I think the reason I love UX and started Lift UX was because I loved predicting the future, and using data and user interactions to make well informed decisions. It felt like we were avoiding circumstances that were inevitable when you design something a certain way.
It was our job to prepare for what the user could do, not what they will do. And to design an interface and system that could not only help them with their desired task, but to bring delight to everything else around it. That is design, that, is UX.
I’m going to take some time over the next few months to think about the future, and how user experience impacts our lives. It’s a passion of mine and I think it could be a great way to hypothesize about design and technology in general.
A lot of people kick off the new year with resolutions. Some want to lose weight (yep, I’m working on that too). Others want to break bad habits—like not hanging up a towel after a shower. I’m looking at myself here. I’m sorry, Jen. (Pssst…This remains a sensitive topic in the Miller household.)
But if I’m being honest, the thing I’ve always struggled with the most isn’t organization—it’s consistency. Specifically, writing things down and actually publishing them on my site. I’ve always had plenty of thoughts, ideas, and half-formed opinions rattling around in my head… they just don’t always make it out into the world.
So instead of making a traditional New Year’s resolution (because we all know how those usually go), I’m making myself a promise: to write at least once a week. Nothing overly polished. No pressure for perfection. Just showing up, putting words on the page, and hitting publish. And if you happen to read these posts along the way, I’d love for you to help keep me accountable.
So how were the Holidays?
The holiday break gave me a lot of space to slow down and reflect. I spent a good amount of time with family—which, honestly, was exactly what I needed. There was a lot of laughter, a lot of noise, and a lot of moments that reminded me how quickly life keeps moving.
Some of that time was spent doing the important stuff… like playing Rocket League on the PS5 with my kids. Competitive? Absolutely. Humbling? Also yes. We also had a blast with a new board game console called Board. It turned into one of those things that pulled everyone together without anyone staring at their own screen, which felt like a small miracle.
Harrison’s holiday was very clearly defined by one thing, his new electric scooter. That thing barely stopped moving. Watching his excitement and confidence grow as he zipped around was a reminder of how powerful simple joys can be.
Harrison showing off his new Segway scooter, also, don’t judge me on my dry patch of grass. I’m sure I’ll get a letter from the HOA for that. 😛
On the quieter side of things, I used the end of the year to get some life and work logistics in order. I’ve been laying the groundwork to start doing some interesting work and consulting in 2026, and it felt good to approach that thoughtfully instead of reactively. Along those same lines, I finally set up a dedicated machine for music recording and production—something I’ve been wanting to get back to for a long time. Music has always been a creative outlet for me, and I’m really hoping to make that a more consistent part of my life again.
Resting For The Future
The holidays also gave me a real chance to unplug. Since my exit from Fueled at the end of June, I felt like I was able to create space to reset mentally and emotionally this holiday for the first time in a long time. That distance helped me gain some clarity around what I want more of and less of moving forward.
I Got Inspired
Part of what pushed me to commit to writing more consistently was seeing how often our friend Matt Mullenweg shows up and shares what’s on his mind. The guy has a lot on his plate, yet he still finds time to write regularly. That really stuck with me. If he can do it, I can definitely find 30–45 minutes a week to capture a thought, reflect on a week, or explore an idea that’s been bouncing around in my head.
I don’t want this space to turn into a daily journal or a running log of what I did each day. My goal is to share more of my story—the experiences, lessons, mistakes, and small wins from the last few years. Hopefully, some of it will resonate. Maybe some of it will entertain. And if nothing else, it’ll be honest and authentic.
Bring on 2026
More than anything, I’m genuinely excited to close the door on 2025 and step into 2026 with clearer priorities—focusing on my faith, my marriage (we’ll be celebrating 20 years this year), my boys, and building a life that feels intentional but spontaneous.
So here’s to a new year, a fresh start, and committing to putting ideas down—even if they come out messy or as a stream of consciousness. At least I’m giving it a real shot.
I was having a conversation with my friend a few weeks ago and we were talking about how everyone is different with the way they sell their services. I mentioned to him that not everyone is the same and everyone has their own process. But one thing is for sure, clients and customers can see right through bullshit.
Of course they agreed with me. But it got me thinking about this subject some more. I started thinking about the process of building relationships and how selling is exactly that, building relationships.
How many years of sales experience does one person have? The answer is…their whole life.
A lot of people think sales is a hard thing, but believe it or not, we’ve all done it since we were kids. Do you ever remember trying to convince your parents to buy that toy you desperately wanted or needed? “Mom, but it has all these new features!” Do you ever remember trying to convince your brother or sister what to do with their Christmas money? “Timmy, you could get this game and we both can play it!” I’m sure you can recall your own memories. No matter what anybody tells you, you can do sales.
I’ve always felt that technology would eventually cross over into our daily lives and everything we use would be connected with technology. As a child I dreamt of being able to wake up and talk to my home much like Tony Stark talks to Jarvis, in the Iron Man films. “Good morning, Brad. Would you like some coffee?”, Jarvis would say. I respond with some excitement, “Absolutely, Jarvis”. From the kitchen the sound of a coffee machine starts. I smile and I start reading the morning news displayed on the window overlooking some large body of water.
Home Automation Will Change the User Experience Design Industry
User experience design is a huge part of my life. Design and web development has limitless possibilities, the main reason I went into a web and application design field. But I see a change in the way people interact with their technology and the experience is very much intertwined into our daily lives. I mean look at what the iPhone did. You can’t go into a restaurant without someone taking a photo of their food or surfing the web. This is precisely why restaurants offer WiFi connections as a benefit to eat at their establishment. It’s a normal part of our lives to be connected to the internet and because of that, the internet industry is thriving more than it ever has.
