While my mother normally says this in the context of work meetings and emails, I think it speaks to the larger truth that “excuses” are just that—excuses. The excuse itself (not the fact of being late) makes you look more guilty of something, and less professionally capable. Everyone understands that things come up. No one really cares what came up. —Lucy Dolan-Zalaznick, senior associate, creative development, social & visuals
“It’s okay if you need to feel sorry for yourself for a little bit”
Photo: Courtesy of Corey Seymour
While I grew up in a pretty stoic environment—small town, rural state on the High Plains—in which actions always spoke louder than words or, heaven forbid, feelings, I always felt my mom’s love and her support in everything I did. That said: After a tough loss, a blown game, a middling performance on something or other—or, in one very memorable moment, having been overlooked for some award or honor that I was very much expecting to come my way and throwing myself on my bed after concluding that my once-glorious life was now in tatters—my mom was always there for me. Not to sympathize or to tell me how wronged I had been or how deserving I was, as I think I was hoping, but to tell me, calmly and with love: It’s okay if you need to feel sorry for yourself for a little bit—but it’s not the loss, or the setback, or the disappointment that’s important. It’s how you handle it—and what you do next. —Corey Seymour, senior editor
“You decide”
Photo: Courtesy of Grace Edquist
