Recent Content
Burnout is the ghost in the machine of high-tech industries. It creeps in unnoticed, building over weeks, months, and sometimes years, until one day you’re staring at your screen, completely dra…
Burnout is the ghost…
Burnout is the ghost in the machine of high-tech industries. It creeps in unnoticed, building over weeks, months, and sometimes years, until one day you’re staring at your screen, completely drained, wondering how you got here. The truth is, burnout doesn’t arrive out of the blue—it’s the result of a relentless cycle that starts with imposter syndrome, feeds on overexertion, and culminates in exhaustion. And if we’re not careful, it repeats itself.How Burnout Takes HoldLet’s break this down. It starts innocently enough: you land a high-stakes role in a f…
Deborah Heiser, PhD
January 14, 2025 
Exploring the deeper purpose of mentoring and the transformative impact on both the mentor and the menteeAs I reflect on my 22 years of leadership in the Army, one truth stands out: no one achieves …
Exploring the deeper…
Exploring the deeper purpose of mentoring and the transformative impact on both the mentor and the menteeAs I reflect on my 22 years of leadership in the Army, one truth stands out: no one achieves success alone. From the earliest days of my career to my transition into civilian life, the power of mentorship has been a constant force in shaping who I am. Mentorship is more than offering advice or sharing knowledge; it is a relationship built on trust, respect, and a mutual desire to grow. In my journey, mentors have not only guided me but have also inspired me to guide others.Mentorship in…
Deborah Heiser, PhD
January 13, 2025 
As we step into 2025, the tax landscape continues to evolve, presenting both challenges and opportunities for taxpayers. When you are a W-2 income earner, understanding the latest strategies can help …
As we step into 2025…
As we step into 2025, the tax landscape continues to evolve, presenting both challenges and opportunities for taxpayers. When you are a W-2 income earner, understanding the latest strategies can help you maximize your savings and minimize your tax liability. Here’s a guide to key strategies you should consider:Tax Strategies for W-2 Income EarnersMaximize Retirement ContributionsThe contribution limits for retirement plans like 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and IRAs often adjust annually to account for inflation. In 2025, make sure to contribute the maximum allowed to these accounts to reduce …
Deborah Heiser, PhD
January 6, 2025 
The Mentor Project mentor and CEO of Critical Path Securities, Patrick Kelley, wrote this blog.Stories from the roadThe Right Side of 40 is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts a…
The Mentor Project m…
The Mentor Project mentor and CEO of Critical Path Securities, Patrick Kelley, wrote this blog.Stories from the roadThe Right Side of 40 is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.The hardest battles are the ones you fight against your own mind. I met someone on the road recently who shared a part of her story that left me deeply moved. She spoke about her struggles, her scars, and the war she’s waged within herself.As we spoke at the end of a talk, she kept pulling her sleeves down. When I asked if s…
Deborah Heiser, PhD
December 12, 2024 
The holiday season is a time for giving, celebrating, and reflecting on the year. While taxes might not be top-of-mind amid festivities, it’s a great time to explore strategies that can reduce y…
The holiday season i…
The holiday season is a time for giving, celebrating, and reflecting on the year. While taxes might not be top-of-mind amid festivities, it’s a great time to explore strategies that can reduce your tax bill before the year closes. Here are some timely tips to help you maximize deductions, credits, and overall tax savings before the calendar flips.Charitable GivingThe Right Side of 40 is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.The holidays inspire generosity, and giving to qualified charities can reduce yo…
Deborah Heiser, PhD
December 4, 2024 
The Mentorship Edge launches today. The Mentorship EdgePlease let me know your thoughts and comments. Writing this book has been a true labor of love.The Right Side of 40 is a reader-supported pub…
The Mentorship Edge …
The Mentorship Edge launches today. The Mentorship EdgePlease let me know your thoughts and comments. Writing this book has been a true labor of love.The Right Side of 40 is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Chapter 1: We Are Built to MentorAt birth we begin an emotional journey that propels us from the vulnerability of infancy, where we rely on trust in those who care for us, to the autonomy of childhood, where we eagerly embrace new experiences and master skills. This climb continues from adolescence,…
Deborah Heiser, PhD
November 13, 2024 I’m so excited to share my book with you! If you would like a copy mailed to you, please leave your name and address in the comments. This is for United States only (sorry!).I’d love it if yo…
I’m so excited to …
I’m so excited to share my book with you! If you would like a copy mailed to you, please leave your name and address in the comments. This is for United States only (sorry!).I’d love it if you leave a review on amazon once you’ve received and read your book!Thanks for your support!If you would like to purchase a copy for yourself or someone else, the link is here. I appreciate your support!
Deborah Heiser, PhD
November 4, 2024 As our population ages and IRAs pass to loved ones, many beneficiaries are unaware of the distribution rules surrounding inherited IRAs. Here are some of the most common scenarios: The Right Side o…
As our population ag…
As our population ages and IRAs pass to loved ones, many beneficiaries are unaware of the distribution rules surrounding inherited IRAs. Here are some of the most common scenarios: The Right Side of 40 is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Inherited IRA, beneficiary must take annual RMDs in the 10-year period:When a beneficiary inherits a retirement account from a retirement account owner, they are subject to the 10-year payout rule. If the IRA owner had started taking Required Minimum Distributions (R…
Deborah Heiser, PhD
November 1, 2024 
Mentorship holds incredible potential for personal Growth and development, not only by providing guidance but also by facilitating the sharing of Wisdom, experience, and a supportive network. Through …
Mentorship holds inc…
Mentorship holds incredible potential for personal growth and development, not only by providing guidance but also by facilitating the sharing of wisdom, experience, and a supportive network. Through mentoring, we can gain insights from those who have journeyed before us, opening doors to new possibilities and sparking growth in ways we may not have imagined.Gaining Wisdom and ExperienceMentors are like guideposts on the journey of life. They share valuable knowledge and insights, helping us learn from their successes and mistakes. A great example is The Mentor Project, an organization that …
Deborah Heiser, PhD
October 31, 2024 
One of the most rewarding realizations in life is that the end of a career doesn’t mean the end of our impact. For Bill Cheswick, a pioneering tech expert who helped shape the digital world, men…
One of the most rewa…
One of the most rewarding realizations in life is that the end of a career doesn’t mean the end of our impact. For Bill Cheswick, a pioneering tech expert who helped shape the digital world, mentorship has become the key to staying relevant, engaged, and deeply useful well beyond his years at Bell Labs. His story, shared in The Mentorship Edge, captures the essence of what it means to be on the right side of 40—remaining curious, staying active, and finding purpose through sharing hard-earned knowledge.Staying Useful After "Retirement"Bill’s experience speaks to something m…
Deborah Heiser, PhD
October 29, 2024 
Subscribe nowAs we age, mentorship becomes a powerful way to leverage our accumulated expertise and experience positively (Nemean Pride Podcast). While physical aging may lead to decline as we grow …
Subscribe nowAs we…
Subscribe nowAs we age, mentorship becomes a powerful way to leverage our accumulated expertise and experience positively (Nemean Pride Podcast). While physical aging may lead to decline as we grow older, our emotional journey actually improves. This is where mentorship plays a crucial role. It taps into the concept of "generativity" - caring for others without expecting anything in return - which is a key developmental milestone in midlife and beyond. Mentorship offers several benefits related to aging:Purpose and usefulness: As people retire or step back from their primary careers, mento…
Deborah Heiser, PhD
October 28, 2024 Susan Alefi has some tax advice for midlifers:Read more
Susan Alefi has some…
Susan Alefi has some tax advice for midlifers:Read more
Deborah Heiser, PhD
October 3, 2024 
As we journey through life, the financial landscape changes significantly, especially as we approach midlife and beyond. This period, typically defined as the years between 40 and 60, is often marked …
As we journey throug…
As we journey through life, the financial landscape changes significantly, especially as we approach midlife and beyond. This period, typically defined as the years between 40 and 60, is often marked by increased financial responsibilities and the need to prepare for the future. Understanding the unique financial challenges and opportunities that come with aging is crucial to maintaining stability and peace of mind. This article explores key financial considerations for those in midlife and aging, offering strategies to navigate this important life stage.1. Retirement Planning: A Central Foc…
Deborah Heiser, PhD
September 3, 2024 From the moment we are born, we embark on a mentorship journey that shapes who we become. Just like learning to walk and talk, the desire to give back and share wisdom is ingrained in us. We are not j…
From the moment we a…
From the moment we are born, we embark on a mentorship journey that shapes who we become. Just like learning to walk and talk, the desire to give back and share wisdom is ingrained in us. We are not just built to grow physically; we are designed to evolve emotionally, finding fulfillment in the ways we contribute to others throughout our lives.I write about this journey in The Mentorship Edge, "At birth we begin an emotional journey that propels us from the vulnerability of infancy, where we rely on trust in those who care for us, to the autonomy of childhood, where we eagerly embrace new ex…
Deborah Heiser, PhD
August 6, 2024 
Photo by Ron Lach : https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-typing-on-computer-which-is-tied-with-a-tape-9830809/When I was asked to teach the Psychology of Prejudice, I wondered how to create a course tha…
Photo by Ron Lach : …
Photo by Ron Lach : https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-typing-on-computer-which-is-tied-with-a-tape-9830809/When I was asked to teach the Psychology of Prejudice, I wondered how to create a course that could talk about bias in a way everyone could understand. The search didn’t take long. I looked to myself. And ageism.The Right Side of 40 is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.We are all ageists. We are unconsciously and consciously biased against older adults, who are our future selves. Let that sink i…
Deborah Heiser, PhD
July 23, 2024 
The saying "actions speak louder than words" is particularly relevant when examining societal attitudes toward aging. There is often a disconnect between what people say and do, revealing an underlyin…
The saying "actions …
The saying "actions speak louder than words" is particularly relevant when examining societal attitudes toward aging. There is often a disconnect between what people say and do, revealing an underlying ambivalence with their beliefs. This inconsistency is evident in everyday behaviors, like health and wellness commitments. Many people talk about the importance of maintaining a healthy Lifestyle, emphasizing the need for regular Exercise and a balanced Diet while skipping workouts and eating unhealthy food. This inconsistency between advocating for health and failing to practice healthy habits …
Deborah Heiser, PhD
July 10, 2024 
I’ve been working for years on learning about the theory behind what makes us want to mentor. The journey began a couple of decades ago, before anyone was talking about mentorship. My book, The …
I’ve been work…
I’ve been working for years on learning about the theory behind what makes us want to mentor. The journey began a couple of decades ago, before anyone was talking about mentorship. My book, The Mentorship Edge, helps readers understand how to get maximum impact from mentorship - hierarchical and lateral.Subscribe now“For years, I'd worked with older adults in psychiatric hospitals, Nursing homes, and home health care. Pathology was the norm in what I was researching and seeing daily. I had to wrench myself away from that focus and return to my developmental psychology roots, …
Deborah Heiser, PhD
June 22, 2024 
Here is a riddle:What do we absorb in childhood, learn through experience in adulthood, and master in late life?Answer: GuardianshipPhoto by Quang Nguyen Vinh: https://www.pexels.com/photo/statue-…
Here is a riddle:Wha…
Here is a riddle:What do we absorb in childhood, learn through experience in adulthood, and master in late life?Answer: GuardianshipPhoto by Quang Nguyen Vinh: https://www.pexels.com/photo/statue-of-chinese-guardian-lion-10615829/We Are Built to Be GuardiansImagine if you didn’t have a guardian. Would you be the person you are today? Likely not. Guardians don't just secure our physical well-being and support us emotionally—they provide the wisdom passed down from generations. We all had someone who shaped our journey, and in turn, we all become that guiding light for others.S…
Deborah Heiser, PhD
May 27, 2024 
