Reflections at Gate B17: On Writing, Community, and Gratitude

Professor Life Update

This is more of a reflective piece. File it under the "Professor Life" category. As I write my newsletter, I'm trying to balance between economics, leadership, and personal reflection. I recognize that some of you are here for one of those categories, but I hope you find value in all of them. I would love to know which categories you prefer.

Live from CVG Airport

It's 9:16 a.m. on Thursday as I write this post. I'm at CVG airport, heading to New York City for the Eastern Economic Conference. Three of my research assistants are going, and two are presenting. For all of them, this is their first time in NYC. I'm grateful that I get to work with great students and that I get to provide them with new opportunities through our work. I'm excited about what they will experience this weekend.

The 50-Day Writing Challenge

Over the past 50 days, I have challenged myself to write every day. Some of my writings have turned into newsletters, others into short-form content, and some have led to invitations to present. The lesson here is to build publicly.

Making writing a daily practice has been challenging but rewarding. It has become clear to me that I need space for reflection. Writing this post is helping me organize my thoughts. As a subject matter expert, my profession requires me to have opinions and thoughts. Writing for you has allowed me to hone my skills. So, thank you for your time reading and engaging.

Lessons from the Savannah Bananas

Speaking of gratitude, I just completed "Fans First," written by Jesse Cole. Jesse is the founder of the Savannah Bananas. If you aren't familiar with them, I highly recommend you google them (see below).

The Savannah Bananas has a "Fans First" motto. They attribute their success to making decisions based on what's best for the fans, even if it's more expensive in the short run. Their approach is to maximize long-term success by creating loyal fans. It's a refreshing take to have in a world that seems to be focused on short-term gains and immediate success.

Building Community Takes Time

Building a product or service that you're proud of takes time. Building a community of consumers who stand by you and believe in your mission takes years. As I read the book, I thought about you, the readers of this newsletter, and the importance of the community we are creating.

I started writing and creating publicly in June 2020. At that time, I was driven by the need to connect with students and friends during the COVID lockdowns. Since then, I've found that you appreciate hearing my expert views on the economy. Some of you are aspiring academics and are here to learn more about the "Behind the Scenes" of academia. Colleagues are here to stay current on the economic news and take that content to their classrooms. Others might be here to hear about my journey in leadership and what I'm learning. Some are family members and will support everything I do. Whatever the reason, I appreciate you all being here.

Time to Board

It's 9:33 a.m., and I need to head to my gate. Thank you for taking a moment in your day to read my reflection and share your thoughts. Seriously, leave a comment. I want to hear from you. Did anything resonate in this post?

Talk soon,

Dr. A