My bachelorette party is in 24 hours & have no clue where or what we're doing... Other than Miami. I do know that.🏝 As a Type-A control freak, this is the most not-in-control & not-in-the-know I've ever been. I've had an entire covid lockdown to prepare. I'm ready. Let's do this. ✈️ 
I told my friend she looked like poop this week. I won't apologize for it. I'm the friend that tells you that you have a giant piece of food in your teeth. I'm going to tell you when that's not the best shirt for you & when your hair looks better down. I wasn't going to let her go into a big Zoom job interview looking like that. Why? Because I would want *you* to do that for *me*! MUST-Do's Before Being on Video: 1.) Start 10 Minutes Early - Check your lighting, angles & sound on your computer via the PhotoBooth App on Mac or the Built-In Camera feature before signing into Zoom. Can you see armpit sweat? Look at yourself like someone else would. Anything you're missing? 2.) Look Like a Clown (Ladies!) - Wear more makeup than normal. A brighter lipstick. The camera washes you out. You can wipe it off after. 3.) Wear Headphones - It's a small step that makes a BIG impact on noise & echoing. We all have headphones - bonus points if they're bluetooth. Trust me on this. Save this post to reference later. Send it to a friend you care about. They will thank you. I promise. 😉 
I miss Manhattan but I gotta say...being in nature feels good. Living in NYC the past 12 years I grew accustom to my concrete jungle. My lack of fresh air & the feeling of grass beneath me. Since moving to Austin, I've realized how much I missed the outdoors. Since the NYC style of work has not left me, I've modified 3 things to get outside more: 1.) Afternoon Walking Calls - If it's after 5pm I take calls walking around the neighborhood. Do I look like Ari from Entourage screaming into my phone? Sure. But I figure it's an excuse for the Austin locales to say, "Oh here come the New Yorkers!" 2.) Porch Presentations - When I have to deep work on a presentation or proposal I work on the back porch. Rain or shine the birds keep me company & the neighbors dog chasing the squirrels keeps me entertained. 3.) Coffee Runs - A must-visit waterfront coffee shop, @mozartscoffee, is just a few miles from my new home. When I need caffeine (or have a coffee meeting) I walk instead of driving. Brings me back to my NYC days, but on a sleepy tree-lined street instead of a siren-filled 5th Avenue. I hope these habits don't go away now that we're "coming out" of the pandemic. Have you been in nature more? Maybe a routine you don't want to see go away as things "come back"? I'm curious what you've been doing lately that you want to keep up... 
I'm in recovery from people pleasing. It's hard for me to say no. I get bullied into saying yes to things I don't want to do or don't have capacity for. I feel guilty saying no. I don't want to let people down. If any of this resonates, join me in trying these: Ways To Say No: 1.) I can't, but thank you for the offer! 2.) That won't work for me right now. 3.) I'll have to pass on this amazing opportunity. 4.) No, thank you. 5.) Sorry I can't help out on this, my plate is full. 6.) I'm not available, but I can help you find someone who is. 7.) Thank you for thinking of me, but I am unable to... 8.) I appreciate you asking me, but I am busy at that time... 9.) Right now I have a blanket policy on no new commitments. 🚨 Will people say we are missing out? Yes. 🚨 Will people try to guilt you? Yes. 🚨 Will people respect boundaries? No. 🚨 Does that mean we give up & say yes? No! From one people pleaser to another. I'm with you! SAVE THIS FOR LATER! 🔥 
Where do you want to travel when the world opens back up? 🌍 I'll go first: Greece. Never been & heard it's beautiful... You? (Ps. this is a pic from 2019! Not actually in Mexico. I wish!)