“You are what you measure.” It’s a phrase that’s often heard in gyms and locker rooms, tied to performance and physical output. How much weight can you lift? How far did you run? How fast did you do it? In the world of fitness, these numbers are the proof of progress. And while physical health… Continue reading On Measurement
Author: Joe Anhalt
On Spring Cleaning
(So fresh and so clean, clean) — OutKast Every spring, we throw open the windows, dust off the shelves, and reset our homes. It’s a ritual—a moment to start fresh, to clear out what’s no longer needed and make space for what matters. But there’s another space that could use that same care and attention.… Continue reading On Spring Cleaning
On Leadership
I’m reading a book called Inspire by Adam Galinsky, and right at the beginning, there’s a story that grabbed me. In 2018, Southwest Airlines flight 1380 suffered a catastrophic engine failure mid-flight. One of the engines blew apart, shattering a window, causing the cabin to decompress. It was loud, terrifying, chaotic. Oxygen masks dropped. People… Continue reading On Leadership
On Being A Front-Row Person
“Human beings never become something without pretending to be it first.” — W.H. Auden After my first two years of college, I was unhappy with my academic performance. Not entirely sure how to improve, I started observing the leaders in my classes in hopes of learning what set them apart. The first thing I noticed?… Continue reading On Being A Front-Row Person
On Cramming For The Dentist
I used to cram for the dentist. A week before my appointment, I’d suddenly start flossing religiously, convinced that if I worked hard enough in those final days, I could erase months of neglect. But, of course, it never worked. The damage had already been done—or rather, the good habits had never been built. It’s… Continue reading On Cramming For The Dentist
On Being Silly
“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”— George Bernard Shaw Somewhere along the way, many of us start to believe that adulthood means being serious. That being responsible means being composed. That playfulness is something we should outgrow. But what if the opposite is true? What if… Continue reading On Being Silly
On Being Human
When you have trouble getting out of bed in the morning, remember that your defining characteristic—what defines a human being—is to work with others. Even animals know how to sleep. And it’s this characteristic activity that’s the more natural one—more innate and more satisfying. — Marcus Aurelius Marcus Aurelius reminds us that our defining characteristic… Continue reading On Being Human
On Writing
There’s a kind of magic in writing things down. Thoughts that feel vague or fleeting in your mind take on weight and form when they hit the page. A simple idea, once written, becomes something real—something you can shape, refine, and return to. Writing isn’t just a way to remember; it’s a way to clarify.… Continue reading On Writing
On Being Present
If, then, my awareness of the past and future makes me less aware of the present, I must begin to wonder whether I am actually living in the real world. ― Alan Watts Reflecting on my childhood, I remember struggling with severe anxiety—missing school days, avoiding sleepovers, and feeling overwhelmed by fears that seemed larger than… Continue reading On Being Present
On Coming Alive
“Don’t ask what the world needs, ask instead, what makes you come alive, because what the world needs most is for you to come alive.” — Howard Thurman My entire professional career has been working closely with founders and entrepreneurs. I’ve learned the importance of product-market fit, the opportunity size (total addressable market), and having… Continue reading On Coming Alive