Mike LaValley

I write about creative life, wellness, burnout, and lifelong learning—complete with nerdy banter and stories for good measure. Each week I share insights on personal development / creative life to help you grow.

Founder

Trautman Associates

Associate

Architect

Architizer

Contributing writer for key content areas including professional life, 3D software, and opinion pieces.

Influencer

Unpacking Design

A podcast that shares the perspectives, thoughts, and ideas of two architects from New York on topics ranging from technology, lifestyle, career, health, and news.
www.unpackingdesign.com

Co-Host

Evolving Architect

An Architecture Blog for 21st Century Architects and Designers looking to evolve their careers.
www.evolvingarchitect.com

Young + Wright Architectural

I directed the design and project management of K-12, academic, and private commercial work for a wide variety of enthusiastic, collaborative clients. Projects included Public School District Capital Improvement Projects, Major Renovations, Additions, and New Facilities. On each of these projects, I coordinated all aspects of planning, design, and construction across our internal teams, consultants, and clients. I also mentored younger staff throughout the firm as often as possible.

Project Manager / Architect

CJS Architects (Chaintreuil Jensen Stark Architects)

Led the project management of several projects in the office including the $16 Mil renovation of SUNY UB Crosby Hall (School of Architecture & Planning) through Construction Documents. I developed and helped to shepherd CJS's move from AutoCAD to Revit in order to push the firm's efficiency and ability to collaborate forward. I designed several conceptual and built projects ranging from Private Development to University and High-End Residential.

Project Manager

Provided a wide array of technical and design support on project types including University, K-12, Private Development, Mixed-Use, Multi-Family Residential, Historic / Adaptive Reuse, High-End Residential, and Conceptual Proposals. I was also in charge of the 3D computer renderings for many of the projects across offices - developing, in part, the 'look' of the firm's conceptual portfolio. I developed and maintained the firm's website and designed the branding materials when the Firm rebranded as CJS Architects from Chaintreuil | Jensen | Stark Architects.

Designer

School of Architecture at Syracuse University

Assisted Professor Arthur McDonald on his research project, "Redevelopment of Erie Canal Towns Through Tourism." The project focused on two small towns along the Erie Canal (Phoenix and Fairport, NY) as case studies for the potential revitalization of all Canal Towns through the use of urban design and planning interventions. I assisted in researching and documenting the sites. I also produced several diagrams, computer renderings, and maps to supplement the research findings.

Research Assistant

Monitored the Print Lab at the School of Architecture - serving students and staff to help them solve any computer or printing issues they faced.

Computer Lab Monitor

Fontanese Folts Aubrecht Ernst Architects

Provided design, computer modeling, and graphic presentation services for several projects over the course of the Summer.

Intern / 3D Modeler

Hello, my Creative Friend.

🧙🏻‍♂️ I’m Mike.

My business cards say things like Architect, Designer, Project Manager, and LEED AP.

🏗 But when I’m not designing buildings, I’m helping other Creative Pros (Architects, Designers, Engineers, Writers…) design and build better lives for themselves.

Why?

I used to be one of the most career-obsessed people I knew. Every move I made was to fulfill my professional goals—at any cost.

—

🔥 In 2017, I burned out in spectacular fashion.

• I no longer recognized the man in the mirror staring back at me. I knew I needed to make a change. 

• So I refocused that obsession from being the best Architect into becoming a better person. A better version of me.

→ I dropped everything I could.
→ I stopped saying, “Yes.”
→ I started saying, “No.”

I sought out everything I could about burnout, mental health, and personal growth.

6 months later, I was a different human. I had run my first 5k, lost 75 lbs, and leveled up my mindset on life.

—

▶ Now I help other Creatives struggling with the same demons.

• How do I balance the chaos of my creative work with my family, friends, health, and responsibilities?
• How do I build a life that reduces the chance of ever experiencing burnout again?
• How do I design a life full of creativity and personal satisfaction?
• How do I find the time and energy to manage my life?
• How do I improve my wellness and mental health?
• What are the best habits to build a better life?
• Who do I want to be in 10 years?
• How do I become that person?

Real, meaningful change isn’t quick. 
It’s sustainable.

—

▶ That’s why I believe in Creativity Self-Care. 

Creativity Self-Care is the process of building a life that sustainably supports who you want to be as a creative person long-term.

It means:

• Evaluating who you are today
• Designing a vision of who you want to become
• Identifying the hurdles you’ll need to overcome
• Building that vision through consistent action
• Checking in with your progress
• Pivoting when necessary

—

▶ I don’t know where you’re at in the journey, but here are three ways I may be able to help.

→ ✉ SideNotes Newsletter - Every week, I share one actionable tip, story, or idea to help you build a sustainable, burnout-resilient creative life. (Link in Featured)

→ 👨🏻‍🔬 1-on-1 Coaching - Coming Soon (Q1 2024) - DM me if you'd like to be on the waitlist.

→ 👨🏻‍🏫 Self-Guided Courses - Coming Soon (Q1 2024)

Follow me for daily-ish tips on personal growth to help you build a sustainable, burnout-resilient creative life.

You need help sooner than you think before you burn out.

—

"Just do more."
That’s what people tell themselves.

Soon you go from feeling great to feeling like you barely can get out of bed.
People need help sooner than they think they do.

➡️ If you’re feeling stressed, ask for help NOW.

Stress isn’t linear.
It compounds.

One day, it will overwhelm you.
Don’t be shy about asking for help.

No one wants you to become toast. 🍞

—

😎 Hi, I’m Mike.
I’m an Architect sharing actionable lessons about balancing creative life and fighting burnout.

On December 10th, I'm hosting a comprehensive workshop to help you fight burnout and start building the Architecture career you actually want. Sign up by the end of November 24th and save $70!

Check out the featured section in my profile (Mike LaValley) for more info.

Mike LaValley AIA, LEED AP

The Resilient Architect — I help ambitious Architects grow into leadership without sacrificing their well-being, and good firms retain top talent using proven anti-burnout frameworks.

Every Architect thinks they know burnout. 
Until it happens to them.

We're conditioned early: success = self-destruction. 

→ Skip sleep
→ Work endless hours
→ Push until you break

Most of us dismiss the warning signs: "I'm fine, just tired."

But there are actually 3 distinct paths to Architect burnout:

1. OVERWHELM 
Working too hard for too long. The "classic" burnout we all recognize.

2. LACK OF DEVELOPMENT 
Stagnating skills, zero career progress. Burnout from going nowhere.

3. NEGLECT 
Your workplace actively works against you—undervaluing and undermining you.

Here's what continues to surprise me:
• Overwhelm isn't even the most common path anymore.
• All three steal the joy from our creative work.
• All three are preventable when you know what to watch for.

Which path have you experienced?
Share your story below—it might save another Architect from burning out.

———

😎 Hi, I’m Mike.

I’m an Architect sharing actionable lessons about balancing creative life and fighting burnout.

On December 10th, I'm hosting a comprehensive workshop to help you fight burnout and start building the Architecture career you actually want. Sign up by December 1 and save $50!

Check out the featured section in my profile (Mike LaValley) for more info.

Architect,
You’re thinking about work/life balance all wrong.
Here are 7 mindset shifts to help get you right.

———

1. IT'S ALL LIFE
There's no "work you" vs. "life you." It's just you, distributing your time across different priorities.

2. BALANCE IS TEMPORARY
Life constantly changes. What feels balanced today won't feel balanced next month. That's normal.

3. "PERFECT" BALANCE DOESN'T EXIST
Balance isn't a destination—it's a feeling. You know when your life is working. You know when it's not.

4. WORK AND LIFE AREN'T ENEMIES
Your career and personal life aren't competing. They're both parts of who you are.

5. YOU CONTROL YOUR PRIORITIES
Stop adding more. Start filtering out noise. You can't manage what you can't count.

6. PRIORITIZE FAST, CHANGE SLOW
Decide what you want quickly. Implement it gradually. Dramatic overhauls rarely stick.

7. ENJOY RIGHT NOW
Time is fleeting. Appreciate what's already working while you improve what isn't.

———

The truth about balance:

It's not about perfection. It's about making intentional choices that align with what matters most to you right now.

Which of these 7 points hits closest to home?

———

😎 Hi, I’m Mike.
I’m an Architect sharing actionable lessons about balancing Archi-life and fighting burnout.

On December 10th, I'm hosting a comprehensive workshop to help you fight burnout and start building the Architecture career you actually want. Sign up by December 1 and save $50!

Check out the featured section in my profile (Mike LaValley) for more info.

Thanksgiving is here. 🤩

———

In the U.S., Thanksgiving means:
→ Turkey 🦃
→ Parades 🥁
→ Football 🏈
→ Dog Shows 🐶

But it’s not just party time.

Thanksgiving reminds us to reflect on things we’re grateful for.
In 2020, Lifeway asked over 2,000 people to share theirs.

Here were the top 10 responses:
1. Family (84%)
2. Health (69%)
3. Friends (63%)
4. Memories (63%)
5. Personal Freedom (53%)
6. Stability (47%)
7. Fun Experiences (45%)
8. Opportunities (42%)
9. Achievements (33%)
10. Wealth (21%)

What are you thankful for?
Is it family? (Dominic Toretto would be so proud)

———

As Architects, knowing what we value is the key to preventing burnout and building a thriving Archi-life.

On December 10th, I'm hosting a comprehensive workshop to help you fight burnout and start building the Architecture career you actually want. 

Want to remove burnout from your Archi-life and build a thriving one in 2026? Check out the link and get up to $50 off before December 1st!
https://luma.com/a68qhgxz

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