Blog Archives - Make Create Build

Root Cause

A simple keyboard adjustment revealed deeper insights about addressing underlying issues rather than just treating symptoms. Keith and Laura dig into the concept of root cause analysis and its applications in both personal and professional contexts.

Laura shares her experience with workplace ergonomics, and brings her professional expertise to the conversation. Finding the root cause of a situation can transform the problem-solving process. Laura emphasizes the importance of having diverse perspectives and maintaining honest dialogue when trying to uncover core issues. Keith discusses the importance of awareness and perception, referencing David Brooks’ book on the active process of prediction and correction in how we see and interpret the world.

This leads the couple to the famous “Five Whys” technique, originally developed by Toyota. The technique can be applied beyond manufacturing to personal growth and problem-solving. Laura and Keith demonstrate how this method can uncover hidden barriers and assumptions that might be holding us back from achieving our goals. Keith reflects on how family commitments, while genuinely important, can sometimes serve as a comfortable excuse for not pursuing other aspirations. Laura explores questions and barriers around a writing project.

While discovering and facing root causes can be uncomfortable, it’s essential for growth and meaningful change. Embracing the process of deep questioning and self-reflection can help you get unstuck and moving forward.

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In Residence with Keith and Laura

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Stacking the Deck

What actions can I take to increase the probability of an outcome? While, at the same time, being open to the possibility that an outcome may, or may not be ideal.

Pace and Pattern

Perfect pavement

Seth Godin’s amazingly beautiful daily blog.

“the texture and variability of what we create is part of the magic.”

It’s a delight to return to people’s work, like Seth Godin’s blog and find synchronicity.

I’ve been traveling on a paved road almost daily. It’s full of potholes and bumps from years of travel. I’ve learned where to veer right to avoid the divots and drift left to avoid other ruptures and wear. I almost don’t have to think about it, muscle memory kicks in. And, as the terrain deteriorates more I need to slow down, like I was driving through a rolling field of grass.

Many holes were patched the other morning. The crews must have been out filling and tamping. It’s a little smoother. But, I still find myself bobbing and weaving.

Is my pace good enough, or am I stuck in a pattern that isn’t working?

Do I need to go 35 mph jostling over patched potholes? If I’m not impeding anyone else on the road, can I drive at my own pace?

Can I trust my self to know when to push a little harder and when to coast, knowing when to shift gears?

I could choose a new path. But, sometimes that’s not an option. No roads may lead to where I want to go.

Maybe I choose a new vehicle to get me where I want to go.

Maybe, “where we’re going we don’t need roads.”

How Do You Keep Moving? [Rerelease]

Overcome Setbacks and Move Forward with Creative Projects. What choice can you make to keep moving forward? This week we are rereleasing our 5th episode, How Do You Keep Moving?

When life presents unexpected obstacles or you feel like waving the white flag; how do you keep showing up and doing the best you can with the time you have? Choose action, find a streak, or commit to taking the nexts smallest step.

We talk about some of our practices that help us keep pushing forward, even when it gets hard. What resources or techniques do you find helpful when you are having trouble seeing a way forward?

Keith and Laura explore action and planning to find joy in the journey toward their goals. Overcome Setbacks and Move Forward with Creative Projects

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**How Do You Keep Moving? – Episode 39** (Originally Released 10/05/23)

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Making Time for Us

This week Laura and Keith dive into what energizes and depletes them, in travel and on their journey together.

We get on a roll when the discussion veers toward the grace and compassion we believe is integral to our relationship’s longevity.

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Building Culture

It’s hard to see people unhappy and dissatisfied and frustrated with work culture. When people feel stuck, how do we make the culture better, or help them engage in a practice to make the culture better.

Shifting culture that’s not working is complicated and hard. But, setting expectations and is crucial for a business, its employees, leadership and to its success.

Laura listened to a The Tim Ferriss Show podcast episode #730 with Reed Hastings, co-founder of Netflix. They were talking about creating workplace culture, specifically about its importance.

Keith learns that a culture deck outlines a company’s values, expectations, and way of working. It’s a useful tool for creating a positive and transparent work environment, setting both employees and the organization up for success.

Most successful companies, collaborations, and relationships rely on trust and communication. Without building trust, there is difficulty being honest and communicating when it matters most.

Thanks for joining us.

**Building Culture – Episode 33**

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Don’t Wait to Make Beautiful Things

Don’t wait, work with what you have on your way to making it better.

We can make beautiful things with the tools and skills we have now. Imposter syndrome, may be lurking in the shadows. It’s a signal to keep leaning in even when self doubt creeps up.

Use that tension, between where you are and where you’re going, to catapult you to get better by doing. Then, simply ask yourself, what’s the next step?

Thanks for joining us!

Don’t Wait to Make Beautiful Things – Episode 19

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▾ Here are select works and resources we enjoy and find helpful ▾

● Seth Godin, The Akimbo Podcast

● Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry

● Billions, watch on Showtime

● Brian Koppelman, The Moment podcast

● Fusebox the podcast hosting and player we use. Check it out! 💻

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Appropriate Tension

Seth Godin asks lots of good questions. “Where Does the Water Go?” A question that many of us, have never thought about.

Friction, leverage, tension. How do we push ourselves forward? Keith and Laura have different approaches and reactions to tension and stress.

Keith navigates the pressure of leveling up by tuning in to the possibility of tension and being aware and noticing stress early, and adjusting.

Laura brings up intention and creating a plan and applying commitment week in and week out. She leans into the rigor of setting up routines, focusing on scheduling with intention to achieve her goals.

We are building the habit of creating tension on purpose, harnessing its power and using it to move forward.

A special thank you to Seth Godin. Thank you for being our first asynchronous guest. We appreciate your generosity and commitment to make things better. Thank you for all you do for us.

Do yourselves a favor and check out Seth Godin’s Blog, The Song of Significance, Akimbo Podcast, and purple.space if you are working to make a difference.

Keep leaning in.

**Appropriate Tension – Episode 30**

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Hardwired to Belong

We dig into vulnerability, Fear and Courage after Laura listened to Brené Brown’s Braving the Wilderness.

Laura and Keith each share a story about having to be vulnerable in the face of some difficult situations where hard things needed to be said.

We can be brave and lean in to do the hard things that feel scary.

Showing up, being seen, and heard can be overwhelming. Keith thinks it’s important to have trust and connection in order to be vulnerable with others. Laura says the hard thing, in a way that is kind, clear, and direct.

Keep leaning in.

**Hardwired to Belong – Episode 27**

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▾ Here are select works and resources we enjoy and find helpful ▾

● Brené Brown, Braving the Wilderness 🎧📘

● Mateo Bornico, Create Belonging podcast🎙️🎧

*Some Links are affiliate links. If you buy something using one of our affiliate links, we may receive a small commission.* 🤗

In Resonance No. 1 – Influential Albums

The Top 5 Most Influential Albums for Keith and Laura.

We get nostalgic trying to pick the top 5 albums that influenced us, supported us, made a significant impact in our lives. This is nowhere near a comprehensive list.

A couple themes develop as Keith and Laura discuss their top albums. They’ve both seen Keith’s picks play live in concert. If music grabs hold of Keith, he dives into an artist’s catalogue and their influences to discover more great music. Laura is drawn to music that utilizes piano and uses music to keep her company in various situations.

When music speaks to us, we feel confident in our power, connected, seen, and comforted by the music that resonates.

We love to share and discover music and hope you all find some “songs of significance.”

Thanks for joining us.