In German, the phrase for “stage-fright,” is Lampenfieber, which translates to “Light Fever,” and is a more accurate description of what happened to me. I memorized my TEDx talk weeks in advance. You could have found me rehearsing at the beach or in my backyard. I mumbled it out word…

I’ll tell you now that on my first trip to Spain, the best part happened by accident. Picture a night train from Leon to Pamplona, 2006. Me, blond as ever, ink on my high school diploma still wet. My friend Jake and I believed running with the bulls after marathon…

The beauty of saying no to more and yes to less — I recently said “no” to a new business opportunity. It was hard to turn down, given that I had already said “yes.” But somewhere between agreeing over the phone and waiting for the contract to arrive, I got a feeling. Something was off. A little worm wiggling around my belly…

Last night Ava and I played a few hands of Gin Rummy and I was reminded of an embarrassing truth: I can’t shuffle a deck of cards. I don’t mean that I can’t shuffle like a casino dealer. I mean that I can’t shuffle at the level you’d expect from…

Zen chores and falling leaves — We weren’t sure what caused them to fall so fast and frequently. They weren’t dead. It wasn’t fall. But every night, long after dusk and far before dawn, the ficus tree dropped hundreds of green leaves onto the deck. They spread over the patio table and chairs. They stretched the…

And a new system for reading without guilt — Every year I write a post-year write-up of my favorite books and tell myself it’s going to be the last time. One reason: these lists are everywhere. Even Barak Obama shares his every December. Most people don’t read more than a few books a year. And those who read more…

It feels strange to say. I almost feel guilty saying it. And I understand that not everyone will join me in unison to say it as well. But it needs to be said: 2020 was a great year. Before you call me insensitive or out of touch, I want to…

Ride the roller coaster. — “A non-writing writer is a monster courting madness.” -Franz Kafka It’s the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival and Darren Aronofksy is on stage interviewing fellow filmmaker, Clint Eastwood. He tells him, “You make it seem so easy — and for me filmmaking is pain. I’m in pain the whole time. I’m…

How to increase income and freedom through accountability — If you’re a Freelancer who wants to increase income, independence, and security (the Freelancer Trifecta), then the last thing you want to do is increase “productivity.” You want to increase accountability. Being paid based on the hours you work is the slow and certain death of the Freelancer. And no…