Andy Busam – The Jargon Garden

Perfection is an Illusion

Starting the new year with a resolution and a few personal reminders. Motivation is cultivated. Perfection is an illusion. And, as Shane Parrish says, “Intensity is overrated, while consistency is underrated.”

Posted on January 5, 2022

Figure It Out vs I Don’t Know

As someone who prides himself on figuring out hard problems, saying “I don’t know” hasn’t come easy or without hard lessons. There’s no shame in setting down your pride and asking for help.

Posted on April 5, 2021

The Selective Irrationality of Getting Breakfast in Boone

We all do selectively irrational things for emotional reasons. We make decisions with our hearts. We go to great lengths to keep our stories alive. We brave nasal swabs and sub-freezing weather to stay connected to each other.

Posted on March 22, 2021

The Cost of Uncertainty

Reducing uncertainty means cutting through the noise, identifying what’s most important to know, and using that clarity to make informed choices and decisions.

Posted on March 5, 2021

Three Lessons When Starting a New Job

We are each a collection of the experiences and interactions we’ve had over our lifetime. If we’re lucky and smart, we remember the important lessons and carry them into new experiences.

Posted on February 15, 2021

Heavy Dreams

A story about grand landscaping projects, heavy machinery, and failure.

Posted on January 6, 2021

The Imitation Trap

Imitating others is a skill we do naturally. Yet, there’s a time and place for it. Merely imitating others by following their advice or the way they live without considering their situation or goals can lead to frustration or burnout.

Posted on December 30, 2020

Learning to Breathe

Because breathing becomes an involuntary action, we lose sight of its importance. Now, more than ever, we need to refocus on the breath as a source of calm and preparation for the future.

Posted on December 16, 2020

When It Comes To An End

Endings are a part of life. How we approach them matters as much as all the time from the start.

Posted on December 9, 2020

Transitions

Every day, month, year, and generation is marked by transitions. Being present means noticing them and giving them the attention they deserve. But the real key to life is to anticipate transitions and prepare for life on the other side.

Posted on December 3, 2020

The Childhood Lesson That Can Improve Customer Experiences

I’m thankful for the lessons in attentiveness and initiative that my parents patiently taught me. They’re applicable in every aspect of life, including designing effective user and customer experiences.

Posted on November 25, 2020

How to Stay Calm

It is important to have reflections at the ready for daily rumination. Internalize them. Make them personal. Find solace in words of wisdom passed down for generations.

Posted on November 18, 2020

A Trip to the Bookstore

A trip to the local bookstore on a warm fall Sunday morning revealed a good way to improve the retail shopping experience in our digital-first era.

Posted on November 11, 2020

How We Survive

Today, this week, this era. There are, at least, three necessary and interconnected abilities we need individually and collectively to survive.

Posted on November 4, 2020

Why Saying It Again Matters

People tend to think of repetition as a tool for persuasion. Yet, repetition can do much more, including strengthen relationships and create loyalty.

Posted on October 28, 2020

There’s No Substitution for Empathy

You can’t truly solve customer’s problems on your own. No matter the industry, the time spent building empathy with the people most affected by your decisions will pay dividends.

Posted on October 21, 2020

Culture is Created

Every company has a culture. Yet, many of us forget that we have the power collectively to create the culture we want.

Posted on October 14, 2020

The Difference Between Motion and Action

Motion and action are mutually reinforcing. And while action may be more visible to others, motion is just as consequential.

Posted on October 7, 2020

When Invisible Pain Becomes Obvious

Sometimes pain sneaks up on you. In life, the invisible frustrations can lead to just as much damage as the obvious ones.

Posted on September 30, 2020

How to Make Communication Fail Less Often

Communication fails. It's part of life. Yet, an awareness gives us the opportunity to be more intentional about how we interact with each other.

Posted on September 23, 2020

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