Sourcebooks

Toxic Grit - How to have it all and (actually) love what you have 
COMING OCTOBER 21, 2025!

Author

Be Clear Communications

We help progressive organizations and their leaders build robust digital presences that reflect their values, elevate their message, and reach the audiences who matter most.

Advisor

Anonymous

Chief Marketing Officer

🧩 Life’s a Game, HLG Projects

Marketing Consultant, Brand Builder, Creator and Author of Life's A Game: An anti-hustle newsletter about building a life on your terms. Personal and professional growth tips and frameworks delivered every Thursday at 8am.

Founder

The Post

Brought on by board as Fractional CMO to grow and scale The Post: the leading community for Leaders: Built By Sport.

Shaklee Corporation

Consulting with the global leader in health & wellness supplements working on innovation & partnerships and go to market positioning of new products.

VP of Marketing - Consultant

House of Wise

Empowering women to take control of their SLEEP, SEX, STRESS and STRENGTH with trusted CBD products.

Founder, CEO

Nue Life Health

4 month contract as fractional CMO to help with brand and marketing strategy.

Teal

6 month contract to help with positioning, team building and go to market strategy.

The Knot Worldwide

Following the December 2018 merger of XO Group Inc. and WeddingWire: We are The Knot Worldwide. With the mission of helping all couples around the world plan every aspect of their unique weddings, The Knot Worldwide is positioned to innovate and accelerate growth in the global wedding industry through The Knot, WeddingWire, bodas.net, and its family of leading wedding and lifestyle brands across the globe. The Knot Worldwide will deliver leading wedding marketplaces, wedding websites, planning tools, registry services and more to over 20 million unique visitors each month internationally through our brands. We're excited for all that is ahead for our brands, our couples, and our partners.

VP of Marketing

Amanda Goetz is a 2x founder, 3x CMO, brand builder and content creator on personal and professional growth and brand building, inspiring over 150,000 people every week through her social insights and weekly newsletter, 🧩 Life's A Game.

Amanda Goetz, was the founder and visionary behind House of Wise, a wellness company focused on creating space for more sleep, hotter sex and less stress. She started House of Wise during the pandemic in her garage, raised two rounds of venture capital and sold it in 2022 all while homeschooling three young children as a single mom.  

Born and raised in a single traffic light Midwest farm town, Amanda is a first generation college grad. Her dad is the town plumber & electrician. A self proclaimed over-achiever, Amanda worked three jobs in college while maintaining a 3.9 GPA and graduating early. 

Fast forward to 2017. Amanda found herself in NYC with 3 children under the age of 5 and navigating a divorce at the height of her career. Living life by a societally-approved checklist of success left her nearly broken. She spent the next 6 years unlearning hustle culture and learning a new way to approach her ambitious life. 

Amanda was the former head of brand for The Knot - the global leader in weddings. Previously, Goetz served as a startup founder building availability software for the wedding industry after spending years analyzing companies for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year program. She also worked for celebrity wedding planner David Tutera as Head of Marketing developing the go-to market strategy for his brands, licensing deals and client partners.

She has built an audience of over 150,000 in the startup and business community learning to live a life of ambition and success without subscribing to today’s hustle culture. She launched a newsletter called 🧩 Life’s a Game with Amanda Goetz to help high performers learn actionable tips for living a life of intention.        

Amanda’s been featured on Access Hollywood, The Skinny Confidential, Forbes, Business Insider and more.

Amanda Goetz

I stopped bringing my whole self to work. 
And I stopped bringing my work self to home. Let me explain…..

The work version of me is assertive, cares about deadlines, financial security and being at the top. 

The home version of me is silly, soft and cares about being the best mom and caregiver possible. 

Those two versions of me don’t often see eye to eye and yet we are constantly being told to find “alignment”. 

My book is about how alignment isn’t always possible. 

It’s about:
- awareness of the character that’s leading
- prioritization 
- focus on their character’s goals 
- timeline for how long you wjlm focus 
- transition sequences to the next character 

Check out my latest op ed for The Wall Street Journal in the link below. 

And if you struggle to make space for all the diverse versions of yourself - grab a copy of Toxic Grit now!

USA TODAY Bestselling Author of Toxic Grit | 2x Founder (acquired) 5x CMO | Mom x3 | Keynote Speaker | Subscribe ➡️ 🧩 Life’s a Game Newsletter

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Popping on to say this: for every day I spend offline during this post book tour spin cycle….

the more ideas start flowing. 
the less anxiety I feel about the algorithm. 
the more clarity I have about 2026. 

If you never stop to pause and look up, you might miss the beauty of the changing landscapes on the climb.

I'm creatively tapped after my book tour so I'm running a spin cycle. 
If you are feeling the same.....steal this below 👇

Story time....I've spent the two years: 
- writing a best selling book 
- publishing a weekly newsletter for almost 80k people
- conducting interviews for the Girlboss podcast - Ambition 2.0

In Toxic Grit, I talk about “spin cycles” as intentional seasons where you wring out the heaviness that’s built up....... the pressure, the stimulation, the expectations, the constant output.

It's not quitting.
It's not laziness.

It is maintenance.

A spin cycle is a defined period of time where you reduce your RPM so you can keep going without burning out.

Here’s what my current spin cycle looks like:

1. Lower the creative bar
No “big” new projects. I’m focused on maintenance mode only: my FT CMO role and my weekly newsletter. Everything else is being held until next year. 

2. Shift from output to intake
I’m reading more, listening to conversations, and paying attention to what’s landing with people instead of trying to force new ideas. 

3. Tighten my containers
Shorter work blocks, hard stops in the evenings, more white space on the calendar. The constraint is what gives my brain room to reset. 

(and resisting the urge to use that white space for scrolling)

4. Name what can wait
I have a literal list called “Not right now” for every fun, shiny idea that pops into my head. It goes there, not on my actual plate.

5. Redefine “progress”
During a spin cycle, progress is: rested brain, clear thoughts, regulated nervous system. 

Save this for the next time you feel tapped out and ask yourself:
What would a 2–4 week spin cycle look like for me?

What can I pause, simplify, or say no to so I can actually keep going?

This is the path to sustainable ambition.

The number one complaint from employees I talk to? Lack of context + micromanaging. 

I've been silently working in a full time CMO position since July and I can't wait to share more about it soon. 

But I wanted to share the operating rhythm that I have used for 10+ years to increase context and agency across the functions of marketing. 

EVERY WEEK: 

Monday: Async priorities 

I send out an async email called "managing up monday"
This email does 2 things: 
- everyone replies with their 2 main areas of focus for the week so we know where everyone's brains are at
- allows everyone to update the dashboard with previous week's metrics

Tuesdays: 1:1s and team chat 

All of our weekly meetings happen on the same day to get aligned for the week. Since we already know what people are focused on we can use this time to either remove roadblocks or brainstorm ideas. 

Wednesdays: Hallway chat

Now that we are moving and groovin' for the week we use 1 hour on Wednesday for a "sync'd Slack hour". This mimics the hallway chat where you casually ask for the updates and things you need from someone. 

By doing this in Slack at the same time you ensure everyone gets a prompt answer AND everyone gets line of sight into other things moving forward. 

Thursdays & Fridays are open for deep work and closing out the week. 

Thoughts?! 
What do you find that works for your team?

So excited for this event!! If you are in NYC - please come by for this powerhouse event with Girlboss and Her Workplace 

See you December 15th!

✨ NYC, we’re ending 2025 with a moment. ✨

​Join Her Workplace and Girlboss on December 15th for an intimate fireside chat with Amanda Goetz—2x founder, 4x CMO, and author of Toxic Grit—as we explore how to balance drive with joy, ambition with alignment, and growth with grace.

🎤 Redefine ambition without the burnout
📚 First guests receive a signed copy of Toxic Grit
🤝 Connect with women rewriting the rules of success
🍷 Sip Juliet Wine & enjoy an evening powered by Blu Dot

Close the year in a room that fills your cup and your ambition. 💛

Register here—https://lnkd.in/eYU9Xs6V

Toxic Grit isn’t a success just because I worked hard. (I mean, I did work hard but that wouldn't have gotten it to best seller status alone....)

It’s a success because people showed up for me.

Friends who posted the book without me asking.
Podcast hosts who invited me on before they read a single word.
Former coworkers who introduced me to the right editors or hosted events at their companies.
And yes....I had to actually put myself out there and ask for help.


Me asking for help on LinkedIn.
But here's the thing...

Most of the help didn't come from cold networking connections.

These were people I've kept in touch with for years.

People who I have checked in with when I didn’t need anything. I sent voice memos when I saw they were going through something. I celebrated their wins like they were mine.

So when it was finally my turn to ask?

The trust was already there.

A lot of people get networking wrong.

Even the word itself feels transactional. “Be in my network” is just code for: “I’ll contact you when I need something.”

But community?
That’s different.

Community is built when you show up before it’s convenient. It's when you give without tracking what you’re getting back. It's when we remember that humans aren’t LinkedIn headshots...…they’re living, breathing, emotional beings (likely going through their own shit).

I believe it’s more important than ever to have a community of people supporting you through the ups and downs and life yet it’s harder than ever in this current social media landscape.

And to all of those who have been that to me along the way....as I found myself a single mom of 3 kids under the age of 4....as I found myself moving to a new city with no friends or family....or as I shifted careers....

....I'm so thankful for you.

Today's newsletter goes into how I think about networking and doing it differently. 

Read it here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ebw89dUw

graphical user interface, text, application, email

Being a CMO of a new brand launching in Q1 while planning a wedding on a book tour. 

AMA. 

🫣

I took a week off from posting after the first leg of my book tour wrapped and I have to be honest.....I am creatively zapped. 

Every time I go to post something, my brain just......fizzles. 

Is anyone else feeling this way?

My portfolio career Black Friday wish list.....

1. Wish = Less time on social media 
Must have ➡️ Taplio 
30% off today!! 

I barely log into LinkedIn these days because I schedule all my content on 
Taplio. Use code BF30 at checkout! 

2. Wish = Less time in email & scheduling 
Must have ➡️ An EA 

I use Athena EA for my services. Get $2000 off your EA using my link below. 

3. Wish = More time back for other parts of your life 
Must have = USA Today Bestseller ➡️ Toxic Grit: How to have it all and (actually) love what you have

I wrote this book to share all the systems I use to juggle work, life and everything in between. On sale today!!

This week on Ambition 2.0: we sit down with Erika Ayers Badan, former CEO of Barstool Sports, current CEO of Food52, bestselling author of Nobody Cares About Your Career, and all-around master of building a career entirely on her own terms. 

Erika shares candid stories from her time leading one of the most controversial (and successful) media companies in the world, what she’s learned about managing men and underdogs, how to stay emotionally regulated at work, and why she advocates for not bringing your whole self to work (compartmentalization can actually enhance your authenticity). 

🎙️ Listen to Ambition 2.0 here: https://lnkd.in/gsrfr7cC 
💻 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gGTD-pT4 

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and let us know your biggest takeaway (there's lots!) ✍️🙂‍↕️ 

Amanda Goetz

LinkedIn

Global Operations Team Lead

Global Communications Co-Lead, Families ERG

The B2B Institute is a think tank funded by LinkedIn that researches the future of B2B marketing and decision making. We partner with leading experts in academia and industry to study the impact of B2B brand building on marketing, product, sales, corporate communications and talent development.

Global Operations Lead, B2B Institute 

BeeKyn

For parents juggling it all, BeeKyn is turning socializing from an epic adventure into a straightforward win. We're simplifying social connection for busy parents with two essential tools:

BeeKyn helps parents make playdates actually happen by taking the friction out of finding the right parent friends (aligned interests, kids' ages, and geography) AND aligning busy schedules. Whether you’re looking to meet new families or reconnect with your existing crew, BeeKyn makes it easier to match, schedule, and show up.

Because parents: 
Want real connection—but finding your people is hard.
Are tired of awkward playground chats and mismatched nap schedules. 
Already have friends—but scheduling with them feels like a full-time job.

BeeKyn was built for modern parenthood, where time is tight, connection is essential, and one good playdate can make your whole week.

Join the waitlist at www.BeeKyn.co
Launching in 2025!

Beehive Operations

As a strategic operations leader and business consultant, I have worked with clients across nonprofit, finance, tech, and startup industries, providing customized solutions to drive efficiency, scalability, and business transformation. By collaborating with stakeholders, I identify and address operational challenges, eliminate inefficiencies, and implement agile project management strategies that fuel sustainable growth.

⭐️ Key Areas of Expertise & Impact:

➡️ Business Consulting & Strategic Planning – Partner with clients to assess their unique needs, craft tailored strategies, and execute high-impact operational improvements.
➡️ Process Optimization & Organizational Efficiency – Identify inefficiencies, eliminate redundancies, and implement business process improvement strategies that enhance productivity.
➡️ Cross-Industry Expertise & Scalable Growth Strategies – Leverage multi-industry experience to develop customized solutions that support expansion, innovation, and competitive positioning.
➡️ Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement – Build and lead cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment between executive stakeholders and operational teams to drive measurable success.

Through executive consulting, strategic operations leadership, and a problem-solving mindset, I have helped businesses streamline processes, improve team culture, and implement scalable business strategies that enable long-term success.

Owner

Capital One

I led executive leadership initiatives, driving strategic planning, change management, and organizational transformation across a state territory. By collaborating with C-suite executives, senior stakeholders, and external partners, I successfully designed and implemented high-impact business strategies that improved operational efficiency and long-term investment consistency.

⭐️ Key Leadership & Strategic Impact:

➡️ Executive Engagement & Stakeholder Alignment – Built and maintained strong relationships with senior leadership, aligning cross-functional teams to achieve business transformation goals.
➡️ Change Management & Organizational Transformation – Led large-scale process improvements, restructuring operations to drive efficiency, agility, and innovation.
➡️ Strategic Planning & Performance Optimization – Developed and executed investment strategies, resulting in greater financial consistency and long-term growth.
➡️  Leadership in Complex Environments – Navigated enterprise-level organizational landscapes, influencing decision-making and surpassing performance targets.

Through executive leadership, strategic planning, and a data-driven approach to change management, I successfully transformed operations, fostered cross-functional collaboration, and delivered measurable organizational transformation in high-growth and evolving environments.

Corporate Affairs

Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans

I led global program development, overseeing the strategic planning and execution of community relations initiatives, grant management processes, and international event and exchange programs. My work focused on strengthening cross-cultural connections, fostering collaboration, and ensuring impactful resource allocation to support local and global communities.

🌍 Event & Exchange Program Leadership

➡️ Emergency Response & Medicine Conference: Spearheaded the planning and execution of a high-profile emergency response and medical leadership summit, bringing together top professionals from Louisiana and Israel to enhance crisis preparedness and healthcare innovation.
➡️ Cultural Exchange for Musicians: Developed a New Orleans–Israel music exchange program, featuring renowned jazz artists, fostering artistic collaboration, and promoting cross-cultural dialogue.
➡️ Educational Exchange Programs: Designed and implemented teacher and student exchange initiatives, strengthening international educational partnerships and enriching academic experiences.

📈 Grant Management & Community Relations

➡️ Led the development and implementation of grant allocation processes, ensuring strategic funding to support community initiatives.
➡️ Cultivated and maintained community relations, engaging stakeholders and fostering partnerships to drive impactful programs.
➡️ Managed cross-functional teams to execute initiatives that supported both local and international communities.

Through global program development, strategic community relations, and innovative event and exchange program leadership, I successfully designed and executed initiatives that bridged cultures, strengthened partnerships, and created lasting impact. My expertise in grant management and stakeholder engagement continues to drive my commitment to meaningful, mission-driven work.

Director of Strategic Planning

AllMaia

As a founding executive committee member of an international cultural exchange startup, I managed domestic and international operations, overseeing logistics, strategic planning, and cross-border collaborations. While the company ultimately did not succeed, the experience was invaluable, igniting my passion for entrepreneurial ventures and equipping me with firsthand insights into startup leadership, business development, and global program execution.

🌍 Key Takeaways & Impact:

➡️ Startup Leadership & Growth: Navigated the challenges of building and scaling a new business, including resource allocation, operational efficiency, and market expansion.
➡️ Agility & Strategic Decision-Making: Thrived in a fast-paced startup environment, learning to adapt quickly, pivot strategies, and make data-driven decisions under uncertainty.
➡️ Cross-Border Operations & Cultural Exchange: Managed international programs, fostering global partnerships and facilitating cultural initiatives.
➡️ Team Collaboration & Problem-Solving: Worked closely with a diverse, cross-functional team, honing skills in leadership, stakeholder management, and resilience in the face of challenges.

This experience reinforced my ability to drive innovative projects, manage high-stakes operations, and lead in dynamic environments—skills I continue to apply in entrepreneurial ventures, strategic planning, and community-driven initiatives.

Director of Operations

U.S. House of Representatives

I had the privilege of serving as a Congressional Page in the US House of Representatives, where I gained an unparalleled understanding of the legislative process and the inner workings of Congress. 

The Congressional Page Program is a prestigious and competitive program that has a long history of producing some of our nation's most influential leaders. As a Page, I had the opportunity to work alongside esteemed Members of Congress and top-level staff, assisting with legislative duties, learning about government operations, and developing invaluable skills that have helped shape my career.

Congressional Page

👋 Hi, I’m Alli! New York Times Modern Love author and speaker on the real, unfiltered realities of modern work and working parenthood. My work has been featured Fast Company, Business Insider, HuffPost, Motherly, and more.I write and speak about: → Ambition, caregiving, and identity→ Career evolution and reinvention→ The messy middle of navigating work, life, and everything in between→ How modern workplaces must evolve to support real people — not idealized employeesI’m also the founder of BeeKyn — a platform helping parents simplify playdate matching and scheduling (launching 2025). Check us out and sign up for the international waitlist at www.BeeKyn.co! I’m passionate about helping people thrive: at work, at home, and in the in-between.If you care about the future of work, working families, or building more human-centered workplaces, let’s connect.Explore my story, speaking topics, and media features at AlliKushner.com.

Alli K.

“It is unfortunate that there has been a misunderstanding regarding our placement policy.” That was the line in the email I got yesterday. Ya know… the one that officially confirmed I have no childcare for my littlest come January.

A “misunderstanding.” When every reasonable person would read the email thread the same way… Look at the "receipts" the same way... It’s not a “misunderstanding.” It’s a goddamn MISTAKE.

And the difference matters. Oh sweet Costco-sized bottle of Advil does it matter: in childcare, in work, and in life.

CAN WE ALL JUST START OWNING WHEN WE F* IT UP?!? 

Seriously.

There is SO much power in a simple: “We made an error. Here’s what we’re doing to fix it.”

But instead, this school shifted the narrative to “miscommunication,” which quietly transfers the entire burden back onto us, the parents.

⚠️ The emotional whiplash? Parent’s.
⚠️ The logistical fallout? Parent’s.
⚠️ The scrambling up the sides of a bloody sinkhole? Also the parent’s.

And while I'm coming at ya with a parenting example, make no mistake, this dynamic is EVERYWHERE.

We see it at work... 
Leaders who won’t say, “I missed that.”
Teams hiding behind vague language instead of taking responsibility.
Organizations rebranding a mistake as a “misalignment” to avoid acknowledging the impact.

Allow me to climb onto my soapbox and grab a freaking bullhorn: Accountability is not weakness. It’s LEADERSHIP. 

I’m not sharing this for sympathy. We’ll figure it out. Parents always do. We have to because there are tiny humans and their sticky hands at stake, not to mention the bills associated with them 😂. I’m sharing it because this happens far more often than people realize, and it has real implications for work, for families, for finances, and for general stability.

Childcare is INFRASTRUCTURE. (Can ya hear me in the back???) 

Work, not so shockingly, is built on infrastructure too. Silly things like communication, clarity, and trust.

And when those structures wobble?
🏚️ Families wobble.
🏚️ Teams wobble.
🏚️ Entire systems TOPPLE.

People… Just own your sh*t.

[Silver lining... finally an excuse to light this candle!]

Come January, our childcare plan is… shaky. And I’m terrified. More than 455,000 women left the workforce earlier this year... childcare being a MAJOR driver, and I refuse to add myself to that statistic. 

We’re moving. I’ve called ~50 programs. (this is NOT an exaggeration) Most have a waitlist a mile deep. One program that we liked said they could take our youngest. We submitted forms… then they GHOSTED us. 

Our eldest might have aftercare in her program (we’ll find out mid-December).
Both schools are 20–30 minutes away... in opposite directions. IF aftercare falls through, we’re on 3pm pick-ups + entertaining a 3-year-old while working. Or getting part-time help.

And what happens when my husband travels? When someone gets sick at exactly 11:17am?

I refuse to be a statistic. I will NOT be forced out. I love my work. I love my kids.
I’m chasing equilibrium, and it is flipping hard.

I’m not complaining (despite what you, my dear reader, may think).
I chose this move. I chose nature. I chose to have kids. I chose to work.
(But, also: have you seen prices lately? Sweet lawdy lawd!)

I’m sharing because visibility ➡️  conversation ➡️  understanding ➡️  change

We need to work at making the invisible, VISIBLE. And, my situation ain't so special. 

Not because anyone owes us caregivers special treatment, but because care is infrastructure. And infrastructure keeps work running… it keeps the whole damn world running.

Imma go get another cup of coffee now...

I’ve been gaslit by managers before (10/10 do not recommend)… but being GASLIT by a NURSERY SCHOOL wasn’t on my 2025 bingo card.

Weeks of emails confirming a January spot for our almost-2-year-old.
➡️ Tuition info
➡️ Deposit instructions

And then the other week it comes... “We actually never had space. There has been a waitlist all year.”

Oh, oh... and they stopped responding to emails and voicemails for a week. 
Yes, they’re a small school with a small office staff, but still… C'mon. 

Did I reread the thread? MULTIPLE TIMES. Absolutely.

Do I have receipts? Detailed email confirmations... Yeaaaaa 
Does any of this matter? …Probably not.

Childcare doesn’t operate on logic. It operates on scarcity... and possibly blood pressure meds...

We’re now at 70+ programs contacted with ZERO availability for our little one. yes, you read that right. SEVENTY. 7-0 

That’s not a system… that’s a mother flipping CRISIS. Childcare isn’t “just” childcare. 
➡️ It’s how parents keep jobs. 
➡️ It’s how parents focus on those jobs and work to advance in their careers.
➡️ It’s how families FUNCTION.
➡️ It’s how life is even remotely doable.

Looking into alternative childcare options... I wonder if the zoo offers a drop-off program. I'm sure my kiddo could hang with the goats and friends... 🙈

In May, The New York Times published my story. And, I almost pulled it back, because I didn’t feel ready. Emails poured in. More writing followed. Then someone asked, “Do you also speak?” DO I EVER SHUT UP? 😅

I had nothing “ready,” but I said yes anyway... and that opened the door to fireside chats, workshops, and keynotes. 

Community groups all the way to Fortune 500s.

AND I STILL FEEL LIKE AN IMPOSTER.

Because none of us feel ready for the worthwhile stuff: New project. New scope. New audience. NEW YOU!

But the rush of doing the thing you think you can’t? Sign me up for that adrenaline hit any damn day of the week.

F** it up, stumble, and keep going!!! 

I have 4 more keynotes before the end of the year and am already scheduling Q1 and Q2.  I don’t feel “ready” for any of it, and that’s the exciting part.

Nearly 300 people attended a recent Keynote I gave, and the feedback was incredible! 

People felt seen. Understood. Validated.
ME. TOO. 

When we talk about caregiving, identity shifts, and the invisible load, we’re not just talking about parents... we’re talking about humans.

✨ Want to learn more about my Keynote?  Let’s connect!

My toddler sprints toward the pool without floaties ready to launch herself into the deep end without hesitation. I still want to breathe into a paper bag before every single keynote.

This week I’m scared and also excited: another keynote, a few BIG conversations, and new articles for Forbes.com. 

I'm after that pool-edge courage my kiddo models ... no floaties, big smile. Nothing but pure joy as she plunges into the unknown. 

This little sign hangs on the wall where I take her to swim class. I noticed it right before she bolted down the hallway yesterday toward the pool... 😂

The afternoon after giving a keynote, which, ironically, dives into the transferable skills of caregiving, I was on the floor of the Hershey Gardens visitor center, trying to defuse toddler meltdown over a gift-shop necklace.

It was sparkly... need I say more? 

The spiral peaked with a head-first run into the lobby TV and ended with us singing in the middle of the floor, staring up at the butterfly art on the ceiling.

I’d be a liar, liar, mom-jeans-on-fire if I said I wasn’t one breath away from my own epic meltdown. 

Life. Is. Wild.

It was NOT easy by any stretch, but here's what worked:
1) We named our feelings — “You’re disappointed.”
2) We brought down the temp — me belting out Rum Sum Sum 
3) Solve — Which, NO, did not include buying the necklace...

Same playbook at work when adults are flooded and responding from emotion and not logic: name → lower the damn temp → start to solve.
 
Side note from every parent everywhere: please stop putting gift shops at the entrance/exit with shiny, grabbable things at eye level. It’s BRUTAL.

Balance is bullsh*t. For working parents it’s basically baton-passing… while juggling knives.

This week my Monday smelled like coffee and optimism. Ah, yes, Monday... so full of dreams.  By Tuesday my (slightly better) half was across the country for work, so the baton was mine.

Highlights:
• 2 days in the office, then a sprint to swim lessons
• Night terrors (theirs, not mine) = minimal sleep
• A kitchen-tower tumble (kid is okay minus some blood, my BP was not)
• Only one meal burned (I call this a success!) 
• School drop-offs + tense shoe negotiations 
• A 9–5 sandwiched by pickup/drop-off sprints

By yesterday (as you can see in this photo!), I was sleep-light, VERY over-caffeinated, and pretty damn proud. Not because I nailed it... because I definitely did not. I was proud, and still am, because we (me + the kiddos) did it imperfectly. 

Everyone went to school/work/activities, and ALL the books were read. 

The picture wasn’t inside the lines (AT ALL!), but it was abstract an absolutely b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l!!

Careers + kids + life = harmony, NOT balance

When one of us has a work spike, the other steps up. When I prep a keynote, my husband carries more at home. Then we trade. 

What ACTUALLY helps? Giving yourself permission to be imperfect. To stumble. For it to be absolutely messy. 

I'm just a mom doing her best and that means sometimes falling on my face. And, that's OK... Just like I sing to my kiddos when one of them wipes out, "I GET KNOCKED DOWN, BUT I GET UP AGAIN!"

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts just did a “Goodnight Moon” for grown-ups, and my whole nervous system exhaled... The best ads don’t explain value; they make you FEEL it. And this one gave me all the warm fuzzies. 

Why it works: 
➡️ Emotion > features. Human first → memorable later.
➡️ The 95–5 Rule. Most buyers aren’t in-market today; this ad banks future demand. I’m not booking a hotel today, but when I need to, you best believe I’ll remember this ad. 
➡️  Category Entry Points (CEPs). It codes real moments: late flights, sleepy kiddos, 2am lobbies, FaceTiming your toddler from a work trip. When those moments happen, Sheraton is gunna pop up first.

Proof it landed:
EVERY parent watching this will feel something... whether Goodnight Moon is in your current rotation, a core memory, or just reminiscent of reading books with your littles. And, when I read it to my littlest (most nights, because she loves it), I’ll think of Sheraton every so often. That’s mental availability!!! Earned honestly, not forced.

B2B Marketers, steal this:
⭐ Write to a feeling, not a feature.
⭐ Name the moments you want to own (your CEPs).
⭐ Repeat your distinctive assets so the story sticks to you.

Oh so FREAKING BRILLIANT. 

Props to the creatives over at Sheraton... I tip my sippy cup to you.

Marriott International and Brad Hiranaga... ya done good, kid!

taplio

The Battle

Amanda Goetz

Alli K.

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Performance ScoreAmanda Goetz's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreAlli K.'s LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Amanda Goetz

Alli K.

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Amanda Goetz's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreAlli K.'s LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreAmanda Goetz's LinkedIn Performance