Well Said is our weekly Q&A featuring executives, creatives, young professionals, caregivers, and everything in between—each navigating work, identity, and well-being on their own terms. Each week, we ask the same set of questions—and the answers prove there’s no one way to thrive.
This is our way of bringing the village to you—sharing the collective wisdom from authentic conversations with women living big lives in all kinds of ways.
This week, meet Devin Glenn—a talent strategist, recovering corporate lawyer, and advocate for creating spaces where ambition and balance coexist. As a wife, mom of two, and friend to many, she understands firsthand the challenges of managing a big life while staying grounded in purpose.
“Don’t suffer alone. If something feels too hard, it probably is. Just ask for help.”
A Conversation with Devin Glenn
What sparks joy for you every day?
“I get my coffee from the same place. I listened to Gretchen Rubin’s podcast once about how casual recognition—like a barista knowing your order—boosts happiness. Ever since, I’ve made it a point to find a local ‘spot’ wherever I work. They know my order, they smile, and it feels like starting my day at Cheers.”
Did You Know? The UC Berkeley BIG JOY Project (2025) found that seven days of daily “micro-acts” like this increased optimism and life satisfaction significantly. Micro-rituals may feel small, but they create outsized impact.
What are you struggling with—and how are you approaching it?
“Time. Always. I was diagnosed with ADHD a few years ago, which reframed everything. It’s still a struggle to get anywhere on time, but I’ve stopped shaming myself. Every day I put one in my favorite colors—pink and orange, together, not separately—on my monitor and on my notebook. I literally cannot remember where I’m supposed to be from one 30-minute meeting to the next. Those colorful cues are what keep me moving. They aren’t just practical—they’re pretty, and that makes me want to look at them.”
Related Blueprint: Why High-Achieving Women Can’t Focus (And the 15-Minute Fix)
What’s one thing you wish you learned sooner?
“Reading Carol Dweck’s Mindset earlier would have been a game-changer. I avoided things that scared me—public speaking, Excel—because I thought I ‘just wasn’t good at them.’ Now I remind myself: ‘I’m a smart person, I’ll figure it out.’ It’s changed everything.”
Best advice you’ve received—and how has it shaped you?
“Don’t suffer alone. If something feels too hard, it probably is. Just ask for help.”
What health or well-being advice would you give your younger self?
“Exercise doesn’t have to be painful. I used to think if I wasn’t dripping with sweat, it didn’t count. I wish I’d known movement in any form is valuable.”
What’s your self-care non-negotiable?
“Time with my friends – even if it’s a quick coffee or sitting on someone’s couch on a Tuesday night. Sometimes it means I’m late to something else or I drop a ball, but I’m a much better version of myself when I carve out time to be with my people.
What are you currently reading, watching, or listening to?
“Always reading a romance novel of some kind, but lately I’m obsessed with doing the New York Times puzzles with my kids. My mom got us all hooked!
What’s one thing you want the next generation of women to know?
“That balance isn’t perfection and it isn’t permanent. It’s an ongoing practice of getting clear on what you value and what energizes you, and intentionally carving out time to doing and protecting those things when you can.”
What We Love About This
Devin’s answers are a reminder that balance isn’t about perfection—it’s about intentional, repeatable choices.
Her ADHD productivity strategies show the power of working with your brain instead of against it. That extra touch—pink and orange Post-its—might seem like a small detail, but it’s actually brain science at work. Research shows that visually stimulating cues activate dopamine pathways in ADHD brains, significantly improving follow-through compared to plain reminders (Volkow et al., JAMA, 2009). In other words, sometimes making things “pretty” is exactly what your brain needs to turn intentions into action.
Together, Devin’s reflections underscore what Rise on Balance is about: building systems, rituals, and communities that allow ambitious women to thrive on their own terms.
One Small Win
Choose one micro-ritual—coffee, puzzles, or a friend text—and protect it this week. Bonus points if you add a pretty visual cue that makes you smile.
📌 Why it works: Micro-rituals lower stress and reinforce identity. (BJ Fogg, Tiny Habits)
Next week: Another woman, same questions, fresh take on balance in real life.
This series is built on real-life insight. Want to be featured—or know someone who should be? Drop us a line or tag @riseonbalance.
