A single sound—the squeal of dial-up—can pull us back to a time when progress required patience, space, and a lot of hope. We start with a first family computer, the big beige tower that owned a corner of the house, and follow that memory to a practical question: where are you still running version 1.0 of yourself. From boxy hardware to pocket powerhouses, the story of computing is a masterclass in design, speed, and access. We translate that arc into simple moves you can make right now to ev...
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A single sound—the squeal of dial-up—can pull us back to a time when progress required patience, space, and a lot of hope. We start with a first family computer, the big beige tower that owned a corner of the house, and follow that memory to a practical question: where are you still running version 1.0 of yourself. From boxy hardware to pocket powerhouses, the story of computing is a masterclass in design, speed, and access. We translate that arc into simple moves you can make right now to ev...
A sticky spacebar, a few crumbs, and that suspicious shine on the keys—sometimes the smallest irritations reveal the biggest truths. We take a hard look at the humble keyboard and turn it into a surprisingly useful framework for cleaning up the messes that quietly drain momentum. Instead of glorifying the screen—the content, the “work”—we explore the overlooked conduit: tools, habits, and systems that either support focus or sabotage it. I share why a quick wipe can be more than hygiene; it’...
A tiny red battery icon can be the nudge that changes a year. When my laptop slips into “please plug in” mode at the worst possible moment, it mirrors how we often live: pushing through fatigue, ignoring warning signs, and hoping we can recharge later. In this short, focused session, I unpack how a simple device alert can guide better choices about health, work, and the goals we set for ourselves. I share the story of my yearly bingo card—a fun grid of challenges that turned into a full blac...
A single sound—the squeal of dial-up—can pull us back to a time when progress required patience, space, and a lot of hope. We start with a first family computer, the big beige tower that owned a corner of the house, and follow that memory to a practical question: where are you still running version 1.0 of yourself. From boxy hardware to pocket powerhouses, the story of computing is a masterclass in design, speed, and access. We translate that arc into simple moves you can make right now to ev...
What if the branch that hurts you doesn’t fall fast—it lowers itself gently and still dents the roof? We open with a sharp palm frond that almost caused real harm and a Colorado ice storm that snapped loaded limbs across the neighborhood. Those scenes become a practical lens for life and leadership: the dangers we dodge in an instant and the slow, polite failures we tolerate until they cost us. I share why neglected habits, old policies, and inherited beliefs often collect “weight” like ice ...
A cozy holiday screensaver should soothe, not unsettle. Yet as we soaked in the glow of a digital fireplace and the hush of snowfall, one detail broke the spell: the Christmas tree slowly swayed as if caught in a phantom breeze. That tiny, odd motion opened a bigger conversation about our reflex to upgrade what’s already good and the restlessness that follows when novelty becomes the default. We share a candid look at why small “enhancements” often change the meaning of familiar things. From...
Picture a palm tree leaning into 180 mph winds, bending so far you think it might snap, then rising tall the moment the air settles. That image reframes what strength really looks like when life throws sudden force at us. We explore why flexibility outlasts rigidity, how resilience is built before the storm, and what simple tools let you respond instead of react when pressure surges. We start with the palm-versus-oak contrast to make resilience tangible. Oaks are imposing but brittle in extr...
A single tree on a flat, brown plain can change a whole day. That’s the picture we return to as we unpack a simple framework for sustainable growth: find shade when the sun is too fierce, and seek adventure when life turns flat. From a rural Colorado childhood spent under wide branches to the pressures and possibilities of adult life, we connect memory to method and turn a summer scene into a practical guide you can use right now. We start by grounding “shade” in real practices that protect ...
Storms don’t make a strong tree; they reveal one. We take that image and turn it into a simple, workable plan for staying steady when life gusts: identify your roots and feed them on purpose. Using the everyday metaphor of a tree, we explore what “roots” really are—habits, values, and relationships that hold you in place—and how to choose the few that matter most right now. First, we dig into physical health as a quiet force multiplier. When movement becomes routine, better choices follow: c...
Growth rarely happens in grand gestures. It happens in front of a mirror, in the quiet seconds where you decide whether to repeat an old pattern or nudge your life one notch forward. We unpack how simple familiarity with yourself—your habits, your tells, your energy—can transform fear of change into confidence in motion. When you know what you usually do, you gain the power to choose what you’ll do next. Aaron shares a practical mantra that’s easy to remember and hard to ignore: choose bette...
A simple mirror can be a harsh judge or a helpful coach—it depends on the story you carry to the glass. We explore how a growth mindset reshapes what you notice, why a fixed mindset hunts for flaws, and how your expectations quietly become your day’s agenda. With a sharp, funny caution against “optical rectitis,” we call out the habit of seeing only what stinks and show how to replace it with practical curiosity and small, confident steps. We walk through the real limits of positive thinking...
A windy Colorado trail, a modest five-to-ten-mile ride, and one stubborn square on a yearly bingo card—sometimes the smallest commitments teach the biggest leadership lessons. We hit record from the saddle to unpack why so many of us sprint toward hard, high-visibility goals while leaving the easy, joyful wins undone, even when they would free up energy and build trust. I talk through the shift from traditional goal lists to a playful bingo card and why most of the boxes filled quickly—excep...
A mirror only gives you facts—light, shape, surface—yet a single glance can unleash a storm of judgment, memory, and meaning. We unpack that gap between reflection and reaction and show how a tiny pause can turn a charged moment into a clear, values-aligned choice. Aaron walks through a simple, repeatable framework that starts with noticing what’s literally there, then translating the cascade of feelings and thoughts into a grounded response you can stand behind. Together we explore why inse...
What if the most honest coach in your life is hanging on your wall? We take an everyday mirror and turn it into a practical ritual for personal growth, revealing why clarity must come before both change and acceptance. This isn’t about perfection or platitudes. It’s about learning to look without flinching and then smiling without apology. We walk through a simple, two-part practice you can try today: first, an honest look that names exactly what needs attention; second, a kind smile that re...
Ever notice how a simple welcome mat sets the tone before anyone steps inside? That quiet cue is the heart of our conversation as we unpack why leadership begins with humility and small, human signals that say “you matter.” Instead of doubling down on end-of-year grind, we explore how the first moments—how you greet, how you listen, how you close a meeting—shape trust, energy, and real performance. We walk through the difference between professional work and the personal work that enables it...
The smallest details can protect the biggest parts of our lives. We take a hard look at the humble welcome mat and find a powerful framework for boundaries, transitions, and the daily work of leaving the mess outside so our most important spaces can stay clear and calm. Aaron Havens walks through the difference between cute, seasonal mats that signal a vibe and serious, heavy-duty mats that demand action. Using a grounded farm metaphor, we explore what happens when we skip the “scrub” and tr...
A welcome mat gets stepped on and still does its job—simple, obvious, and surprisingly sharp as a leadership metaphor. We take that image and press it into the real moments where pressure bites: a tense check-in, a careless comment, a new hire who’s never opened a bank account or navigated a driving permit. Purpose sounds strong on paper, but staying steady under weight is the real test. We look at how resilient identity lets you absorb impact without becoming a doormat, and how empathy paire...
A doormat has one job: catch the dirt before it crosses the threshold. We take that simple image and turn it into a practical system for protecting your energy, your attention, and your peace. Instead of building walls, we focus on a welcoming doorway with a smart filter, so you can stay open-hearted without becoming overextended. I share how a well-meant habit of overgiving shaped my early approach to service and why it quietly drained my capacity. We unpack the difference between love that...
A single word at your doorstep can change how you move through the week. We take the humble welcome mat and turn it into a powerful cue for courage, showing how openness to ideas, feedback, and change builds real momentum. Instead of waiting for big breakthroughs, we practice the yes-principle: one specific decision that stretches you without breaking you, turning fear into data and discomfort into progress. Together we unpack what it means to be truly welcoming. Are you open to new relation...
A single sound—the squeal of dial-up—can pull us back to a time when progress required patience, space, and a lot of hope. We start with a first family computer, the big beige tower that owned a corner of the house, and follow that memory to a practical question: where are you still running version 1.0 of yourself. From boxy hardware to pocket powerhouses, the story of computing is a masterclass in design, speed, and access. We translate that arc into simple moves you can make right now to ev...
