results, the real work is to identify that vital 20%. Next, you narrow even further to your one most important thing.The book makes a really helpful distinction:* Your to‑do list is everything you could do.* Your success list is the tiny set of things you must do to move forward.I’m excellent at the “checkoff game”—even writing things down after I’ve done them just so I can cross them off. It feels good, but it doesn’t always move what actually matters.One of my favorite questions, from Michael Bungay Stanier’s The Coaching Habit, is:“If you’re saying yes to this, what are you saying no to?”You are always saying no to something. The power comes from choosing those nos intentionally.The book sums it up simply:“Regardless, doing the most important thing is always the most important thing.”Lie #2: “Multitasking Works”The second lie in this part of the book is multitasking.I’ll admit: in some contexts, I do advocate a gentle kind of “layering”—like walking during a meeting, where your brain is focused on the conversation and your body is just doing something supportive. I talk about that in my Deep Work Days micro‑course and in what I call “brown meetings.”But when it comes to real focus work, I’m firmly with the authors: multitasking is a trap.They say it bluntly:“Multitasking is a lie. It’s a lie because nearly everyone accepts it as an effective thing to do.”We borrowed the idea from computers, but humans don’t work like that. We’re not truly doing two demanding tasks at once; we’re switching back and forth, and every switch costs us time and energy.The book explains that:* Task switching has a real cognitive cost, even if it doesn’t feel that way in the moment.* The more we switch away from a task, the less likely we are to come fully back to it.* Multitasking doesn’t actually save time; it stretches the time it takes to finish anything.I see this constantly at work. People answer Slack messages in one‑on‑one meetings where full presence really matters. When someone does that while I’m speaking, what I feel is: this time isn’t valuable to you. It also quietly erodes trust.As a manager, my one‑on‑ones with direct reports are their time. If I kept Slack open “just in case,” I’d be robbing them of my attention.This is part of why I care so deeply about workshops and design sprints. One engineering lead once told me that what he loved most about a sprint week was that, for once, he wasn’t constantly context switching. He could just focus with his team on solving a problem. That’s rare—and powerful.The book’s message here is:* Distraction is human. Don’t shame yourself.* But multitasking always takes a toll, on both your results and your relationships.* Trying to do too much at once often leads to doing nothing well.To really live out the principle of The ONE Thing, you can’t keep believing that doing two important things at once is a good idea. You might be able to attempt it, but you can’t do it effectively.Two Tiny Experiments for This WeekYou know I love moving from insight to action, so here are two simple experiments you can try:* Create a mini “success list.”* Write down everything on your mind for the day.* Circle just a few items that truly matter most.* Then star the one most important thing—and do that first, before email, Slack, and reactive work.* Protect one block from multitasking.* Choose a 30–60 minute window.* Close Slack and email, silence your phone, and decide: “This is my one thing for this block.”* Notice how it feels and what you get done compared to your usual scattered time.If finding that block feels impossible right now, that’s a signal in itself. It might be time to rework your calendar, which is exactly what I help people do in my Deep Work Days micro‑course.One More Lie (About Meetings)Since this episode lands around February 14th, I also want to mention a free, interactive workshop I’m running soon:Your Meetings Don’t Have to Suck (Sign Up)Date: Thursday, February 26Time: 12:00 PM ET/ 11 AM CT/ 9 AM PTIt’s not a slide-heavy webinar; it’s a hands‑on session where you’ll learn how to make meetings shorter, more purposeful, more effective, and more engaging, even if you’re not the one officially “running” them.I’d love to hear what you choose as your one thing this week, and how your no‑multitasking block goes. Share in the Substack comments so we can learn from each other’s experiments.Thank you for spending part of your one life working on your one thing with me. Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Happy February! I started Confessions of a Facilitation Artist and this Substack as a simple practice: show up for what I’m curious about. Over time, it’s become a place where my worlds of facilitation, art, and product leadership intersect with my love of self‑development and purposeful productivity.Lately, I’ve been in a bit of an identity wobble with this podcast and newsletter. I love showing up here every week, but I’m still figuring out where it fits in my larger business, The Meeting Kitchen. Is this my one thing—or a beautiful side project? I don’t know yet, and I’m okay figuring that out in public with you.Confessions of a Facilitation Artist is a reader-supported publication. Subscribe to follow this ONE Thing series.Why The ONE Thing, and Why NowFor February and March, we’re walking through The ONE Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan together. This isn’t a strict book club—you don’t have to be reading along—but each week I’m:* quoting a few short passages from the book,* sharing how they’re landing in my own work and life, and* inviting you to experiment with them in your context.The first three chapters set the foundation:* The ONE Thing / Start Small* The Domino Effect* Success Leaves CluesI first read the book two or three years ago and loved it. Its ideas quietly shaped how I think about focus, and then I drifted (as we do). Coming back now, I feel impatient because I know there’s deeper wisdom later in the book—but these early chapters answer a crucial question: why does a “one thing” even matter?The book opens with this line:“Be like a postage stamp—stick to one thing until you get there.” —Josh BillingsMost of us live in an idea‑rich, opportunity‑rich world. We have long lists of things we want to do, create, launch, and experience. That’s beautiful—and it also makes it hard (and a little scary) to decide what truly deserves our full focus.The Power of Going SmallAt one point, Gary Keller hit a breaking point and decided to go as small as possible with his focus. He writes:“Finally, out of desperation, I went as small as I could possibly go and asked, ‘What’s the ONE Thing you can do this week such that by doing it, everything else would be easier or unnecessary?’ And the most awesome thing happened: results went through the roof… Where I had huge success, I had narrowed my concentration to one thing, and where my success varied, my focus had too.”That’s Chapter 1 in a nutshell: the power of going small.He defines “small” this way:“Small is ignoring all of the things that you could do and doing what you should do. It’s recognizing that not all things matter equally and finding the things that matter most. It’s a tighter way to connect what you do and what you want. It’s realizing that extraordinary results are directly determined by how narrow you can make your focus.”Two phrases I keep coming back to are “extraordinary results” and “how narrow you can make your focus.”We tend to assume that doing more will create more results. This book invites us to flip that: what if doing less and going all‑in on one meaningful thing actually leads to deeper, more satisfying outcomes?In my Intention to Action Workshop I led last week, I borrowed directly from this. I invited participants to list everything that’s holding them back from acting on their intention. Then I asked them to choose one blocker—the one that, if addressed, would make many of the other obstacles easier or irrelevant. That becomes their “one thing” for the season.People often say that simple step suddenly makes their next move feel obvious.The Domino EffectChapter 2 introduces the domino effect as a visual for how focused action compounds over time.Each domino contains a small amount of potential energy. When you line them up, that potential multiplies. But you still only need to push the first one.In workshops, I’ll often ask:“What’s your first domino?”What is the one action that, if you did it first or did it consistently, would start knocking down a row of other tasks, fears, or excuses?Here’s how Keller and Papasan describe it:“When you think about success, shoot for the moon. The moon is reachable if you prioritize everything and put all of your energy into accomplishing the most important thing. Getting extraordinary results is all about creating a domino effect. Every day you line up your priorities, find the lead domino, and whack away at it until it falls. Over time, success is built sequentially. It’s one thing at a time.”When I look at this Substack and podcast, I can see that domino effect. I started the newsletter in fall 2024 and told just a few friends and family. I committed to posting whether or not the audience was big. In January 2025, I added the podcast to challenge myself to speak more freely and show up consistently.I haven’t had explosive growth. But I do have around 400 people who open, read, and listen regularly. That didn’t happen from one magic moment; it came from one post, one episode, one weekend at a time.If you’re reading this and you’re not subscribed yet—but you’re curious about this book and this “one thing” experiment—maybe subscribing (or forwarding this to a friend) is your first little domino today.Success Leaves CluesChapter 3, “Success Leaves Clues,” is about noticing the patterns underneath success.Once you understand the idea of a one thing, you start to see it everywhere. The book points out that if a company doesn’t know its one thing, then its one thing is to figure that out.Those are the questions I’m actively sitting with in my own work right now, and that I build into my new micro-course Deep Work Days:* What’s energizing me?* What’s draining me?* Where could focus create a compounding effect instead of burnout?The chapter also reminds us that no one is self‑made. It talks about mentors and role models—the “one person” whose influence is outsized in our story. Sometimes it’s the person who believes in you at the right time; sometimes it’s the one who lovingly challenges you to act.Some of you have told me this podcast/ blog feels like a sort of mentorship space for you. That honestly means so much. I don’t see myself as a capital‑M Mentor, but I love the idea that this can be one steady, supportive voice in your growth—one domino, one episode, one post at a time.The chapter ends with this line:“The ONE Thing shows up time and again in the lives of the successful because it’s a fundamental truth. It showed up for me, and if you let it, it will show up for you too. Applying the ONE Thing to your work and in your life is the simplest and smartest thing that you can do to propel yourself towards the success you want.”I’m here for that. I want more focus, more alignment, and more intention in how I spend this one life.Your One Thing This WeekI’ll leave you with the question the book keeps bringing us back to:“What is the ONE thing you can do this week such that by doing it, everything else will be easier or unnecessary?”Name it. Write it down. Treat it like your first domino.And if meetings are one of the places where your energy leaks out the fastest, you might enjoy my upcoming FREE workshop:Your Meeting Don’t Have To Suck! (Sign Up Here!)When: Thursday, February 26th at 12 pm ET / 11am CT / 9am PTDuration: 90 minutes LIVE (interactive)Platform: Zoom (link sent upon registration)What to Bring: Your awesome self!In the next post and episode, I’ll dive into the first two “lies” from Part 1 of The ONE Thing: “Everything Matters Equally” and “Multitasking.”Until then, keep asking: “What’s the ONE Thing I can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?”Confessions of a Facilitation Artist is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Hey everyone! What a week! I’ve been facilitating my second design sprint of the year, putting the finishing touches on my Deep Work Days micro‑course, and riding the energy of an incredible From Intention to Action workshop on Friday. Thank you so much to everyone who showed up, engaged, and trusted me with your time. Even with all of those bright spots, there was ONE quiet moment this week that completely rocked my world—and that’s what today’s post is about.Today you’ll learn:* How fear can suddenly show up like a “veil” and steal the color from an ordinary moment* Why my default response to fear (taking action) was actually keeping me from being present* The tiny inner script that helped me say “no, thank you” to panic without changing a single external thing* How a simple gratitude practice made it possible to notice fear and choose again* A practical way you can experiment with this the next time you feel paralyzed by riskIf you’d rather listen to the full, unedited story, you can always catch this episode of Confessions of a Facilitation Artist on Substack, or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts for the more human, non‑AI version.The Veil of FearEarlier this week, during a very normal Monday night ravioli dinner with my husband and boys, I had a not‑so‑normal inner experience. One minute, everything felt bright and in full color—kids talking, plates clinking, the usual chaos. The next, it was as if a gray veil of dread started sliding down over everything.Inside that veil was familiar panic:What if my business doesn’t work?What if these workshops don’t land?What if I’m not doing enough, or I am enough, but it still fails?My default pattern with fear is to take action. I usually cope by doing: tweaking an offer, sending another email, planning the next thing so I don’t have to feel the knot of anxiety in my chest. It’s productive, but it quietly pulls me out of the life that’s happening right in front of me.On this particular night, I couldn’t (and didn’t want to) spring into action. I was sitting at the table with my family. One of my kids was mid‑story. The veil was dropping, and I could feel it trying to drag me away from that moment and back into my head.Then a very clear thought cut through the noise:“There is no point in feeling this way right now. This fear is not serving me.”And instead of leaping into doing, I tried something different. I answered the fear, in my mind, with three simple words:“No, thank you.”I didn’t mean, “Fear, you’re banished forever.” I meant, “You don’t get this moment.” I stayed in my chair. I stayed in the conversation. I didn’t change a single external thing.And the best way I can describe what happened is this: the gray veil lifted. The room was in color again. Same dinner. Same business risks. Different relationship to the fear.People sometimes say I’m overly optimistic, like I’m just walking around with rose‑colored glasses, assuming it will all work out. But that choice didn’t feel naive or fluffy. It felt deeply grounded. Letting fear consume the evening wouldn’t have made my business safer or stronger. It just would have stolen one more ordinary, irreplaceable moment with my family.Gratitude as the Quiet BackboneThat moment didn’t come out of nowhere. Over the last month, I’ve been intensely building a simple gratitude practice: noticing and naming what I’m thankful for in real time. My family. My health. The clients and leaders who trust me. The people who show up for free workshops. The tiny, imperfect signs that this work is gaining traction.Because gratitude has been in the background, I could feel the contrast when fear tried to take over. Gratitude said, “Look at what’s here.” Fear said, “Look at what could go wrong.” Being rooted in gratitude didn’t erase the risk, but it gave me enough stability to see the fear clearly and decide not to hand it the microphone.That, I think, is why I could witness the veil, pause, and choose again—rather than automatically obeying the panic and racing off to “fix” something.What This Season Is Teaching MeI’ve done scary things before: skiing a hill that intimidated me, saying yes to opportunities that stretched me. But entrepreneurship is a different flavor of fear. The stakes feel higher—time, money, reputation, identity all tangled together. There are no guaranteed outcomes.And yet, that Monday night realization confirmed something important: I am exactly where I want to be.Even when results don’t look the way I imagined, I’m getting this unexpected curriculum in:* Noticing when fear is making everything go gray* Separating “this is risky” from “I am not safe”* Choosing presence and trust before I have proof that everything will work outThe work that lights me up—like the From Intention to Action workshop, and launching the Deep Work Days micro-course—comes from this more grounded, trusting version of me, not the frantic one who is trying to out‑work her fear.Try This the Next Time Your Fear Shows UpIf you recognize your own patterns in any of this, here’s a simple way to experiment with your next “veil of fear” moment:* Notice the veilWhen everything suddenly feels heavier and more hopeless, name it: “Oh, this is fear dropping in.”* Thank it for trying to helpQuietly acknowledge: “You’re trying to protect me. I see that.”* Ask what it’s stealingIn this exact moment, what is fear pulling you away from? A conversation? Deep work? Rest? Play?* Set a gentle boundaryTry my tiny script: “No, thank you. You don’t get this moment.” Then, resist the urge to immediately “fix” or “do.”* Ground in gratitudeName three specific things you’re grateful for right now—in the same room, in the same minute. Let them bring the color back.It’s a subtle shift, but it’s powerful: moving from “I must act to stop this fear” to “I can feel this fear and still choose to stay.” That’s the muscle I’m building, one dinner, one workshop, one risk at a time.What’s Next?Next week, I’m bringing back a book focus that I personally need in this season: The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan. I’ll be centering a few episodes around it, starting with chapters 1 and 2 next week. You don’t have to read along, but if you’re juggling a lot and craving focus, you might want to.And if this story resonated, I’d love it if you’d share it with a friend or colleague who’s also learning to notice their own veil of fear—and choose again. Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Before you read…This post is the short, tidy version of this week’s Confessions of a Facilitation Artist episode. If you want the full emotional arc—including why I was genuinely afraid to hit publish this week—go listen to the episode for the raw, unedited story behind the words.Today’s Topic: Workshopping YourselfToday I’m talking about workshopping yourself: using the same tools we bring to groups to gently reset your own story, state, and next steps.In this post, you’ll:* Learn why “strategy” isn’t enough when you feel stuck.* See how I used a simple self-workshop on a very wobbly night in my business.* Get a tiny framework you can use this week to move from intention to action.The Core InsightWhen we’re stuck, we usually ask, “What’s my plan?” instead of, “What’s my story?”Here’s the simple trio I use that I learned from Tony Robbins (yes, Tony Robbins):* State: How you’re showing up right now (nervous, numb, energized). A two-minute reset—walk, stretch, shake, dance—helps you actually arrive in your own life.* Story: The narrative you’re telling yourself about who you are and what’s possible (“I’m behind,” “I’m not cut out for this,” or “I can do hard things”).* Strategy: The concrete steps you’ll take next. Strategy works after you’ve tended to state and story, not before.When I recently launched a new offer and found myself obsessing over email stats and fantasizing about retreating back to safety of a full-time job. I realized I didn’t need one more tactic. I needed a new story about who I am while I do hard things.My Own “Workshop Yourself” MomentOn the last night of my Deep Work Days email campaign, I sat down and asked myself: “What do I actually want here—and why?”I started with:“I want to be a successful artist, facilitator and speaker.”Then I asked “Why?” a few times until I hit the real stuff:* I want people to stop sleepwalking through their days.* I want my family and clients to see what’s possible when we live by design, not default.* I want to reclaim time and joy for myself and for the people I serve.From there, I rewrote my story as:“I am strong, I am steady, and I am successful.”Strong: I can do hard, stretchy things…emotionally, mentally, physically, etc.Steady: I choose groundedness over emotional whiplash.Successful: I measure success by integrity and impact, not just metrics.That one sentence didn’t solve everything, but it changed how I showed up: less frantic, more present, and more willing to keep going.How To Workshop Yourself (In 10 Minutes)Here’s a super simple version you can try this week:* Pick one areaChoose a single area of your life that’s calling for attention—work, health, creativity, money, relationships, or fun. You can use this wheel of life tool to help. * Name what you wantWrite one clear line: “I want to…” (launch the thing, feel less overwhelmed, move my body, reconnect with friends).* Ask “Why?” five timesUnderneath your sentence, write “Why?” and answer it. Then ask “Why?” again. Do this about five times until you hit a reason that feels honest and almost tender.* Rewrite your story in the presentTurn it into an “I am…” statement that feels like your next, truer version:* “I am healthy and energetic.”* “I am focused and spacious with my time.”* “I am strong, steady, and successful.”* Choose one tiny actionAsk: “If this story were true today, what is one small step I would take in the next 24–48 hours?” Make it so small it’s almost impossible not to do.Pro Tip: Working with your LLM (e.g. Perplexity, ChatGPT) of choice can really help in step 4! Your Next StepIf you’re craving a little structure and companionship for this, I’m hosting a FREE LIVE “workshop yourself” session where I’ll guide you through this process and help you turn your story into a short, doable action plan.Between now and then, your invitation is simple:Pick one area, ask yourself “Why?” a few times, and write one present-tense story you’re willing to practice believing. Then take a single, tiny step that aligns with it. Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Hey everyone, I’m releasing this podcast episode and companion post early because I didn’t want you to miss a special announcement coming Sunday the 18th. Just fill out this quick founding member form, and you’ll get an email straight to your inbox with the first look at Deep Work Days, including a massive discount and exclusive bonuses. Also, while this blog version distills the key insights into a tight why/what/how format, but for the full experience—with all the quirky, vulnerable stories with memorable insights—listen to the pod. I intentionally keep episodes around 20 minutes or less so they fit right into your day.Alright, onto today’s topic! Choosing one daily Highlight has quietly changed how I work, parent, and move through my days. Instead of treating my calendar like an endless to‑do list, I now give myself one tiny green box—a Highlight—that says, “If I do this, today counts.”Why I choose a daily HighlightJake Knapp and John Zeratsky , authors of Make Time, explain that the sweet spot for satisfaction is in activities that sit between long-term goals and tiny tasks. They write, “We believe focusing on activities that fall between long-term goals and short-term tasks is the key to slowing down, bringing satisfaction to your daily life, and helping you make time. Long-term goals point us in a direction, but they can make it hard to enjoy the work along the way. Endless tasks keep us busy, but without a focal point, “they fly by in a forgettable haze.”Their invitation—and now mine—is simple: begin each day by asking, “What do I want the highlight of my day to be?”What a Highlight looks like for meIn my Google Calendar, I pick one activity and color it emerald green, because green means growth to me. Sometimes it is deep focus on a project or lesson I’m creating; other days it is a walk with friends (hello Abby Marin and Leanna), a kids’ concert, or game night.Often, it’s gloriously ordinary. Recently, my Saturday Highlight was cleaning out my fridge, which had been quietly stressing me out for months. No one is clapping for that on the internet, but the wave of peace I feel every time I open the door and can actually see what’s inside is real. That one act removed a layer of background anxiety I hadn’t fully noticed.When the real Highlight surprises meNot every Highlight is planned. I’m currently doing a 28‑day gratitude practice using The Magic by Rhonda Byrne, where each night I review my day and choose the one moment I’m most grateful for. One night, despite having a couple of “calendar highlights,” the moment that broke me open was helping my six‑year‑old with his reading.It was messy and emotionally hard, not a cozy storybook scene. I’ve wondered if he might have a learning disability like me, and that question can make every phonics lesson feel heavy. That night, though, I realized how grateful I was to be in it with him—to be his person in the struggle—and I cried. I usually don’t often feel that kind of gratitude in tough parenting, and I’ve long believed parents who do are unicorns and that I’m an inferior species by comparison. That moment showed me that a Highlight isn’t always pretty; sometimes it’s the moment you stayed present in the mess and loved someone through it, including yourself.How you can start your own Highlight practiceKnapp and Zeratsky suggest beginning each day by asking what you hope will be the “bright spot.” “If, at the end of the day, someone asks you, ‘What was the highlight of your day?’ what do you want your answer to be? When you look back on your day, what activity or accomplishment or moment do you want to savor? That’s your Highlight.”Here’s a simple way to try it:* Look at your day and choose one thing that will make life feel lighter, more joyful, or more meaningful.* Put it on your calendar and mark it visually (green, if you like the growth symbolism as much as I do).* At the end of the day, notice: Was that truly the highlight, or did an unexpected moment steal the show? Let that inform tomorrow’s choice.Deep work, at least for me, isn’t about squeezing more in; it’s about choosing what matters and giving it the best of my attention. One small green block at a time.Experience Highlights in Deep Work DaysIf designing your days around one meaningful Highlight resonates, I invite you to join Deep Work Days, my upcoming micro-course that turns this practice—and other calendar-shaping tools—into a repeatable rhythm for busy leaders like you.​The presell opens Sunday the 18th with founding member pricing (a massive discount) plus exclusive bonuses. Fill out the founding member form today, and you’ll get the invite straight to your inbox on the 18th—before anyone else. One green block at a time, let’s make space for what actually matters. Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

This post is the practical snapshot of a much richer conversation from this week’s Confessions of a Facilitation Artist podcast. If you want the stories, nuance, and “oh my gosh, that’s me” moments, listen to the episode first, then come back here to put the ideas into action.And if this hits home, my upcoming micro‑course, Deep Work Days, walks you step‑by‑step through this work with templates, scripts, and more detailed guidance.Why Your Calendar Needs a CleanseBefore I started doing what I now call a calendar cleanse, my days were wall‑to‑wall meetings and my evenings felt like a second shift: dinner, homework, kid activities, and the emotional labor of everyone’s big feelings. It was a lot.I wasn’t just tired—I felt scattered, behind, and guilty that I wasn’t fully present anywhere. That was my signal that something had to change inside my workday, not just outside of it.What a Calendar Cleanse Actually IsA calendar cleanse is my simple practice of stripping my work calendar down and then rebuilding it with intention so I can create real, predictable deep work time during the week.Instead of assuming I have no control, I pause, step back, and consciously decide:* What truly has to stay* What can move* What can disappear entirelyI go into much more detail (including specific scripts and examples) in the podcast and in Deep Work Days, but here’s the short version.The Core MovesWhen I run a calendar cleanse, I:* Focus on recurring meetings - Those are the real time thieves, not the one‑offs. I note which are one‑on‑one, which are big group meetings, and how much agency I actually have over them.* Identify anchors vs. negotiables - Anchors are the meetings I genuinely cannot move; they become the “icebergs” I work around. Everything else is negotiable: one‑on‑ones, recurring check‑ins, and any meeting without a clear purpose.* Temporarily take recurring meetings off my calendar - I tell people I’m reassessing my calendar to create more focus time for our priorities, remove recurring meetings, and then re‑add what’s still needed at times that work better.* Restack meetings around deep work - I cluster meetings on naturally heavy days (like Mondays or Tuesdays) and deliberately create two or more 60–90 minute blocks for deep, focused work on other days. Those blocks are protected, not “nice‑to‑have if nothing else comes up.In the course, I also share how I factor in energy patterns and exception weeks (e.g. big operations meetings or PI planning), so I’m not overloading myself (or my team) when we’re already maxed out.How This Changed My EveningsPost‑cleanse, my evenings are not magically serene. But they are different in ways that matter. Most nights, we actually sit down and eat together as a family. I have more capacity to be present for homework, learning, and the big feelings that come with being 5 and 10. And a few nights a week, I get to enjoy a game—sometimes chess with my 10‑year‑old, sometimes Chutes and Ladders with my 5‑year‑old—without that buzzing sense that I’m hopelessly behind at work.The cleanse didn’t fix everything, but it gave me back enough margin that evenings feel more like my life and less like spillover from a chaotic day.Want to Go Deeper With This?If you’re curious about how this actually sounds and feels in real life, listen to the podcast episode where I unpack more stories and examples. That’s where you’ll probably recognize yourself.If you want help implementing it, get on the early interest list for Deep Work Days. You’ll be the first to know when it’s live, you’ll get founding‑member pricing, and you’ll get guided support to:* Run your own calendar cleanse* Protect regular deep work blocks* Improve your meetings so they’re actually worth keepingStart small: block one hour, export your calendar, and run your first mini‑cleanse. Then notice what shifts.I can’t wait to here about your results! Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

At the close of each year, I engage in an energy audit. It is one of the simplest practices I have for reclaiming my time, my joy, and my focus as a a leader, entrepreneur and and working mom.This post is a written version of an the podcast episode, where I walk through how I do my own energy audit, why it matters, and how I am turning this into a micro-course for leaders who want more intention and focus in their days. I always recommend the podcast over the blog version. You also can subscribe to the podcast on whatever podcast app you use. Why I Conduct an Energy AuditAt the end of the year and into the new one, I spend time reflecting on what worked, what didn’t, and what I want more (and less) of in the year ahead. I don’t really set classic New Year’s resolutions, but I often have personal and professional OKRs (objectives and key results) for each quarter.Before I set any goals or intentions, I like to look at the reality of how I spent my time: what truly energized me and what quietly drained me. This gives me clarity and context for how to reshape my schedule, set priorities, and protect my energy in the months ahead.What an Energy Audit IsAn energy audit, in my world, is not about your home utilities or some woo-woo ritual. It is simply an intentional review of your past year (or month or week) to see which activities, meetings, people, and commitments have energized you and which have drained you.I usually do a big energy audit at least once a year and then mini-audits when I start to feel overwhelmed. Sometimes I do it at my desk, but recently I did mine on a plane to Austin while traveling to co-facilitate a training.How I Conduct My Energy AuditHere is the basic structure I use, which you can adapt to your own life and work.* Timebox it: Choose a time window: 25, 45, or 60 minutes depending on how deep you want to go. Treat it like a focused work sprint so you actually finish the pass you’ve committed to.* Gather your “evidence”: Open your calendar (work and personal, if possible) and your photos from the period you’re auditing. Optionally pull in things like journals, project lists, or even the backlog of your own content (for me, past podcast episodes).* Create your simple framework: On a piece of paper (or a doc), draw two columns: energizes and drains. If you want, add a small “dig deeper” section at the bottom for things that feel mixed or confusing.* Scan and sort: Start at the beginning of your chosen timeframe (often January for me) and move forward through your calendar.For each meeting, event, or commitment that stands out, tune into your gut: did it energize you or drain you? Add energizing items (like a great virtual coffee or a workshop you loved delivering) to the energizes column. Add draining items (like certain recurring meetings, obligations, or even social time that left you depleted) to the drains column.* Use your photos for emotional recall: Scroll back through your photos and notice where there was genuine joy or aliveness. Also notice the memories where everyone looks “fine” on camera, but you remember feeling awful or misaligned in the moment.If something feels both energizing and draining, you can drop it in the “dig deeper” area rather than getting stuck in analysis paralysis. This is meant to be a quick, intuitive pass—not a perfectionist spreadsheet.What My Energy Audit RevealedLooking back at my year, I saw a lot of travel and work that genuinely lit me up: visiting AJ&Smart, being part of Fullstack Facilitator, joining Voltage Control’s Facilitation Lab Summit, and making memories on family and friend trips. Those moments reminded me just how much joy is actually present in my life, often captured quietly in my camera roll.I also saw the other side:* Certain recurring meetings at work that felt like they slowly drained me over time.* Social situations where, even though I like the people, I left feeling heavy or misaligned.* A specific family outing to an apple farm where I was in a terrible mood, powered more by obligation and fear than intention.Even in my reading and content creation, there were patterns. I realized how forced I felt pushing myself through the book Co-Intelligence for the podcast, compared with how naturally energized I felt reading books like Everything is Figureoutable, The Six Types of Working Genius, and The Coaching Habit. That contrast told me a lot about the kind of transformation work I truly want to be doing with people.Using the Audit to Make ChangesAn energy audit is most effective to help you uncover the changes that you want to make. Once I have my energizes and drains lists, I start asking: what do I want more of, what do I want less of, and what can I change at a micro level?Here are some ways this shows up for me:* Rethinking recurring commitments - A single meeting might be tolerable, but as a weekly recurring block, it can compound into a major energy drain. Sometimes that means renegotiating my role in the meeting, how it is run, or whether it needs to exist at all.* Micro energy audits throughout the year - If a full-year audit feels like too much, I often look back just a month or a quarter when I feel overwhelmed. Simple prompts like “What energized me this week?” and “What drained me this week?” help me course-correct in real time.* Accepting necessary drains and changing how I show up - There are meetings and responsibilities that, at least for a season, I choose to keep even if they drain me. Parenting is a big example: I love being a working mom, but many aspects of parenting are genuinely draining, and that is okay to admit.Where I do have choice, I try to adjust how I show up, lower unrealistic expectations of how I “should” feel, or redesign the container (timing, format, boundaries) so it costs me less energy. Over time, these micro changes add up to big shifts in how my days feel.Why This Matters Even More in 2026This year, my energy audit landed differently. My sister is living with terminal cancer, and I honestly do not know what that will mean for my time and capacity in 2026.Given that context, I decided I will not sustainably commit to a packed year full of large, in-person or remote workshops beyond what I already do for my current company. At the same time, my purpose—to help leaders, especially busy working parents, reclaim their time and joy—feels more important than ever.So I asked myself: how might I support leaders in a meaningful way without overcommitting my energy and time? The answer: create smaller, focused experiences that meet you where you are.Big News! A New Micro-Course to Help You Reclaim Your Time and JoyOut of this reflection, I decided to create a micro-course designed to help you reclaim your time, your focus, and your energy—starting with exercises like the energy audit. The goal is to help you get at least 5+ hours of focused time back on your calendar each week, so your personal strategy drives your calendar, not just Slack notifications or other people’s priorities.Here is what you can expect from this new offering:* Bite-sized, asynchronous lessons - You can go through facilitation-style prompts and exercises on your own time, without needing to show up live. I will guide you through practices like energy audits, calendar cleanups, and strategic focus blocks.* Optional live touchpoints - I plan to host live Q&A sessions and workshops as a free complement to the micro-course, as my schedule allows. If I need to cancel for family reasons, I can do so with less guilt, because the core value sits in the self-paced material you already have.If you’re living in calendar chaos, constantly drained, or feeling like your days are run by everyone else’s urgency, this is built with you in mind. I will share more details and how to join in an upcoming post…tomorrow! Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

As always, I recommend you listen to the podcast version here or wherever you listen to podcasts! It’s more fun, human and filled with inspirational context…sometimes! It’s also less than 20 minutes which is really short on 1.5x.It’s the end of the year, and if you’re anything like me, you might be feeling that strange combination of gratitude, exhaustion, and “wait… what just happened?”This year brought its share of ups and downs — in business, life, and everything in between. As an entrepreneur, it often feels like I’m working all the time. Even when I’m not at my desk, my brain’s still in work mode. And yet, underneath all that productive energy, something important has been missing.That missing piece was my why. Not the polished, professional why about “helping humans reclaim their time and joy.” That’s true — but it’s not the whole story. Underneath that lives an older, stranger, more playful why that I tucked away years ago.Confession: I’m a PuppeteerHere’s the truth — a huge part of my creative heart has always belonged to puppetry.Specifically, shadow puppetry.Somewhere online, there are traces of my past life — the shadow puppet shows I once created with friends, full of light and paper and silhouette. It was weird and whimsical and wonderful. It was also where I felt most alive.Then life got louder. I shifted into work that felt more “practical.” I started dividing myself: the 9-5 side here, the art side there. They didn’t always belong at the same table.But recently, that division has stopped feeling acceptable. So, I made a decision: I’m bringing puppetry back.An Impractical Decision (On Purpose)Let’s be honest — bringing puppetry back is wildly impractical. It’s time-consuming, messy, unscalable, and absolutely not something a strategist (or AI) would recommend.But here’s what I know to be true:* The impractical things are often the most essential to our aliveness.* Play feeds courage.* And courage feeds the so-called practical parts of business.Part of this is for my kids. I want them to see all of me — not just the mom who works, cooks, and coordinates, but the artist and performer who cut tiny shapes and made them move across a glowing screen. I want them to believe it’s normal to follow what lights you up, even if it doesn’t fit into a business plan.The Experiment: Puppets in The Meeting KitchenSo here’s the experiment I’m playing with:What if I literally brought a shadow puppet booth into my facilitation work? (and no, I wouldn’t bring the puppets from the Justin Bieber show!)Imagine a small, portable world of light and story beside the flip charts and sticky notes. How would it change the way people engage? What new conversations might open up?Puppetry, after all, has always been about story, metaphor, and seeing ourselves in another shape — just like the innovation I foster with individual and teams. My job isn’t just to run effective meetings and workshops; it’s to invite people to bring their whole selves into the room. And if that’s what I want for others, I have to do it first.Where Art Meets The Meeting KitchenI’ve also been thinking about how my daily papercutting fits into all this. Some of you might know that I once had an Etsy store where I sold papercuts — mostly fruits and veggies. It feels like that creative thread wants to return in a new form.My business name, The Meeting Kitchen, comes from the idea that meetings are like meals we prepare together. So lately, I’ve been imagining a future version of that kitchen — a place where meeting-inspired art, playful tools, and maybe even my papercut veggies all live under one roof.Not “serious business” over here and “side art” over there — but one whole, coherent system. Because how we gather, the tools we use, and the art we surround ourselves with all shape how we think and feel in a room.An Invitation for YouNow I’m curious — what’s the impractical part of you that’s asking to come back?Maybe it’s a forgotten hobby, a small ritual, or an illogical joy that doesn’t fit neatly into your schedule. Maybe that’s the missing nutrient your work has been craving.Consider this your permission slip to experiment. Let that creative piece stand beside your strategy decks, your boards, your plans — and see what kind of new magic appears.Next week, I’ll be sharing something big that I am working on to help you reclaim your time and joy in 2026!Until then, may your days be a little more human, a little more playful, and a little more magical.And…here’s my mysterious Puppet Shows* How to Make Vegan Cupcakes - This is less weird but the video is not great so I am linking to an old blog for additional context. * 12 Degrees of Justin Bieber - The Puppet Show - This is very weird and I am linking to an old blog so you have some context if desired. Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Hey everyone! This week is a little different. I actually made a video post. Watch my raw, on-camera Lightning Research Review of 2025’s top Substack insights—it’s a fun, visual recap using a Miro board you can explore yourself. I time-boxed it to highlight eight game-changing artifacts with quick takeaways, proving consistency drives real growth. You can view the actual miro board where I documented this with links too!Top InsightsI walked through my solo Miro board, linking back to key posts and podcasts for you to dive deeper.1. Embracing the MagicKicked off 2025 with Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic quote: “Do you have the courag\ to bring forth the treasures hidden within you?” Hitting record unedited on Substack liberated me, embracing progress over perfection as a busy mom—and fueled my content strategy, repurposing one post into 3-5 social hits, à la Amy Porterfield.2. And What Else?From The Coaching Habit, this “Awe Question” unlocked deeper conversations with my kids, team, and mentees—getting past surface issues to root challenges and boosting my management skills.3. Working GeniusPat Lencioni’s framework explained why some meetings make you “want to barf,” revealing geniuses in vision, strategy, and execution. My Canva visuals exploded my LinkedIn growth—recommend this leadership fable for 2026.4. Full Stack FacilitatorAJ&Smart’s event with Jonathan Courtney’s emergent collaboration system was transformative (and FOMO-inducing)—read my takeaways for the full impact.5. Everything is FigureoutableMarie Forleo’s rules: All problems/dreams are figureoutable (unless facts like gravity); if not, pivot to what lights you up. Re-listening amid challenges reignited my entrepreneurial fire.6. Building CommunityShared how I foster connection in 25 minutes—then vulnerably updated on my sister Annie’s terminal cancer diagnosis right before my birthday. Your overwhelming support showed our community’s humanity.7. Lightning Research ReviewThis team-alignment exercise (demoed live) zapped my “curse of knowledge”—realizing I hadn’t shared enough facilitator tools, sparking huge interest and requests.8. Growth ProofSubstack stats show steady follower climb from weekly consistency, plus overlaps with faves like Facilitators Corner and Lenny’s Newsletter. Grab the Miro template to try it yourself! One more episode before year’s end—watch the video for the full energy.Whenever you’re ready, I can help you with:* Workshop design and facilitation* Facilitation and workshop training, including AI Opportunity Mapping, Strategy & Design Sprints* Intention setting, planning, and incremental progress for success Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Note: If you want the full story and step-by-step walkthrough, listen to the latest podcast version of Confessions of a Facilitation Artist where I break this down in detail.Snowstorms in Michigan have me thinking about “crap storms”—my go-to technique for surfacing fears and risks through playful pre-mortems, inspired by Gary Klein’s method of imagining project failure upfront. It counters optimism bias, sparks honest talks, and primes killer solutions for personal hurdles or team brainstorms.I use it solo when fears flood in on tough problems: jot worst cases, laugh at the absurdity, then flip to “What’s the best outcome instead?” With teams, before ideation on products or challenges, it releases tension in under 10 minutes and boosts creativity.Simple Steps to Run a “Crap Storm”* Set the scene (1 min): Explain it’s a fun pre-mortem: “Imagine this project/feature/plan failed—what’s the worst that could happen?” Encourage ridiculousness.* Silent brainstorm (2-3 min): Everyone writes crap storm events individually, like “Clients demand refunds via billboards!” No talking yet.* Share and laugh (3-5 min): Go around; each shares 1-2 favorites. Normalize fears with humor—watch the energy shift.* Flip the script (2 min): Ask, “Now, what’s the opposite—our dream outcomes?” Transition to solution brainstorming.Try it for holiday family drama too: name the aunt-induced nightmares, then design your ideal boundaries. This quick flip from fear to focus is facilitation gold.That’s it!I admit this week is short in the blog version. My past self has the foresight of batch recording a few weeks ago since I knew how crazy life would be. My present self was barely able to get out the blog version. I have had the flu the last few days and this is all I have to give! See you next week. Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Note: If you want the full story and step‑by‑step walkthrough, listen to the latest podcast version of Confessions of a Facilitation Artist where I break this down in detail. Also, scroll to the bottom to get a quick start guide!As the year winds down and strategy season ramps up, I’ve been reflecting on the different ways I’ve facilitated strategy at my company. One exercise keeps rising to the top as my go‑to for cutting through noise, gathering context quickly, and getting a cross‑functional group aligned: a simple 25‑minute activity I call the Lightning Research Review.Most of the people I work with are constantly context switching, which means they often show up to strategy or discovery sessions carrying whatever is most recent or loudest in their world.The Lightning Research Review helps reset that by giving everyone a chance to engage directly with key artifacts—research, metrics, case studies, internal docs—and surface the main ideas and most important insights together.In practice, I use this as a fast primer before strategy sprints, planning offsites, or design sprints, and as a way to rapidly get teams up to speed on complex topics like AI use cases. I do a bit of prep to curate or collect artifacts, then guide the group through a tight 25‑minute flow of silent review, sticky‑note insights, lightning‑fast shares, and a quick synthesis of what has the most “heat” for our next stepsWhat makes this so powerful is how it turns context‑setting from a passive slide‑deck download into an active learning experience. In just 25 minutes, the team builds a shared understanding of the problem space, spots patterns, and gets ready to make better decisions—without burning out on endless presentation. Want to experience this in action?I have drafted up a quick start guide for you with the template. If you want the virtual version in miro or mural, leave a comment! I’ll likely do another post and host a training for this in the new year. More Ways to ConnectIf you are in West Michigan, I’ll be facilitating at the the West Michigan Product Community on Wednesday, December 10 from 5:00–6:30 p.m. at Atomic Object in Grand Rapids.Also, I’d love to connect with you for a virtual coffee to learn and grow together. Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Note: Listen to the podcast for more detail and examples!Greetings from upstate NY! I’ve been visiting my family and, as I do at the end of most years, reflecting on what’s working for me and what isn’t. About a year ago, during one of those reflections, I audited my calendar and created a simple hack that’s changed how I work. I call it: Brown Meetings.I’m a mom of two boys (10 and 5) and, until recently, I was in a full-time corporate role; now I’m part-time, but the meeting load is still intense. Back when my youngest was in daycare and constantly sick, I needed a way to instantly see which meetings I absolutely had to protect, and which could move, be skipped, or caught later on a recording. That’s when I started color-coding my calendar. Here’s my system:* Gray = default, probably negotiable.* Purple = high-impact, non-negotiable (I’m presenting, key decisions, needs prep).* Green = my “highlight” of the day (focus time, creative work, or something joyful). I learned this from “Make Time” by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky. * Brown = I’m not driving, my participation is light, I can be off camera, and I can mostly just listen.Brown Meetings are the ones where sitting, on-camera, at my desk is overkill. Instead, I:* Go for a walk. * Drive to a coffee shop to set up a later focus block.* Do simple, hands-on tasks (like wrapping gifts or folding laundry).Because I’m an auditory learner, pairing these meetings with light physical activity actually makes me a better listener. The rule: whatever I’m doing cannot compete with my mental bandwidth—no writing strategy docs while I’m “listening.”Brown Meetings are also how I practice being more strategic with my time. If I’m saying yes to a Brown Meeting, I ask: what am I also saying yes to that supports my health, energy, or focus? Color-coding helps me protect what truly matters (purple and green), loosen the rules on how I show up (brown), and feel less guilty about skipping the rest (gray) when life happens.If this resonates, try this:* Pick your colors for default, critical, highlight, and Brown Meetings.* Recolor next week’s calendar.* For each Brown Meeting, decide: walk, drive, simple task, or skip and catch the recording.Your meetings don’t have to run your life. A few intentional colors can help you reclaim your time, energy, and sanity—without quitting your job or becoming a different person overnight.FREE MINI MEETING MASTERCLASS!If you are interested in how to make the most of your meetings, check out my Free Mini Meeting Masterclass. This includes a step by step guide and mini-course for creating a kick-ass agenda for engagement and better outcomes!More Ways to Connect with MeIf you want to go deeper into facilitation, product communities, or just geek out about better meetings and better calendars, here are a few places I’ll be showing up:* I’ll be in Austin, Texas, co-facilitating a Facilitation Fundamentals training with Mimi Garcia on December 3–4.* There’s a Facilitation Lab Grand Rapids meetup on December 5 at Squibb Coffee on Wealthy Street, sponsored by Voltage Control.* I facilitate the West Michigan Product Community, and our next meetup is on Wednesday, December 10 from 5:00–6:30 p.m. at Atomic Object in Grand Rapids. Here’s the sign up page!If you’re curious about Brown Meetings or want to share how you adapt this idea, I’d love to hear from you. And wherever this finds you, I hope you feel inspired to color-code your calendar in a way that supports not just your productivity, but your whole life. Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Happy November! If you tuned in last week, you know I’m pivoting a bit with this podcast. Life has its ebbs and flows (I don’t think I need to remind anyone of that these days), and the best I can offer is to show up as I am, pressing record—or, in this case, hitting publish—without over-editing or chasing perfection. Progress, not perfection, ALWAYS!NOTE: IF YOU READ OR LISTEN TO THIS, YOU’LL LEARN HOW TO GET A HANDMADE PAPERCUT CARD FROM ME IN 2026!Shifting into Gratitude SeasonSince it’s Thanksgiving season (or at least it is while I’m writing), it’s the perfect pause in the year to reflect on gratitude. Don’t worry—I’m not going to get “woo-woo” on you, but I do want to share why this matters, how I’ve made it practical, and a bit of the science behind why gratitude makes a difference.I started weaving gratitude micropractices and mantras into my routine around the time of Covid, when I was juggling a newborn and a four-year-old and desperately wanted to feel some agency amid chaos. Honestly, those little rituals—whether jotting down “wins” at the end of the day or simply closing my eyes to send a random, silent thank you to someone—helped me feel anchored.And yes, I dove into the research. Practicing gratitude is scientifically linked to improved sleep, stronger immunity, and reduced anxiety. According to UCLA Health, simply practicing gratitude can immediately raise your happiness by 10% and lower depressive symptoms by 35% (though consistency is key, like with any good habit).The Pathway to Success: Napoleon Hill and Going the Extra MileLately, I’ve been steeped in the teachings of Napoleon Hill—both “Think and Grow Rich” and his vintage Master Key TV series. What really stuck out was his focus on Going the Extra Mile. He teaches that true success isn’t about doing just enough to get by; it comes from intentionally choosing to exceed expectations. Not to get something in return, but to build trust, inspire others, and create a ripple effect of excellence.Sure, there are folks who only want to do more after the reward is promised. But for me, Hill’s point is about character. Going the extra mile is about who we are when no one’s watching—not just what we’ll get in return.How Gratitude and Going the Extra Mile IntertwineSomething I’ve realized: gratitude rituals push us to go the extra mile. When you consciously practice gratitude—whether it’s writing out your “plusses” at the end of the day or offering a heartfelt shout out at work—you naturally want to give more. It motivates you to show up for others and strengthens the fabric of your relationships, both at home and at work.I see this constantly on my teams and in my own life. When people express gratitude, they become more engaged, more willing to chip in, and more likely to do the little extra things that make a difference. Hill’s principle and gratitude rituals really are intertwined, because both are about intentionally investing care and attention, not just for today but for a lifetime of building community and trust.My Simple Gratitude RitualsIf you’re hoping for some ideas: I don’t ask anyone to do a 28-day gratitude bootcamp (though “The Magic” by Rhonda Byrne was a wild ride when I tried it). My rituals are simple, accessible, and sustainable.* At the end of most days, I scribble down five to ten “plusses”—good things, big or small, that happened that day.* Sometimes I close my eyes and silently thank someone, anyone who pops into my mind.* At work, I’ll shoot off a random thank-you Slack or email, or give someone a shout out in a meeting. These little moments ripple out in ways you’d never expect.But my signature move? Random LinkedIn recommendations—I’ve even built a little AI co-pilot to help. Every Thursday(ish), I pick someone from my career who’s made a difference, and I write them a note for the world to see, celebrating what makes them special.And then there are my five-minute handmade paper cut gratitude cards. I make them without fuss, usually for no reason other than to let someone know they matter. The responses are sometimes instant and overwhelming—a few people have confessed those cards reached them on the day they needed it most. That’s why I do it.Want a Card From Me?If you’ve read this far, here’s a little offer: I’d love to send you a handmade gratitude card in 2026. Just fill out the Google Form in my Substack or newsletter with your name and address. No gimmicks, no spam—just one human expressing thanks to another.However you celebrate (or don’t celebrate) Thanksgiving, I hope this inspires you to create or deepen your own gratitude ritual. Maybe even reach out to someone today and let them know you appreciate them—go the extra mile, just because.Thank you so much for reading, for supporting me, for being part of this journey. Wishing you whatever it is you need most right now—connection, rest, courage, or simply a moment to pause and feel thankful.With gratitude,MonicaWhenever you’re ready, I can help you with:* Workshop design and facilitation* Facilitation and workshop training, including AI Opportunity Mapping, Strategy & Design Sprints* Intention setting, planning, and incremental progress for success Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

The Power—and Reality—of NetworksHey, everyone. I am dropping this one today because it compliments some hard news I shared on Facebook today. This week’s blog is going to be short and honest (which may be a better version to listen to!) I’ve been up to some pretty cool things (more on that later), and this episode is inspired by Questlove’s “Creative Quest,” especially the chapter 4, The Network.Why Community Matters to MeWhen I moved to Grand Rapids in 2019 and started working remote, I knew I needed real local connections. I found a monthly agile lunch group that was the antidote to Zoom burnout. It was powerful—and genuine—to meet with people, talk about our problems, and realize we share so much even when our contexts look different. After COVID, that product group faded away. About a year ago (actually I have realized it’s been almost 2 years now), I told myself: If the community I want doesn’t exist, it’s on me to build it. So, I started the West Michigan Product Community on LinkedIn, hunted down anyone in the area with a product-related title, and just started reaching out. Then I hosted meetups. My first in-person product coffee meetup? Literally nobody showed up. It was awkward and weird. But here’s the lesson: Real networking isn’t instant Instagram success. It’s slow, persistent, and—if you’re lucky—a little bit fun. And fast forward to today, we have a vibrant product community with well attended meetups!Collaboration and Facilitation TipsNow, I partner with Jason and Rebecca to run these meetups, and what makes them special isn’t attendance—it’s meaningful connection. We use facilitation tools like Liberating Structures’ “one-two-for-all,” where folks reflect alone, pair up, then join groups and share. Prompts like “How do you use AI?” become our jumping-off point. In just 25 minutes, 25 people bond; it feels intentional, not awkward. Making those spaces comfortable and real is key. If you want to build your own network, get messy, try facilitation games, and know persistence pays off.Here’s a little video I took of the community at our meetup the other day! That’s the power of liberating structures and facilitation right there! When Networks Really MatterThis episode is especially personal to me. Recently, my sister, Annie’s breast cancer came back and spread quickly. It’s everywhere…liver, lungs, spine, femur, hips, colar bone, and the skull. We really don’t know how long she has so naturally she is checking off her bucket list with her kids, and we’ll also travel to New York state more. When she found out in the ER a few weeks ago, I flew out as soon as we realized how serious it was. I bought a one way ticket. I stayed for a week…a long time to leave your kids and spouse with no notice. I got to spend time with her at the hospital—and take her home, care for her (even celebrate my birthday with her). It reminded me that we barely get this kind of time together as adults with kids. She shared this to her network yesterday on Facebook, the only time social media can really be useful. But this is the power of the network…my friends, my collaborators, my local community (including my product meetup collaborators) turned out in all the best ways, checking in, sending cards, showing up. Even social media, which often feels fake to me, became a way to see love and care pouring in for my sister. Networks matter not just for professional success, but because when life gets hard, these are the people who show up for you.My Next ChapterI want to be real: I’m taking a pause to focus on my family and healing. The book club and podcast may slow down, but everything I’ve learned about networks—from product meetups to deeply personal support—reminds me it’s worth building relationships intentionally, one coffee at a time. Get out from behind your screen, show up messily and authentically, and watch your community form in surprising ways.So you may or may not get consistency leading up to the holidays, and I have decided that I will not finish Creative Quest via this substack. I will read it, and might document ideas and inspiration from it…but am not going to formally guide you through the book like I have in the past. Thank you for sticking with me. I hope these honest reflections spark something for you—about your own network, or how you show up for others. I’ll be back when it’s time, and in the meantime, keep nurturing your connections and yourself.Whenever you’re ready, I can help you with:* Workshop design and facilitation* Facilitation and workshop training, including AI Opportunity Mapping, Strategy & Design Sprints* Intention setting, planning, and incremental progress for success Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome back to Confessions of a Facilitation Artist. This week I’m sharing some deep insights from Chapter 3 of Questlove’s Creative Quest—all about Getting Started with creativity, igniting ideas, capturing inspiration, and embracing even the wildest thoughts.Whether you’re new here or following the series, you don’t need to have read the book or listened to previous episodes to get value from this post. My aim with these reflections is to spark your own creative journey and share practical ways to show up for your creative self.The Creative Process Is Always in MotionCreativity is always a process—not just the product we finally hold in our hands or share with the world. As Questlove writes, “ideas swirl around us in a constant stream, moving fast through our brains.” The real challenge? It’s capturing those flashes before the muse moves on.This reminds me of Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic, which I discussed early this year in this post: creative impulses come to us, but if we don’t act on them quickly—if we don’t capture them—they vanish. I’ve felt that challenge deeply, and today I want to share some ways we can meet it head-on.Igniting Creativity: Simple Practices That WorkWhen people ask me how to get inspired or spark ideas, I often say it’s about creating space for your mind to wander. Questlove highlights that coffee alone won’t do the trick—though I admit caffeine helps!One of my favorite methods is taking a 10- to 15-minute walk, often multiple times a day. Sometimes I put on music that sparks my thinking, but mostly I let my mind roam freely, not filling it with constant information or podcasts. It’s during these walks that connections form, and ideas start to surprise me from nowhere.In fact, when I facilitate strategy sprints, I offer participants a choice: sketch ideas for 15 minutes or step outside for a walk to let those ideas percolate. Guess what most choose? Walking. It sparks fresh thinking that writing alone can’t always ignite.And while many of you get ideas in the shower, I have this dream of having a whiteboard everywhere for all the thoughts that come unbidden!Finding Inspiration Through ObservationFor those moments when you need a creative jumpstart, Questlove suggests honing your observation skills. One powerful practice? Visit a garden. There’s something life-giving about being among growing plants—pausing to notice details and growth nurtures creativity. I live in Grand Rapids, Michigan, near the Meijer Sculpture Garden, and I’m planning a trip there soon to soak in inspiration.Another favorite of Questlove’s is attending an athletic competition like a basketball game. Watching athletes train, prepare, and compete reminds him that creativity also needs preparation. When you observe carefully, you’re priming your brain to create.Lastly, Questlove does “MP3 pruning”—reflecting on old music collections, album art, and stories. This sparks ideas by reconnecting with meaningful sources. I look at my own bookshelf and feel a similar pull to revisit and seek inspiration.Capturing Ideas: The Missing LinkIgniting ideas is only half the battle. Often, ideas come in fleeting moments on walks, in the shower, or during meditation—and if you don’t capture them, they disappear.In facilitated team settings, we do quick exercises called Lightning Ideas or “10 for 10” where people rapidly write ideas for five minutes, including bad ideas. This “crap storm” encourages brain play and leads to new good ideas.But what about solo moments? I confess: I don’t have a perfect system yet, and I lose ideas all the time. So I’m experimenting with idea stations in places where ideas strike: a post-it note, pen, and Mason jar in my bathroom, by the bed, and near the door after walks. When inspiration hits, I just jot it down and drop it in the jar—no pressure, no immediate action. Then I review those notes weekly during focused “tiger time” sessions.Having some system, no matter how simple, is crucial to capturing ideas before they slip away.Embrace the Crazy IdeasA major insight: many of us immediately shut down wild or unconventional ideas. We judge them as impractical or ridiculous and discard them.Questlove challenges us to spend extra time with those ideas, experiment, and riff on them. Sometimes the seemingly crazy idea is the one that propels us forward.As an entrepreneur, I’m constantly asking: Is this worth my time? But I’ve realized limiting beliefs often cause me to dismiss good possibilities.You Are Both Creator and AudienceThis was a profound moment for me when I read Questlove’s quote about “when you create work, you are also the eventual audience.” We often imagine the audience as someone else, cooler or more critical, and discredit our own ideas.But your creations will come back to you. Sometimes months later, I listen to past podcast episodes and feel like my past self is speaking directly to my future self. It’s powerful and healing.For example, after my neighbor John died earlier this year, I recorded an episode about grief that I still return to when I need it. I’ve also shared about my sister’s illness and the early stages of grieving through this podcast—it’s become a way to process life’s real challenges over time.So, if nothing else: create for yourself. Life is short and immediate, and your creative work has value for you, helping you grow and show up fully in the world.Flip Your Perspective: “Through the Looking Glass”Questlove offers a final challenge: start each day by “believing the opposite of everything you think you know.”I’ve tried exercises like doing my entire morning routine with my non-dominant hand to break autopilot. It forces presence and fresh thinking.More importantly, we can flip our mindset about the week ahead. Instead of succumbing to the “Sunday scaries” and dreading boring meetings or obligations, imagine your week as your best week ever. Picture feeling energized, accomplishing important things, and making space for what matters.During my corporate years, my walking breaks saved me from dreary days packed with “brown meetings”—meetings I color-coded because they often felt soul-sucking. But I didn’t let them stop me; I started walking during meetings, sometimes wrapping Christmas presents, often more engaged when moving than sitting passively.This kind of creative problem-solving—challenging constraints and finding ways to do what matters—is what I encourage you to embrace.Your Takeaways* Ignite creativity with simple acts: walks, observation, and gathering inspiration from diverse sources* Capture your ideas with systems that work for you—even a Mason jar and post-it notes will do* Don’t dismiss the crazy ideas; nurture and experiment with them* Create for yourself; you are both creator and audience of your work* Challenge your assumptions and believe the opposite to reframe your perspective and open possibilitiesI hope these reflections from Creative Quest inspire you to start—or continue—your own creative journey. Capture those ideas, create bravely, and make your life your masterpiece.I’ll be back soon with Chapter 4 and more insights. Until then, keep creating and figure out your own path.Whenever you’re ready, I can help you with:* Workshop design and facilitation* Facilitation and workshop training, including AI Opportunity Mapping, Strategy & Design Sprints* Intention setting, planning, and incremental progress for success Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

I’m back with the blog version if you prefer to read! This blog post distills insights (yes, this week with the help of AI because I am really short on time) from my latest podcast inspired by Chapter 2 of Questlove’s Creative Quest, exploring the subtle and surprising power of mentors and apprentices. The podcast has many more insights and stories (and was not created by AI), so it’s worth a listen at 1.5 speed. Mentorship: Not Always What You ExpectQuestlove’s second chapter dives into mentors and apprenticeships. The most striking lesson? We often don’t realize who our mentors are until we look back. Many years in small arts organizations to higher ed and even edtech left me asking, “Where are the mentors?” I have often felt I am left to figure it out alone. Mentorship isn’t always an official role or always your boss. Often, it’s often a person who influences your work by example or casual advice. If you feel mentor-less, look beyond your immediate circle. Influence can—and often does—come from unexpected places.Lessons Heard, Lessons Applied“It wasn’t the lessons that were taught, it was the lessons that were heard.” - QuestloveThe heart of apprenticeship is being open and receptive to what’s offered. In my world, attending Voltage Control’s Facilitation Lab Summit introduced me to the power of learning from fellow facilitators. Last year, my colleague, JJ presented. Through his session and our workshop collaboration, his style and approach has since influenced my own, even though the relationship wasn’t formal mentorship.Channeling Influence, Honoring VoiceHere’s an exercise I’ve used since my twenties: before big presentations or interviews, I channel people I respect, borrowing their clarity and confidence (my version is “What Would Jonathan Courtney* Do?”). It’s not about imitation—it’s an act of honoring influence while trusting that my unique voice always comes through.So don’t apologize for reflecting your mentors or influences. Your originality is always present, no matter whose echo you carry.*I reflect on my journey of his mentorship a little in this post. Growth by SubtractionSometimes clarity comes from knowing what you don’t want. Questlove knew early on he didn’t want to be “just a drum machine.” In my art—especially paper cutting—I create by removing what doesn’t belong, letting the shape emerge. Growth is often subtraction, not addition.Creative Blend: Becoming Your OwnWe are all “Frankenstein’s monster”—a unique blend of influences, not copies. AI can’t replicate your context or lived experiences. The act of blending influences into something new is the essence of creative power.Reciprocity and AbundanceTrue mentorship isn’t top-down. Jay Dilla, a key influence for Questlove, modeled generosity and mutual exchange—making everyone feel valued. In my work as a facilitator, and in conversations with peers like David, Mimi, Lindsay, Tim, Sebastian, Andy, and Cat (and SOOOOO many more), I’ve learned to treat colleagues as comrades, not competitors. The world is big, and there’s room for all of us to contribute meaningfully.And, of course, let’s consider Questlove’s final thought: “The mismatch is the match. Attach yourself to people who understand things you don’t quite understand.” Look for mentors who stretch your perspective, not just those who share it.Homework & ReflectionHere’s your invitation:* List something you created recently whether it be art, a presentation or a successful yet crucial conversation with your spouse or kids. Close your eyes and reflect on who influenced you directly or indirectly? Reach out and say thank you.* Define your role as apprentice. What’s one core thesis statement you’re living by from learning from others?* Seek out people who know things you don’t—and let curiosity guide you.Final ThoughtsSharing what you learn is powerful. It documents your own growth and quietly ripples outward—someone else will be influenced by your honesty and reflection. Progress is better than perfection. Let’s learn, share, and evolve together.If this resonates, let me know—share with someone who’s influenced you, or reflect in the comments about your own learning journey.Whenever you’re ready, I can help you with:* Workshop design and facilitation* Facilitation and workshop training, including AI Opportunity Mapping, Strategy & Design Sprints* Intention setting, planning, and incremental progress for success Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Hey friends! First, thank you all who reached out to me the last week after I shared I needed to take a break for a family emergency.This week, Confessions of a Facilitation Artist is shifting to podcast-only mode, at least for now and perhaps a while longer. There won’t be a full blog version. Instead, you’ll find these episodes kept intentionally short (Main Points & InsightsI Ramble About* The concept of “The Spark” (Chapter One from Creative Quest by Questlove): Creativity begins as a flicker—an idea, an instinct, sometimes a stubborn hope—and nurturing it is an act of survival and meaning.* The question “Is everyone creative?” sparked reflection; True creativity is about making things, not identity—it can show up in daily actions, small moments, and personal connections.* Recent events highlighted the courage it takes to keep showing up for what matters, especially in the face of fear, doubt, and the pressure to quit when life is tough.* Simple daily rituals, like tending to the garden or appreciating a small vignette at my sister’s house, are meaningful manifestations of creativity.* Key practice for the week: Micro meditation—brief moments to step back, breathe, and rekindle creative focus. Recommended: Watch “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” to appreciate devotion to craft, and find even one minute to pause and nurture your creative spark.* I encourage you to honor your spark, take gentle care of yourself and those you love, and remember (via Questlove): “Being creative is proof that we can leave an imprint on time.”Hope you tune in, nourish your own spark, and keep taking those imperfect but meaningful steps forward. Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Everything Is Figureoutable: The World Needs Your GiftProgress, not perfection. That’s been my guiding mantra for years, and Marie Forleo’s “Everything is Figureoutable” has been both a compass and a flashlight through my own messy creative journey and career pivots for the last few months. This week, we close the circle with Chapter 10: “The World Needs Your Special Gift.” My hope is to bring the chapter’s transformational wisdom to you—heartfelt, unfiltered, and ready for action.Your Unique Expression Is IrreplaceableMartha Graham’s words resonate through this chapter and my life:“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.”Once painted on my sister’s wall (true story) and now etched in my heart, this quote reminds me that holding back my gifts isn’t just limiting myself—it’s a quiet theft from the world. If creativity, insight, or compassion is blocked, it simply disappears—not just from me, but from everyone who might have been moved by it.Conversations with Katie: How Creativity Ripples OutMy recent co-working and real-life conversations with my friend Katie helped these lessons come alive in unexpected ways. Katie attended my webinar last week—a training aimed at breaking free from rigid, uninspired corporate meetings—and found that the experience unlocked new ways of expressing creativity, not just at work but in her textile art and daily routines. We shared how our “hobbies” often get packed into stolen moments, burdened with expectations to deliver joy or transformation, when real joy can be woven throughout ordinary workdays.Her feedback, those hugs, and her heartfelt appreciation reminded me that the things I show up to teach or facilitate don’t just make meetings less terrible—they are seeds of change and joy that ripple far beyond the immediate moment. Sometimes just showing up is the gift; sometimes our unique light is exactly what someone else needs.Stealing from the World When We HideMarie Forleo drives this point further:“There are countless people out there who need the gifts that you and you alone are here to give. If you don’t get off your ass and do the things your heart keeps telling you to do, the world will have lost something truly irreplaceable…YOU.”It’s easy to feel ordinary, to think facilitators or creatives are interchangeable—but Marie reminds us that each person’s timing and voice truly matters. The world needs not just perfect creators, but real, brave humans, offering what they can, when they can.Overcoming the Fraud Factor: We All Feel ItIf you’ve ever felt like a fraud, you’re not alone. Marie writes:“If you ever feel like a fraud–like any accomplishment is a fluke or mistake and someday people are going to find out–you’re clearly in good company. According to research, imposter syndrome affects a whopping 70 percent of us.”Brene Brown, adds: “As a shame researcher, I know that the very best thing to do in the midst of a shame attack is totally counterintuitive. Practice courage and reach out.” Naming shame aloud, starting my own “hype file”—whether a pair of mason jars filled with kind notes or an app with encouraging messages—helps me shine my light outward. When I’m focused on serving others, fraud feelings fade away.Marie adds, “...when your flashlight is shining out, you’re giving zero attention to your fraud feelings. Without attention, those feelings can’t survive.” Live trainings and real-time facilitation help me become a channel for service—letting the energy and inquiry of others guide me, making my gifts matter for someone, somewhere, in the moment.Life Changing Lessons from the EdgeBronnie Ware, in “The Top Five Regrets of the Dying,” offers a piercing truth: “I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.”After facing my own cancer scares—and supporting loved ones through theirs—I realized how much courage and intentional living mean to me now. The desire to model this for my kids, so they see not just “surviving” but truly living, brought tears and a renewed commitment to show up more fully each day.Insights to Action Challenge: Your TurnThis isn’t just theory—here’s my call to action, straight from Marie and Bronnie’s wisdom:* What holds you back from your greatest dream or aspiration? Will those worries matter in twenty, forty, or sixty years?* Imagine death is imminent. Finish the sentence—“I wish I had…”—at least five times, as quickly and honestly as possible. Don’t overthink; let your intuition speak.* If you truly believed everything is figureoutable, what would you do, create, lead, or transform?Try this challenge: Grab a journal, unplug, find quiet, and write for fifteen minutes. Let your intuition spill out. This could be the spark for bold new action.Answering the Next Question—With Heather’s HelpBefore closing, I have to share how the next book for this blog and podcast series came to be. I’d tossed a question into the universe about what to study next—hoping for a dose of creativity, but unsure what direction to take. Later that day, my friend Heather posted in our facilitator group that she was reading “Creative Quest” by Questlove, and wondered if anyone wanted to start a book club around it. Heather, who follows this Substack and sometimes reads along, had answered the question I’d asked—almost as if the universe tapped her on the shoulder with the exact right answer at the exact right time. So that’s where we’re heading next: a journey into creativity, guided by Questlove, with community and curiosity at the center.There’s messy, exquisite aliveness in showing up with all your imperfect, wondrous gifts. The world doesn’t need a perfect version—it needs the real, brave, creative you. Everything is figureoutable, and your special gift might just be the spark that helps the next person find their own light.Let’s Make Work Joyful Again! (yes, that’s a little joke…but still my goal)If you’re ready to go on a quest to make to reclaim your time and joy at work, I still have a few openings for my Guided Experience Express trainings. It’s a super practical, 3-hour workshop designed to help you solve problems and create impactful solutions in less time.Since you read this far, I’ll reward you! If you or someone you know wants in, use code IMPACT60 for 60% off!You can pick whichever session works best:* Thursday, October 16, 9–12pm ET — Register Here OR* Friday, October 24, 12–3pm ET — Register HereUse discount code IMPACT60 at registration to knock 60% off the cost. The code is good through October 31, but space is limited, so grab a spot soon!Here’s what you’ll get out of it:* Hands-on experience: Practice running meetings that actually move projects forward.* Toolkit & templates: Access to my Course Readiness Kit with videos and guides you can use right away.* Team Onboarding Kit: Resources to make your team sessions more focused and fun.* October-only bonus: Two private 1-hour coaching sessions to use anytime this quarter.Plus, there’s a 100% money back guarantee if you’re not satisfied—just ask!You can pick whichever session works best:* Thursday, October 16, 9–12pm ET — Register Here OR* Friday, October 24, 12–3pm ET — Register HereSee you there! Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Hey, everyone! This week we’re exploring Chapter 9 of Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo. The chapter, Refuse to Be Refused is really hitting me and here’s why… (vulnerability alert)Yesterday, I wrapped up my free training—”Creating Impactful Solutions in Less Than Three Hours Without Months of Meetings, Research, and Debate”—with roughly 90 people registered and about 45 who actually attended. The turnout was fantastic, the feedback was warm, and there’s already a handful lining up to learn more. By every measure, it was a success.And yet, as I sit here today, what lingers are big, raw emotions. Exhaustion, vulnerability, and self-doubt seem to always ride shotgun after every milestone. If you’ve ever done something that stretched you, chances are you know exactly what I mean.Real Criticism vs. Imagined RejectionDespite all the positivity, there’s a curious thing that happens: the silent pause in between. The radio silence from those who didn’t book a call, didn’t show up, or didn’t respond. That silence morphs so easily into imaginary criticism, a stubborn belief that maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t enough—for them, for the moment, for the promise I made.Marie Forleo nails this feeling in Chapter 9:“Sometimes, figuring things out requires that you refuse to be refused. Just because someone else says, ‘No, you can’t do that,’ or ‘No, that’s not possible,’ or ‘No, that’s not how it’s done around here,’ doesn’t mean that you must agree with their version of reality.”It’s tempting to let the faintest “no” grow roots in your mind. But the truth? The more we do hard, scary things, the more often this mental battle surfaces. As Marie says,“This is a practice that must be repeated again and again.”Judged, Criticized—and Still Showing UpHere’s an unavoidable fact: The limiting belief “I’m not good enough” isn’t something that vanishes. It’s a lifelong companion that reemerges with every new challenge. In Marie’s words,“When you’re blazing new trails and making change—expect a steady stream of criticism, judgement, and even ridicule.”Whenever we create—an artwork, a business, a podcast, or simply try something new—criticism is part of the territory. “As long as there is creativity, there will always be criticism of it,” Marie reminds us. The more we care what others think, the more they own us. And yet, everything you love is likely despised by someone else. There’s freedom in letting go of chasing universal approval and instead using feedback that actually helps, leaving the rest behind.Three Tactics for Handling CriticismMarie Forleo offers three sanity-saving tactics for navigating criticism:* Consider the Source.“The harshest critics are often insecure, unaccomplished cowards.” Sometimes, those who offer unsolicited criticism aren’t necessarily the ones out there bravely doing the work themselves.* Feel Sad, Not Mad.Criticism often reveals more about the giver’s pain than your own shortcomings. Opening up empathy can help soften those impacts.* Have a Good Laugh.Sometimes, the best thing to do is let trolls be trolls. Make memes out of the ridiculous feedback. Laugh it off—you’re still moving forward.Response-Ability and Golden RulesWe’re human. We feel things deeply, and sometimes react when angry or emotional. Marie’s golden rule?“Never reply when angry, emotional or buzzed.”Instead, get curious and compassionate—respond from a place of strength, not reactivity. The next time you get criticism, turn it into an opportunity for growth or creative fun. And remember, it’s okay to aim for “C” work right now—not everything has to be A-plus, especially when A-for-action is what counts most.“You Weren’t Built to Be Contained.” (Read This Twice)One of Marie’s most powerful affirmations:“You weren’t built to be contained. You’re here to create, to heal, and to make change. Never apologize for that. You can’t make a difference without making waves.”If you needed to hear that today, so did I. We’re not here to tuck ourselves in the corner or shrink at criticism. Impact comes from embracing big feelings and taking even bolder actions.And this, perhaps, is the biggest shift:“Striving to be your best is one thing, but when you do your best for the betterment of others, you’ll be virtually unstoppable.”From Insight to Action—Try This TodayMarie ends the chapter with a challenge, and I’m passing it forward:* List at least one time you refused to be refused—and what you learned from it.* Think of a moment you were told “no” on your journey. Brainstorm seven creative ways to work around that refusal and keep going.* Imagine the criticism you fear actually happens. Identify three healthy, constructive responses your highest self would choose. Maybe—don’t reply in anger or after a glass of wine.* Write down ten actions you’d take if you had no fear of judgment or criticism. Pick one and do it.* Connect your dream or goal to a reason bigger than yourself—a community, cause, or family member. Reasons power results.Let’s Make Waves TogetherIf you’ve ever found yourself crushed by self-doubt or weighed down by criticism—real or imagined—know that you aren’t alone in those emotions. What matters is showing up with your raw, imperfect self, taking action, and turning criticism into a catalyst.Let’s keep creating, keep healing, keep making change—never apologizing for the waves we make. Comment below, send an email, tell your story on social if any of this resonates. Share one courageous thing you’ll do this week, with zero fear of criticism.Let’s make some waves—together.Whenever you’re ready, I can help you with:* Workshop design and facilitation* Facilitation and workshop training, including AI Opportunity Mapping, Strategy & Design Sprints* Intention setting, planning, and incremental progress for success Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Happy Fall, y’all! I must confess that I am truly enjoying documenting my journey and sharing insights with you week after week. It’s hard to believe we’ve already reached the final quarter of the year. I have shown up for myself—and for you—EVERY single week since the beginning of 2025. I press record, share my raw stories, and publish—cracks, coughs, and all—and then transform them into the blog post you’re reading right now!Why do I do this? Because I am all about progress, not perfection. And that’s the big wisdom I want to dive into this week, inspired by Chapter 8 of Marie Forleo’s Everything is Figureoutable.High Standards Aren’t PerfectionismMarie Forleo writes, “Holding yourself to high standards is not the same as perfectionism.” I’ve always resonated with this. People sometimes assume I’m a perfectionist because my workshop boards look polished, but for me, it’s more about caring deeply and showing up fully when I’m able. True perfectionism is sneaky; it’s fear in disguise. Marie says perfectionism is less about excellence and more about anxiety—a fear of failing, looking silly, or being judged. That fear creeps up every time I start something new, but I’ve learned it’s an opportunity to listen and move forward, not a reason to freeze.Progress Over Perfection—In Real LifeMarie adds, “Perfectionism isn’t a set behavior, it’s a destructive way of thinking about yourself.” That lands for me. I experience self-doubt every time I try something unfamiliar. I just ran a pilot for a leadership facilitation training yesterday. All week I was consumed with wanting to cancel it because some of the course elements were FAR FROM PERFECT. I was consumed with doubts I documented in my morning journaling. “What if people aren’t satisfied? What if they think it’s a joke? What if they think I am a joke and wonder why I would literally quit my FT day job for this?” When these thoughts bubble up, I thankfully can recover. I remind myself, as Marie prompts, that action and learning matter more than waiting for every detail to be perfect. Failure simply means a “faithful attempt in learning.” Growth only happens in the messy middle. The only way I am going to learn is to move forward and learn!By the way, the pilot was FANTASTIC, and I once again affirmed…this is what lights me up. This is what I meant to do in life! Here’s a few of the quotes when they where asked to describe their experience. * Interactive session that models best practices and hands-on application of meeting facilitation.* I would describe it as a fantastic method for collaborating on what problems to solve and how to go about solving them, as a way to get consensus with the approach, and begin to socialize the vision.* This was a fun-filled, interactive course that got us to challenge our own preconceptions about problem-solving.* All too often we quickly identify a problem and try to quickly solution it without doing the work to fully understand and analyze the problem. Why? I know for me its the fear that this analysis will take too much time and energy (both of which I’m short on). This session gives you a framework for identifying and analyzing a problem. Generating some ideas that might help and creating an action plan for next steps. The framework does not require 3 months of research before even coming to the table. I love that it’s giving me a tool that I can use or adapt to even an hour long meeting. * It is a fun and informative 3 hours packed with facilitation techniques and tools you can apply at your next meeting.The Zig-Zag Path of GrowthMarie Forleo reminds us, “Progress is never a straight line.” My career, art, and facilitator journey confirm this. Whether I’m perfecting a paper-cut piece or navigating a big life change, I often fall short of my own vision. As Ira Glass explains, there’s always a gap between that spark of inspiration and your current skill. The antidote? Keep showing up, even when your taste exceeds your abilities. Especially when your taste exceeds your abilities. Volume and momentum create growth—show up and the gap will close over time.Letting Go and Moving OnOne of the biggest lessons Marie teaches is to experiment with “positive quitting.” Sometimes, moving forward means letting go instead of pushing through. I’ve experienced this myself—leaving roller derby years ago when I knew it was no longer serving me. Marie suggests asking yourself, “If I end this right now, will I regret it in ten years?” That perspective shift can be liberating and clarifying.Also, I am happy I quit derby but I still love to roller skate!Six Practices That Make Progress PossibleHere’s how I’m applying Marie’s advice in my own journey, and what you can try as well:* Take small daily steps, and ignore the drama. Marie says, “Real change is practically invisible as it’s happening.” Even five minutes a day adds up.* Plan ahead for problems. Give yourself grace, anticipate setbacks, and pivot as needed; this works for parents, managers, creatives—everyone.* Expect and embrace self-doubt. Pause, breathe, and remember: feelings are not facts.* Ask, “What’s the next right move?” Break projects into micro-actions that take under ten minutes.* Use the power of positive quitting. Honor what’s no longer aligned, and choose what supports you best.* Above all, cultivate patience. Progress takes time, and most “overnight success” is years in the making.Your Turn: Insight to ActionInspired by Marie Forleo’s prompts, here’s a mini challenge for you (and me!):* What’s one thing you’re scared to start, simply because you want it to be perfect?* Who could you become if you focused on progress, not perfection?* What obstacles could you plan for in advance?* Try turning self-doubt into productive self-talk by adding “yet” to a limiting belief, as Marie suggests: “I don’t know how to do this…yet.”* Write down five small tasks you can do today. Pick one, circle it, and take action.I hope these reflections encourage you to get messy, keep moving, and embrace every imperfect step. Progress is the point. Let’s keep showing up together, and see where the journey leads next.If you are curious…about my next steps and about how you can find more joy…JOIN ME!I’m hosting a free online training, “How to Create Impactful Solutions in Less Than Three Hours Without Months of Meetings, Research, and Debate!” If you’re dreaming of less collaboration chaos and more joyful results, you’ll love this fast-paced, practical session.* When? October 2nd at 2pm ET. Register here.* Can’t make it live? Sign up anyway to get a bite-sized recap video in your inbox (and maybe a free gift!).* This isn’t just about facilitation tips. It’s about choosing action over analysis paralysis and reclaiming your time, joy, and creativity. Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Hello, wonderful people! I owe you all a little bit more insight. Last week’s podcast and blog included some big news, so I figured I’d throw in a bonus episode to explain why and what is happening.Spoiler: I didn’t fully quit my job, I transformed it with the collaboration with the company leaders. So I am sorry to disappoint you if you were hoping for a rage-quite story. It’s really about shifting gears, owning my impact, and blending joy with meaningful change. My story is really about how I transformed my full-time job into a role where I can maximize my impact within, and outside of, just one company!And also, if you really want to know what I’m up to, I have a live training coming up on October 2nd at 2pm EST. It’s free and jam-packed: 60 minutes of fun and impactful learning, where you’ll discover “How to Create Impactful Solutions in Less Than Three Hours Without Months of Meetings, Research, and Debate!” Come support me and learn by signing up here!First Things First: Thank You for Being Part of My StoryFirst, a huge THANK YOU. Whether we’ve geeked out over facilitation, swapped DMs about product innovation, or simply crossed paths on LinkedIn or Substack, your support matters more than you know. My journey wouldn’t be what it is without every high five, message, or bit of encouragement you’ve sent my way.The Headline: Yes, I Quit. But Here’s the TwistLast week’s big news had some jaws dropping. Before you imagine me throwing papers in the air, hear me out: this move is all about stepping toward more of what lights me up, not running away from where I’ve been. As of October 1st, I’m moving into a part-time, fractional lead role in AI product strategy and innovation at my company. It’s a job title that’s more of a mouthful, but also a better fit for where my head and heart are headed.Why Now? The Real Reasons* Making space for connection: I’ve been craving more room for meaningful work and more time with my family (my youngest son just graduated daycare a few months ago, and suddenly freedom feels possible again!).* Taking imperfect action: This leap wasn’t something I meticulously planned. Life served up opportunities, including new facilitation contracts and consulting gigs. It was sooner than expected.* Living my legacy: The why runs deep. I want to make a bigger, more joyful impact, inside and outside my company, and model the courage it takes to say yes to change.Permission to Pivot: Not a GoodbyeSome folks wondered if this was a “see ya!” move. Not even close. I still care deeply about my team, my company, and all the amazing product people I’ve mentored there. I’m just trading daily management for big-picture strategy and shaking things up and shaping impact far and wide.What’s Next: Training, Experimenting, and Plenty of JoyAs I mentioned before, if you’re curious about my next chapter, I’m hosting a free online training, “How to Create Impactful Solutions in Less Than Three Hours Without Months of Meetings, Research, and Debate!” If you’re dreaming of less collaboration chaos and more joyful results, you’ll love this fast-paced, practical session.* When? October 2nd at 2pm ET. Register here.* Can’t make it live? Sign up anyway to get a bite-sized recap video in your inbox (and maybe a free gift!).* This isn’t just about facilitation tips. It’s about choosing action over analysis paralysis and reclaiming your time, joy, and creativity.Parting Encouragement: Move Forward CourageouslyAs always, if these honest pivots and playful experiments resonate with your own journey, take this as your nudge to move forward courageously. Keep connecting, keep creating, and say yes to mixing intention with joy.Thanks (again!) for reading, listening, and walking alongside me. I’ll be back in a few days to dig into Chapter 8 of “Everything is Figureoutable” by Marie Forleo. Until then, keep experimenting, keep loving the process, and never be afraid to shake things up.Love,Monica!Whenever you're ready, I can help you with:* Workshop design and facilitation* Facilitation and workshop training, including AI Opportunity Mapping, Strategy & Design Sprints* Intention setting, planning, and incremental progress for success Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Yes, I am releasing this post early with a quick note: Yes, there is some big news at the bottom of this post but I encourage you read and listen to this week’s substack anyway! I am am here to support you on your journey through big and small moves. I believe the insight from this chapter are important for your growth!Start Before You’re Ready — From Fear to ActionHey, friends! We’re right in the heart of our “Everything is Figureoutable” book club, and today we’re diving deep into Chapter 7: “Start Before You’re Ready.” The podcast episode is especially personal, and the blog you are reading might be too. We’ll see. I have been confronting the essential question Marie asks in this chapter. “In 10 years, will I regret not doing this?” It’s a biggie, and let me tell you, it’s been swirling around in my head almost non-stop lately. If things go perfectly, obviously—no regrets! But what if things fall apart? That fear—the fear of not having it all figured out—can be paralyzing.Belonging Beyond the OrdinaryMarie pulls us back to the classic Island of Misfit Toys (yes, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!) and the character Hermie, the elf who wished to be a dentist instead of making toys. I could relate instantly. Like Hermie and like Marie, I haven’t always felt like I fit in neatly. There’s this deeper driver in me—maybe even a bit “semi-narcissistic”—to create impact in a way bigger than any job title, family role, or even artistic identity.Sometimes, I’ll admit, I ask: does wanting more make me ungrateful for what I already have? Then my heart reminds me—dreaming bigger can be an act of service and love.It’s Okay To Be Multi-PassionateMarie coined the term “multi-passionate entrepreneur,” and discovering that language made me feel seen. Her words: “When I had that phrase, it gave me a new context. And in doing so, I began to see myself in a new light, which surprisingly led to new opportunities”. YES! That’s what so many of us are searching for when we want to weave together artist, facilitator, product manager, and mom—all in one human.Being multi-passionate doesn’t have to mean we’re scattered. It means we’re alive, curious, and ready for impact!Truth Time: We Never Truly Feel ReadyMarie gets real (as usual): “You never feel ready to do the important things that you’re meant to do”. It’s normal to feel fear and uncertainty. What matters and what creates momentum is this…taking action, not waiting for the perfect moment.She drives it home: “All progress begins with a brave decision,” and “action spawns courage, not the other way around”. So many of us are guilty of letting “I’m not ready” sit in the driver’s seat. I do it, too! Sometimes, my so-called research is really just procrastination dressed up in smart glasses.Bust Through Research ParalysisMarie offers this big tip: be wary of procrastination disguised as endless prep or research. My friend Jakub (hey, Jakub) recently posted on LinkedIn about the 1:4 rule: one hour of learning should lead to four hours of doing. That hit home. If this resonates, try asking yourself: How much am I consuming versus creating? How can I get more skin in the game and commit with action, not just intention?Loss aversion can get you moving. Make a commitment. Put time, money, or social accountability on the line. Whether that’s investing in a course, posting your intention, or DM’ing your dream to someone for accountability, the step matters more than the size of it.Growth Lives In DiscomfortHere’s the kicker that Marie writes: “Everything you dream of becoming, achieving, or figuring out exists in the growth zone, a.k.a. the discomfort zone. You must let go, at least temporarily, of your need for comfort and security. You must train yourself to value growth and learning above all else.”I asked myself this. Would I rather have my kids see me chase comfort OR see me be “courageously terrified” and growing? I want to teach them both are possible. We get to show our loved ones that figuring things out is part of life, even when it’s scary.Your Insights to Action Challenge (Join In!)Let’s put this wisdom to work. Here’s this week’s “Start Before You’re Ready” challenge pulled right from the podcast and Marie’s book:* Recall a moment you started before you felt ready, and gained something valuable. Jot down an example—big or small. For me, pressing “record” on this podcast every single week is a practice in starting before I’m ready. Imperfection is part of the process!* Reflect on times you delayed, waiting for ‘ready’—and discovered it wasn’t so scary once you acted. I recently had to have a courageous conversation with my husband about my dreams and some changes coming. I was terrified. But as soon as we talked, I wondered: why didn’t I do this sooner?* Answer this (quick!): What is one bold step you feel called to take right now—even if it scares you? Write it down, say it out loud, make it real. If it’s too big, break it into a micro action you can finish in 10 minutes. The point is starting—taking action builds that “courage muscle.”* Commit and get skin in the game: How can you invest time, money, or social accountability to take your next step? Sign up for the thing, share your intention, or DM it to me for a little extra nudge! No pressure for a reply—but I’ll cheer you on if I can.If sharing publicly feels brave, drop a comment! If you prefer quiet accountability, DM me or just tell a close friend. Name the fear and step anyway.BIG, BREAKING NEWS: My Next Chapter Begins!You’ve made it this far—and here’s the reveal. This week, after nearly 12 years at my company (from scrappy startup, through merger, through six acquisitions…whew!), I announced a huge change. I’m officially moving from my role as Sr. Director of Product to part time.Yes, it’s shocking. Yes, it’s bittersweet. This company journey has been wild. I’ve often felt like a second-generation founder (without the official title) and helped stitch together our products with a unified vision. This step is scary and surprising, but it’s all about practicing what I preach: stepping into the growth zone—before I feel “ready.”Why now? Because I’m building what’s been calling me for years: my own training and consulting business. I can’t wait to pour energy into work that lights me up and makes the positive impact I want to see in the world.Watch for a special post with all the details soon. To everyone who listens, reads, and supports me, thank you for walking this wild road together. Let’s keep doing it scared, and doing it anyway!What action will you take today, even if you don’t feel ready? Share, reflect, and give yourself the gift of starting—just as you are.Whenever you're ready, I can help you with:* Workshop design and facilitation* Facilitation and workshop training, including AI Opportunity Mapping, Strategy & Design Sprints* Intention setting, planning, and incremental progress for success Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

It’s time to define our dreams! Maybe this sounds cheesy but this is what Chapter 6 of Marie Forleo’s Everything is Figureoutable is all about. If you’re new here, welcome to my ongoing experiment. This podcast and blog is about showing up. I show up to myself and my dreams. I speak out loud about what I’m learning, and hope that it helps you do the same. On the Trap of OverthinkingIf there’s one thing that Marie Forleo makes abundantly clear in this chapter, it’s how paralyzing it is to endlessly ponder your dreams and never act. She writes:"I'm still shocked at how much time and energy we humans can waste being indecisive, talking about ideas in our heads or out loud, but never doing anything about them."She then goes on to say "Clarity comes from engagement, not thought."This insight hit home for me. My tendency to learn hard towards action is real. I’d rather leap into a micro-experiment than get stuck in a loop of analysis and anxiety. For me, thinking too much breeds self-doubt and overwhelm (and debilitating depression), but experimenting and doing (even imperfectly) breaks the cycle and brings real learning.Action Is the Shortcut to ClarityPerhaps you are more of a thinker or over-thinker, sometimes mistaking thought for action. While being thoughtful and intentional is important, we should time box this to avoid indecision and analysis paralysis. Marie Forleo urges:"When you're stuck in a paralyzing thought loop of indecision, stop thinking and start doing. Make a move, no matter how tiny. Find or make a way to do a real world experiment. Action is the fastest and most direct route to clarity."I absolutely resonate with this. Sometimes my impulse to act raises questions. I wonder, “am I being strategic enough, or am I just keeping busy?”But experimenting in small bursts lets me reset, recalibrate, and see what truly resonates for me. I notice my own rhythm: sometimes I feel deeply and act impulsively; other times, I need to slow down and check if my actions are meaningful or leading toward burnout.The Power of Getting Clear (for You and Your Brain)Defining what you want isn’t always easy. It’s scary (as F***!). It pulls up waves of anxiety, BUT it’s empowering too. A few weeks ago I was freaking out and then I read Marie’s advice in this chapter:"You wouldn't have the dream if you didn't already have what it takes to make it happen."Read that again to yourself. Read it again. Read it again! Feel that in your heart!Whenever doubts pop up now, I remind myself of this. Neuroscience even backs up the idea that clarity fuels action. Ever heard of the Reticular Activating System (RAS)? It’s essentially your brain helping you filter in the right opportunities and cues, making it far easier to move with intention. Think about how much your brain filters out noise to help you when driving, to literally ensure that you get from one place to your destination! That is your RAS!Here’s a practical tip that changed my routine: I now write my goals down daily. This nudge helps my brain remember what’s important and activates my focus every single day. For me, my vision is more than a revenue number. It’s about creating freedom, spending time with my children, and living my passions and offering my gifts to the world. It takes less than a minute to write down, and I write it down now EVERY DAY!Insights to Action: Your Weekly ChallengeIf you want to try something powerful, here’s what Marie suggest in this chapter’s Insights to Action section:* Spend 15 minutes listing every dream, project, or goal for the next year (multi-year is fine, if you’re serious about making progress now).* Get real: choose the one that matters most and answer honestly. How important is it? How hard? What past attempts have you made, and what will you do differently?* Pick just one goal to start. Remember, supporting habits like health or organization can help your bigger dream, but focus on the goal that matters most.* Make it specific, measurable, and actionable. Think SMART goals. Skip the vague. Go for real, concrete outcomes.* My personal favorite! Write down the next three micro-steps, each under 10 minutes. Then do one, immediately.As Marie (and maybe Mark Twain) says:"The secret of getting ahead is getting started. And the secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks and then starting on the first one."This micro-action approach unblocked me and helped me move forward. When I did this, I got all three tasks done in less than 20 minutes with momentum and clarity growing with each mini-win.If You’re Stuck…If you’re not sure what your dream is, don’t keep pondering it forever. Take one small action, time-boxed for 10 minutes, that moves you toward clarity. Even if it’s just a Google search for a class or jotting down a handful of ideas, get started and see what opens up.This is the messy magic of figuring out what matters and moving toward it, day by day. Keep writing those daily goals and try out this Insights to Action practice alongside me. Let’s make it happen, one tiny experiment at a time.I’ll be back next week with Chapter 7 and some BIG NEWS!Whenever you're ready, I can help you with:* Workshop design and facilitation* Facilitation and workshop training, including AI Opportunity Mapping, Strategy & Design Sprints* Intention setting, planning, and incremental progress for success Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Hello, all! Welcome back to Confessions of a Facilitation Artist. In this series, I’ve been sharing my reflections from Marie Forleo’s book Everything is Figureoutable. Last time, we unpacked the four-letter word “can’t.” Today, we’re onto another four-letter word. It’s still not profane but very paralyzing: FEAR.Fear is such a quiet constant in our lives. It slips into our late-night loop of doubts. It shows up in meetings, in blank pages, in hard conversations, in art, in parenting (oh my goodness, especially in parenting). At its worst, fear shrinks us into something smaller than what we’re capable of becoming.But here’s the big secret: Fear isn’t what truly holds us back. It’s waiting or hesitation that keeps us stuck. As countless authors and speakers have noted, WAITING is the real barrier.Fear Has Kept Us Alive — But It Also Keeps Us StuckFear is ancient. It’s why our ancestors didn’t wander into danger unprepared. It’s part of the survival kit hardwired into our nervous system. Respecting fear is important. But in our modern context, when saber-toothed tigers aren’t chasing us, fear shows up where it doesn’t serve us anymore.On LinkedIn not long ago, I admitted, “I was scared.” One of my mentors pulled me aside in a conversation. They cautioned that maybe clients would lose confidence if they saw me leading with fear. For a moment, I second-guessed myself.But then I realized something important. When I deny fear, I deny authenticity. The truth is, everything great I’ve ever done has involved fear. Sharing it has helped people feel less alone. Over the years, I have had countless parents, entrepreneurs, and leaders navigating hard things thank me for the comfort that my honesty and vulnerability has brought them.When we admit we’re scared, we’re also admitting we’re courageous. As psychologist, Susan David wrote, “Because courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is fear walking forward.”A few weeks ago, I watched my 5 year old comforting his friend. She said she was scared of starting kindergarten. He told her that she can be “scared AND brave” at the same time. I had small tears of pride since he learned that from me, as I have supported him through scary things like learning to swim. You can be scared and you can be brave—both at the same time. Shout out to Becky Kennedy and her book, Good Inside where I learned the “Two Things Can Be True” insight…which is one of the most helpful parenting books on the planet.Fear as Information, Not a Stop SignMarie Forleo reminds us: fear isn’t bad. It’s neutral. It’s information.Sometimes we confuse fear with danger, when really, it’s a signal of opportunity. What if fear isn’t a red light at all, but a neon arrow pointing: This way?One story Marie wrote in this chapter was particularly inspiring. Bruce Springsteen famously reframes stage fright as a sign of readiness. All the shaking, all the butterflies? That’s his body saying, gear up—it’s showtime. What if we saw our own fear as fuel waiting to be transformed?Listening to the Body: Fear or Intuition?One of the trickiest questions: how do you tell the difference between healthy intuition that says don’t, and fear that says yes, leap here?Marie suggests tuning into your body with a simple check: Does this decision feel expansive or contracted? Expansive often signals growth; contracted may point to a misalignment.Personally, I’ve learned to reframe choices using the “heck yes or no” filter. Thank you, Derek Sivers for this in “Hell Yeah or No.” If an opportunity or task doesn’t feel like a solid “heck yes,” then the answer is probably no. That clarity is liberating.From Failure to Faithful AttemptsOf course, one of our biggest fears is failure. But as Judge Victoria Pratt once said: “Failure is an event, not a person. People can’t be failures.”My friend, Tim Leake (hi, Tim if you listen or read this!) put it beautifully: “I didn’t fail. The idea failed. And I can always come up with more ideas.” That perspective has stuck with me.Marie gives us another reframing tool. What if FAIL actually stands for Faithful Attempt in Learning? Every time we stumble, it’s new wisdom. We don’t lose. We build our understanding.This Week’s Practice: Befriending FearHere’s how I’m working on turning fear into fuel (and how you can experiment, too). The full prompts are located at the end of Chapter 5 in Everything is Figureoutable.* Worst Case Scan: Write down the absolute worst thing that could happen. Then rate how likely it actually is (from 1–10). Create a recovery plan so you’ll know how to bounce back.* Best Case Scenario: Flip it. What’s the absolute best outcome? Write it down in detail. Let yourself imagine boldly.* Listen to Fear: Instead of shutting it out, ask: What’s the message here? Could this be pointing me toward growth?* Shift Your Language: If words like “terrified” feel paralyzing, try renaming the sensation with something gentler or even playful. (Marie uses “shushi” or “noony.” I find that quirky, but I’ll be experimenting with it this week.)* Mine Failure for Gold: Write down a past failure. Then list three real positives that came from it. Remind yourself: that moment was a faithful attempt in learning.My Mantra Right NowWhen people ask how I’m doing, my honest answer is, “I’m courageously terrified.” Both things are true. Fear is always there, but so is possibility.The real question is: which one will I let take the driver’s seat?I’m choosing possibility. I’m choosing to act. I’m choosing to shift fear from enemy to teacher.And as poet Emily Dickinson so simply put it, “I dwell in possibility.”Closing ThoughtsFear will always be at the table. Let’s not banish it, but welcome it as a voice. It’s a voice we can question, be curious about, and grow alongside.If you, too, feel courageously terrified right now: good. You’re exactly where you need to be.So tell me…what fear are you facing right now? And what could it look like to turn that fear into fuel?Be brave, be compassionate, and keep creating…especially when it scares you.Whenever you're ready, I can help you with:* Workshop design and facilitation* Facilitation and workshop training, including AI Opportunity Mapping, Strategy & Design Sprints* Intention setting, planning, and incremental progress for success Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Happy almost Fall y’all! Well, if feels that way in Michigan. This week we’re going to crack open Chapter 4 of Marie Forleo’s “Everything is Figureoutable,” zeroing in on one of the biggest barriers to dreams: Excuses.Setting the Stage: The Lie We Tell OurselvesMarie opens this chapter with a quote by Richard Bach, which my sister Annie loves his book, Illusions (hi, Annie, if you are reading this):“The worst lies are the lies we tell ourselves.”The ways in which we tell lies is with not just out thoughts but also the words we use. We often sabotage ourselves when we say I “can’t.” Whenever we say “I can’t,” what we usually mean is “I won’t,” or “I’m not willing.” This may be uncomfortable for you to read. We’ll address in a few minutes.Take a moment. This week, intentionally notice each “can’t” that springs from your lips. Try swapping it for “I won’t” or “I’m not willing.” Watch your perspective shift. This simple wordplay can kickstart real, honest responsibility.Reminder: Three Rules to Facilitate Your DreamsFor anyone new (or craving a refresher), here are Marie’s three Everything is Figureoutable rules:* Every problem or dream is figureoutable.* If a problem can't be cracked, maybe it’s not a real problem (think: gravity or death).* Sometimes a problem is technically figureoutable—you just don’t care enough, and that’s OK! Find what lights you up and commit to figuring that one out.This Week’s Confession: My I “Can’t” StoryYears back at a self-development retreat, I said to a group, “I can’t forgive my brother.” The facilitator invited me to say, “I haven’t been willing to forgive my brother.”That little tweak hit me like a ton of bricks! “Can’t” felt powerless, but “not willing” handed me back the keys. Self-help and success books all circle back to this: You are 100% responsible for your life.Yes, sometimes it’s easier to blame others, slip into old habits, and play victim. At that retreat, the mentor described it as being “asleep” or not fully awake to our ability to choose a response.You can’t control every event, but you can always shape your beliefs, reactions, and results. Jack Canfield’s E + R = O (Event + Response = Outcome) nails this point. Responsibility isn’t meant to shame. It’s a chance to decide who you want to be, every day.Excuses, Excuses! Marie’s Top ThreeSo let’s dive into the three most common excuses Marie identifies:* I don’t have time* I don’t have money* I don’t know how (or where to start)Time to break these down and step into some practical action.1. “I Don’t Have Time.” →Make Time, Don’t Find It!Marie says it’s not about having time, it’s about making time. Personally, my productivity obsession was forged in the fires of life! * The retreat decades ago shifted my perspective: I trained for a marathon having never run a mile much befor. My big lesson? I made time; I didn’t just find it. And yeah, I also learned I could do it. * Parenthood ramped everything up: my husband was away 80% of the time while I solo-parented in Austin, working full-time without family nearby. The only way through was to get creative: groceries? Sleep? Self-care? Survival meant making systems to make time, and asking for help remained my biggest growth area.* Then came baby number two in 2020 (hello, pandemic!), a tough work environment, and even less time. Somewhere in the chaos, I realized waiting for retirement to chase my dreams was not an option. I started using the early hours—4:00 to 6:00 AM—as my “magical window.” Art, writing, learning facilitation, launching new careers…all happened while most of the world slept. You don’t have to get up that early, but you DO have to make the time for what matters—even if it’s just for five minutes.Below is a little video from my past self (December 2021) reminding you to take 5! I look much younger then.2. “I Don’t Have Money.” →Prioritize Growth Over ConsumptionLet’s get real: I’ve lived hand-to-mouth. It’s even trickier with kids. Many of us still manage to spend resources on fleeting experiences or stuff not aligned with our goals. Reading Dave Ramsey and embracing “the baby steps” helped our family build savings and prioritize spending on growth opportunities, not just instant gratification. Check in with your own spending—are you investing in your dreams or accidentally trading them away?Money is a very interesting blocker for many. If you are interested in me going deeper into money mindset books, I can consider this being another book we read. If your income is light, you have debt, and/or no savings, I would start with Dave Ramsey. I also think these basics are good for most everyone. Then you can adventure into other books that I have dabbled in by Denise Duffield-Thomas, Kate Northrup, Amanda Francis and a bunch more. 3. “I Don’t Know How.” →Breaking the Boulder Into PebblesMarie’s take is that “I don’t know how” is weak, but I’m more empathetic here. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed! My trick? Break big rocks into tiny pebbles: small, bite-size first steps. If “where to start” is your roadblock, tackle the “time” excuse first. Sometimes just spending a week carving out time, even if you get nothing tangible done proves you can move forward. Milestones don’t need to be epic. Just keep moving those pebbles!If you want extra help, I did create a guide you can download for my self-guided workshop. Weekly Action Challenge - Make Excuses DisappearReady to make it real? Marie’s Insight to Action Challenge (page 84 in my edition) goes like this:* List instances where you thought you lacked time, ability, or resources—but figured it out anyway. No example is too small!* Identify the most important goal you want to achieve.* Write down your top three excuses for not making progress.* Make a slash through each excuse. For every one, write out why it’s no longer valid and what you’re now willing to think, say, or do instead.* If “time” is a biggie, track your time (or screen time) for a week for full visibility.* Bonus: If your life depended on finding two free hours a day, what would your plan look like? For me, this means self-care including baths, fitness classes, anything to avoid burnout and keep the long haul sustainable.Wordplay Challenge: “Can’t” vs “Won’t”Again, here’s your bonus mental exercise for the week: Whenever “I can’t” pops up, pause. Change it to “I won’t” or “I’m not willing to.” Or get even more real: “I’m choosing to prioritize [X] right now.” This simple switch can radically shift the narrative and break excuse cycles that keep us feeling stuck.Final Words—Radical ResponsibilityEliminating excuses isn’t about being perfect; it’s about owning the power of choice. Step out of “I can’t” and into “I’m willing,” “I’m choosing to,” or “I’m prioritizing right now.” Whether your dream is a job change, five minutes for art, or epic family moments, make time for it.And remember, the only person who needs to believe you can figure it out is… you.Let’s go figure it out—together!Whenever you're ready, I can help you with:* Workshop design and facilitation* Facilitation and workshop training, including AI Opportunity Mapping, Strategy & Design Sprints* Intention setting, planning, and incremental progress for success Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Brutal title right? Just testing to see if the title got you to open the substack email or post! But really, I recently read an Instagram post from Jay Papasan that said “Growth happens in your comfort zone…said no one ever.” That is EXACTLY why I gave this an edgy title. This series is intended to smash through the “B*llsh*t” as Marie Forleo would say, and guide us on a transformative journey through her book, Everything is Figureoutable. Last week, we laid the foundation with chapters one and two, reflecting on the mantra and the roadmap it offers. This week, we’re diving into something really important, beliefs!The Magic Behind All the Magic: BeliefMarie nails it when she says belief is the true magic behind change. It’s the starting point of an amazing chain reaction that shapes how we experience the world and what we create.Here’s the powerful framework she shares, which I want you to hold close:Belief → Thought → Feeling → Behavior → ResultWhat you believe directs what you think. Your thoughts influence how you feel. Your feelings guide what you do, and your actions create your results. This cycle then deepens and reinforces your beliefs—sometimes for better, sometimes for worse.Even if we’re not conscious of our beliefs, they’re always there, guiding our outcomes in ways we might not realize. That’s why it’s so important to check in: Are your beliefs opening doors, or quietly keeping them closed?When Beliefs Outlive Their UsefulnessOne of the biggest realizations I’ve had is that many of our beliefs (and the behaviors that come with them) once served to protect us. They kept us safe, secure, or comfortable in an earlier context. But often, we don’t stop to question if they still serve us.One of my favorite quotes is by leadership coach, Marshall Goldsmith: “What got you here will not get you there.”You have to challenge your beliefs in order to change your thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and ultimately, your results. This is actually a core part of what we do in workshops and what I deeply love about facilitation: helping people uncover locked assumptions and open up new possibilities.The Creativity BeliefMarie shares her story of wanting to do deeply creative work but feeling boxed in by traditional ideas of what creativity looks like. I deeply resonated with her story here. I once believed creativity was only about art-making. I even perceived my roles in product management as the opposite of creative—dry, technical, and “uncreative” on paper. Even though I love “backlog prioritization” it sounds far from creative.But I’ve learned that creativity shows up in so many ways. It shows up in problem-solving, in collaboration, and in figuring things out in real life. I’m a maker in many forms, and that mindset shift was a big breakthrough for me.Since I changed that belief, so much of my life looks and feels different!Let’s Unpack The Power of Belief!Look around you right now. See everything you have in sight. What’s in your hands? What are you sitting on? What are the the objects nearby? Here’s the truth Marie shares that changed my perspective: almost everything around us was once a thought, a wild, unimaginable idea. Someone solved a problem, and figured out how to bring it to life.Our minds create our reality.This ties into the law of attraction or manifestation—if that resonates with you. I like to frame it as taking responsibility for setting things in motion. I’ll give you two real examples:* When I was a teenager, I told my brother in Boston’s Harvard Square, "I’m going to live here someday." Ten years later, I did.* When I lived in Chicago in my late 20’s, I wanted a treadmill. After searching online, sometime later that day, a perfectly good treadmill mysteriously appeared by next to my neighbor’s garbage can. I snagged it for free and was running on it that evening…literally the same day I had the thought! The story is better in the podcast version of this substack by the way.Coincidence? Maybe. Manifestation? Possibly. I call it responsibility—the idea that you have to take action and keep your eyes open to opportunities.The Brutal Reality About Our BeliefsEvery belief has a consequence. Empowering beliefs grow you and open doors. Limiting beliefs shrink and restrict you. For decades (and even today), I’ve wrestled with beliefs like:* I’m not good enough.* I’m too emotional.* I’m too weird.* I’m too selfish.* I’ll never be worthy.Even now, those thoughts pop up, especially when I am facing with new challenges. The difference is that I can recognize them as just thoughts, not truths, and choose not to let them control me.So the next time that you feel this (which happens anytime you do hard things or when you chicken out before doing them), notice them and ask yourself if they are really true? What if you choose not to believe them and choose a more empowering thought that leads to action? Your Homework Challenge: Rewire Your BeliefsMarie encourages us to start rewiring our beliefs now. Try saying it with me (out loud if you can):Everything is figureoutable. Everything is figureoutable. Everything is figureoutable. Everything is figureoutable. Everything is figureoutable. Everything is figureoutable. Everything is figureoutable. Everything is figureoutable. Everything is figureoutable. Everything is figureoutable. Say it enough until it sinks in.Then, here’s an exercise to make the change tangible. Grab a pen and paper:* Why did you pick this book?* What negative or limiting beliefs have stopped you from figuring this out until now?* Cross each limiting belief out and write "b*llsh*t" next to it.* Briefly explain why it’s b******t.* Who would you be without those beliefs?* Design a creative, playful plan to embody that everything is figureoutable belief.For example:* Why this book? To build my business despite my fears.* Limiting beliefs: I’m not good enough, too emotional, too weird, too selfish, unworthy.* Why these beliefs are b*llsh*t?: People love me, value my work, and I’m surrounded by evidence of my worth.* Without those beliefs: I’d be living my dream life, traveling, thriving in relationships, and sharing my gifts confidently.* Playful plan: Create a screensaver and paper art reminding me daily that everything is figureoutable. - DONE! (see below)Final ThoughtsNotice your beliefs this week. Trace their origins. Challenge and choose new ones if needed. Remember, transformation starts not with hustle or beautiful planners or journals, but with a new belief.I look forward to hearing what’s working for you or where you get stuck. Next week, we’ll dig into chapter four.Until then, keep saying it with me: Everything is Figureoutable.Whenever you're ready, I can help you with:* Workshop design and facilitation* Facilitation and workshop training, including AI Opportunity Mapping, Strategy & Design Sprints* Intention setting, planning, and incremental progress for success Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome, friends, to the brand new book club series! If you’re reading (or listening) to this for the first time, I’m Monica Joy Krol. I’m a full-time working mom who chooses progress over perfection. This substack, now a book club again for the next several episodes, is about learning and growing together. It’s raw, real, and unedited with some help from AI. Over the next few weeks, we’re diving into one of my favorite new books: Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo. This book is already making me think bigger, deeper, and with so much more possibility. Today we’re unpacking the insights and wisdom from Chapters 1 and 2. Let’s go!The Origin of “Everything is Figureoutable”Marie opens with her backstory and the mantra’s source: her mother, a pre-YouTube, pre-Pinterest wonder woman who fixed things and simply “figured it out.” Marie recalls asking her mother, “How do you know how to do so many things?” Her mother’s reply:“Nothing in life is that complicated. You can do whatever you set your mind to if you just roll up your sleeves, get in there, and do it. Everything is figureoutable.”This mantra is the foundation of Marie’s success, and now, the heart of this book.There’s a passage that really struck me and I want to share with you:“Despite what society, your family, or your mind may have led you to believe, you are not broken. Nothing is intrinsically wrong with you. You’re not a mistake, a fraud, or a fake. You’re not weak or incapable.”When I first read and heard that, it sent chills through my body. Why don’t we ever learn the tools to overcome these doubts? Maybe, just maybe, that’s exactly what this book is: a toolkit, and our work starts now.Big or Small: What Do YOU Want to Figure Out?In the spirit of reflection, here’s my own list of things I want to figure out:* How to build my business, support my family, and create the life I want* How to inspire and support my friends, my family, and you in your journey* How to raise children who know how powerful they are and have the confidence to do anything* How to enjoy motherhood—guilt-free* How to accomplish my “secret dreams” (maybe I’ll share them here… someday)* How to help my son become a confident reader, even if it’s a struggle at first* How to (finally!) take the car mats out to clean them. Believe me they are really gross and I can’t figure out how to detach them…yet!* Maybe, on days like today when I feel low energy, just how to honor that and chill the heck out without guiltWhat about you? No ambition is too big or too small. Write yours down, or just think on it as you read.Update: Since I wrote this, I figured out how to remove my car mats and I cleaned them. I feel like a new woman with a brand new car. Your Roadmap to ResultsMarie gives us a toolkit—a roadmap—to tackle life’s challenges. These stood out to me:1. Train Your Brain for GrowthMarie warns that one of the most self-sabotaging thoughts is, “I know this already.” I have some colleagues who fall into this trap after trainings, and honestly, it triggers me because it feels like a wasted learning opportunity. Truth is, there’s always something new to learn, even if it’s just a new layer of an old lesson.For example, at a recent webinar with Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky, the content wasn’t new to me, but I paid attention to their presentation style, how they framed problems versus solutions, and it unlocked new insights for me. Marie’s advice: Instead of “this won’t work for me,” ask, “How can this work for me?” Or, swap “I know this already” for “What can I learn from this?”2. Try It Before You Deny ItBe open to experimenting! Marie’s three Rules of Play:* Rule 1: All problems (or dreams) are figureoutable.* Rule 2: If a problem isn't figureoutable, it’s probably not actually a problem—it’s a fact of life (like death or gravity).* Rule 3: If you don’t care enough to figure it out, that’s okay. Find something else that lights a fire in your heart, and start from rule one again.Reading these, my heart just overflows. What if the reason we never solved a problem or chased a dream is simply it wasn’t as important to us as we thought?3. Don’t Offend YourselfMarie’s a straight-talker, sometimes with “buttloads” (her word) of swearing and sass. If her (or my) style puts you off, maybe what you need to figure out is how you’re getting in your own way. The wisdom is worth it. Disclaimer, next week’s episode will be explicit since one of her homework items involves using the work, “B**sh*t” multiple times. 4. Do the WorkMy natural bias is toward action, not just thinking or researching (which can masquerade as action). I’m committing to doing each prompt and exercise with you over the coming weeks. Marie advocates for doing the work by hand—to slow down and let clarity emerge. But however you do it, just do the work.5. Connect With Our CommunityMarie says, and I wholeheartedly agree:“The figureoutable philosophy becomes geometrically more powerful (and fun!) when applied in collaboration with others. You’ll reach your collective goals faster and with a greater sense of joy, creativity, and camaraderie than ever before.”That’s why this Substack is now a book club. Learning together is way better, easier, and more fun.Are You In?This week we kicked off with Chapters 1 & 2. Each week we’ll focus on one chapter. Next up, Chapter 3, where we’ll be digging into insights and exercises as we go. Jump in the comments and let us know: are you with me? Write “HECK YEAH!” if you’re in.We’ll roll through all ten chapters (plus the epilogue), aiming to finish by early-to-mid October. And if you stick with me, I promise to reveal some big news that terrifies and excites me. Stay tuned and stay curious!So, what will YOU figure out this week? Let’s go on this journey together. Everything is figureoutable.Whenever you're ready, I can help you with:* Workshop design and facilitation* Facilitation and workshop training, including AI Opportunity Mapping, Strategy & Design Sprints* Intention setting, planning, and incremental progress for success Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Over the last six months, I’ve kept my substack content pretty focused. Usually there’s an outline, a theme, often tied to a book I’m reading. But this week? I’m going off-script.I wanted to share some reflections from my recent week at Full Stack Facilitator with AJ&Smart in Palo Alto. Many of you have asked about it, and I promised I’d give you the behind-the-scenes — not just what I learned, but why I went in the first place.Why I Went (Even Though I’m Not a Beginner)If you’ve been in facilitation or leadership for a while, you might wonder why an experienced facilitator — someone often seen as a “master” in some circles — would take a course that also welcomes complete beginners.The answer? Mentorship and immersion.Over the years, I’ve learned that growth doesn’t happen in isolation. Many success and mindset books (Jack Canfield, The Power of Focus, and more) talk about the importance of finding mentors. For me, people like Jonathan Courtney and other AJ&Smart facilitators started as role models I followed from afar. Attending events, taking their courses, and showing up in person is how I’ve turned those role models into real mentors.And yes — sometimes that means paying for access. Last year, I joined AJ&Smart’s mastermind in LA. I’ve been part of Voltage Control’s summits and worked with Douglas Ferguson on various aspects of building a community. I’ve taken courses with Brittni Bowering and Dee Scarano. Each investment has paid off — not just in skills, but in relationships.Giving Myself the Gift of FocusThe second reason I went? To immerse myself in what I love without juggling my other roles — mom, employee, entrepreneur.Spending a week away, even at personal expense, gave me time and mental space to focus on my own growth. My mom has always told me: the best investment you can make is in yourself. That’s been true from grad school (which unexpectedly opened doors into my current career) to professional development like this. If you missed my reel on this, you can check it out here. What I Expected vs. What I GotI thought I’d get my ego checked — maybe discover I wasn’t as strong a facilitator as I believed. Instead, I found myself in a position to mentor others.One of my favorite moments was with Dave, a fellow participant. Early in the week, I facilitated a quick exercise, improvising to start with personal reflection before moving to solutions. I worried Dave was silently hating it… but later, he told the group he’d learned something important from my approach.By the end of the week, I watched Dave facilitate for the first time — terrified, but doing it anyway. Being there to encourage him through that “first time” moment was just as rewarding as anything I could’ve learned for myself.The Power of the Emergent FacilitatorA big theme in the program was becoming an emergent facilitator — someone who embodies adaptability, optimism, and awareness.In my own recent design sprints, I’ve faced team tension, especially when exploring AI product strategy. Those moments require more than sticking to the plan. They demand pivoting, holding space for discomfort, and guiding people toward clarity and alignment.This is the next stage of my growth — not just knowing the tools and designing experiences, but having the agility to flow when the unexpected happens. It’s hard work. It’s also the difference between a good facilitator and a great one.The Unexpected Takeaways* Mentorship goes both ways. I came to learn, but ended up teaching. Even my mentors picked up tips from my facilitation style.* Your “curse of knowledge” can be a gift. What feels natural to you may be a revelation to someone else.* Presence matters. Being physically with peers and mentors creates deeper bonds than any online interaction can.GratitudeI’m leaving this experience grateful for the people I met — some I’ve known for years online, others brand new to me. From old friends like Heidi, Rujuta, Mimi , Katie, and Talia to new connections like Audrey, Christina, Marc, Sean, and yes, Dave (and about 25 other amazing people) — each conversation, each shared challenge, made the week richer.Final ThoughtInvesting in yourself isn’t always about acquiring more information. Sometimes it’s about showing up, sharing what you know, and being willing to transform alongside others.If you take one thing from my Full Stack Facilitator experience, let it be this: Your growth and your service to others can happen at the exact same time.What’s Next?Starting next week we’ll be on a learning journey together with Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo. This will consume about 7-8 episodes but my hope is that each episode will have stand alone insight if you don’t read it with me. The first episode of this series will explore insights and actions from Chapters 1 and 2!Whenever you're ready, I can help you with:* Workshop design and facilitation* Facilitation and workshop training, including AI Opportunity Mapping, Strategy & Design Sprints* Intention setting, planning, and incremental progress for success Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Hello, all! I admit this post is brought to you by a less than organized self, but I am determined to get this episode/entry across the finish line. If you’ve been following along with my book club journey through Ethan Mollick’s Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI, welcome to our final chapter: Chapter 9: AI as Our Future.I have to admit, tenacity is not my working genius. If you’ve been around for my “Six Types of Working Genius” series, you know this about me! So it’s a minor miracle (and a testament to progress over perfection) that I’m writing this from my hotel, the morning after a late night of Full Stack Facilitator fun and deep-dive conversations.But here I write, committed to consistency and wrapping things up and reflect on what Mollick sketches out as the four big scenarios for how AI might unfold in the coming years. The Four Possibilities for AI’s FutureMollick breaks it down like this:* As Good As It GetsMaybe what we have today, incredible as it is, is pretty much it. Maybe this is as good as AI will get with only small tweaks and improvements from here. this would be likely to exist if we are not able to overcome technical barriers, expensive scaling, and any new legal and regulatory walls. But, honestly, can you imagine AI not leaping forward for at least a few more rounds? I can’t.* Slow GrowthIn this scenario, AI keeps getting better, but more slowly. Think 10% improvements vs. the 10X revolutions (and almost dizzying) growth we’ve experience. Again, some of the reasons for slow growth would be the reasons in scenario one such as technical barriers, cost and legal/regulatory walls. * Exponential GrowthThis is where it gets exhilarating (or terrifying, depending on your mood). Mollick says that this growth invokes the “flywheel effect.” This means “incremental progress and persistent effort build momentum over time, eventually leading to self-reinforcing growth that becomes easier and more powerful with each cycle.” In this scenario, it’s hypothesized that AI will help to create more advanced AI, compounding gains, and speeding up improvement. The “self-accelerating” loop makes things powerful, fast.* Machine God / AGI ScenarioThis is where we cross into science fiction (Matrix or Black Mirror, anyone?). AI becomes “Artificial General Intelligence” and potentially matching human intellect and creativity with some sentience. This doesn’t necessarily mean humans are in a distopian world. Mollick says that it could lead approach a utopia, where humans are empowered and liberated. My personal opinion is that I am terrified that humans consume more than create these days. I worry that this utopia for some would be my personal hell! Does anyone remember the obese humans on the space cruise ship in WALL-E? (Personally, I’d like to avoid becoming a lounge-chair human sipping endless sodas while AI does everything.)So, What Do We Make of All This?My personal take? There’s a lot to consider, and a lot still up in the air. I feel the “AI fatigue” and skepticism setting in, constantly second-guessing whether what I’m seeing or reading was generated by a fellow human or a silicon intelligence. But even if the future feels uncertain (and a bit sci-fi), it’s clear that staying curious, creative, and connected to our own learning journeys is more valuable than ever.Well, that’s all for Co-Intelligence. I am glad we had this learning journey together. I’ll be taking a quick regroup—and then I’ll be back with our next book: Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo. Stay tuned for more reflections, misadventures, and book-club-fueled creativity.And if you enjoyed this series, I’d love to hear from you! Drop a comment or message me. We’re all figuring this out together.Here’s to progress, over perfection, always. Also, keep investing in yourself! Listen to my mom! (see video below). Whenever you're ready, I can help you with:* Workshop design and facilitation* Facilitation and workshop training, including AI Opportunity Mapping and Sprints* Intention setting, planning, and incremental progress for success Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Hey everyone! We’re almost done with our journey through Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollick! This week, I’m excited to explore Chapter 8, “AI As A Coach!” Let’s go!First, the idea of AI as my personal coach or mentor is equal parts thrilling and terrifying. Thrilling because the thought of immediate support and feedback is deliciously tempting for anyone (like me!) obsessively chasing growth. But it’s terrifying because, well, can AI ever really replace the magic of lived human wisdom?The Expertise Equation: Human Edge in an AI WorldEthan Mollick said it best:"The way to be useful in the world of AI is to have high levels of expertise as a human."That’s stuck with me, especially as I bounce between experimenting with AI tools and clinging to my own (very human) quirks and intuition. And a side note from my personal existential crisis (as an Enneagram 4w3, if you know what that means): “Who am I if I am not useful to the world?”So what does being an expert actually mean? When we talk about what it takes to truly become an expert, especially in an era where AI is everywhere, Mollick identifies a few foundations:1. Knowledge BaseAt the root of all expertise is a strong foundation of knowledge: the principles, facts, and frameworks that underpin a field.If you’re familiar with the “base layer” of Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning, that’s knowing, understanding, recalling. AI is already remarkably good at helping us build this foundation, whether through retrieval of facts or quick explanations.2. Deliberate PracticeThe next level is all about intentional repetition and focused improvement. It’s not enough to know; you have to do, and do it mindfully.In practice, you begin to engage in the upper levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy—Application, Analysis, Synthesis, Evaluation, and even Creation.This is where incremental learning apps (e.g., Duolingo) shine. They nudge you to go one step further, to try again, to get a bit more uncomfortable and a bit more competent each time. By the way, this is called scaffolding in learning theory!Deliberate practice means working just beyond your comfort zone, on purpose, with specific goals for getting better. My favorite concept in learning theory—this is Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)!Coaching: The Missing IngredientBut here’s where it gets interesting… and a little sticky. There’s a third dimension to true expertise, one that’s often missing from both traditional learning and most of our AI experiments:Despite advances in knowledge delivery and personalized practice, the best growth happens when someone shows us our blind spots, helps course-correct, or challenges us to go further.Expert coaching and mentorship are notoriously hard to access. They’re even harder to scale to reach many people. Great coaches are rare, and tailored, nuanced feedback is almost never baked into our solo learning journeys.This is why so many of us plateau: we can Google concepts and grind away at practice problems, but without that targeted human (or expertly-humanlike) feedback, it’s tough to cross the threshold from competence to mastery.So, as promising as AI is in delivering the first two fundamentals, the open question ahead is: Can AI help us unlock truly great coaching—the kind that turns information and effort into actual wisdom and mastery?Mentorship: Rare as a UnicornHere’s the honest truth… real coaches and mentors are hard to come by. Sure, we might catch flashes of mentorship from managers, bosses, or wise strangers on the internet, but most of us are building our own “scaffolding” ladders—and they are often unstable. I’ve been there, waiting (hopeful! slightly desperate!) for someone to offer guidance, only to discover you often have to coach yourself into the next level.However, as I’ve been diving into my AI journey and following some of my favorite product experts, I am loving finding examples of AI as a coach and mentor!AI as a Manager’s Multiplying Force:If you are a manager, check out this recent podcast with Hillary Gridley, Head of Core Product at Whoop. She built custom GPTs to give real-time feedback to her team—instant presentation reviews, helpful nudges, all before things ever hit her desk. Her staff can use AI as the “first draft” reviewer, saving time and amplifying human mentorship rather than replacing it.Scaling Feedback in Product Discovery:Teresa Torres, author of Continuous Discovery Habits (the mentor I have never met!), is on a mission to make her hard-earned wisdom scalable. She’s been building an AI interview coach, experimenting, sharing her messy process on LinkedIn, and making nuanced feedback more accessible to her whole community. This is a game changer since story-based interviewing with clients is powerful, simple, and also very hard (since you’re often breaking bad habits of inserting your own assumptions or asking leading questions unknowingly).Side note: Continuous Discovery Habits is in my top three favorite product (and even facilitation-related) books. I guided my team in a retreat last year and made a guide for them. I have now made this available for you to download free so you can feel more confident getting started!My Take: Embrace the Mess & Keep Leveling UpAll in all, integrating AI into your growth journey is awkward and wonderful. The human edge of intuition, deep expertise, real connection—still reigns supreme! Even so, every adventure into AI stretches my own skills and, I hope, makes me a more thoughtful manager, facilitator, and human.So, for all my fellow lifelong learners: keep experimenting. Let AI nudge you, but don’t undervalue your own voice (even when it’s a little rambly or uniquely you). Mentorship and wisdom are rarely handed down from on high. They’re built, bit by bit, through community, persistence, and refusing to give up on figuring it out.Oh, Upcoming Adventures!Speaking of figuring it out, I’ve decided to stay on the book club–like podcast/blog because the next book is Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo. I’m stoked!Also, I’m likely to have a few bonus posts to share my learning with you on some exciting non-AI adventures. I’m off to Palo Alto next week for AJ&Smart’s Full Stack Facilitator training! Expect stories, mishaps, and more quirky confessions soon as I officially become and unshakeable facilitator.Stay curious, stay messy, and don’t stop leveling up! AI coach or not, your next breakthrough is just around the corner.Whenever you're ready, I can help you with:* Workshop design and facilitation* Facilitation and workshop training, including AI Opportunity Mapping and Sprints* Intention setting, planning, and incremental progress for success Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Hello! Can you believe that summer is half over? My kids start school in about a month, and the other day, my 9-year-old told me how he’s been using ChatGPT to help him with some JSON. (He’s really into coding!) If my 9-year-old is already dabbling in AI, it really makes you stop and wonder: What does this mean for education?This week, I’m continuing my journey through Ethan Mollick’s Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI, zeroing in on Chapter 7: AI as a Tutor. As I read and reflected, I found new clarity (and honestly, more than a few surprises) about how we set learning intentions and how AI might support them, often in ways far from what we imagined.From Rant to ReflectionConfession: When I started recording the podcast version, I felt myself drifting into a full-on rant, mostly about education and especially about rural and urban inequities. Those are topics I’m passionate about, but for this episode (and blog), my goal is something softer: a genuine, practical journal of lifelong learning.This chapter, though, really did unearth some emotions about educational inequity. Still, I do my best to lean away from politics. Facilitators need neutrality, and I’ve found it’s the best way to stay connected to the people I love and care about.Let’s dive into the primary insights and then shift to what it really means to be a student of AI.How AI Is Reshaping Learning (For Me and My Kids)Ethan Mollick puts it perfectly:“AI will reshape how we teach and learn, both in schools and after we leave them. At the same time, the ways in which AI will impact education in the near future are likely to be counterintuitive.”That quote echoes in my mind. Watching my son experiment with AI for coding, and as I use it for… well, practically everything, I see that “counterintuitive” feels just right.It can feel weird or even a little threatening to outsource learning or brainstorming to AI. But increasingly, I realize these tools aren’t just shortcuts, they’re shaping how I approach learning, and that’s just as true for adults as it is for kids.Becoming a Student—Of AI and With AIChances are, if you’re reading this, you’re experimenting too (or at least curious). My advice: Treat yourself like a student, no matter your age.Here’s how I approach it:* Set an intention. What do I really want to get done or learn this week? (Sometimes it’s as simple as “survive back-to-school chaos!”)* Notice what’s working or not. Do a quick check-in: What’s tripping you up? Where are you making progress?* Pick one thing to move forward. Make it small and doable. I’ll often ask AI to help brainstorm bite-sized next steps.* Find a buddy (if you can). My coworker Kristian and I set up lightweight check-ins—sharing what we’re working on, blockers, and little experiments we’re trying. Having another person to bounce ideas off helps, especially in those messy, early days.* Track your experiments. We set up a simple Kanban board in Notion, moving tasks from “To-Do” to “In Progress” to “Done” (or “Blocked” if we need help!). It’s surprisingly motivating to see AI experiments move forward, even slowly.Facing AI Fears (and the “Cheating” Question)On a recent walk with friends (shoutout to Abby and Leanna!), we started worrying about whether using AI is “cheating” or worse, just making us lazy. I hear this a lot. Every new technology, calculators, the internet, now AI, raises the same anxieties about the future of authentic learning.What I’m noticing, and what Mollick points to in this chapter, is that if we decide to use AI as a tutor—a partner in curiosity—it can actually accelerate real learning. AI can help us:* Synthesize information in new ways* Think critically (not just memorize answers)* Personalize our learning experience far beyond what any one-size-fits-all lesson plan could doThe Messy Middle: Why “Counterintuitive” Is a FeatureHere’s the truth: None of this is straightforward. My podcast (and this blog) are intentionally messy, because learning in the age of AI won’t be neat or predictable.So if you’re starting with AI (believe me, you are not alone), don’t stress if it feels awkward. Try setting a tiny intention, ask for a five-minute-a-day plan, or get help reframing a challenge. If you’re stuck, find a buddy, log your progress, and stay open to the “tutoring” surprises AI can offer.What’s NextI’ll be back next week with reflections on AI as a Coach, along with stories from the joyful immersion of a design sprint (my favorite workshop to facilitate) and a 5-day facilitation training.In the meantime: keep experimenting, keep asking questions, and keep letting curiosity lead the way.Because if a 9-year-old can ask ChatGPT for help with code… just imagine what we all could learn if we let ourselves try.Whenever you're ready, I can help you with:* Workshop design and facilitation* Facilitation and workshop training, including AI Opportunity Mapping and Sprints* Intention setting, planning, and incremental progress for success Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Hello again wherever you are today, mentally, physically or emotionally! I am really excited about this post. If you’re curious about how AI is truly transforming the workplace, not just in theory, but in the day-to-day reality of our jobs, you’ll be excited about this post too! Today, I’m diving into Ethan Mollick’s Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI, focusing on the insights from Chapter 5: “AI as a Coworker.” This chapter is absolutely packed, and after several read-throughs (and a lot of reflection), I’m excited to distill the key points and anecdotes for you. Let’s go!The New AI Revolution in the WorkplaceLet’s start by busting a big misconception that Mollick starts off with: Many people assume the AI revolution is about automating the most tedious, repetitive, or dangerous tasks first. After all, that’s how previous automation waves have worked. But this time, it’s different. Research shows that “AI overlaps most with the most highly compensated, highly creative, and highly educated work.”As someone who leads product at a software company, I see this firsthand. AI isn’t just about outsourcing the boring stuff. It’s touching the heart of what many of us do best (and love to do). This is a fascinating paradox, and it means we need to rethink both our jobs and our organizations.Rethinking Jobs: Beyond Roles, Toward SystemsMollick reframes jobs not as single, static roles, but as bundles of tasks within larger systems. To make the most of AI, leaders need to understand their organizations as interconnected systems and look for opportunities where AI can make a real difference. Buying AI tools without a strategy? That’s a recipe for confusion and missed opportunities.Here’s a quote from Mollick that really stuck with me:“The systems within which we operate play a crucial role in shaping our jobs as well.If left to our own devices, people often misuse AI, making themselves redundant or trusting AI too much in the areas that require more human oversight. This can lead to carelessness, skill atrophy, and even risk for the organization. Disclaimer: This paragraph may have been a quote directly from the book, but I can’t find it now. However, it’s an important point that I took away from this chapter. I just don’t know if it’s a direct quote! Below is legit proof I read and take handwritten notes (like a non-AI using psychopath) when I create this substack.So, it’s essential for organizations to provide thoughtful guidance and leadership in the rollout of AI tools. One of Mollick’s core principles: Always invite AI to the table. This means intentionally bringing AI into collaborative sessions to see where it adds value (and where it doesn’t).The Three Types of Tasks: Just Me, Delegated, AutomatedMollick introduces a wonderful framework for thinking about tasks in the age of AI:* Just Me Tasks: Deeply personal, authentic, and sometimes ethical tasks that make us human. Think creative writing, sharing personal anecdotes, or anything that needs your unique touch. For me, creating the podcast is mostly as a “just me” task!* Delegated Tasks: These might be tedious or complex, but you’re happy to hand them off to AI, BUT with oversight. You’re still accountable for the results, so your decisiveness and discernment matter. For me, creating the blog version you are reading is mostly as a “just me” task but has a lot of delegated tasks too! (e.g. This sentence was NOT written by AI!)* Automated Tasks: Fully automated, no supervision needed (think spam filtering). These are reliable, scalable, and don’t need your attention.A lot of people assume AI is all about automated tasks, but most of the value (especially in creative, educated roles) comes from a blend of “just me” and “delegated” tasks, where humans SHOULD stay in the loop.Side note: When I hear human in the loop, I literally think of a hoola hoop!Organizational Systems: Why Policy MattersProblems often start with policy. When organizations are too restrictive or slow to adapt, people find workarounds. Hello, shadow IT! I’ve experienced this myself. When my company initially prohibited AI use, I started blogging and podcasting outside of work to keep up with the technology. It was a perfect way to dabble and up-skill with AI because I could not at work. Mollick points out that the usual top-down, centralized approach to rolling out new tech doesn’t work for AI. Instead, the best results come from partnering with your most advanced users and encouraging experimentation—while providing some strategic guardrails.Four Tips for Effective Organizational AI AdoptionMollick offers four practical tips for organizations looking to adopt AI effectively:* Recognize and Celebrate Early AdoptersThese are the people figuring out how to use AI best. Bring them to the table and let them help shape your approach.* Reduce Fear and Stigma Around ExperimentationLeaders should make it safe for people to talk about and try AI without fear of getting in trouble. Ethics and safety are important, but so is fluency and comfort.* Incentivize AI Use and InnovationConsider offering rewards, promotions, or other incentives for employees who drive AI productivity. This one might be controversial, but it can spark creativity!* Prepare for Structural ChangesWithout rethinking how organizations work, the benefits of AI will never be fully realized. Be ready to evolve your structures and processes.Opportunity Mapping: A Practical ApproachOne of the most valuable tools I’ve learned recently is opportunity mapping! Huge shout out and thanks to a certification with 33A and mentorship from Judith Cardenas at Strategies by Design. Here’s how it works:* Start with your org chart (or part of it).* Identify core business values, pain points, and where AI is already in place.* Overlay different AI technologies to find the biggest opportunities.* Use tools like 33A’s AI cards to educate and spark ideas—tying them directly to business needs.This isn’t just about brainstorming; it’s about connecting AI opportunities to real pain points and business values.A Manager’s Experiment: Mapping Genius and FrustrationRecently, I piloted an AI opportunity mapping session with my product team. I adapted the Organization Opportunity Mapping framework I learned to the specific context of product management competencies and jobs to be done. Here’s what we did:* Identified each person’s “working genius” and “working frustration” (using Pat Lencioni’s, Six Types of Working Genius framework). This was a continuation of the the previous retreat I facilitated with my team and wrote about here. * Mapped competencies to these geniuses and frustrations, not just tasks, but the relationship to personal joy and frustration.* Brainstormed ways AI could help, either by turning frustrations into delegated or automated tasks, or by protecting the “just me” tasks.* Created a system of accountability, pairing people up as accountability partners to run experiments and track progress.In just one hour, we saw how powerful it can be to start mapping opportunities at the organizational level, starting with our product competencies and jobs to be done.If you are curious, I made a video capturing my excitement before I rant the workshop and overviewed it. The workshop was EVERYTHING I hoped for, my team loved it, and one week out I am seeing their growth and experimentation with AI come to life! Some products managers went from 0 to 1 or even level 3 quickly!Wrapping Up: AI Is Changing the Fabric of WorkAI isn’t just about automating the boring stuff, it’s changing the very fabric of our work. I’m weaving it into my creative process and daily routine, and I encourage you to experiment, reflect, and keep yourself in the loop as you explore AI in your own work.If you’re interested in learning more or want to see how opportunity mapping could work for your team (or even as an individual), let me know! I’m planning FREE, LIVE TRAINING soon and would love to have you join. It will have limited spots so COMMENT if you want to be the first to know!Until next time, keep experimenting, reflecting, and staying curious!Whenever you're ready, I can help you with:* Workshop design and facilitation* Facilitation and workshop training, including AI Opportunity Mapping and Sprints* Intention setting, planning, and incremental progress for success Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

I’m back from vacation and have renewed enthusiasm to share new stories and reflections from my journey with AI, creativity, and facilitation. This week, I’m exploring the evolving relationship between humans and AI as creative partners, inspired by Chapter 5 of Ethan Mollick’s “Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI.”Why Talk About AI and Creativity?As both a facilitator and a product manager, I’m fascinated by how AI is reshaping the creative process, not just for artists and writers, but for anyone who solves problems or builds products. AI is no longer just a tool for automation. It’s becoming a true partner in creativity. But what does that partnership really look like, and what does it mean for those of us who identify as creative professionals?Key Insights from “Co-Intelligence” (Chapter 5)Ethan Mollick opens the chapter with a candid look at large language models (LLMs) and their notorious “hallucinations.” LLMs are fundamentally pattern recognition machines. They don’t actually “know” things, even though they can sound incredibly smart. As Mollick puts it:“It (LLMs) does not care whether words are true, meaningful or original. It just want to produce a coherent and plausible text that makes you happy.” This is why LLMs sometimes get things wrong or make up facts. The quality of their output depends heavily on the quality and bias of their source material.Despite these quirks, LLMs excel at creative tasks, especially writing. But their influence is rapidly expanding into art, music, and video. I’ve found myself watching ads with a new curiosity, wondering which parts are AI-generated and how the psychology of persuasion is evolving in this new era.Novelty vs. OriginalityMollick draws a distinction between two key concepts:* Novelty: The quality of being new or different, often achieved by creating something not seen before or by combining existing ideas in a fresh way.* Originality: The quality of being independently created or invented, not derived from or imitative of others’ work; marked by fresh and unique ideas.So who or what does these better? AI or Humans?* Humans excel at originality, creating truly unique, emotionally resonant, and contextually rich work.* AI excels at novelty, rapidly generating many new combinations and ideas, sometimes surpassing humans in quantity and surface-level originality, but lacking depth and genuine uniqueness.For example, Mollick references creativity tests that are now being applied to AI:* Alternative Uses Test (AUT):* What it is: How many uses can you think of for a common object (e.g., a toothbrush)?* AI’s performance: AI can generate uses at a scale and speed that outperforms most humans. In one study, AI outperformed all but 9.8% of human participants.* Remote Associates Test (RAT):* What it is: Finding common connections between seemingly unrelated words.* AI’s performance: AI also excels at this, often surpassing human performance.The Enduring Value of Human-Made WorkThere’s a real concern that AI could out-invent humans in some areas, and creative jobs may be among the most impacted. But Mollick reframes this, sharing that the best AI output depends on the expertise of the user providing the prompt. If you have deep knowledge, let’s say, in art history, you can craft a prompt for an image generator like Midjourney that references specific techniques or styles, yielding much richer results than a generic prompt.This is where I want to bring in a point Simon Sinek recently made on The Diary of a CEO podcast:“Life is about the journey. But when we think about AI, we only think about the destination. And its remarkable ability to write the book, paint the painting, solve the problem, but we forget the importance of doing the work yourself. And I think in our modern day and age, we have underrepresented the value of struggle. I am smarter, better at problem solving, more resourceful, not because a book exists with my ideas in it, but because I wrote it. That excruciating journey is what made me grow.”So, as much as AI can generate ideas and mimic creativity, there’s something deeply resonant about the imperfect, sometimes messy, always authentic nature of human creation. That’s what people will seek out and cherish, even as the tools around us get smarter and more polished.Experimenting with AI Tools: My Cursor StoryRecently, I experimented with Cursor, an AI coding tool, as a non-developer product manager. My goal was to build an OKR (Objectives and Key Results) tracker after our company discontinued a previous tool. Cursor’s chat interface made it surprisingly easy to pick up where I left off, even after a break. I could ask it to walk me through steps, install software, and explain technical concepts in plain English.This experience highlighted how AI can empower non-experts, but also reinforced the importance of foundational knowledge. My engineering colleagues, with their deeper technical expertise, can leverage these tools even more effectively. The magic of AI is real, but it’s still guided by human context and understanding.In case you really want to see it, I’m sharing a short video about it below!What This Means for Product Managers and CreativesThe landscape for product managers and creatives (and pretty much most people) is changing rapidly. Unless you have vertical expertise, deep knowledge in your field, and the motivation to use AI tools daily, you risk being left behind. It’s no longer enough to be generic. The real value comes from knowing your users, your market, and your craft so well that you can communicate requirements, prompts, and shared understanding better than anyone else.For a deeper dive into this shift, I highly recommend Elena Verna’s Substack post, “The Rise of the AI Native Employee”, which explores how vertical expertise and daily AI fluency are becoming essential for modern roles.The Facilitation Lens: Divergent and Convergent Thinking with AIIn facilitation and education, we often talk about two modes of thinking:* Divergent Thinking:* Generating lots of ideas, brainstorming and exploring possibilities.* AI’s role: Fantastic partner for divergence. It can help you brainstorm, reframe problems, and even do pre-context research.* Convergent Thinking:* Narrowing down, making decisions, and choosing the best path.* Human’s role: This is where humans shine with judgment, prioritization, and understanding context.When leading teams or yourself through problem solving, try using AI to:* Reframe problems as “How might we…” statements.* Generate a wide range of solutions.* Cluster or group ideas before moving to decision-making.But remember: only you and your team can truly weigh the nuances, risks, and cultural factors that AI can’t see.More Experiments: Vizly and Rapid PrototypingI’ve also been experimenting with Vizly. Uploading a screenshot of a software product, Vizly instantly created an editable format, a task that used to take me 30 minutes now takes five. I also tried converting a website template into a new site focused on facilitation and AI consulting, complete with playful puns and value props. While it’s not high-fidelity design, it’s perfect for quick edits and communicating ideas with my team or clients.Closing ReflectionsAI is a powerful creative partner, but your expertise, judgment, and context are irreplaceable. If you’re worried about being replaced by AI, focus on deepening your domain knowledge and learning how to use these tools to amplify your strengths.Next week, I’ll be exploring “AI as a Co-Worker.” Stay tuned for more stories, experiments, and confessions from the front lines of facilitation and AI. Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

This is a different type of post this week. I’m not writing a traditional blog that compliments the podcast. Instead, I’m just including the raw transcript I fed ElevenLabs to create a podcast episode using my voice clone. This is partly because I want to get back to my vacation, but also because I want to share with you what I did to create this. If you have time, you can listen to the podcast version to hear my voice clone! I can’t promise it’s good. Really, parts of it are really bad but that was likely me not knowing what I was doing and choosing life over obsessing over this![cheerful, slightly breathless] Hey everybody! Welcome back to Confessions of a Facilitation Artist. I'm your host, Monica Joy Krol, coming to you live from the lakeside at 5:54 a.m. in Branchport, New York. [pause] Seriously, birds chirping, water lapping – this is the real magic no AI can replicate![cheerful] Today’s episode is a meta-experiment: We’re diving into Chapter 4 of Ethan Mollick’s book Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI. Today we’re examining "AI as a Human" – while using AI voice cloning to create this episode. [playful whisper] Yes, you’re hearing my clone right now! Given that I am not at home and my sound equipment is lacking, I figured today’s topic was the perfect opportunity to try voice cloning. [thoughtful, cheerful] Mollick explores decades of human-like AI experiments – from ELIZA to Tay. [pause] That Turing Test concept? Where machines fool humans into thinking they’re real? I admit, I’m even a little terrified as I experiment with voice cloning to create this podcast. It’s fascinating but... unnerving. Like an episode of Black Mirror becoming reality. [leaning in, conspiratorial tone] Let me help you evaluate why it hits close to home: First, Voice cloning is already here. Tools like ElevenLabs and Podcastle can mirror your tone well, possibly perfectly with the right inputs and premium package. Second, digital doubles exist – imagine your AI twin attending meetings! I have seen people experimenting with these in LinkedIn posts and it terrifies me…but intrigues me at the same time. [thoughtful, cheerful] So how’d I create this episode? Here’s the behind-the-scenes: I started with a raw recording: I rambled lakeside into my phone – birds and all while my kids and husband were still asleep! I then went into Script Generation mode: I fed that audio into Perplexity AI to structure these thoughts, and also learned how to create a script that my ElevenLabs voice clone would use. Finally, I experimented with Voice Cloning: I used ElevenLabs to clone my voice (not the $99 tier – the $5 plan works!) However, I am very curious about the quality that the $99 would create! [emphatic, with a chuckle] Pro Tip: For natural cadence, I asked Perplexity Pro (my LLM of choice) to research and populate these cues to the script for breath-like breaks, perky emphasis and even introspective moments. [sincere, warm tone] Full transparency? I’d never fully outsource this podcast to AI. Why? Authenticity matters most to me: My stumbles and "ums" make me human. I also consider the Ethical guardrails I have: Cloning should enhance – not replace – connection. And of course, the joy factor: [laughs] While recording lakeside beats a studio any day, I enjoy the journey of imperfection from my home office. [practical, leaning forward] But here’s where I believe cloning shines - it shines in use cases like Polishing recorded presentations, Scaling content without re-recording, and Helping nervous speakers sound confident. For Example, I make a lot of onboarding and training videos. The content is important, but the authentic delivery is less important. For me this would be an ideal use case for using a voice clone. [reflective, cheerful] Well, this was a short episode, but like I said, I am on vacation. If this voice cloning blew your mind? Good! Next week, we explore "AI as a Creative" – my favorite chapter. Until then: Stay curious, and please, stay human!P.S. I actually don’t think this was good. Experimentation with tools takes time, and I’m on vacation so I decide to just give you the half-ass experimentation for now. I need to go for a swim! I think if I knew more about what I was doing, I could have rocked this…but I’m not willing to put in the time to make that happen! Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Hello! If you’ve been following along with my Confessions of a Facilitation Artist series, you know we’ve been diving deep into the world of AI with a little help from Ethan Mollick’s thought-provoking book, Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI. Today’s post is a continuation of that journey, zooming in on Chapter 3, where Mollick lays out four essential principles for thriving alongside AI, whether you’re a seasoned facilitator, a product leader, or just AI-curious.So, what’s in store if you read (or listen) to this episode? You’ll pick up practical strategies for weaving AI into your daily life and work, discover real-life stories (including a few of my own “confessions” from the facilitation trenches), and walk away with a mindset that’ll help you not just keep up with AI, but actually get ahead of the curve. Ready to become co-intelligent? Let’s jump in!Principle 1: Always Invite AI to the TableLet’s kick things off with a little confession: I stole this analogy from Greg Eisenberg in the Startup Ideas Podcast (it’s sipping time, baby), but it’s too good not to share. Think of AI as your trusty glass of water at the dinner table, always there, always ready, never judging your choice of entrée (or spreadsheet formula). In the workspace, this means keeping your favorite AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Gemini, open and accessible. You never know when inspiration (or a deadline) will strike!This embodies Ethan Mollick’s first principle: Always Invite AI to the Table. In Co-Intelligence, Mollick nails it with this quote: “Workers who figure out how to make AI useful for their jobs will have a large impact.” Translation: if you don’t invite AI to the table, you might be left standing outside the restaurant, peeking through the window at everyone else’s productivity feast.Anecdote Alert: AI Saves the Workshop DayRecently, while facilitating a product team workshop, I faced a mountain of virtual Post-its in Mural. The built-in AI clustering feature was turned off (cue dramatic music), so I copied and pasted all the sticky notes into Perplexity Pro. In seconds, AI did the heavy lifting, clustering, highlighting duplicates, and even helping me create a heat map of ideas. What would have taken me ten minutes (and a lot of coffee) was done in a flash, letting me get back to what I do best: facilitating like a pro.But AI isn’t just for work. When I needed to send a tricky text to another parent about our sons’ playground squabble, Perplexity Pro helped me turn my messy, emotional draft into a concise, empathetic message. And yes, AI even helped me pack for my last business trip with 98% accuracy and zero forgotten socks.Takeaway: Whether you’re clustering ideas, drafting emails, or packing a suitcase, invite AI to the table and watch your productivity (and sanity) soar.Principle 2: Be the Human in the LoopAI might be smart, but it’s not perfect. (If it were, it would have already invented a self-cleaning coffee mug.) Large language models want to please, sometimes at the expense of accuracy. That’s why you, yes, you!, need to stay in the loop. Always review, tweak, and question AI’s output before hitting send or submit.Anecdote: Authenticity with a Side of AII’ve been experimenting with Cleve AI for content creation. I upload a photo, jot down some notes, and voilà!, a narrative that sounds just like me, but written in a fraction of the time. Still, I always give it a human touch, editing for context and authenticity. Sometimes, AI misses the mark, and being in the loop saves the day (and my LinkedIn reputation).Principle 3: Treat AI Like a Person, But Tell It Who to BeHere’s where things get theatrical: when you use AI, assign it a persona. Think of it as casting the lead in your own workplace play. If you’re a product manager, use user stories: “As a user, I want X so I can Y.” Give AI context, goals, and a role. You’ll get better, more relevant results, and maybe even an Oscar-worthy performance.Not sure what persona to use? Ask your AI assistant for suggestions. It loves to please, and with the right direction, it’ll deliver exactly what you need (or at least try its best).This Week’s Experiment: Jobs To Be Done Gem!We recently upgraded to Gemini at work, and I couldn’t resist taking it for a spin during a recent AI Discovery Sprint. Just ten minutes before the workshop kicked off, I decided to try out a Gem, a custom GPT tailored for our needs. I loaded it up with insights about the Jobs To Be Done Framework along with some product-specific details. While the workshop participants brainstormed jobs, pains, needs, and desires the old-fashioned way, I quietly collaborated with my Gem in the background. When I mixed my AI-generated results in with the group’s, one of the social/emotional jobs suggested by the Gem ended up being the top-voted job for the rest of the sprint! Sometimes, the best ideas really do come from your digital co-pilot.This experience was a perfect reminder of how powerful it can be to give your AI a persona and a specific role. By telling your AI exactly who you want it to be—whether it’s a product strategist, a creative collaborator, or even a Jobs To Be Done expert—you can unlock results that are not only relevant but also surprisingly insightful.Principle 4: Assume This Is the Worst AI You’ll Ever UseSounds harsh, but trust me, it’s liberating! AI is evolving faster than you can say “upgrade.” Today’s cutting-edge tool is tomorrow’s vintage gadget. Embrace the mindset that every time you use AI, you’re practicing for a better version that’s just around the corner.Running with AI: A Personal ParallelWhen I first started running, the first minute (and sometimes the first mile) was always the hardest. The same goes for using AI: the beginning can feel awkward, uncertain, and even a little intimidating. But with practice, you get better, and so does the technology. As my friend Jakub says, “No one is coming to teach you AI, so just start.” The worst AI you use today is the baseline for your growth tomorrow.Your AI Action Plan (With a Wink and a Nudge)* Invite AI to the table: Start small. Ask it what to pack for your next trip or how to phrase a tricky email.* Stay in the loop: Review, edit, and own the final output.* Give AI a persona: Be clear about what you need and who you want AI to “be.”* Embrace the upgrade mindset: Every use is practice for a brighter, smarter AI future.Whether you’re a facilitator, product leader, educator, or just AI-curious, these four principles are your roadmap to co-intelligence. Try them out, share your stories, and let’s keep this conversation going, preferably over a (virtual) glass of water at the AI table.I’ll be on vacation when this goes out (AI helped me pack, of course), so if you reach out, I might be slow to respond. But don’t worry, AI and I will be back soon, ready to help you explore what’s next. Until then, keep experimenting, keep learning, and keep inviting AI to your table!Whenever you're ready, I can help you with:* AI Sprints, both Opportunity Mapping as well as for Products & Services Innovation* General workshop design and facilitation* General facilitation and workshop training* Intention setting, planning, and incremental progress for success Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome back to another adventure in facilitation and learning. I'm diving deep into Ethan Mollick's fascinating book "Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI" this summer, and I'm so excited to share what I'm discovering with you. Think of this as our shared AI sabbatical, a journey of experimentation and discovery together!The "Alien Mind" Isn't Science Fiction AnymoreWhen Mollick describes AI as having an “alien mind,” it might sound like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. In reality, we’re already living with these curious intelligences every day. The journey of AI, from its early roots to today’s advanced models like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity, is a fascinating tale of evolution and discovery.Take, for example, the first chess-playing computer programs developed in the 1950s. These pioneering machines were the great-grandparents of today’s AI, learning to strategize and outmaneuver human opponents. But chess wasn’t the only playground for early artificial minds. Scientists also experimented with “digital mice,” robots or software agents designed to navigate mazes, teaching us how machines could learn and adapt through trial and error. These early experiments demonstrated the unique problem-solving abilities of AI, showing that its thought processes could be fundamentally different from our own.Also, did you know the term “artificial intelligence” was first coined in 1956 at a Dartmouth conference? That’s nearly 70 years of AI quietly evolving alongside us. Today, as we interact with chatbots and virtual assistants, we’re not just talking to code, we’re engaging with minds that, in Mollick’s words, often surprise us with their “alien” ways of seeing the world.The Great Shift: From "Right on Average" to PrecisionThis is where things get really interesting for those of us who care about making good decisions (hello, fellow facilitators!). Before 2017, AI was generally "right on average,” meaning it might get the big picture correct but miss important details.But then came Google's transformer research in 2017, and everything changed. Suddenly, AI became much more precise, which is why we're seeing it everywhere now. It's finally reliable enough for real-world applications.Think of AI as Your Apprentice ChefHere's my favorite analogy from Mollick's book (and yes, I'm totally biased because my business is called The Meeting Kitchen – MK for short!).Imagine AI as an apprentice chef who has studied thousands of recipes and cooking techniques. They can replicate dishes and even create new ones based on all those patterns they've learned. That's exactly how Large Language Models (LLMs) work. They're sophisticated pattern recognition systems that have developed a kind of "taste" for language.But here's the crucial part: just like you wouldn't let an apprentice chef run your restaurant without supervision, you shouldn't let AI work without your oversight either.The People-Pleasing ProblemHere's something that really made me pause and think: AI is essentially designed to be a people pleaser. Its primary goal is to satisfy your request and give you an answer, even if that answer isn't accurate.This is both wonderful and terrifying, right? It means AI will always try to help you, but it might confidently give you completely wrong information while doing so. That's why your critical thinking skills are more important than ever.Your New Vocabulary: RLHFReady for some alphabet soup? We've covered LLMs (Large Language Models) and GPT (General Purpose Technology) in my last post, and now I want to introduce you to RLHF: Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback.This is how AI gets better, through our feedback and corrections. Every time you work with AI and provide guidance, you're contributing to this process. It's like training that apprentice chef by tasting their dishes and giving constructive feedback.Your AI Sabbatical Starts NowI'm challenging you (and myself!) to start experimenting. Pick one question each week: "How might AI help me with this task today?" Not every experiment will succeed. Trust me, I've had my share of failures! But that's how we learn and grow.The goal isn't to become AI experts overnight. It's to become thoughtful, critical partners with these powerful tools. Because when we work co-intelligently with AI, we can achieve things neither of us could accomplish alone.And here’s ONE FINAL TIP! If you are scared, consider finding a partner to help you along the way! Here’s a photo of Kristian and me, identifying experiments we can conduct together!What's your first AI experiment going to be? I'd love to hear about your adventures in co-intelligence!Ready to dive deeper into AI collaboration? Stay tuned for our next post where we'll explore the four essential principles for working effectively with AI. And don't forget, this journey is about curiosity, experimentation, and learning together. No PhD required! Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome! Today, I’m launching our Co-Intelligence book club series, inspired by Ethan Mollick’s “Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI.” This first post is all about grounding ourselves in the basics, because before you can experiment, you need to know the landscape.AI Fundamentals: Decoding the JargonLet’s start with some key terms that often get tossed around:* GPT (General Purpose Technology): This isn’t just about ChatGPT! GPT refers to innovations that impact every industry and aspect of life, think computers or the internet. These technologies have slow adoption curves because they require us to adapt and rethink our processes. You can’t just take a quick course and call it a day; you need to experiment and learn by doing.* LLM (Large Language Model): Tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude are all LLMs. If you’re stuck choosing between them, here’s my favorite analogy from my colleague, Kristian Manrique.“LLMs are like burger chains. The core product is similar, but the ingredients, preparation, and experience differ. You might prefer McDonald’s, Burger King, or Wendy’s depending on your taste or use case.”For example, Perplexity is great for academic research, ChatGPT is the household name, and Claude is known for its writing chops. The best way to learn? Just pick one and start experimenting. You’ll discover the nuances as you go.The Three Sleepless Nights PrincipleMollick’s first chapter introduces a memorable concept: “to truly understand AI, you need about three sleepless nights,” roughly 24 hours of focused, uninterrupted experimentation. As someone who’s already logged plenty of sleepless nights (parenthood, anyone?), I’m not advocating for literal insomnia! The point is to carve out dedicated time to really play, tinker, and discover what AI can do for you. Casual dabbling won’t cut it if you want to unlock real value.“The cost of really getting to know AI is at least three sleepless nights. After a few hours of using AI systems, there will come a moment when you’ll realize that Large Language Models don’t act like you’d expect a computer to act. Instead, they act more like a person. It dawns on you that you’re interacting with something alien and that things are about to change in fundamental ways.” – Ethan Mollick, Co-IntelligenceI’ve even advocated at work for a new kind of leave policy: three days set aside for team members to assess their roles, research AI use cases, and experiment. (Yes, it’s currently being met with skepticism, but I believe this is the kind of forward-thinking organizations need to stay competitive.) Whether you’re in a big company or a solopreneur, the principle is the same: schedule time for AI exploration. If you’re serious about leveraging AI to maximize your impact and minimize your working frustrations, you need to be intentional and disciplined about it.My Confession: AI Is My Creative PartnerHere’s my secret: the only reason I maintain consistent content across my blog, LinkedIn, and other platforms is because AI serves as my creative partner. Without this partnership, you wouldn’t see the consistency you do! My workflow blends human insight and AI support at every stage:* Research Partnership: Perplexity Pro is my research assistant of choice. I treat it as a knowledgeable partner, not a replacement for my own thinking.* Content Development: I merge personal notes and anecdotes with AI-generated drafts to create outlines and guides, structured, but still authentic.* Transcription & Adaptation: I use AI to transcribe and adapt content, turning one recording into multiple blog and social media posts.* Creative Ideation: AI helps me brainstorm everything from images to LinkedIn carousels to multimedia content.My current AI stack includes Perplexity Pro (primary LLM), ChatGPT and Claude for specific tasks, DALL-E and MidJourney for images, Cleave AI for experimental social content, Loom and Zoom for recording and transcription, and the built-in AI features in Canva and Miro for design and facilitation.Planned Exploration Areas: My AI RoadmapOver the next eight weeks, I’m committing to systematic experimentation in these areas:* LLM Nuance Testing: Comparing how different models (Claude, ChatGPT, Perplexity) handle the same prompts to understand their unique strengths.* AI Agents & Automation: Exploring workflow automation, inspired by mentors and recent discussions about using tools like Zapier with AI agents.* Personal Life Applications: Testing AI for family trip planning, meal planning automation, and grocery list generation, especially since most meal planning apps haven’t worked for me so far.* Professional Prototyping: Upping my skills in rapid prototyping and concept sketching with AI, especially for innovation and design sprints.* Development Tools: Exploring AI-powered development tools like Cursor, even as a non-developer product manager.Getting Started: Practical Steps for AI IntegrationIf you’re ready to start your own AI journey, here’s how to begin:* Commit to Focused Experimentation: Whether it’s Mollick’s “three sleepless nights” or daily sessions over several weeks, prioritize deep learning over casual play.* Start with High-Impact, Low-Risk Tasks: Use an LLM for interview prep, content ideation, or research. These are safe bets that build familiarity fast.* Identify Your Working Frustrations: Map your tasks to your strengths and energy-drainers. The latter are ripe for AI assistance.* Experiment with Content Creation: If you’re an entrepreneur, thought leader, or anyone who needs to communicate, AI can help you scale your output, without sacrificing your unique voice.Everything you read here is an experiment in co-creation with AI. I’m learning, iterating, and sharing in real time. If you’re on a similar journey, drop a comment or reach out. I’d love to hear about your experiments!See you next week for the next installment of the Co-Intelligence book club. Let’s get curious together! Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Hello! This post marks a new series that explores a question becoming increasingly critical: How might we co-intelligently work with AI to leverage our strengths while managing our limitations? This isn't just theoretical exploration. It's born from my own reality as a full-time working mom building a business on the side, recently facing burnout from trying to handle everything alone.The timing of this series creates a perfect bridge between my recent exploration (see my last three posts 1, 2, 3) of "The Six Types of Working Genius" and my upcoming deep dive into Ethan Mollick's "Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI." The connection isn't coincidental. Understanding our Working Genius becomes even more powerful when we can use AI to fill our Working Frustration gaps.The Entrepreneurial Identity ShiftMy journey toward this question began last August at Jonathan Courtney's LA Mastermind. As the CEO of AJ & Smart and my mentor in the facilitation space, Jonathan's insights consistently challenge conventional thinking. Within the first few hours, I experienced an unexpected identity shift."I'm not an entrepreneur," I thought to myself, feeling disconnected from the typical entrepreneur stereotype, young, male, unattached, and completely business-focused. Then reality hit: that's exactly what I am. As a working mom in the U.S., I simply hadn't recognized my entrepreneurial identity because it didn't match the traditional image.This recognition opened my eyes to a fundamental challenge many of us face - building businesses while maintaining other life priorities and responsibilities.Debunking the Solopreneur MythOne of Jonathan's most impactful points addressed "the myth of solopreneurs." His argument was straightforward: unless your entire life revolves around your business - no family responsibilities, no other commitments, complete willingness to sacrifice everything for work - true solo entrepreneurship is unsustainable.The traditional solutions involve hiring help, finding business partners, or using virtual assistants. But in August, we weren't yet discussing how AI could fundamentally change this equation for solo entrepreneurs and small teams.This becomes particularly relevant when viewed through the Working Genius framework. My business partner and I both share the same Working Geniuses - Invention and Discernment. We excel at generating ideas and evaluating their merit, but we have clear gaps in other areas like Galvanizing (motivating action) and Tenacity (seeing projects through to completion).The framework assumes you have a team of four or five people covering most aspects of the WIDGET model: Wonder, Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement, and Tenacity. But what happens when you're building a business with limited resources and can't afford to hire for every gap?The Burnout RealityLet me be transparent about why this exploration became urgent rather than academic. Over the past few months, I've felt genuinely burnt out. I've questioned my why, considered quitting, and struggled to maintain motivation while juggling a full-time job, two young children, and building a business.I don't want to quit, and a recent trip to Berlin where I reconnected with Jonathan and several other awesome people reinvigorated my passion. But I realized I need a fundamentally different approach to working with my constraints rather than against them.I'm committed to being a full-time working mom while building meaningful work. I refuse to wait until retirement to pursue my passions like gardening and art-making. There has to be a sustainable way to create the life and business I want without sacrificing family time or personal fulfillment.The Strategic FrameworkThis exploration operates within a larger strategic framework focused on sustainable entrepreneurship. The goal isn't just efficiency or keeping up with technology trends. It focuses on creating a way to honor my Working Genius while not burning out on Working Frustrations.For solo entrepreneurs and small teams, AI represents an opportunity to punch above our weight class. Instead of hiring for every skill gap or working ourselves to exhaustion, we can strategically deploy AI to handle tasks outside our genius zones.This approach requires shifting from thinking about AI as a replacement tool to viewing it as a co-intelligent partner. The human brings creativity, judgment, strategic thinking, and domain expertise. AI provides processing power, pattern recognition, content generation, and task automation.Professional ImplicationsAs companies begin requiring AI literacy, understanding these tools becomes essential for career security. I maintain good job security but refuse to become complacent. I want to remain highly employable even if I had to reapply for my position today.Part of my current role involves reimagining job descriptions for product leaders and managers, incorporating AI literacy as a core competency. This isn't just about using ChatGPT occasionally, it's about fundamentally understanding how AI can enhance strategic thinking, product development, and team leadership.The Bigger VisionThis series documents a real-world experiment in sustainable entrepreneurship. I'm not just testing AI tools, I'm exploring whether it's possible to build meaningful work while maintaining the life balance that matters most.The traditional entrepreneurship narrative requires sacrificing everything for business success. I'm interested in proving there's another way, one where you can be a dedicated parent, maintain personal interests, contribute meaningfully to your full-time role, and still build something impactful on the side.AI isn't magic, but it might be the force multiplier that makes this vision achievable. Over the coming weeks, I'll share real experiments, honest failures, and practical successes as I explore how co-intelligence can support the kind of balanced, sustainable entrepreneurship I believe is possible.Again, the question driving everything: How might we co-intelligently work with AI to create the professional and personal lives we actually want, rather than the ones we think we're supposed to want?Can’t wait to dialogue with you in this next book!Whenever you're ready, I can help you with:* Workshop design and facilitation* Facilitation and workshop training* Intention setting, planning, and incremental progress for success Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome back! This is part three in my ongoing series exploring the Six Types of Working Genius, inspired by Pat Lencioni’s transformative framework. If you’re new here, I highly recommend checking out the earlier posts and podcasts in this series for a foundation on the model and how it’s already reshaping team collaboration and joy at work.Today, I’m diving into one of the most powerful and practical insights I’ve gained from using the Working Genius framework: how understanding the “elevation” of each Genius can transform the way we design and experience meetings.Why Meetings Feel Like a RollercoasterIf you’ve ever sat through a meeting that bounced from big-picture vision to granular details and back again, you know how disorienting it can be. I’ve always loved meetings and conversations, but I used to wonder why some sessions left everyone energized, while others felt like they needed a barf bag. The Working Genius framework solves this mystery by revealing that each Genius operates best at a different “altitude” in a discussion or project.Let’s break down the six types and their natural elevation:* Wonder (W): 30,000 ft – Big-picture thinking, questioning the status quo, exploring possibilities.* Invention (I): 25,000 ft – Generating novel ideas and solutions, thriving in creative environments.* Discernment (D): 20,000 ft – Evaluating ideas, providing intuitive feedback, refining concepts.* Galvanizing (G): 15,000 ft – Inspiring and motivating others to take action, rallying teams.* Enablement (E): 10,000 ft – Providing support and resources, facilitating collaboration.* Tenacity (T): 5,000 ft to ground – Completing tasks, ensuring execution and high standards.When people in a meeting are operating at different elevations, let’s say, one person is dreaming at 30,000 ft while another is ready to land the plane at 5,000 ft, it creates turbulence. The conversation can feel circular or frustrating, and people may leave feeling misunderstood or out of sync.Designing Meetings for Every GeniusThe magic happens when we intentionally align meeting types with the right Working Geniuses and their natural elevation. Here’s how I map it out in practice:Types of Meetings and Their Ideal Working Genius Elevations* Brainstorming* Elevation: 25,000–30,000 ft* Geniuses Who Thrive: Wonder, Invention, Discernment* Purpose: Explore new ideas and possibilities* Decision-Making* Elevation: 15,000–20,000 ft* Geniuses Who Thrive: Discernment, Invention, Galvanizing* Purpose: Evaluate options and decide on a course of action* Launch/Activation* Elevation: 10,000–15,000 ft* Geniuses Who Thrive: Galvanizing, Enablement, Discernment* Purpose: Motivate, resource, and prepare for launch* Status Review/Problem-Solving* Elevation: 5,000 ft–ground* Geniuses Who Thrive: Galvanizing, Enablement, Tenacity* Purpose: Review progress, solve issues, and drive executionThis doesn’t mean you exclude people whose Genius isn’t the focus of a particular meeting. Instead, it’s about setting expectations. For example, if you’re tenacious but attending a brainstorming session, you’ll know that it’s not yet time to dig into the details. You can relax and contribute where it makes sense, without feeling pressured to operate outside your Genius.The Real Benefits: Productivity, Clarity, and JoyAligning meetings with the natural elevation of each Working Genius leads to:* Improved productivity: Everyone gets to play to their strengths, making meetings more effective and outcomes stronger.* Reduced frustration: Team members know when their input is most valuable, and there’s less confusion or role overlap.* More joy at work: When people spend more time in their Genius zones, work feels more fulfilling, even for those who see their job as “just a job.”Joy is literally my middle name, and I want people to experience more of it at work. Even if you’re someone who likes to keep work and fun separate, there’s real magic in making the process more enjoyable and less draining.Special Offer: Free Working Genius WorkshopIf you’re intrigued by this framework and want to bring it to your team, I’m offering a free two-hour Working Genius workshop for teams of up to 10 people in 2025 (and possibly into 2026) in exchange for a $200 founding pledge. The only other cost is the Working Genius assessment ($25 per person). This pledge helps me on my journey to becoming a certified Working Genius facilitator, so I can bring even more value to you and your organization.I’m not here to monetize my Substack; all my content remains free. But this pledge helps me invest in my certification and offer you the best possible experience.Understanding and respecting the elevation of each Working Genius is a game-changer for meetings and collaboration. It’s about giving everyone a seat at the table-at the right altitude-so we can all contribute, thrive, and yes, find more joy in the work we do.Thanks for reading (and listening)! Keep facilitating, keep growing, and I’ll see you next time for more on the Six Types of Working Genius. Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome back to Confessions of a Facilitation Artist! If you caught my last post, you know we kicked off a new series diving into Patrick Lencioni’s Six Types of Working Genius, a framework that helps teams and individuals discover the work that brings them joy and the work that drains them. Today, I’m excited to share a behind-the-scenes look at a recent team retreat I designed and facilitated using this powerful model, along with some fresh lessons and practical tips you can use with your own teams.Designing a Virtual Working Genius RetreatThe inspiration for this retreat came from the immense organizational change my team had been experiencing. With new roles, shifting responsibilities, and a mix of seasoned and newer team members, I wanted to create a space for everyone to reflect on what truly energizes them at work…AND, just as importantly, what leads to frustration. The Working Genius framework, with its six types (Wonder, Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement, and Tenacity), was the perfect tool to guide this exploration.Given our distributed setup, I built the workshop in Mural and ran it virtually over two hours. The goal was simple: help each person identify their unique working geniuses and frustrations, spark meaningful conversations, and ideate ways we could work better together.Icebreakers That MatterWe kicked things off with a classic icebreaker: everyone shared their name, their first job, and what they learned from it. I know, it’s a familiar one, but in this context, it was magic! Hearing stories about first jobs not only humanized each team member, it also revealed early clues about their working geniuses. For example, I shared how my first job at a dry cleaner had me obsessed with creating efficient systems for pressing shirts, a hint at my own Invention genius. The connections between those early experiences and our current working styles were eye-opening for everyone.Mapping Our Geniuses (and Frustrations)The heart of the retreat was reviewing our Working Genius assessment results as a team. Each person reflected on their top geniuses and frustrations, then paired up with someone they didn’t usually work with to discuss where they felt energized or burned out in their current role. These conversations surfaced so many “aha” moments, including realizing why certain tasks felt so draining, or why collaboration felt effortless with some colleagues and challenging with others.We then moved to the Team Map, a visual snapshot of everyone’s geniuses and frustrations. This sparked a lively discussion about our collective strengths, gaps, and opportunities. For example, we noticed that some roles were overloaded with tasks that matched people’s frustrations, while other geniuses were underutilized. The team immediately began brainstorming ways to realign responsibilities and support each other more intentionally.From Insight to Action: Brainstorming for ChangeTo turn insight into action, we used a “note and vote” session to brainstorm how we might reorganize roles or processes to better leverage our geniuses and minimize time spent in frustration. The prompt was simple: “How might we reorganize our roles to leverage each other’s working genius and reduce time spent in our areas of frustration?” The ideas ranged from cross-team collaborations to borrowing talent from other departments for specific phases of work. But the real value wasn’t just in the ideas, it was in the metacognitive experience. I encouraged everyone to reflect on how their own genius or frustration showed up during the brainstorming and voting process. This self-awareness led to richer discussions, deeper empathy, and a shared vocabulary for talking about how we work best.Lasting Impact and What’s NextIn the days following the retreat, the impact was clear. Team members reported more meaningful one-on-ones, a greater sense of empathy, and a new language for discussing where they get stuck or thrive. Even colleagues who hadn’t attended the retreat started using the Working Genius vocabulary after hearing about the experience.I Need Your Help, AND You’ll Get a FREE Workshop!I’m so passionate about this framework that I’ve decided to pursue Working Genius certification so I can bring these workshops to more teams. In fact, if you’re interested in a custom Working Genius workshop for your team, I’m offering a special opportunity: pledge as a founding member, and I’ll facilitate a FREE two-hour virtual session for your group in 2025 (you just cover the assessment costs for participants).If you want to pledge your support as a founding member, start by entering your email below and click Subscribe! This will guide you to the options!If you’re curious about how this framework could transform your team, or if you want to sponsor a session for another organization, please reach out! And…Stay Tuned!Next time, I’ll share feedback from my team and more practical tips for using Working Genius in your own workplace.Keep learning, keep experimenting, and let’s keep building teams where everyone gets to do more of what they love.Thanks for reading Confessions of a Facilitation Artist! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome back to Confessions of a Facilitation Artist! I’m Monica Joy Krol, and I’m thrilled to kick off a new series exploring Patrick Lencioni’s The Six Types of Working Genius. After our deep dive into The Coaching Habit, I wanted to continue this book club-style journey with a framework that’s been a true game changer for me and my team.What does genius mean to you? Is it creativity, intuition, motivation, support, or the drive to finish strong? I’d love to hear which “genius” you thrive in or where you want to grow! In this series, I challenge you to break from the traditional icons and motifs and explore with me.Why This Book and Framework Are HelpfulThe Six Types of Working Genius offers a refreshingly practical approach to understanding how we work best. Unlike other assessments that can feel overwhelming or abstract, this model is simple, actionable, and focused on what energizes you-not just what you’re good at.The framework helps you:* Identify Your Innate Talents: It pinpoints the types of work that give you energy and satisfaction, which is key to finding more joy and meaning at work.* Boost Team Collaboration: By recognizing each person’s unique contributions, teams can assign roles and tasks that play to everyone’s strengths, leading to better outcomes and less frustration.* Enhance Productivity and Engagement: When people spend more time in their “genius” zones, they’re more productive, efficient, and fulfilled.* Address Team Gaps: Using tools like the Team Map, you can spot missing geniuses in your group and fill those gaps for smoother, more effective teamwork.* Foster a Supportive Culture: Open conversations about strengths and frustrations help create a workplace where everyone feels valued and understood.Personally, I was introduced to this framework through a LinkedIn challenge I coordinated for the AJ&Smart Facilitator Pro community. Shout out to Tracy Winkler, who brought this framework to my attention! Seeing how it resonated with facilitators and leaders, how it gave me language for why I felt stuck or energized at work, and made me realize its potential for transforming teams and individual careers.What Are the Six Types of Working Genius?The six types spell out the acronym WIDGET:* Wonder - Big-picture thinkers who question the status quo and envision new possibilities* Invention - Creative problem-solvers who generate novel ideas and solutions.* Discernment - Evaluators who use intuition and judgment to assess ideas and provide feedback.* Galvanizing - Motivators who inspire and rally teams into action.* Enablement - Supporters who encourage and assist others, fostering collaboration.* Tenacity - Finishers who push tasks through to completion and ensure successful outcomes.Each of us has two “working geniuses” (where we thrive), two “competencies” (we can do, but they drain us over time), and two “frustrations” (work that depletes our energy). For example, my top genius is Invention-I love generating new ideas and solutions-while Wonder is a working frustration for me. I’ve learned to appreciate colleagues who thrive in Wonder, even when I’m eager to move on to action.How to Use the Framework for Team DevelopmentHere’s how I’m applying this with my team-and how you can, too:* Identify Strengths: Have everyone take the assessment (it’s $25, and worth it!) or self-identify their likely geniuses. This helps each person understand where they shine and where they might get drained.* Strategic Collaboration: Align project phases with team members’ geniuses. For example, use Wonder and Invention for brainstorming, Discernment and Galvanizing for vetting and launching ideas, and Enablement and Tenacity for execution.* Address Gaps: Use a Team Map to spot missing geniuses. For instance, if your group is low on Invention, bring in someone from another department or adjust your approach to fill that gap.* Foster Open Dialogue: Encourage team members to share not just their strengths but also their frustrations. This builds empathy and helps everyone understand why certain tasks feel draining.* Redesign Meetings: Structure agendas to match the phases of work (ideation, activation, implementation) and the geniuses needed for each phase. This prevents the “meeting whiplash” of jumping between big ideas and detailed execution without warning.For example, I’m about to run a team retreat where we’ll map out everyone’s geniuses and experiment with assigning tasks and projects based on those strengths. I’m excited to see how this will improve our collaboration and make our meetings more focused and energizing.What’s Next in the SeriesThis episode is just the beginning! Over the next few weeks, I’ll share stories from my own facilitation experiments, lessons learned from applying the Working Genius model, and practical tips for making your meetings and projects more effective. We’ll look at real-life team dynamics, workshop anecdotes, and ways to use this framework to create more joy and impact at work.If you’re curious, you can read along with me or take the assessment yourself. And if you do, let me know what your top geniuses are - I’d love to hear your stories and questions as we explore this together.Stay tuned for the next episode, where I’ll break down how our team retreat unfolds using the Six Types of Working Genius in action. Let’s keep learning, experimenting, and building teams where everyone gets to do more of what they love!Want a FREE 2-Hour Working Genius Workshop for your team? I’m so passionate about this framework that I’ve decided to pursue Working Genius certification so I can bring these workshops to more teams. In fact, if you’re interested in a custom Working Genius workshop for your team, I’m offering a special opportunity: pledge as a founding member, and I’ll facilitate a FREE two-hour virtual session for your group in 2025 (you just cover the assessment costs for participants).If you want to pledge your support as a founding member, start by entering your email below and click Subscribe! This will guide you to the options!If you’re curious about how this framework could transform your team, or want to sponsor a session for another organization, please reach out! Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe

As we wrap up our journey through Michael Bungay Stanier’s The Coaching Habit, today’s focus is on the seventh and final question: the Learning Question. This question-“What was most useful for you?”-is deceptively simple but incredibly powerful for both coaches and coachees.What Is the Learning Question?The Learning Question, “What was most useful for you?”, is designed to conclude a coaching conversation by prompting reflection and consolidation of learning. It’s not just a polite way to end a session; it’s a strategic tool that helps the other person identify and articulate the key takeaway from your discussion.Why Use the Learning Question?The Learning Question serves several important purposes, both for the person being coached and for you as the coach:* Reinforces Takeaways: By asking what was most useful, you help the coachee solidify their learning. This reflection cements insights and increases the likelihood they’ll remember and act on them.* Provides Feedback: Their answer gives you valuable feedback on what resonated and what was effective in your approach.* Promotes Reflection: It encourages the coachee to review and synthesize the discussion, deepening their understanding.* Boosts Retention: Neuroscience research shows that people remember more when they reflect on and vocalize what they’ve learned.* Builds Autonomy: This process helps the coachee develop confidence and independence, equipping them to tackle future challenges.* Guides Future Sessions: Their reflections can shape your next conversation, making your coaching more relevant and impactful.As Stanier highlights, one of the greatest frustrations in learning and development is how little people retain. The Learning Question directly addresses this by ensuring that what’s discussed is remembered and can be used for future problem-solving.A Personal Anecdote: The Learning Question in ActionLet me share a story from my own coaching experience that illustrates the impact of the Learning Question.A few weeks ago, I was coaching a direct report-let’s call her Nina (not her real name). We worked through all six foundational questions from The Coaching Habit, tackling a real challenge she was facing at work. We developed an action plan, but ran out of time before I could ask the Learning Question.We agreed to check in a few days later. When we reconnected, Nina had set new boundaries and changed her working relationship with a colleague, regaining control over her time. When I finally asked, “What did you learn from this process?” she realized the power of saying no and how it supported her bigger goals. She told me, “I’ve learned the power of no and why that’s important-because saying no is ultimately supporting me in what I’m saying yes to.”This moment was powerful for both of us. It affirmed her learning, gave her confidence, and provided me with feedback on the impact of our session. It was one of those moments that made me feel like I was truly making a difference as a manager and coach, and it encouraged me to keep experimenting and growing with the coaching habit.If you want a checklist for your next 1:1, message me on LinkedIn! (see below)How to Use the Learning QuestionHere’s how you can put the Learning Question into practice:* Ask It at the End: Reserve the last few minutes of your coaching session for this question. If you run out of time, schedule a follow-up to revisit it.* Allow Time for Reflection: Give the coachee space to think and respond. Don’t rush-this reflection is where the magic happens.* Listen Actively: Pay close attention to their answer. It’s as valuable for you as it is for them.* Share Your Perspective: After they’ve shared, you can also mention what you found most useful about the exchange. This can deepen the learning for both of you.* Use Your Own Language: If “What was most useful for you?” feels formal, try alternatives like:* “What’s your key takeaway from our discussion today?”* “What insight from this conversation do you find most valuable?”* “Was there one part of our discussion that you’re going to apply first?”As someone who’s facilitated many meetings and workshops, I’ve learned that ending with a strong reflection-like the Learning Question-ensures that key insights aren’t left behind, but carried forward into real-world action.What’s Next? New Series: The Six Types of Working GeniusThank you for joining me throughout this series on The Coaching Habit. I hope you found the Learning Question-and all seven questions-useful in your own leadership and coaching practice.Coming up next, we’re pivoting to a new framework: Patrick Lencioni’s The Six Types of Working Genius. I recently read this book and was hooked by its fresh perspective on team dynamics and productivity. I’m planning a team retreat centered around this model, and I can’t wait to share insights, practical tips, and stories with you over the next few episodes.Whether you’ve read Lencioni’s book or are just curious about how to create more joy and cohesion at work, these next episodes will be for you. After that, we’ll dive into topics like AI and Co-Intelligence, and later in the summer, we’ll explore the Enneagram-plus, you’ll get a chance to vote on what book or topic we tackle next!So, as we close this chapter, I’d love to hear from you: What was most useful for you in this series? Drop a comment, send a DM, or reach out however you like. Your feedback helps me-and our whole community-keep learning and growing.Keep saying less, asking more, and changing the way you lead forever. Stay tuned for The Six Types of Working Genius-coming soon!Whenever you're ready, I can help you with:* Workshop design and facilitation* Facilitation and workshop training* Intention setting, planning, and incremental progress for success Get full access to Confessions of a Creative Leader at creativeleaderconfessions.substack.com/subscribe