When you step back to notice, you see things others might not see - and it’s hard to “unsee” it.But once you notice, interact, and think about it you have the choice to do something about it. Do you point it out? Do you change it? Do you quietly accept it?I noticed that people tend to say “too funny” in a casual way when they’re done with a topic or half paying attention. They’re not reacting to something funny, they’re acknowledge that I think it’s funny and they’re okay moving on. That’s fine.I also notice that I tend to get restless when I’m doing something I don’t like - and that restlessness is experienced in the back of my neck or in my legs. Once I started noticing it, I got to decide what to do with it. In one instance, I put down a book; and in another, I decided to push through.When you step back to notice the world around you, what do you see? What makes you restless? What makes you question? You can’t make change happen unless you see the big picture.You can’t change the big picture until you stop to see what’s around you as if you’ve never seen it before.Now that you see it, what if you could do something about it?

As a kid, I wanted to be an architect. More specifically, I wanted to be an architect designing homes in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright.I told my mom. (My mom loves architecture - and Frank Lloyd Wright)My mom signed me up for an architecture course for kids at a local community college. I learned about different classical styles of architecture and some basic ideas about drafting. Then, I started drafting my own ideas.I created floor plans, exteriors, and I tried to do landscaping - I was awful at that.One time I showed my mom what I produced and she asked, “Well where are you going to put the plumbing? How are you going to run electricity?“As a kid, how was I supposed to know? I wasn’t. But, at that moment, I was given the choice to find out.You can create space for curiosity by giving people what they need to be curious - a question. And not just any question, a question that requires a journey.I never became an architect. But much of what I learned about design and drafting complimented my passion for music composition and engraving which complimented my work as a recruiter which complimented my work designing digital customer experience which complimented…You get the point.Never underestimate the value you can bringing someone by asking a generous question. The one that motivates them to start their journey.

You thought about it, you considered it from every angle, you inverted the problem, you did everything you possibly could - and you got it wrong.

It happens.

All you need to do is focus on living tomorrow a little bit better than today.That’s all we can ask of you.

That’s all you can ask of yourself.

Step back and see the world like a child - ask why and seek to understand fully.Everything is related, and everything has a function.Try to understand the big idea.“The mind of the beginner is empty, free of the habits of the expert. Such a mind is open to all possibilities and can see things as they are.In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the experts there are few.” - Shunryu Suzuki, Zen Mind, Beginner’s MindAdopt the beginner’s mindset and tap into your childlike curiosity.See yourself as an exploring mapping new lands and experiencing new ideas all the while asking, “what’s this?”

At any time, those closest to you could vanish from this existence. You too. In fact, that could be said for everything in front of us - this computer, your connection to the internet, this blog, your desk, your phone - everything.With everything’s state being subject to fate, how might you deeply enjoy yourself in the present without being anxious?Anxiousness is the friction that comes from your brain living in the future but your body lives in the present; like some 4th dimensional space-time shift that science fiction storytellers share with us.Being present is where your mind and your body are in the same temporal space - now.If all that is true, then the way to enjoy our subject-to-fate existence is to the be present - to deeply appreciate and enjoy now.How to enjoy the present?Paradoxically, acknowledge that the present could be taken from you at any time.When I tell myself that I could die at any moment, I become more focused and I become more calm. I focus hard on doing my best work.When I tell myself that the person in front of me could leave this universe at any second, I become more focused on that person. I want to be with them. I want to listen to them, seek to understand them, and share that I love them before I leave.When I sleep, I remind myself that I lived and did the best I could, and if I should wake up tomorrow I’ll do better. I find that gives me a sense of calm and relaxation before going to bed, and I wake up deeply thankful to do it again.Morbid?Realistic.Confronting our humanity and mortality is a human and realistic thing to do. When we realize that we (and our friends) are not immortal, we start to appreciate ourselves (and them) that much more.“Whatever can happen today can happen at any time.” - Seneca

Schedule 30 minutes during the day this week to do something other than work.Consider this…Humans are outside creatures.Play (read: not working or sleeping) is an important part what we get to do as humans.The most beautiful parts of our waking hours are during the day.So why not invest time during the workday to be a human? To play.What you get:Better health. Who doesn’t want better health?More productivity. Taking time to do something other than work actually allows your mind time to think! Who doesn’t want to be more productive?Total control of your world. The only thing you truly own is the present - right now. Who doesn’t want total control? (the recovering lawyers who read this blog will jump at this opportunity.)Give yourself time.

Onboarding is the process of introducing, inviting, and exposing you to something new - culture.“Hey, it’s nice to meet you, I want to invite you to find out more about how people like us do the work we do here.““Hey, we’re so glad you chose to do business with us. I want you to know how people like you order your food at places like this.““I am so glad you chose to spend time with us tonight. During this time, you get to listen to stories, enjoy music, and share the experience with the people next to you - that’s what people like us do at shows like this.“To understand culture is to understand how a group of people do and value things. For that process to happen, the new person must be exciting and committed to learning more - being curious. For that kind of curiosity to be present, there must be a guide.If you’re that guide, you have a generous responsibility.

Do you hate networking? Or do you love it?The quick and transactional “hey, how are you, who are you, what can you do for me… here’s what I can do for you… should we keep talking? Oh! Our time is up, nice to meet you.“What if there was a better way to network?What if networking was “hey, I’m Trevor, here are the questions I love to explore… are any of these questions you’re trying to answer? What questions are you thinking about?“Networking focused on “here’s what I can do for you” forces us to decide whether or not the other person can do something for us now. “I have a need now, you have what I need, let’s talk.“Versus..Networking focused on questions moves us away from transaction and into partnership. “ooh, that person is answering a question similar to the one I am trying to answer, let’s explore that together and help one another.““Oooh, I’ve answered that question before… or knew someone that had… here’s what they learned on their journey. Can I connect you?“I’m starting to think networking events could be more… they could be events where fellow travelers come together, share what journeys they’re on, and recruit fellowship for road - like Lord of the Rings, but without wizards and goblins.

I spent a few minutes today looking at games I used to play when I was younger.

As I looked at the games I played, I developed a great appreciation for my parents.

I didn’t have many “shooter” style games. Many of the games I played involved building and growing a civilization of people.

While I might not be designing cities of the future or playing the role of Caesar, I have found myself in the position of building and growing teams.