for some reason my computer decided to take a vacation as we start the five year planning process.
I ordered a new one today and will begin posting this week. Until then keep working on summer toning.
Budget Talks at Work | Lent Prep | Easter Prep |
Workplace budget discussions are about alignment, ROI (Return on Investment), and transparency. The rules change depending on who you are talking to about money.
For the CEO: The Vision & The “Why”
The CEO isn’t usually in the weeds of line-item expenses; they focus on the “big picture.”
- Rule: Strategy First. When the CEO talks budget, it should be tied to the company’s 12-month or 5-year goals and your specific projects in relationship to those items.
- Rule: Radical Transparency (Within Limits). To build trust, a CEO should share the health of the budget without sharing confidential data.
- Rule: They are the CEO. A CEO must own unpopular decisions. If a bonus pool is cut, the CEO delivers the news rather than delegating it to HR staff or consultants.
For Admins: The Gatekeepers & Accuracy
Admins are the “ground truth” of the company’s spending. They see the receipts.
- Rule: Strict Confidentiality. Admins often see what executives are spending on travel or client dinners. The rules are set by HR. Spending is monitored by software and receipts provided. Don’t bully the Admins or expect them to lie for you. Your email accounts and phones are most likely owned by the business and are admissable in court.
- Rule: Documentation is King. Admins are not evil. They are busy doing paperwork and making sure projects are looking professional through editing, and consistent formatting and following corporate standards. If a receipt is missing, the rule is the same for the Intern as it is for the VP and is set by the accounting department.
- Rule: Proactive Reporting. Admins should alert managers to “budget creep” before a department goes over its limit, not after. This protocol is set in place by accounting and project managers.
For Staff: Stewardship & Justification
For general employees, the budget is a tool they use to do their jobs.
- Rule: Treat It Like a Precious Commodity. What is the ROI of your spending?
- Rule: “No Surprises” Communication. If a project is going to go $1,000 over budget, the staff member must flag it the moment they realize it—not when the invoice arrives.
- Rule: Contextualize Requests. Explain why you would like to spend more money and the Return on the expense.
For Clients: Value & Predictability
Talking money with clients is about building a partnership.
- Rule: No Hidden Fees. Every potential cost should be disclosed in the initial contract. Surprising a client with an extra $500 fee is a fast way to lose a $50,000 account.
- Rule: I’m the Expert Rule. When a client asks why your budget is high explain the value of your work and your expertise.
- Rule: Extra Work Rule. If a client asks for extra work, the rule is: “I’d love to do that; let me send over a quick estimate of the costs for the extra work so we can adjust the budget.
Observe for KUDOS Moments at Work |
Integrating KUDOS into your workday is a fantastic way to build healthy working relationships and healthier work habits. Here is how you can weave KUDOS into your daily routine:
Morning: Knowing & Understanding Your Work Day
Start your day by getting yourself ready before the chaos begins.
- Self-Check: Take twenty minutes to identify your current emotional state at work, your top priorities for the day and make sure you have everything to complete your daily goals. Ask yourself, “who do I need to interact with today?”
- Active Empathy: Before your first meeting or social interaction, remind yourself that everyone you encounter has their own goals you may be able to help. Make sure you know how they are helping or working with you on your goals for the day or in your projects.
Mid-Day: Doing & Openness
This is the “action” phase where you engage with people at work.
- Action: Do your work and make sure your colleagues know when they can interrupt. Break one large goal into a day goal task and finish it before lunch. Let people email you if they have a question and respond to them after you finish your morning goal. Thank them for working with you by sending an email (Kudos file the email).
- The Feedback Loop: When someone offers a suggestion or a critique during your breaks or through email, read the email a few times before responding. Keep your response in active reading mode or listening mode.
End of Day Solidarity & Recognition
Wrap up your day by connecting with other teammates, emailing or sharing in a conversation updates or Kudos of appreciation.
- Express Gratitude: Send one quick text or email to a friend or colleague acknowledging something specific they did well during the day or sharing information that might help their goals.
- Daily Review: Before leaving your desk, review what you accomplished that day, what you would like to accomplish tomorrow and what your schedule is tomorrow. Check to see where you may need to interact with your colleagues.
Quick Reference Table: The KUDOS Daily Anchor
| Principle | Daily Application | Small Habit to Start |
| Knowing | Self-awareness | Morning journaling (3 bullets). |
| Understanding | Empathy for others | Pause 3 seconds before responding. |
| Doing | Consistent action | The “Eat the Frog” technique. |
| Learning | Intellectual Growth | Learn a new fact that will help your work. |
| Solidarity | Community support | Give a genuine compliment to your co-workers. |
Day Goal Suggestion
Incorporate a Knowledge Drop into your day: When someone explains a complex concept clearly or shares a resource that saves everyone time. Make the knowledge drop helpful to your work and projects and something in the news.
Conversation Reminder | Lent Prep
Interruption Styles | Discussions | Easter / Lent Prep
Today, figure out the ways that you interrupt conversations and why.
Competitive Interruptions
This is the most “traditional” form of interrupting. The goal is to direct the conversation toward the interrupter’s agenda.
Cooperative Interruptions
Common in “high-engagement” cultures, these are meant to show enthusiasm and rapport. The interrupter isn’t trying to stop the speaker; they are trying to participate in the thought.
Intrusive Interruptions
These are often perceived as the most disruptive because they break the speaker’s train of thought without adding value to the topic at hand.
Silent or Non-Verbal Interruptions
You don’t always need to speak to interrupt. These patterns signal that the listener has checked out or is waiting for their turn.
| Pattern Type | Primary Intent | Typical Impact |
| Competitive | Control the narrative | Frustration, loss of original point |
| Cooperative | Show connection/energy | Can feel overwhelming or supportive |
| Intrusive | Clarification or distraction | Confusion, broken flow |
| Silent | Signal readiness to speak | Pressure to finish quickly |
HALT – Dealing With Triggers | Cleaning Up Arguments |
Here are a few phrase that act as a timeout during an argument that is facing a HALT trigger:
- For Hunger :“I really want to hear what you’re saying and give this my full attention, but I’m realizing my blood sugar is crashed and I’m starting to get irritable. Can we pause for 20 minutes while I grab a snack so I can be more present?”
- For Fatigue :“I care about this, but I am so exhausted right now that I’m not thinking clearly. I don’t want to say something I don’t mean because I’m tired. Can we pick this back up tomorrow morning after coffee?”
- For Physical Pain :“My [back/head/etc.] is really hurting right now, and it’s making it hard for me to stay calm. I’m starting to feel defensive because of the pain. Let me take some ibuprofen and rest for a bit, and then let’s finish this.”
The Three Golden Rules of a Timeout
To ensure the other person doesn’t feel blocked, which can escalate their anxiety, follow the following guidelines:
- Use “I” Statements: Focus on your own physical state such as, “I am feeling overwhelmed”. rather than how they are behaving.
- Give a Time frame: Always tell them when you will be ready to continue the argument and how you would like to continue arguing.
- Reassure the Connection: Briefly mention that the relationship or the topic is important to you, which lowers the stakes of the pause.
By naming the physical sensation—hunger, pain, or exhaustion—you move the conflict from an emotional battle to a logistical problem. It takes a negative label off your partner and places it on the biological factor that is actually causing the friction.
If you are so angry that you need a pause and don’t want to talk anymore, use these text messages:
“Hey, I’m feeling really overwhelmed and [tired/hungry] right now. Can we take a 30-minute break so I can reset? We can start chatting by text in thirty minutes.
“I’m having a hard time focusing because of physical pain. [headache/back pain/fatigue]. I really want to hear you out, but I need to go take some meds maybe lay down for a bit. Lets restart this tomorrow or after the meds have taken the pain away. “
“I’m starting to feel angry and I don’t want to take it out on you. I’m going to grab some food and clear my head. I love you—let’s pick this back up in a few hours by text OK?”
Tips for Sending the “Timeout” Text
- The “Check-Back” Time: Always include a specific time or duration to prevent the other person from feeling like they are being ignored.
- The “I Love You” Buffer: If it’s a partner or close friend, adding a small reassurance like “I care about this” or “I love you” helps lower their defensive walls while you’re away.
- Silence the Notifications: Once you send the text, put your phone on ‘Do Not Disturb’ for the duration of your break.
Early Warning System | Easter Prep | Cleaning Relationships
Types of Early Warning System Signs:
- The Filter: You start “editing” your thoughts before sharing them to avoid a specific reaction.
- The Sigh: Feeling a sense of relief when your conversation partner leaves the house or cancels a plan.
- Low-Level Dread: A mild, persistent tightness in your chest or stomach when you think about bringing up a specific topic with your conversation.
Communication Red Flags
These aren’t explosive discussions, they are the quiet erosion of quality interaction which lead to more serious arguments.
- The “Whatever” Phase: Instead of arguing to find a solution, you find yourself saying fine or whatever just to end the conversation. This is emotional withdrawal.
- The Shift to Logistics: Your conversations have become ninety percent about mundane things instead of about feelings.
- Predictable Friction: You can predict exactly how a conversation will fail before it even starts, leading to a “why bother?” mentality.
Behavioral Shifts
Look for changes in the relationship.
| Feature | Healthy Rhythm | Warning Signal |
| Humor | Playful, shared jokes. | Sarcasm with a “bite” or “just kidding” barbs. |
| Affection | Spontaneous touch/eye contact. | Touch feels performative or transactional. |
| Curiosity | Asking “How was your day?” and caring. | Making assumptions instead of asking questions. |
| Conflict | Resolving the issue at hand. | Bringing up “The Greatest Hits” (past mistakes). |
Use these questions to gauge your feelings and your relationships:
How have you been feeling about how we are spending our time? My journal says we have been spending time this way. Would you like to discuss this?
Is there anything I’ve done recently that made you feel annoyed? I’ve been keeping track of my emotions, I was upset on these days about these things. Do you want to talk about this?
What one thing this week can I do to make the week better? I’m will gladly _______.
Is there anything this week that has been annoying that I can fix? I noticed _____.
What is something you’re looking forward to us doing together? I miss _____.
Do you feel like you have enough alone time? Are we overscheduled? Do you want to look at our schedule and change things?
Happy Mardis Gras! Lent and Easter Prep Starts Tomorrow
Health Storey Scheduled Preps
- Easter Prep- Feb 18 through April 3, 2026
- St. Patrick’s Day Prep – Feb 18 – March 16, 2026
Daily Goal | Valentine Prep | Cook a Meal Together
Cooking a meal together creates memories and traditions: Cooking a meal together as a couple on Valentine’s day is an option but planning a weekly cooking night can become a romantic gesture strengthening your relationship. Cooking memories such as the day you grilled garlic or tasted a new sauce are great ways to build up joint memories.
By cooking together, you improve your cooking skills and maybe become gourmets. As a couple, you can learn new cooking skills or research new cooking equipment. Even a simple dish can become a way to explore new cultures, family histories and personal taste.
Don’t Make Excuses
– “We’re too busy.” Start small: a 20–30 minute meal window once a week can become a reliable routine. Plan ahead with a simple, one-pot or sheet-pan recipe, or pre-measure ingredients the night before.
“Some of us don’t want to cook.” Make it a life experience. You are a team cooking to reduce your food budget or save to go out and eat. Helping to cook meals or prep the kitchen for cooking helps strengthen your family relationship and family bonds.
“We argue over taste.” Pick a flexible recipe that can be spiced up with sauces. Build a base meal and offer optional add-ins so people can customize without conflict.
Practical tips for Cooking Together
Rotating roles keeps everyone engaged and prevents one person from always doing the boring tasks.
Make cleanup part of the plan and clean as you are cooking. Don’t wait until the end of the prep to wash, wipe, and put away. A quick cleanup will keep everyone happy and prevent leftovers from piling up.
Create a playlist for cooking or look for one on Youtube.
Valentine Cooking Date | Date Night ideas to try
Build-your-own pizza night: Prepare dough (or use store-bought), set out toppings, and let everyone craft their own mini pizza. It’s fast, fun, and allows for plenty of customization.
A Taco or Nacho bar: Soft tortillas, seasoned meat or beans, and a colorful array of toppings. Great for a quick, social cooking experience.
Pasta party: Create Fresh Pasta, Boil, toss with a simple sauce, and finish with cheese, herbs. Make a garlic bread on the side.
Cooking a meal together is a repeatable act of teamwork that can strengthen communication and offer opportunities for more communication.
12 Days to Valentine’s Day | Countdown
All my paperwork has been submitted for Trefuly. To celebrate, here is a countdown for Valentine’s Day on our sister blog:
I usually am not talking about my personal life but I am putting a little note in today, I have been appointed as Senator of Georgia, USA which is an inherited seat. I will be working in DC and Atlanta starting this month. Because of this unexpected change in my career path caused by inheritance, HealthStoreyUSA’s launch is delayed until I hire staff to work in my place.
Sincerely, Dr. Emmy Ann Horstkamp, JD, Senator from Georgia, Chief of Tribe America.