In December of 1960, the Green Bay Packers played in the NFL Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles: and lost 17-13. Author David Maraniss, in his best-selling book, When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi, explains what happened when the team gathered on their first day of training camp in the summer following that loss. The players were anxious to move forward, to see what they could do differently to win in the coming season. But Coach Lombardi had a different approach to the team’s training. He was going to take them back to the very basics of the sport. He started with the most elemental of statements.…

Most of my adult life—certainly my professional life—has been spent in the creative world of theatre. I have been an actor, director, writer, composer, but mostly a teacher, spending 24 years in the theatre program at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin. All these experiences have given me first-hand knowledge of what it takes to be a successful leader. And the most important lesson I have learned over the years is this:  you lead by serving. Below are the six areas of service that I use in theatre. These same six lessons apply to any profession and, most certainly, to life itself. #1: Serve the Play Directing is not about you.…

Most of my adult life—certainly my professional life—has been spent in the creative world of theatre. I have been an actor, director, writer, composer, but mostly a teacher, spending 24 years in the theatre program at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin. All these experiences have given me first-hand knowledge of what it takes to be a successful leader. And the most important lesson I have learned over the years is this:  you lead by serving. Below are the six areas of service that I use in theatre. These same six lessons apply to any profession and, most certainly, to life itself. #1: Serve the Play Directing is not about you.…

As soon as you get your first hints of warmer weather, and fresh air makes its way back into your home, you’re likely to get the urge to do some spring cleaning. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when faced with the prospect of deep cleaning your home from top to bottom, so here are some tips to help you break up the work and stay on task. Have a Plan Take a look around your home to identify what areas need the most help. Are there rooms that get more use and abuse? Are there areas that you tend to skip during your routine cleaning? Prioritize and break up the…

Just like other appliances in your home, regular maintenance check-ups and cleanings are important for your fireplace to keep it looking and operating its best. With our 12-point inspection at Fireside Hearth & Home, our trained professionals will help keep your fireplace or stove looking great and operating flawlessly.  Your Fireplace Is In Good Hands Our expert technicians know the ins and outs of your fireplace and provide top-of-the-line maintenance and repair services. Schedule a service appointment to keep your fireplace operating at its best. Spring and summer are the best times to schedule your appointment – skip the lines of the busy season and have peace of mind that…

By Sarah Young – Zing Collaborative Adding a Bit of Life-Changing Magic to our Thoughts, Our Calendars, and Our Relationships As the days get slightly longer and as we tiptoe toward spring, many of us begin to think about the idea of spring cleaning and the possibility of creating more lightness in our spaces and our homes. In addition to spring cleaning our space, what could it look like to spring clean our minds – and perhaps even our lives overall? If this idea feels intriguing, here are a few places to look.  Spring Clean Your Thoughts.  What thoughts, ideas, or assumptions are you holding that aren’t currently serving you?…

Convert Your Wood Fireplace to Gas Change your wood-burning fireplace into a beautiful, warm and easy-to-use gas insert. From a simple swap to a whole fireplace remodel, a whole new way to enjoy your home is within reach. Learn more. Add A Fireplace To A Room You Love  If you’d like to add a fireplace where one doesn’t exist, we can help! Whether you’re finishing a basement, updating a family room, or expanding a master suite, it’s possible to add a fireplace or stove to virtually any space on any level, no matter the age of your home. Learn more Replace Your Fireplace For A Fresh Look Does your fireplace…

Authenticity: Isn’t that something we all strive for? To be true to ourselves? To be honest and open with others? And yet, isn’t it where we often fall short, trying to please too many people, making decisions based on how others might feel and not on how we feel? How can we make better, more authentic choices for ourselves? It begins with acknowledging who you are, followed by acting on those beliefs and values. In 1991, The Walt Disney Company released its animated movie musical Beauty and the Beast. It was an immediate hit. The success of the film inspired Disney to pursue a unique venture, one that would take…

By Sarah Young – Zing Collaborative Myth: Coaching our team members at work is hard and takes a lot of time. Reality: Coaching can actually be much more efficient and much more impactful than feeling like we a) need to know all of the answers or b) taking on our team members’ monkeys (cue Ken Blanchard) throughout our days and weeks. Additionally, Gallup recently found that the number one skill that managers need to know is how to be a great coach. In a world that is increasingly complex and fast-paced, it is simply impossible to know all of the answers. Instead, we need to get better at asking questions.…

Late Winter Market Jan 4th – April 4th 2020 Saturdays 8am – 12pm Visit the Dane Co Farmer’s Market Indoor Market for a variety of vegetables, cheeses, honey, bakery items, and many specialty items. Held at the Garver Feed Mill – 3241 Garver Green on Madison’s East side, nestled behind Olbrich Gardens. https://dcfm.org/markets/late-winter-market Kids in the Rotunda FREE shows in January 2020! Jan 4th – Truly Remarkable Loon, Juggling comedy. Jan 11th – Monkey Business Institute, Improv + yoga. Jan 18th – Daniel Barash, Participatory shadow puppetry + art. Jan 25th – David Landau, Silly singalong https://www.overture.org/programs/kids-in-the-rotunda Madison Home Expo Jan 10th – 12th, 2020 The place to be for…