Every team has them: spaghetti workflows. They start simple but grow into tangled bowls of steps, handoffs, and exceptions. Before long, even seasoned team members get lost. The result? Slowed projects, constant Slack pings for clarification, and mistakes that could’ve been avoided if the process was easier to follow. Here’s the truth: a good workflowContinue reading “Explain-It-Like-I’m-5 Ops: The Toddler, Intern, New-Hire Tests”
Author Archives: authordanobrien
The Bedtime Battle Parents Secretly Win (and Kids Love Too)
Every parent knows the nightly struggle. The clock ticks past eight, pajamas are half on, and little feet thunder down the hallway in a final burst of energy. You plead, bargain, and sometimes bribe, only to watch the minutes slip away while your child resists sleep like it’s the ultimate villain. Bedtime often feels lessContinue reading “The Bedtime Battle Parents Secretly Win (and Kids Love Too)”
The Founder’s Survival Audit
Why It’s the Highest-ROI “Unsexy” Project You’ll Ever Run TL;DR The Not-So-Scary A-Word The word “audit” sounds like a visit to the dentist, necessary but deeply avoidable. For founders, it conjures images of clipboards, compliance, and a week lost in a spreadsheet dungeon. Here’s the reality: a founder-friendly audit is simply a disciplined look underContinue reading “The Founder’s Survival Audit”
Finding Strength in Gratitude During Layoffs and Hard Times
When life throws us a curveball, it’s natural to focus on what we’ve lost. The paycheck, the title, the daily routine, the sense of purpose. It’s easy to spiral into stress or fear about what comes next. But what if, in the middle of all that, we took a moment to pause and look atContinue reading “Finding Strength in Gratitude During Layoffs and Hard Times”
Keep Moving Forward: How Getting Things Done Builds Strength in Hard Times
We all face tough seasons. Times when everything feels uncertain or overwhelming. Maybe you’re dealing with personal loss, burnout, or, like me, you’ve been laid off. During moments like these, motivation can vanish and the idea of progress seems far away. Getting things done, even small things, matters more than ever when life feels hard.Continue reading “Keep Moving Forward: How Getting Things Done Builds Strength in Hard Times”
Out of Work, Not Out of Options: My 2-Week Job Hunt Roadmap
Getting laid off is a major life moment. And it felt overwhelming. But I saw it as a chance to refocus and reconnect. To take control of your next chapter. If you’re wondering where to start, here’s a focused, doable 2-week project plan that I made to help me move from “What now?” to “What’sContinue reading “Out of Work, Not Out of Options: My 2-Week Job Hunt Roadmap”
How to Hire Smarter and Faster: A 3-Day Interview Workflow That Works
Hiring top talent doesn’t have to be slow. Yet many companies still rely on outdated, drawn-out processes that stretch across weeks (or even months). Meanwhile, the best candidates are off the market in just 10 days on average (Genius). If your team can’t move fast enough, someone else will. One of the most common bottlenecks?Continue reading “How to Hire Smarter and Faster: A 3-Day Interview Workflow That Works”
Bailing Out the Passenger Side
Change is constant. And being flexible helps you stay in the game. But there’s a difference between staying flexible and letting outside noise take over your decision-making. Yes, outside input can be helpful. However, if it starts steering the ship, you risk losing what makes your business yours. Here’s what to watch out for. Don’tContinue reading “Bailing Out the Passenger Side”
Chasing Basketball Greatness
“Michael Jordan.” “No, Lebron James.” “If we’re just talking about rings, then it has to be Bill Russell.” “Mt. Rushmore then?” “So, only four guys? “How about an all-time starting five?” If you love basketball, then you’ve no doubt had some version of this conversation. And depending on how you define greatness or who yourContinue reading “Chasing Basketball Greatness”
Editorial Resume: 2035 Edition
It’s hard to imagine an editor of the future without thinking about how much the role has already changed. Editors once focused on grammar, structure, and style guides. Now, strategy, SEO, distribution, and product marketing are part of the package. Ten years from now? The skill set will be broader, sharper, and more business-minded thanContinue reading “Editorial Resume: 2035 Edition”
Dan O'Brien | Author & Consultant 