Yes, I drew these.
I’ve worn many creative hats during my career, with work in film, production, design, architecture, and comedy. These days I’m a writer, but still fundamentally a writer with a visual sensibility.
This series of editorial illustrations I created for the Forge publication on Medium.com is a showcase of my unique twist on visual storytelling.
Can I Have a Life in an Office Where Everyone Stays Late?
There are ways to manage your energy and build in personal time, even in the most face-time-obsessed workplaces.
“If you’re junior enough in your field, you probably aren’t locked into your job. Do your research and look for organizations that are more respectful of people’s personal lives. You might even find managers in your own organization who are better than others — people who understand that trading two hours of your life for $20 worth of sushi is not a wise bargain. Use some of your on-the-job downtime to have real conversations and figure out your options.” — Laura Vanderkam
The 2-Word Trick That Makes Small Talk Interesting
A simple technique and mindset for engaging in conversation with strangers in unfamiliar settings.
“While listening to my favorite podcasts, I’ve noticed a two-word phrase that hosts often use with their guests to cut past the surface-level chitchat and into the heart of a story: “I’m curious.” — Laura Vanderkam
Three Ways to Fix a Terrible Commute
How to stop hating your time spent getting to and from work, according to time management expert Laura Vanderkam.
“You can build your own course from audiobooks and lectures on history or astronomy or politics. Or maybe urban design and transportation — so you can think deep thoughts about why, exactly, you’re stuck in traffic, and maybe come up with some long-term solutions that will save everyone some time.” — Laura Vanderkam
Should I Work Part-Time After My Parental Leave?
It’s an appealing option, but it can easily backfire.
“Now if you know yourself, and know your company, and you know that this strict line won’t happen, then I’d suggest another possibility: Stay full-time, and just work a little differently. When it comes to work-life balance, it turns out that flexibility and autonomy matter more than total work hours. One study found that when people had to be in the office at set times, people could only work 38 hours a week before a high chunk experienced work-life conflict. When people could work at home sometimes and set their own hours, they could work 57 hours a week before the same proportion experienced work-life conflict. By working from home sometimes, and shifting hours to do some work at night after your baby goes to bed, you’ll likely be able to handle the same load while scoring plenty of kid time, too.” — Laura Vanderkam
Is It Weird That My Partner Wants Regular ‘Logistics’ Meetings?
It might seem weird at first, but it is actually smart.
“Way too many meetings clogging up your calendar is already the bane of corporate life. I can see how subjecting yourself to the same torments during your off-hours might not sound immediately appealing. That said, the fundamental concept of a “meeting” — getting together at an appointed time to discuss a topic and reach a solution — is a useful one. Sure, maybe we overuse the concept at work, but we tend to underuse it in the rest of life.” — Laura Vanderkam
A Hater’s Guide to Networking
I had to change tactics to make a connection.
“I have two coffees with strangers on my Google calendar for October. That this is a major professional milestone is a testament to how diligently I have avoided networking. It’s not that I don’t like meeting people; I am an enthusiastic extrovert. But as soon as a transactional thread is introduced — the thought that someday, my “connection” with the person I’m talking to will “pay off” — I feel very unsure of myself.” — Laura Vanderkam