Creator's Block

A few times a year, the entire IMPACT team -- hailing from all across the country -- descends upon our home office of Wallingford, Connecticut, for an entire week of meetings, team-building, and sprawling across every square inch of available desk space to get work done. Last week was one of those weeks, which meant it was the first time Jessie-Lee, Marcella, and I were in the same place, at the same time.  Marcella, Jessie-Lee, and me! Just look at us. We're delightful. But during the "most wonderful time of the year," weeks like this can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, getting to be together in person does wonders for collaboration. (Oh, and you get a chance to have those big conversations that sometimes don't occur organically since typically you aren't in the same physical space as your colleagues.) On the other hand, the last month of the year -- whether you're in office or working from home -- is always a mad race to the finish.  The holidays (and vacations) are looming. Budgets are closing.