Hummingbird: The Story Behind the Life Dezine Logo

Hummingbird: Memories of Mom

When my mom passed away from cancer almost three years ago, I was devastated. Day-to-day life felt impossible, and I struggled to find my footing under the weight of overwhelming grief. Then, something unexpected happened: a hummingbird began visiting my office window whenever I felt down thinking about her.

Growing up in New York, I was used to pigeons, sparrows, and rats—not hummingbirds. So, when this tiny bird with its vibrant fuchsia neck (my mom’s favorite color) caught my attention, I couldn’t ignore it. I became captivated by its presence.

Curious, I looked up the symbolism of hummingbirds and discovered their deep connection to healing, resilience, and the spirit of loved ones who have passed. In Native American traditions, hummingbirds are often seen as messengers from the spirit world—a sign that a departed loved one is near, offering comfort and sending messages of love and positivity. Across many cultures, these tiny birds are revered for their energy, strength, and beauty—qualities that immediately reminded me of my mom and the light she brought into my life.

One day, I decided to meditate outside, and the same hummingbird hovered around me. In that moment, I felt her spirit close, as if she were reminding me to move forward with strength and grace. That tiny bird became a symbol of hope and healing for me, bringing comfort during the hardest moments of my life.

The Birth of Life Dezine

That experience with the hummingbird inspired the creation of Life Dezine. It’s my way of honoring my mom’s legacy by healing myself and helping others do the same. Like the hummingbird, Life Dezine is rooted in resilience and finding beauty in life’s toughest moments. It’s about creating a life that feels intentional, meaningful, and deeply aligned.

The Role of Curiosity in Creative Leadership

When I think of hummingbirds now, I’m reminded of the power of curiosity—not just in life, but in leadership. Creativity and innovation often stem from the way we approach curiosity. Are you a jackhammer who drills deeply into one focus area, or a hummingbird who explores widely and connects seemingly unrelated ideas? Both styles have their place in leadership, and knowing when to apply each is essential for driving innovation.

Understanding the Two Styles of Curiosity

1. The Jackhammer:‍

Jackhammers focus deeply on a single area, drilling down into expertise. They uncover nuanced insights and develop mastery, witch is essential for solving complex, detail-oriented problems.‍

1. The Hummingbird:‍

Hummingbirds explore broadly, seeking connections across diverse fields. They are idea pollinators, fostering creativity by linking insights that others might not see.

Both approaches have unique strengths. Leaders who can recognize their natural style and adapt it strategically are more likely to thrive in today’s dynamic environments.

Applying the Jackhammer and Hummingbird Mindsets

Curiosity fuels leadership and creativity, but not all curiosity works the same way. To effectively enhance your leadership, it’s important to recognize, understand, and balance the jackhammer and hummingbird mindsets. Here’s how:

1. Identify Your Natural Style

Reflect on whether you naturally gravitate toward deep dives or wide exploration. Are you more of a jackhammer, diving deep to master a specific skill, or a hummingbird, flitting between interests to connect diverse ideas? Recognizing your default style is the first step toward leveraging it effectively.

2. Understand the Benefits of Both

Each style has unique strengths that are valuable in different contexts:

• Jackhammering: Ideal for situations that require expertise and precision, such as solving highly technical problems, mastering a craft, or leading specialized projects.
• Hummingbirding: Perfect for brainstorming, creativity, and connecting the dots across different domains, sparking fresh perspectives and cross-disciplinary innovation.

3. Recognize the Limitations of Each Style

To balance the strengths, you must also understand the challenges:

• Jackhammering – The Risk of Tunnel Vision:some text
  • Deep focus can sometimes lead to a lack of perspective, causing you to miss opportunities to innovate or adapt.
  • Over-reliance on a single skill set can result in stagnation, where you drill deeper into the same spot without evolving.
• Hummingbirding – The Challenge of Lack of Focus:some text
  • Constant exploration can lead to distractions, where jumping from one idea to another prevents meaningful progress.
  • Without committing to deeper work, it’s easy to become a generalist without achieving mastery in any one area.

4. Adapt to the Situation

Use your natural style to your advantage but incorporate elements of the other when needed:

• If you’re a hummingbird, focus deeply when execution or expertise is required. Give yourself the time and space to drill down and complete key tasks.
• If you’re a jackhammer, step back and explore new perspectives to avoid tunnel vision. Deliberately engage in brainstorming or expose yourself to ideas outside your comfort zone.

5. Foster a Balanced Environment

Encourage your team to embrace both mindsets for maximum creativity and innovation:

• Create dedicated spaces for deep focus where jackhammers can thrive.
• Establish opportunities for broad exploration, such as brainstorming sessions or cross-departmental collaborations, to let hummingbirds shine.

Key Takeaway

Balancing the jackhammer and hummingbird mindsets is critical for effective leadership. By recognizing the strengths and limitations of both styles, and knowing when to adapt, you can harness the power of curiosity to drive innovation, inspire your team, and achieve meaningful progress.

Lessons You Can Apply

1. Resilience Is Courage in Action:To me, these tiny birds are the epitome of courage and resilience. Despite their size, they move with purpose and strength, navigating the world with grace and determination. They remind me that resilience isn’t about never wavering—it’s about having the courage to keep moving forward, even when the steps are small and uncertain.
2. Curiosity Fuels Growth: Whether you’re diving deep or exploring widely, curiosity drives creativity and innovation. Embrace it as a core part of your leadership style.
3. Balance is Everything: Neither style is inherently better. Knowing when to drill deep and when to explore broadly can unlock new possibilities in problem-solving and creativity.
4. Honor the Present:In both life and leadership, treat people and situations as they are today—not as they used to be. Growth happens when we allow space for change.

The Lessons I Learned

1. Resilience is Built Over Time: Healing doesn’t come all at once. It’s a series of small, intentional steps that lead to strength, much like how a hummingbird survives on the tiniest sources of sustenance.
2. Let Go of the Past: True forgiveness and growth happen when you stop clinging to what was and embrace what is. Treat yourself and others as they are today, not as they used to be.
3. Balance is Key: In leadership and in life, knowing when to dive deep (jackhammer) and when to explore broadly (hummingbird) creates opportunities for growth and connection.
4. Gratitude for the Small Things: Sometimes, the most profound healing comes from the smallest moments. A hummingbird at your window, a kind word, or a new perspective can change everything.

Lessons You Can Apply

1. Identify What’s Holding You Back: What stories or past grievances are keeping you stuck? Reflect on them, write them down, and start to question their validity.
2. Shift Your Perspective: Choose to see the present instead of living in the shadow of the past. What has changed, and how can you honor that progress?
3. Balance Curiosity with Focus: Whether in your personal or professional life, find moments to explore new ideas while staying deeply committed to your current goals.
4. Celebrate Small Wins: Healing and leadership are both journeys. Celebrate the little steps forward—they’re what make the big moments possible.

Closing Thoughts: Honor the Time You Have

Life is a series of fleeting moments, and nothing is guaranteed—not time, not relationships, and not tomorrow. The hummingbird taught me to appreciate the little things and see the beauty in what’s fleeting.

In leadership, in healing, and in life, the greatest growth happens when you embrace the present and balance resilience with curiosity. Whether it’s building relationships or exploring new possibilities, the smallest actions can have the biggest impact.

Don’t wait for someday. Start today—lead with love, live with intention, and find gratitude in the little things that make life beautiful.

Resources to Go Deeper

• Journaling Prompts:some text
  • What story am I telling myself about this situation?
  • What’s one small way I can shift my perspective today?
  • How can I honor the present moment right now?
• Book Recommendation:some text
  • Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert (on embracing curiosity and creativity).
• Articles:some text
  • Harvard Business Review: The Business Case for Curiosity.
  • Forbes: How Curiosity Enhances Leadership and Innovation.