Performance reviews are crucial for career growth and development. This blog post tackles common false assumptions and highlights how intentional, consistent documentation can transform your review process and career trajectory.

One-on-ones are arguably the most effective tool you have to communicate your wins. Let’s discuss some of the unhelpful working assumptions we have about them and learn how to best leverage the one-on-one for your success.

What will it take to make 360 reviews more beneficial to the employee? What are the real goals of a 360 review? Let’s rethink what it means to grow and develop employees.

Networking can be tricky, but intentional networking creates real, meaningful connections that outshine social media’s superficial links. Discover how trust and empathy can transform your professional relationships and boost your success.

An introduction to the “Working Assumptions” series, where we will tackle some assumptions about career growth that we may be working by that aren't serving us very well.

Job hunters need to follow these rules to realize their full potential.

Unlock your career’s full potential! Learn the art of setting and tracking goals for continuous growth.

In this blog post, Annie gives a shout-out to some amazing colleagues who went the extra mile to help her navigate the challenges of entering the tech world. This post underscores the value of believing in newcomers and investing in their growth.

When I tell the story of how I got my first job in tech, it’s always a fun celebratory vibe, but in reality I was so scared and overwhelmed. I had to make new learning goals over and over again. Such is the life of a technologist.

From a fateful dinner decision to networking at conferences, with mentors and passion leading the way. It's a testament to the power of community and mentorship in the tech world.

Explore the pivotal moment in my career journey that occurred over a dinner conversation. Learn how a shift in perspective led to a new career path and the importance of empathy in the technology.

Explore the journey from a casting career to stay-at-home parenting. Discover the challenges, trade-offs, and emotional roller-coaster of this major career inflection point.

Explore the journey from film school to a career in casting by seizing opportunities and making connections.

Join Annie and Michael as they celebrate 20 years of Hedge-Ops, sharing their journey into tech and offering insights to help others in their careers.

Explore career inflection points and how they shape our professional journeys. Learn from personal experiences and gain insights on your own career.

Our year in review post talking through how we adapted to the pandemic, migrated to Azure, and helped restaurants stay\ open.

Annie reflects on her transformative journey at 10th Magnitude to HashiCorp. A heartfelt farewell to one chapter and an eager welcome to the next.

Explore the dangers of doing what you’re told in IT and how it affects productivity and responsibility. How to avoid this trap and take charge in your career.

Explore how deep context in technology careers, particularly for those transitioning from other fields allows for a solid foundation of technical skills.

The highlights and achievements of 2017 from career advancements to personal growth, leading to an exciting future in Boulder, Colorado.

Join us at the DevOps Leadership Summit in Dallas on August 28, 2017. Network with industry leaders and learn how to facilitate a DevOps transformation in your company.

Explore the impact of software development on a company’s bottom line versus top line. How I navigated from a cost-saving role to a revenue-generating position.

Explore my journey of learning Docker as a part of my DevOps training. I share my experiences with inverted and relative learning styles, and how they helped me understand complex concepts like virtualization and isolation.

Explore the importance of creating margin in your day for leadership and mentoring. Learn from past mistakes and discover how to effectively manage your time for the benefit of your team.

Explore the journey of a tech newbie transitioning into a new software development style. Learn how clear goals and growth plans can transform careers and lives.

Explore the importance of planning before execution in achieving success. Learn from real-life experiences and understand how to balance excitement with strategic planning in your endeavors.

Explore the importance of creating and internalizing a plan in a technical context. Learn how honesty and understanding are key to growth and efficiency in technology.

Explore how Sheryl Sandberg’s ‘Lean In’ inspired a career change into technology. Discover the journey from studying for the GMAT to becoming a Cloud Automation Engineer.

Explore the importance of honesty and open communication in tech teams, especially with new members. Learn effective strategies for building trust and understanding.

Explore the journey of a woman re-entering the workforce and discovering her fit in the technology industry. Follow along as she navigates the challenges and rewards of this exciting career shift.

Explore my journey learning Ruby and experimenting with InSpec and Chef. Discover how InSpec bridges the gap between Security and DevOps, and how I aim to fill a new role in this space.

Join Annie as she embarks on a journey from art to technology, applying her creative skills in a new field. Follow her progress and learn from her experiences in this engaging blog series.

Explore the importance of coding for kids in this blog post, highlighting how programming is a valuable tool for the future. Discover myths about programming and how it can be integrated into everyday learning.

Explore the journey of a blogger’s first six months, the challenges faced, and the lessons learned. Discover how the focus shifted from professional to personal topics and the impact it had on readership.

Explore the contrast between good and bad mornings in this insightful blog post. Learn how being intentional and avoiding phone distractions can transform your morning routine, productivity, and overall well-being.

Explore our journey as we navigate a business opportunity, balancing risk and reward, staying true to our values, and seeking the right fit. Inspired by Mark Cuban’s advice.

Explore the differences between European and American education systems in this blog post. Discover how shorter school days and vocational training could potentially benefit students. A must-read for anyone interested in education reform.

Reevaluate life’s commitments with two questions: How’d you feel without it? Can you freely reject it? Prioritize for a balanced, fulfilling life.

Boost your reading focus with Amazon Kindle: distraction-free, long battery life, and sleep-friendly lighting. Enhance growth and knowledge effortlessly.

Optimize phone usage with Republic Wireless: affordable plans, Wi-Fi data, and reduced distractions. Prioritize real-life connections over screen time.

Facebook promises social connections but often reduces face-to-face interactions. While it keeps us updated, it might be diminishing genuine conversations.

Shift your mindset: Instead of lacking time, prioritize what truly matters. Eliminate time-wasters like excessive news consumption to focus on personal growth.

Explore the phenomenon of rubbernecking in the context of local news consumption. This blog post challenges you to evaluate the value and impact of the news you consume daily.

Explore the parallels between sports news and soap operas in this blog post. Discover how sports news often focuses on drama and intrigue, much like a soap opera, and why it’s important to remember it’s just entertainment.

Discover why The Economist is a superior news source in this blog post. Learn about its international focus, lack of distractions, and balanced reporting. Ditch the drama of mainstream media today.

Explore the impact of news consumption on our lives and emotions. This blog post challenges the relevance of political news and encourages readers to question how news affects their daily lives.

Discover how to live in the present and escape the distractions of modern life in this insightful blog post. Learn how to focus on what truly matters and stop running from your real life.

Explore the concept of ‘The Default Script’ in our society and how it impacts our pursuit of happiness and meaning. Discover why this script may not lead to fulfillment and learn alternative ways to live a meaningful life.

Explore the concept of life as a work of art in this blog post. Discover how simplicity, purpose, and tranquility can shape your canvas, and how every life is a unique masterpiece. Inspire and be inspired to create a beautiful life.

Discover how to implement the Getting Things Done (GTD) methodology in your life with our step-by-step action plan. Learn to collect, process, prioritize, delegate, and review tasks effectively. Start your GTD journey today!

Discover how to achieve a ‘Mind Like Water’ through the Getting Things Done (GTD) system. Learn to react appropriately to life’s challenges and boost your productivity.

Discover the secret to achieving your goals and staying organized with our review of the Checkvist system. Learn how to effectively process and review tasks for improved productivity.

Discover how to effectively process and organize your tasks for better productivity. Learn the steps to transform your ‘stuff’ into actionable tasks, achieve inbox zero daily, and maintain sanity in your life.

Discover how to declutter your mind and life with our effective collection system. Learn to organize your thoughts, tasks, and worries for later, freeing you to truly focus.

Discover the power of planned thinking in boosting productivity and reducing stress. Learn how the Getting Things Done (GTD) system and tools like Checkvist can transform your work and life. Follow along for practical tips and insights.

Michael shares how intentional growth transformed his productivity using the GTD method and Checkvist. Emphasizing the power of continuous learning and organization.

Explore the latest July blog update where I share my journey in Taos, New Mexico, my reflections on past blog series, and plans for future content. Join me on my quest for intentional, contented living.

Shift from consumerism to contentment by rethinking travel. Opt for walking, biking, and consolidating car trips. Embrace local living for a healthier, happier life.

Boost your income by negotiating your salary. Chapman’s book teaches that everything is negotiable, emphasizes intentionality, and the power of silence.

Discover how adopting a mindset of contentment can help you lower expenses and meet financial goals. Learn from our journey with YNAB and Dave Ramsey.

Dave Ramsey’s extreme approach to debt focuses on psychology over numbers. His method emphasizes short-term sacrifices for long-term financial freedom.

Discover how to break free from living paycheck to paycheck with our guide to getting a month ahead in income. Experience the benefits of financial simplicity, peace, and clarity with our practical steps.

YNAB, a user-friendly budgeting software, emphasizes goal-setting, real-life adaptability, and planning for surprises. It’s a game-changer for personal finance.

Entering marriage counseling with expectations, I learned from Les Carter that true success isn’t about control but serving and understanding others.

Chasing the ideal college experience, I took on debt for a year of fun, only to realize true success impacts all life areas positively.