When my daughter was born, everyone told me to make a baby book. But staring at those beautifully blank pages, I knew myself well enough to know that they’d sit on a shelf collecting dust, silently reminding me of one more thing I “should” be doing.

So, I tried something different. I set up an email address in her name and began writing her messages - sometimes attaching a photo or video, other times capturing a funny phrase, small moment, or hard-earned parenting insight.

She just turned 6 and there are 239 messages from me. While that may make any inbox 0 warriors reading this crawl in their skin, it makes me smile. 🙂

What I wouldn’t give to have these kinds of notes from my own mom, now that she’s gone. My hope is that one day, my daughter will find comfort and connection in these words and maybe a deeper understanding of both herself and me through reading them.

The point behind my post, decorated with the wordiness of a sentimental mama, is this:

When we give ourselves (and our organizations) permission to do things differently and build systems around how people actually function best, we create cultures that are more human, more effective, and more connected.

Whether in parenting or in the workplace:
🔹 Know your strengths.
🔹 Trust your instincts.
🔹 Remember: doing things your way isn't wrong just because it's not the norm. It might be the exact thing that creates something meaningful and helps you avoid the regret that comes from doing nothing at all.