I am normally against gift guides and — to be honest — the idea that propelled me to write this one was my feeling that so few of them offer much value. I thought to myself: “What would actually add value to people’s lives instead of just contributing to increased clutter?”

In late July 2021, I did one of the scariest things I’ve ever done.

Last year, I wrote the Gratitude Reflection Challenge in a very different world. It was one that had many of the same problems (and genuinely good things) that still exist in 2020, but it was certainly not under the filter of a global pandemic—which at the time of writing this has claimed 1.2 million lives worldwide. It’s been a sobering year that has been filled with more lows than highs for not only myself but many people. With all of these complicated emotions and experiences on my mind in the season of giving and gratitude, I felt it more imperative than ever to revisit the Gratitude Reflection Challenge.

Welcome back for Part Two of my four-part series on content planning and strategy. In this week’s installment, we’re going to cover planning and creating your content. Because once you have a strategy and you’ve identified the objectives and tactics, you need to do the work of actually creating content to reach those goals and objectives.

In this four-part series, I will introduce you to key points every entrepreneur, small business owner, and emerging content creator should keep in mind when planning content and creating a holistic social media strategy.

National Prosecco Day is on August 13. If you were following my blog last year, you’ll remember my primer about Prosecco, as well as 13 ways you can enjoy the sparkling wine. Looking back, planners were underrepresented in that post so I decided this year I would go through the fun activity of pairing Prosecco cocktails with planners based on their cover and design.

In general, podcasts were a medium that prior to the pandemic I spent some time on but not nearly as much as I’ve spent lately. I find myself tired of the news and bored with the television programs that don’t seem to reflect real life whatsoever anymore. I’ve binge-watched most of the shows and movies worth watching. And sometimes, I find myself struggling to keep my mind focused when reading books. For that reason, I’ve mostly been relying on audiobooks and it’s also part of why podcasts have been more appealing lately. So here are the podcasts I’ve been bingeing during this pandemic:

Like many others, I’ve been thrust into the work-from-home life due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. I’m using this unusual opportunity to think about what the future would look like for me down the road if working from home became a regular option. And I’m using this experience to make note of what I do and don’t like about it when compared to working in an office.

As we approach the end of the first quarter of 2020 (in the midst of a global pandemic no less), I wanted to share some books I’ve read recently and over the years (as well as ones that come highly recommended) that have helped me remain inspired and goal-focused.

February is Library Lovers Month, a time for everyone to recognize the value of libraries and to work to assure that the nation's libraries will continue to serve.

I’m here to tell you that if you’re a content creator and you’re sleeping on your library system that you are missing out on one of the most useful resources in your arsenal that costs you literally nothing.