Momentum in the Messy Middle

The Non-Zero Day, Presidents, and Progress That Isn’t Linear

I don’t even know what to say right now, man. The winter slump is hitting hard. It’s been grey, cold, and the wind feels personal at this point. February has that way of dragging on—it’s like the month itself is stuck in a slump, and we’re all just trying to push through it.

This weekend, I tried to practice a little self-compassion. Saturday was a full-on mental health day: no forcing productivity, no guilt for resting, just letting myself exist. Sunday, I woke up with a little more energy and decided to take advantage of it—ran a few errands, did some meal prep, and took a high-level look at my to-dos for the week. Then, I pulled back again, spent the rest of the day reading and just being.

And honestly? That’s how it works. Some days, you do the little bit you can, and that’s enough. Other days, you have the energy to do more, so you do more.

I heard the concept of a non-zero day, and I think that’s something to hold onto. The idea is: can you do just one thing? No matter how small? Some people talk about getting 1% better every day, but I don’t even know if that’s realistic. What does 1% even mean when it comes to things like productivity, career growth, or mental health?

What I do know is that progress isn’t linear. Not in our careers, not in our moods, not in our energy levels, and definitely not in our personal growth. We love to think of these things as a staircase—steady, predictable, always moving up. But the reality is more like Chutes and Ladders. Some days, you’re climbing. Other days, you hit a slide and end up right back where you started.

The same thing happens in leadership. Teams don’t evolve in a straight line, either. Take the Tuckman model—forming, storming, norming, performing. People love to think teams progress neatly through each phase, but in reality? You bounce around. One disruption, one big shift, and you’re back in storming again.

That’s life. So we do what we can. We make it a non-zero day. We start fresh each morning with whatever energy we have, and we move forward however we can.

Presidents’ Day and Leadership That Lasts

And then there’s today: Presidents’ Day.

I’ve been reading Team of Rivals and trying to learn more about presidential history—something I only ever skimmed in school. It’s different when you go back as an adult, when you realize these people weren’t just names in textbooks. They were flawed, uncertain, often struggling, sometimes failing—long before they became who we remember.

History tends to highlight the ones who made it to the top. But there were many others who pursued the same role and faded into obscurity. Some of them were forgotten because they failed. Others were forgotten because they weren’t the right person for the moment.

And yet, here we are, in 2025, staring down a repeat presidency I can barely wrap my head around. We’ve had bad presidents before, but I keep coming back to this question: Who leads for the people?

We talk about leadership as if it’s about vision, decisiveness, or boldness. But at the end of the day, the leaders who are remembered with reverence—not just by one party, not just for what they accomplished for their own sake, but by history itself—are the ones who gave something.

I don’t know enough about presidential history to fully articulate what I want to say here. What I do know is that this country has had plenty of flawed leaders, but the best ones at least tried to serve beyond their own interests. And right now? It doesn’t feel like that’s what we’re getting.

It’s Presidents’ Day. And I’m tired.

Deep Dive: AI and the Future of Work – Beyond the Hype

We’ve arrived at Week 4 of my AI series, the final stretch of this deep dive into artificial intelligence, leadership, and the future of work. If you’ve been following along, you know this series wasn’t about hype, doomsday predictions, or some utopian vision of AI fixing everything. Instead, it’s been about cutting through the noise and thinking critically about what AI actually means for our work, our economy, and our creativity.

Last week’s Gartner Hype Cycle discussions set the stage—AI is still riding the wave of inflated expectations. Companies think they can replace people, automate creativity, and somehow still thrive. But here’s the thing: AI isn’t a magic wand. It’s a tool. And like every tool, its impact depends on who wields it, how they use it, and whether they truly understand it.

This final week is about wrapping up loose ends and tackling the more complex, ethical, and practical aspects of AI’s role in the workforce. It’s no longer just about what AI can do, but what we’re choosing to do with it—and what that means for the future.

Why I’ve Been Exploring AI This Month

I started this series because everyone is losing their minds over AI, and I’ve got some strong opinions about where things are headed:

1?? AI isn’t as far along as people think – We haven’t even hit peak hype yet, but people are already assuming AI can solve everything: increase productivity, cut costs, eliminate jobs. Reality check? It’s not there yet, and blindly chasing that vision could create more harm than good.

2?? AI replacing people is a myth (for now) – Can it automate tasks? Yes. Can it create things? Sort of. Can it fully replace the nuance, creativity, and strategic thinking of human work? No. And honestly, if companies keep trying to do that, they’re going to run into serious problems. People aren’t just costs to be cut; they’re the engine that drives progress.

3?? If AI is going to replace jobs, we need a plan – Let’s say AI does become capable of replacing entire workforces. Then what? Who’s buying your products? Who’s fueling the economy? If we’re going to automate entire industries, we need to be thinking beyond profits—we need structural change, maybe even something like universal basic income. Because if nobody has a job, nobody has money to participate in the economy, and that’s a much bigger problem than automation itself.

This Week’s AI Topics

?? Monday: Accountability & Transparency in AI – How do we ensure AI decisions (like hiring, lending, or law enforcement) are fair and ethical? Who’s responsible when AI makes biased or unethical decisions?

?? Tuesday: AI & Creativity – Friend or Foe? – AI-generated art, writing, and design are shaking things up. But instead of replacing human creativity, could AI be a collaborator rather than a competitor?

?? Wednesday: The AI Talent Race – Every company wants AI experts, but there aren’t enough to go around. What skills are actually in demand, and how should companies rethink hiring vs. upskilling?

?? Thursday: Regulation & Job Displacement – As AI automates more work, do we need new policies to protect displaced workers? Could something like wage insurance or UBI be the answer?

?? Friday: AI in Niche vs. Mainstream Markets – AI is everywhere, but where is it really making a difference? Are smaller, niche applications more impactful than broad, mainstream use cases?

Why This Matters

I don’t buy into AI hype cycles, and I don’t buy into AI fear-mongering either. AI is neither the end of human work nor the miracle solution to all our problems. It’s a tool that needs smart, ethical leadership behind it.

As professionals, leaders, and individuals, we can’t afford to ignore AI, but we also shouldn’t be blindly adopting it without asking the hard questions. This series has been my way of breaking through the noise and helping people think about AI with clarity, strategy, and intention.

So, as we close out this series, I challenge you to think beyond the hype. What kind of AI-powered world do we actually want to build? And what are we willing to do to make sure it’s one that works for people—not just for profits?

Let’s talk. Drop a comment, share your thoughts, and let’s keep this conversation going.

#FutureOfWork #AIandLeadership #AIEthics #AdaptWithAI #AIInnovation #LeadershipInsights #AIImpact

Deep Dive: Mastering the Winter Slump – Advanced Workplace Wellness

We’re now in Week 7 of 8 in the Mastering the Winter Slump series. If you’ve been following along, we’ve covered everything from understanding seasonal mood changes to leadership strategies during the slow winter months. Now, we’re shifting into bigger-picture workplace wellness strategies—the kinds of concepts that move beyond quick fixes and into long-term, systemic solutions.

At this point in the series, we’re past just getting through the slump. Now, we’re asking: How do organizations create an environment that actively supports well-being—not just in the winter, but all year long?

This week is all about advanced workplace wellness—the kind of strategies that go beyond throwing in an occasional mindfulness workshop or stocking the break room with granola bars. Real wellness initiatives aren’t just perks—they have a measurable impact on productivity, retention, and overall business performance.

Why This Matters

Too often, companies treat employee well-being like an afterthought. It’s something they bring up in an all-hands meeting or slap on a slide deck under "culture initiatives." But when you look at actual business performance, the numbers tell a different story:

? Companies with strong wellness programs see higher retention rates—because people stay where they feel supported.

? Employees who feel mentally and physically well are more engaged, more productive, and less likely to burn out.

? Workplace stress isn’t just a personal issue—it’s an economic issue. The costs of burnout, absenteeism, and disengagement run into billions of dollars annually.

Workplace wellness isn’t fluff—it’s strategy. And this week, we’re breaking down what actually works.

This Week’s Winter Slump Topics

?? Monday: The ROI of Employee Well-Being Initiatives – Companies love talking about wellness, but does it actually pay off? We’ll break down the business case for investing in real well-being programs.

?? Tuesday: Flexible Work Arrangements & Seasonal Challenges – The 9-to-5 model doesn’t work for everyone—especially in winter. What policies actually help employees thrive?

?? Wednesday: Advanced Stress Management for High-Pressure Environments – Beyond basic mindfulness tips, we’ll explore science-backed stress reduction techniques for demanding professional settings.

?? Thursday: Company Culture as a Mood & Productivity Lever – Culture isn’t just about perks or values on a poster. How can organizations design a culture that supports people when motivation is low?

?? Friday: Workplace Design & Energy Levels – The way an office is designed, lit, and structured can make or break mood and productivity. What changes actually make a difference?

The Big Takeaway

At this point in the winter, people are tired—physically, mentally, emotionally. The novelty of New Year's goals has worn off. The reality of seasonal burnout is setting in. And leaders have two choices:

1?? Pretend everything is fine and push through. (Spoiler: This doesn’t work.)

2?? Acknowledge reality and build systems that actually support people.

The best workplaces aren’t the ones that ignore these struggles. They’re the ones that design for them. They create structures that allow people to do their best work, even when conditions aren’t ideal.

That’s what this week is about: real, long-term solutions to workplace well-being.

So let’s dig in. What workplace wellness strategies have actually worked for you? What’s missing in most organizations? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear your thoughts.

#WorkplaceWellness #MentalFitness #LeadershipInsights #ThrivingInWinter #EmployeeWellbeing #Productivity

Closing Thoughts: Keep Moving, Keep Leading

If there’s one thing tying this week’s themes together, it’s this: progress isn’t linear, and resilience isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence. Whether we’re talking about AI’s uncertain trajectory, the unpredictable cycle of team development, the ups and downs of personal growth, or the way winter drains and challenges us, the truth remains: some days are about thriving, and some days are just about making it a non-zero day.

There’s a lot happening in the world, in the workplace, and in our own minds right now. AI is shifting industries faster than we can regulate it, companies are still struggling to create workplaces that actually support people, and for many of us, winter is making everything feel just a little heavier. But the goal isn’t to solve everything overnight. The goal is to keep moving forward in whatever way we can.

So, as you step into this week, here’s my encouragement to you:

?? Give yourself permission to meet each day where you are. Not every day will be a high-energy, high-output day, and that’s okay. Make it a non-zero day, whatever that means for you.

??? Stay adaptable. AI, leadership, and life itself rarely move in straight lines. The leaders and professionals who thrive aren’t the ones with rigid plans—they’re the ones who can adjust, learn, and pivot when things don’t go as expected.

?? Take care of your mental and physical well-being. Whether you’re leading a team, navigating career growth, or just trying to make it through winter, the best investment you can make is in yourself. Small, intentional efforts add up.

?? Ask better questions. Whether it’s about AI ethics, workplace wellness, or leadership in uncertain times, the quality of our questions shapes the quality of our decisions. What kind of future do we actually want to create? And what are we willing to do to build it?

Most of all, remember that progress—even slow, uneven, frustrating progress—is still progress. No one gets it right every day. No leader has it all figured out. What matters is that we keep showing up, learning, and moving forward—one step, one decision, one action at a time.

Let’s make this week a good one. However that looks for you.

Onward with intention,

Edward Schaefer

#LeadershipInsights #NonZeroDay #FutureOfWork #AIandLeadership #ThrivingInWinter #EmployeeWellbeing #ResilientLeadership