What’s In Your Carry On? (And What’s Weighing You Down?) authenticity confidence efficiency emotional intelligence goals growth happiness having what matters productivity resilience well-being

I always enjoy when I can give one of my favorite presentations: “From Self-Doubt to Self-Confidence in the Legal Profession: Imposter Syndrome in the Legal Profession.” I never tire of this topic. No matter the audience—whether new associates at orientation or seasoned partners at a retreat—I alway...

Continue Reading...
Stone by Stone: Lessons in Leadership and Grit from My Grandparents grit growth holidays mindset resilience strength tenacity

In the legal profession, we talk a lot about innovation, fresh ideas, and staying ahead of the curve. All of that is important.

But sometimes the most powerful lessons don’t come from what’s new - they come from the people who’ve already walked the path before us. Mentors, colleagues, family member...

Continue Reading...
National Wellness Month + Labor Day = The Perfect Time to Recharge having what matters stress well-being work/life balance

 I love that August is National Wellness Month.

Even though I'm writing this as the “official” month is ending, it’s a good reminder: wellness doesn’t live in one month. But it can feel like we may need it most in these shifting seasons, when routines speed up and life asks more of us.

Here in M...

Continue Reading...
What Karaoke Taught Me About Values (Yes, Really) change fear growth mindset

 I sang karaoke last night. Here’s why that matters.

I don’t usually sing karaoke. Let’s be honest: my voice is a light, airy soprano - sweet and well-pitched, but better suited for church choirs or Mozart arias than pop songs. (Someone once said I sound like a 10-year-old boy soprano before his vo...

Continue Reading...
Not Every Deer Is a Danger: A Lesson in Self-Awareness change fear habit stress

I was enjoying a quiet morning at home, sipping coffee, basking in the silence and stillness, when I heard intense barking from the backyard - like, jolt you from your seat and make you spill your coffee barking.

Sadie, our sweet rescue dog, was in full-on alert mode - barking, tense, eyes locked. ...

Continue Reading...
Just because it rains, it doesn’t have to pour change efficiency habit productivity

Coffee in hand, I sat down to start the day … only to realize my laptop charging cord was still plugged in under the conference room table - 40 minutes away.

And as luck would (or wouldn’t) have it, the weather forecast for the day was not in my favor. Cue the flash flood warnings. Cue the pounding...

Continue Reading...
From Failure to Fresh Salad: A Surprising Lesson in Resilience change growth having what matters productivity

Some of you may remember that I previously shared a photo of my backyard lettuce. It wasn’t a pretty picture – droopy leaves, sad little stems, and a serious case of what looked like gardening failure.

After planting with high hopes, I watched the seedlings wilt in the summer heat, and I started to...

Continue Reading...
Creativity Day: What If This Is the Key to Sustainable Success? change growth mindset performance

When was the last time you did something creative - not to produce, perfect, or perform, but simply to play?

 May 30 is National Creativity Day, a reminder that creativity isn’t just for artists, musicians, or designers. Creativity belongs to all of us. And for those of us in law - where logic, str...

Continue Reading...
The Long Weekend Your Brain Has Been Waiting For happiness having what matters health work/life balance

I did something rare and wonderful that we often talk about, but never follow through with: I took myself out on a solo date.

My husband and son headed to our family cabin, our daughters are studying abroad, and I have just a couple more meetings and projects to wrap up today from my office.

So la...

Continue Reading...
Lettuce Lessons: A Gardening Fail Led To Big Learning change growth habit productivity

I tried something new to challenge myself: growing vegetables—specifically, lettuce. I’ve always loved the idea of stepping out into the backyard and grabbing a few fresh leaves for a salad. Simple. Healthy. Satisfying.

My husband, Ryan, and I pulled out the starter plants I bought - lettuce and sp...

Continue Reading...
Why ‘Follow Your Passion’ Isn't Always the Best Advice: A Smarter Way to Thrive in Law change confidence growth habit

Every year, at the end of the semester. I reflect on the students (almost all 3L’s) in our upper-level, two-credit “Well-Being and Professional Formation” course at the University of St. Thomas School of Law. It was an honor to co-teach with Professor Jerry Organ and to walk alongside these future l...

Continue Reading...
You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know - And That’s a Good Thing! confidence fear growth mindset

In the legal profession, we’re taught to show confidence, control, and command of the facts. We research thoroughly. We write persuasively. We present our arguments with authority. That’s what we’re trained to do, and often, what we’re rewarded for.

But what we’re not trained to do is show uncertai...

Continue Reading...

Are you subscribed to receive Kendra’s weekly newsletter?

Be the first to receive Kendra’s articles delivered straight to your inbox!

You can unsubscribe at any time!