Laura Gassner Otting 
There is nothing like the coronavirus crisis to focus you on what is really important. And what is really important? Poops. Can you spare a square? Times are tough, and they are about to get tougher. We all need to do our part. And, your part is to take care of yourself so that you … Read more
My father has a crackpot medical theory. It’s become known as the “Wasted Heartbeat Theory.” It goes something like this: we are all born with a certain number of heartbeats, and when we exercise, we raise our heart rate, and use up more heartbeats… so stop exercising. Now, don’t hate on my dad. He’s a … Read more
I had a video call last week with some frolleagues. Frolleagues (n): those colleagues who have become friends. Similar to framily (those friends who have become family). We were laughing about what we looked like, how we sounded, who we were when we first started off in our careers. Because of our friendly relationships, we … Read more
When he was quarantined during the bubonic plague, Isaac Newton discovered gravity. Elsewhere in England, William Shakespeare was also hunkered down, social distance writing King Lear. In my house, we’re stress baking, eating jelly beans, and binge-watching Netflix. What is your grand opus? Do it now! Or, don’t. I couldn’t give a fuck. Here’s what … Read more
I had a business strategy problem. Each time I get off of stage, I am asked by someone in the book signing line how they can go deeper into my content. It’s humbling, but it’s also a bit embarrassing, as an entrepreneur, to admit that they can’t. “Um, well, you can’t. I don’t have anything … Read more
Eat the frog? I say “fuck the frog.” Practically every thought leader guru espouses the wisdom, “Eat the Frog First.” The idea is that if you do the hardest thing first — you know, that supremely annoying, irrationally irksome, bothersome bane of your existence thing — then it’s all downhill from there. Well, that might … Read more
I understand selling trust. For 15 years, I sold executive search. I sold an impeccable read of talent honed through years of Jewish Mothering and witchblood genetic evolution. I sold a deep and wide research function the likes of which the CIA would envy. I sold a teeming database, a “little black book” which would … Read more
I woke up at 1:50am, feeling an overwhelming sense of loss. And, loss is hard. And I don’t mean the loss of someone who dies. That shit is the worst — the exquisite, bottomless aching of a person whose arms will never again wrap around you, whose laughter will never again peal into your ears, … Read more
How do we do hard things, let alone, do them alone? So often, we do hard things by drafting off of others. We have friends, teammates, colleagues who get us through, give us advice, and role model for us. Their presence speeds our plow. This morning I did the hard thing — the thing I … Read more
Structure at home has been our saving grace these last few weeks. Last night, over dinner, ensconced at home during COVID-19, I asked my kids four simple questions: 1. What did you do for your mind today? 2. What did you do for your body today? 3. What did you do for your soul today? … Read more