6. Time to detox! What bad habits do you have that you want to kick?
• time-wasting, such as Solitaire or IG scrolling
• procrastination
• keeping silent when speech is vital
• snacking
• making plans that I know I won't want to fulfill
13. What great tools, tricks, hacks, routines, habits, or materials do you use to stay creative? What have you learned about creativity?
there's nothing that I do, as a routine, specifically inspire or maintain creativity. For me, it's all about inspiration. As a practical matter I need to make the circumstances as encouraging of creativity as possible—for instance, by having a post template, by having a list of resources to consult, and by keeping a list of blog ideas (sometimes extremely specific, and more often terribly vague and sometimes fruitless) - but that does not in itself produce creativity like a raw material.
27. What’s your take on social media?
it's exhausting, sometimes pointless, sometimes infuriating, sometimes demeaning. Every now and then, it's utterly wonderful at keeping people connected. I sometimes participate frequently, often take tiny bites every couple of days. and rarely—perhaps once each 4 or 5 months—turn it off completely, and for longer and longer times. It is entirely possible that I'll fold it all up someday, including the blog.
5. How would you define your preferred management philosophy?
train, and keep offering training. Stop in now and then, whether in person or by email, and actually listen to the answers to "how are things going? Do you need anything?" Give positive feedback loud, early and often, and negative feedback immediately and quietly. Don't be stingy about raises, promotions, and bonuses; if someone knows they are valued, then they will stay and do their damnedest.
34. What are the first coherent memories you can recall?
I think it's inherently difficult to identify "coherent memories" from childhood. Mine, anyway, is a mishmash of what I actually remember along with the mythology as recalled by the rest of the family and friends. I think I recall riding in the car on holiday trips to my grandparents', 30 minutes away. I might've been three years old, maybe two.
41. What memory still makes you cringe when you think about it even though it might have been years ago?
moving in for a quick kiss with a man, whose intentions I'd badly misread, and being (ever so gently) rebuffed. My face is red hot just thinking about it, a dozen years hence.
48. Write about the best and worst gifts you’ve ever received.
worst: my former mother-in-law thought I was unsophisticated, juvenile, and uninteresting, and so she campaigned to improve me. Christmas and birthday each year were opportunities to 'bring me up'—with gift books. Several biographies of upstanding American Christians, both of a religious bent and especially politicians. She was also forthcoming with lots of "Why America is The Best" sorts of "history." She always inscribed them, too, so they couldn't just be traded in for something that I actually wanted to read. Or even that I could just stomach displaying on my bookshelves.
best: a hand-painted necklace, featuring a tiny portrait of someone I love
10. How do you feel about being told in an interview that a full time, salaried job will involve significantly long days or work on weekends?
pretty sure that would be a deal-breaker for me. It's a strong indication that giving one's best will never be enough, that more will always be requested, then expected, and ultimately required. The concept of "work/life balance" is bullshit, since I have zero desire to go halvsies with my employer for all of my time. But I am indeed interested in having a life that is completely separate from my work obligations.
Working some overtime, staying late occasionally or working a weekend now and then is not out of the question. I'm just not going to agree to it—and thus agree to dilute my rate of pay and my happiness—from the start.
[from What to blog about: 101 Irresistible blog ideas with a couple from from 301 Best Questions to ask on your Interview; the title quotation is by Anne Rice, from Blood and Gold]
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