Ben Barkin is a smart cookie. Years ago, I had the pleasure of watching him plant the seed for what later became a very successful business (HomeHarvest - Edible Landscapes) that now employs a solid team of employees and contractors. If you're in the greater Boston area and want Ben and his crew to create a fantastic garden for your property, Ben is your man.

I'm not a psychologist, but I've always had a fascination with human psychology because it has such a massive influence on how we approach life. Recently, I was listening to an episode of the Tim Ferriss Podcast featuring Tony Robbins when the subject turned towards analyzing one's first memory as a means of understanding one's current view of the world.

What is done? If the question involves software, the answer depends on your area of responsibility. A developer may define done as the moment the application works the very first time. An operations engineer may define done as the moment it's launched to a customer and currently available. The business may define done as the last moment in time the last end-user is still alive and using the application.

It's been a few months since I publicly announced my upcoming book. While there are plenty of things to button up prior to an official launch, there has also been forward progress the entire time. It's particularly gratifying to go back and read it with fresh eyes only to get re-inspired by this project and the impact that it could have on the world.

Last year, my wife and I kicked off a new family trandition in lieu of trying to conform to the traditional (and unrealistic) expectations surrounding Valentine's day. Given that the Holiday is centered around love, we wanted to transform our focus our energy on paying it forward by donating to organizations that are making a positive impact on the world. In doing so, we hope to set an example for our daughter Evelyn.

There is no question that a world record holder such as Usain Bolt was born with an extraordinary amount of raw talent. However, what most of us fail to see are the years upon years of blood, sweat, and tears that go into an Olympic level training regiment to take all that potential and convert it to a world class performance.

Evelyn. You're not even two and a half years old, and I'm already facing a daily dilemma. Should I hold your hand and show you the world? Should I come running every time you call for help? Should I let go and allow you the space to figure things out on your own? Yes, you are so very young and the scales currently tip towards constant intervention. However, you are such a strong force that I know it's just a matter of time before it'll stifle more than support your growth. And as much as I want to protect you and do everything in my power to give you a good life, it is you that must create your path.

A question regarding the last thing you wrote. Were you merely sharing a thought? Or were you defending a thesis? The answer to this question has a major impact on my writing style for each extreme. Thoughts are the seeds best cast into Twitter, where the constraints of 140 characters provide a perfectly sized container for an idea that is attempting to take root.

"Well, it's Groundhog Day... again?" I love this scene because Bill Murray's character is stating something that is both matter-of-fact and yet deeply puzzling at the same time. Why exactly is he reliving the exact same day over? Is everyone in on some elaborate prank? Is he dreaming?

Becoming a parent has been one of the most rewarding and terrifying experiences of my lifetime. I get to watch a little spirit explore everything in the world for the very first time... while I'm simultaneously afraid that I'll never live up to this superhuman expectation that I have to be the perfect parent and not mess her life up.