Author: Laura Gassner Otting

  • Against All Odds…I Did It Anyway

    This picture is the culmination of thirteen years of effort.This picture is the fruition of a plan interrupted by life.This picture is the lemon of a body forced into submission. If this picture is worth a thousand words, those words start with: AGAINST ALL ODDS, I DID IT ANYWAY. Why?​Because I didn’t run my first…

  • What can you learn in the pain cave?

    Life’s been a little harried lately. January and February are a busy season for sales kick off meetings (SKOs), and I’ve been doing a lot of them. Between Transunion, IBM, Charter Oak Financial/Mass Mutual — I’ve been on my toes. Like my newsletters, I customize every talk. So, it’s been… a lot. But, I’d never complain.…

  • Reinvention is a Superpower

    I’m just back from celebrating my birthday weekend in beautiful Puerto Rico, where both of my boys flew in to be with me and my husband and enjoy sheet cake with me on the beach. (Yes, I’m bougieAF about a lot of things, but you are going to have to pry the cheap supermarket sheet…

  • Birthdays, Bragging, and My First Love

    It’s my birthday week, so naturally, I’m celebrating life. But here’s what I need you to know: Sheet cake is truly my first love. (Sorry to my husband, Mr. Hot Stuff.) I love sheet cake so much. I want it served at my birthday. I want it served at my funeral. If you have a wedding…

  • Are You Really That Busy?

    I spoke to IBM and the most remarkable thing happened. While the audience was majority male, the people on stage were majority female.​They brought a woman client to tell her story — Neeli Bendapudi, the president of Penn State — and they had a panel where three of the four panelists were women, and they had…

  • What’s behind every no?

    I’ve been surprised recently by how many people are surprised that I reply to their responses to my Hello Truesday newsletter. So, I’ll say it again, since I’ve recently gotten thousands of new newsletter subscribers: I read and reply to every response, even if it sometimes takes me a while. YOU are why I write…

  • The Truth My Nana Taught Me About Life & Owning Your Worth

    My Nana was born on this day 107 years ago. And, if you’ve heard me give a keynote, you may have heard me talk about her. Why? Because the woman was SMART. Like, smart smart. Like, well before her time smart. Like, so smart that she would tell you exactly what she thought with the…

  • Stop asking “How can I help?”

    If you are anything like me, the fires in Los Angeles have been heavy on your heart. If you are anything like me, you’ve asked yourself, “How can I help?” Or, at least that’s what I used to ask. I’d spend my time, my treasure, my talent all in hopes of solving big problems. But,…

  • What Comes After Delight?

    I don’t set resolutions…. for two reasons. First, I’m kind of an “Every Day is Day One” sort of gal. It’s Jan 1? Start. It’s Wednesday, July 12? Start. It’s 2pm? Start. You are the star when you decide to start. Every day, any day… it’s Day One. Second, for all things there is a…

  • My Favorite Books of 2024

    I am the world’s worst gift giver. Truly, I come up blank every single time. Unless it’s a book. I’m an author! Of course, I love to give books. And, in our home, the traditional half-birthday gift is a book. So, in honor of both my kids and my husband’s half-birthdays, all of which I…