I enjoy puzzles of all kinds, from Sudoku to crosswords to old-fashioned jigsaw puzzles.

What I appreciate most about them is the way they illuminate the unfathomable complexities of the mind.

Specifically, they show me how much is happening in my brain without my conscious awareness.

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One of my employees has been out sick with the coronavirus for six weeks, entirely unable to work during that time.

I’m happy to report that she’s feeling a bit better — she isn’t having breathing problems now — but her energy and focus are still a long way from allowing her to return at one hundred percent.

So in the meantime, I’ve been spending a few hours each day doing her job. And that’s been pretty satisfying, because I already know how to do her job. I feel productive, industrious, and competent, checking things off the list and watching stuff happen.

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A teenage friend revealed — in front of his mother! — that sometimes, he doesn’t want to play video games.

I suppose three months of being on lockdown will do that to even the most devoted gamer.

“Sometimes, I just feel like…why am I playing?” And when this thought occurs to him, he might get up to eat or use the bathroom. Maybe he’ll even go outside.

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Parents who are considering one of my academic programs for their child frequently ask about assessment.

How will you find out what my kid can do? How will you know what she’s learned?

My answer, in part, is that my team and I eschew fill-in-the-blank and multiple choice type questions in favor of open-ended questions where a student can demonstrate her knowledge and skill.

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Those of us who are high achievers learn early on how great it feels to cross things off the to-do list.

When the homework is done, no one can nag you. You don’t have anything hanging over your head. You’re free! As a special bonus, you may even earn the approval of one or more people in the process.

Each time you complete a task, you get a little hit of dopamine, that highly addictive neurochemical that keeps you doing more of whatever generated it last time. That’s how the valedictorian gets there — she’s just chosen a different drug than the stoners.

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Back when I used to have appointments six days a week, I cherished any time when I could do my actual work.

Teaching music lessons was the fun part, but there was so much administrative stuff that needed to be done, and keeping up was a huge challenge.

I was sinking into a life that had no time for reflection or course correction — I was always running and striving.

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