Jessica's Friday Five

Hi Reader, Earlier this week, my aunt passed away after a brief fight with cancer. I found myself seeking out advice from my past self that I'd written after losing my mother earlier this year. I will travel this weekend to remember her with family, and try to take care of myself and my people throughout. Send me luck for smooth travels during a time of year when airports are not known for being calm and easy to manage. I suggest considering how you might find even half an hour to do...

Hi Reader, It's been a bit of "a week" over here. One family member got a new diagnosis and has entered hospice care, another was in a car accident and is hospitalized, and annual blood test results for another showed something a bit off that might be no big deal or potentially a big deal. I made some hard decisions on things to stop doing so that I can prioritize other things more. There's been moments of love all throughout, but it's also a lot right now. I am planning to put on my coziest...

Hi Reader, This week started off with the sad passing of my 1o-year-old's hamster. She was pretty shaken up by it, but many of you gave great advice on social media when I solicited your suggestions for supporting her through the loss. Thank you. It's also been so fun to see some of you say hi in FLOWN sessions this week! Over here in my home, we're looking forward to a weekend full of friends and the start of a new basketball season for my 8-year-old. I hope you've got something you're...

Hi Reader, I don't know about you, but I am already feeling the pull of the new year energy when it comes to my plans and the fresh start energy that always comes with that. At the same time, I'm anxious about what is ahead for the most vulnerable members of my community with the transfer of power here in the US. Both are true simultaneously in a complex mix of feelings about the future. Let's get to your Friday Five, shall we? Gift Guide: I've been saving up a handful of planned gifts to buy...

Hi Reader, I'm hopeful that the look ahead to 2025 for you has some beautiful elements of a fresh start, even if unknown futures can make it challenging to lead through times like these. I hope today's 4 tips provide value to your leadership. Let's get to your Monthly Management Memo - as always with something bold, something new, something borrowed, and something to pursue. Something Bold - Change up your check-in scheduleA big theme this year for the companies I've been working with is...

Hi Reader, Black Friday is a tricky time - and often there's SO much noise out in the world about alllll the things we should be buying. At the same time, it's honestly a really good time to invest in some things for your business and save a lot of money. So if you've been thinking about getting any services or software for 2025, the next few days are probably the time to make a decision on those. Here are 6 things I've invested in this year or the last few years that I feel great about for...

Hi Reader, In the last few weeks, I both learned about a new productivity tool and became a huge fan of it. A few weeks back, someone mentioned Flown at a gathering of mostly knowledge workers. It's a body-doubling platform for focus and flow, but it's a lot more affordable than others I'd been eyeing for the last year or so like Cave Day. It also starts with a free 30-day trial, so I could see if it works for me before paying. And boy does it work for me - I've been joining sessions just...

Hi Reader, Yesterday, I chaperoned some 5th graders on a trip to the zoo. They were as silly about red baboon bottoms as you'd expect and as thrilled about the half cup of Dippin' Dots you get for $8 as you'd expect. I tried to learn some new Gen Alpha lingo and felt pretty old when their explanations of the phrases didn't make sense to me at all. Let's get to your Friday Five - five tips for an easier and more joyful life. Holiday Cards Deal This Sunday: If you don't want to send holiday...

Hi Reader, Whew. Tough week for so many of us. If you've been around for a bit, you know that I cared a lot about how the elections in the US went this cycle. I know that these results impact not only us here in the States but people around the world, as I've been hearing from friends in other countries about how worried they are as well. A few things that have helped me this week are this piece about situating this election in a larger story from a Howard University Professor shared by my...