Recently, I purchased one of those giant 2026 calendars so that I could see the whole year without straining my eyes on my phone’s calendar. I’m one of those people who LOVES January. I love how it stretches out after December’s hustle, how it can feel quiet and even a little boring, and how that spaciousness invites reflection. January helps me believe I can be a better version of myself–with a little planning and a lot of intention.

That calendar reminded me of one of my favorite bosses early in my career. He used to walk into my office and come face to face with my whiteboard, which had a thick black line drawn straight down the middle. On the left side, in all caps, was “WORK.” On the right: “PERSONAL.” He would wince or chuckle when he saw items like “Schedule OB-GYN appointment,” “Order flowers for Mom’s birthday,” or “Pick up milk,” mixed in with presentation development and marketing deadlines galore.

“January helps me believe I can be a better version of myself–with a little planning and a lot of intention.”

When he asked one day why I needed to capture my “PERSONAL” to-do list on the whiteboard for all to see, without hesitation, I said something I’m still proud of today. “Because I’m not just your employee. I’m a daughter, a friend, a neighbor, a citizen–a whole person, and for my day to be successful, I need to take care of everything that’s on the left side of that board and everything that’s on the right side too.”

I’m grateful that early in my career at a major financial services company, I understood that while doing great work mattered deeply to me, so did living a full life. I began to see life like a single jar, filled with many competing interests and expectations, which was incredibly compelling and motivating. One jar. That’s all we get. How do we choose to fill it up?

As my definition of “ambition” expanded beyond the silo of work to include the whole of my life, I realized my way of thinking wouldn’t resonate with everyone. And I was okay with that. I trusted that the right opportunities would find me if I fully owned who I am.

“With consulting, I love quickly assessing the needs of the assignment, building key relationships, and rolling up my sleeves with gusto for a designated length of time.”

Professionally, I am a marketer who loves creating, developing, and evolving brands that are essential to our lives. Whether it’s testing, launching, or naming a new product, researching an audience’s core needs, developing a marketing strategy and campaign (or all of the above), I love jumping into the deep end and finding my way to the surface.

For me, that path led to consulting, a pivot I hadn’t expected but one that immediately felt like a homecoming. As a first-generation Cuban-American, this way of working did not make sense to my family. If I had a nickel for every time my mother said, “But Mayra, are you crazy? You are single. You need benefits!”, I would be retired by now. But just as with my boss, so with my family, too. I had to own that I was more than just a worker bee and someone to fill all those unspoken first-generation expectations. I was a whole person trying to fill my one jar.

With consulting, I love quickly assessing the needs of the assignment, building key relationships, and rolling up my sleeves with gusto for a designated length of time. I also love knowing that once that project is complete, I can devote time to one of my other passions – like caring for loved ones, traveling, and writing. The flexibility especially served me years ago when my dad was ill, and I could take some precious time to be with him and see him through to the end, a gift that was invaluable to me.

“Collabry understands that the real value of the work we do as consultants is not only our understanding of AI, spreadsheets, and the latest marketing strategy, but also rooted in the full breadth of who we are as people.”

Today, when I seek new consulting opportunities, I’m upfront about how I work. I describe myself as a “responsible nomad,” someone who likes to work hard, but not always from the same place. I share that I have non-negotiables, like my Friday shifts at my local hospital, where I am a “cuddler” of newborn babies in the NICU. This means that on Fridays, I’m up and online before the birds to accommodate those hours when I’m away, but I don’t mind. I’m meaningfully filling up my one jar.

Which brings me to Collabry…I am incredibly grateful to be part of this collective that encourages professionalism and recognizes the value of bringing our whole selves to work. They understand that the real value of the work we do as consultants is not only our understanding of AI, spreadsheets, and the latest marketing strategy, but also rooted in the full breadth of who we are as people. I’m still filling up my one jar, and I’m glad to be doing it here.

Bringing My Full Self to Work

The Lab 2025: A look back.