Word of the Year
Do you pick a word of the year? I can't recall where I first picked up the practice. I don't choose one every year. It's one of those things that comes to me, or it doesn't, and I'd never want to force something like that. For 2021, it jumped right out at me: FLOW. ...
Farewell, 2020
How to recap a year like 2020? The thought of surveying the whole year is overwhelming, and I'm not sure I want to revisit it all in a methodical way. Like everyone else, I'm pretty ready to move on. Still, there are a few takeaways and silver linings worth noting...
Template for Writing Sprints
I started facilitating writing sprints ages ago to help clients break up daunting content creation projects. After seeing how productive these sessions can be, I started doing solo sprints and using them for even smaller things like a single blog post. As a business...
New Launch: Right as Run Coaching
Sister company alert! YAY now has its first subsidiary, Right as Run coaching. This launch has been nearly two years in the making. Like is often the case in entrepreneurial journeys, it wasn't a straight line from A to B. I actually started Right as Run in January...
15 Minutes for a More Creative Day
I think of creativity a lot like strength training. Investing 15 minutes in lifting weights here and there adds up over time, until eventually you can lift more, or do more sets, and it feels more natural. Same for running, playing an instrument, writing. Practice,...
Avoid These Research Mistakes
With the disruption of the pandemic to the economy and our day-to-day lives, now is a good time to check-in with your stakeholders. You might learn why they have or have not stayed loyal when cuts must be made. You might learn how you can better serve them, or even...
What is design research anyway?
Design research is a specialty for YAY, but I always feel a little wonky talking about. Sometimes I minimize it, "Oh, this is really just a fancy, industry term..." I need to stop doing that since it is distinct from other types of research, and I believe...
Making Sketch Mock-Ups
When starting a new design project, like an annual report or print ad, I usually include making a concept sketch as part of the process. Even when a project seems simple. Even if the project is with a client I've worked with for years. When I skip this, I usually...
Black Lives Matter
Author's note: This post was originally published on Facebook, where I share weekly updates about what is happening behind the scenes at Yes and Yonder. This work is so important, so I felt this needed a permanent home on the YAY site as well. — 2020, Week No. 23....
Showing Up for Community
Even as Indiana and other states are reopening, I'm still mostly staying at home. Maybe for a good while yet. It's so hard to say when it will feel comfortable to be out and about. In talking with clients and friends, I have heard a lot of the same. Extended work from...