The mouse hole that stopped traffic

Walking through the shopping center yesterday when my 3-year-old suddenly dropped to his knees.Right there in the middle of the corridor.People stepping around us, probably wondering what was happening.He'd spotted something I completely missed.A tin...

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Jun 20, 2025
Why I stopped checking LinkedIn in the onsen

Yesterday I'm sitting in a 40-degree hot spring.No phone. No notifications. Just me and the silence.And for the first time in weeks, I had a clear thought about my career.Not a reactive thought. Not a "I should be doing more" thought.A real one.I rea...

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Jun 19, 2025
$12.90 grapes

Looking at those $12.90 grapes got me thinking about a conversation I had with a client last week.She was frustrated because she kept getting rejected for UX roles despite having solid experience."I don't understand," she said. "My work is good. Mayb...

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Jun 17, 2025
The photo that changed everything

Yesterday we did a Father's Day photoshoot.Me, my wife, and our 3-year-old son.The photographer kept saying "Just one more shot" for about 20 minutes.My son was getting restless. Started making funny faces instead of smiling.But here's what I noticed...

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Jun 16, 2025
How a UX designer beat "experienced" sales hires

Was cleaning out old LinkedIn messages last night and found this from Anthony, sent back in April:Two months later, seeing this again reminded me why strategic positioning works.Anthony went from anxious about career switching to beating experienced...

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Jun 15, 2025
The $5 coffee that changed everything

Two weeks ago I met up with a senior design leader at a cafe in town.He'd just come back from a career break. Was having coffee chats with anyone interesting who said yes.Just trying to get the pulse again. See what's out there. Have real conversatio...

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Jun 13, 2025
Blue skies and strategic patience

Got back from a walk this morning.Blue skies. No rain today.Found myself thinking about a conversation I had with a UX designer last week.She'd been applying to jobs for four months.Started optimistic. "I'll cast a wide net, apply to everything that...

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Jun 11, 2025