My longtime and dear friend Tom Taylor is a remarkably curious guy – in fact, anything I learn that is not readily available elsewhere, I hear from Tom first.

For example, one of the many publications he scans is called HRDive.com which I ask him to peruse for me looking for just that kind of story.  This week I learned that according to software company Dayforce only 37% of workers taking a vacation in the U.S – and yes, Canada and the U.K. fully shut down from email – a number that has plummeted over the last three years.

Sad to say that is also me – maybe I’m afraid of returning to find a week’s worth of emails in a bloated inbox or maybe it’s just a habit tough to break.

Or as author Anne Lamott chides us “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”

These DayStarters are for sharing.

I know I love the radio business when I look back – I was interviewed for a program director’s job by Charles Manson and no, not the infamous cult killer by the same name.

This one hired me on the spot in a face to face interview and then luckily before I moved to Chicago from Philly, I never heard from him again.  Yes, luckily.  He wouldn’t return my calls.  Legend had it that he changed the format of the radio station from progressive rock to oldies without telling his boss, the owner!  Who knew?

That was it for me – I wanted out of programming and after much thought decided to start a trade publication that would use my radio experience and journalism skills.

That sour lemon turned into the best thing that ever happened to me as I now watch so many of my brethren fight incompetent owners who have hijacked their careers and our beloved radio business.

Just when I thought all was lost, my future was found.

Life is sometimes an accident and that can be a good thing and that’s where I am on the same page with the Dalai Lama.

“Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.”

Feel free to share.

I can tell you the young people I know are running into difficulties finding their first real job post-graduation for all the reasons we all know.

There is compelling research indicating that some individuals not only survive but thrive in their careers during recessions. While economic downturns often pose challenges, they can also present unique opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, and long-term career growth.

Greater long-term success.

During the Great Recession of 2008, the rate of new business formation increased significantly.

A Wall Street Journal study emphasized tech startups founded during the 2007–09 recession were more likely to survive and be innovative compared to those established in more stable economic times.

Emory University’s Goizueta Business School found that employees reported higher job satisfaction during recessions suggesting that in times of economic uncertainty, individuals may value job security more and focus on the positives of their current roles, leading to increased contentment.

Uncertainty may rattle the world, but for some, it quietly sparks the grit and ingenuity that fuel lasting careers and unexpected success.

Atomic Habits author James Clear says the same thing in interviews and talks — A lot of people hit rock bottom during uncertain times. But that’s also where they find the solid ground to build something better. 

Feel free to pass it along

So, imagine your daughter was sensitive to gluten at an early age and you’re a mom – at the very least you are going to do all you can do to help her adapt to a restrictive diet for her own health.

One person started fooling with recipes for treats so her daughter could feel that she could enjoy what others never have to think about in their diets.

Then, turning the skill of making gluten free cakes, cupcakes, cookies and other goodies into a business.

I met this amazing person and bought a ton of gluten-free desserts to sample this week (some without dairy that I personally appreciate).  Her other customers give this gluten-free pastry chef 5 stars (not even one lowly 4.9!) and I’m about ready to write my 5-star review.

This is an example of turning adversity into success – her daughter eats like everyone else, mom runs a business to put food on the table.

Or as another chef Gluten-Free Girl, Shauna James Ahern says “Necessity is not only the mother of invention — sometimes, she’s also a baker.”

Someone might appreciate you forwarding this

I used to work at Sears in West Philadelphia when I was 16 – sporting goods.

One day unbeknownst to me, I was “shopped” by a Sears manager who was an older person with white hair who said she was looking to buy a tent to take her grandson camping.  She kept moving toward the more expensive tents and I kept trying to save her money with the economy model (it was, after all, their first outing).

She turned me in and I wound up behind the hot dog snack bar as my punishment.  Once I served my penance, I was returned to sporting goods whereas Britney Spears would say, “Oops… I did it again”.  Back to the snack bar.

You would think I’d learn my lesson and get out of sales, but after a career on the air in radio and TV I was interviewed by a TV news consulting firm that liked my programming talent but hired someone else who could sell.  He quit after six months and they offered it to the runner up – me!  I said no.

In business I learned to sell by being persistent and authentic – it worked and I often wonder what would have happened if I had let any of these unfortunate experiences do me in.

So, I’m writing to say the game is not over until you say it is.

NFL iconic coach Vince Lombardi was right “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” 

Maybe sharing this would make someone’s day.

 In college, students get to grade their teachers after each semester.  Do you want to know what they like in increasing numbers about my classes (you’ll note, I’m not including what they don’t like).  Still …

That no digital devices are allowed in class – no phones, pads or laptops (yes, I resist the plea “but I’m taking notes”).  This is such a big deal that I’m writing about it after the just-concluded spring semester – thanks for not letting us get distracted.

Their phones are off and out of sight because research shows even if a phone is close by and off, we will keep checking it as if it’s still on.

This begs the question what if we set new rules and stuck by them when it comes to digital distraction – I’m betting that others will also appreciate it.

One of their biggest complaints is with mom and dad – “they’re always on their phones” is something I hear a lot.

But it’s one thing to silence digital devices and quite another to replace it with the number one thing that always wins – time focused on you.

Sherry Turkle is an MIT professor who sounds like she agrees:  “When you remove the screen, you uncover the person.” 

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It used to be that when we said we were worried to death we meant we were working ourselves to death.

Now the meaning is becoming broader – we’re still getting tired but more from adding worry on top of worry.

The facts are that what we are actually worried about will never happen and on the chance that it does, it doesn’t happen the way we fear.  Still, you can’t negotiate with worry.  It simply breeds more.

One of the best ways is to schedule a worry appointment for a half an hour a week – you pick the day and time.  Every worry that comes up at another time is pushed off until then.  Refuse to get anxious about it.  Tuesday from 8:30-9pm sounds good.

The reason it works so well is because often delaying our anxiety helps provide clarity and even when it doesn’t, it adds discipline to put a stop/loss on worry.

One of the leading experts in cognitive therapy Dr. Robert Leahy says:  “Schedule your worry time. Don’t let it schedule you.”

Feel free to share.

Real human connection is migrating from Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms to WhatsApp, Discord and group chats. These are the cool, quiet corners of the internet where there’s no algorithm, no brand-building, no pressure to perform.

It’s not so much a tech obituary as it is a cultural reckoning — a retreat from public performance toward private connection.  Users are burning out.  There’s a pushback from curating personas, chasing engagement, and pretending everything is fine.  Authentic expression has been replaced by algorithmic survival.

Social media platforms have strayed from their original promise of connection, community, and authenticity with the good news being real people are rediscovering ways to connect.

Jaron Lanier is an early critic of social media and his take is “We cannot have a society in which, if two people wish to communicate, the only way that can happen is if it’s financed by a third person who wishes to manipulate them.”

Pass it along.

Here’s what former general manager Bob Myers says about Golden State NBA basketball great Stephen Curry:

“I always told him I was so jealous of him.  Not the money, not the fame, but how happy he approaches each day.  That’s a skill, and that’s also leadership”.

The thing about happiness is you can’t think yourself into joy – you have to act it out even when you don’t feel like it.

My students sometimes ask why are you always in a good mood and I answer because I know I am going to be with you.  Sometimes we can overcome the pitfalls that come our way and affect our good nature.  But all that doesn’t take place in the mind alone – we have to act happy to be happy.

So starting the traditional beginning of summer with determination to lift the mood of others using enthusiasm and gratitude is something we can do by hitting the start button and not trying to overthink our way into it.

“The more you give to others, the more you get back — not just in success, but in joy. I’ve learned that bringing happiness to people around you brings purpose to everything you do.” – Steph Curry

Anyone can exceed the expectations of others.  It makes you a better friend, person and colleague.

People who somehow do a bit more, a bit sooner than others have that special sauce that makes them look and feel successful.  If you’ve ever wondered why few people meet their deadlines with a slew of excuses and even fewer exceed them, I’m with you.  Under promise, over deliver.

It’s not just college professors who hear excuses – this year’s most popular in my view is food poisoning.  It seems eating off those trucks on Manhattan streets is not conducive to stomach health.

We’re always looking for a way to distinguish ourselves from others in a busy, over-connected world and the answer is right there in front – exceed expectations and win the day.

Or as Atomic Habits author James Clear puts it:  “The best way to stand out is to quietly do more than anyone expects.”