You and I have something that we are most passionate about. It may not be a thing we learned in school, it may be an inclination we’ve always had. That thing is a thing we ought to cultivate. I’m not sure of my earliest inclinations. It might have been music; though music is not a passion. I think it was being curious about people. Decades later, I am still curious about people. It just happens that I leveraged music to pursue my passion — people. Now I have a life that is about understanding people and helping them solve their problems. What were your earliest inclinations? How have you cultivated them?

I’m attempting to read Gödel, Escher, Bach: an Eternal Golden Braid. It’s tough. I read a lot of books, but none this tough yet. Here’s the thing with reading tough books — approach them like tough problems. How do I approach tough problems? Like I approach eating anything… one bite at a time.I don’t believe in speed reading. I believe in reading to learn. If you want to learn, don’t try to go faster… instead, go deeper. One bite at a time.

Customer service is hard. On one hand, it’s about listening and empathy. But that ultimately doesn’t make a customer’s life better.On the other hand, it’s about outcomes. Did the customer get what they want? Yes? Then you’re good.On another hand, it’s about the extra mile. Listening and solve the customer’s problem and then adding a little bit more because you can. I live for that third hand — if we could just give a little more, what would it be?Magis.

I work with a team largely based in the Philippines.There are differences between how I operate and how my team operates. Is that cultural? Or are we just different people? I’ve traveled the world. I think I’ve learned that people are more or less the same — we all want someone to believe in us and be our fan. My team in the Philippines, they want to be believed in the way I want to be believed in. We’re similar like that. What’s different is not who or what we are, it’s how we are. For instance, when. I grew up I used a knife and fork. Now I use a spoon and fork to eat. Why? I watched how friends from Philippines and Indonesia ate, and now I eat how they eat. Another example. How I communicate needs and priorities may not be as nuanced as my team in the Philippines. What we need to communicate is the same, how we do it is different. I don’t believe how we do things is a result of who or what we are or need. Instead, I see it as the difference between how a group of people do things. If you want to get to know a people — group, team, family, friends in another country — watch and listen to how things are done.

The more and more I realize I don’t have it. I’m okay with that. I quite like it.How has life shown you that you know so much less than you thought? How was that experience for you?

A belief about beliefs: the most important part about a belief is not the belief, but the willingness to change the belief. My loose thinking is that a belief is only as good as it’s ability to evolve. How often are we willing to allow our beliefs to evolve? How would the world look if more people were willing to let go of closely held ideas? For the record: this belief is only held close enough to give me some sense of security, but loose enough that I can let it go if needed.

It occurred to me that many people obsess over their time. No time for this, no time for that… it also occurred to me that once we die, time no longer exists. Why obsess over something that loses its meaning once we lose our existence? It may be healthier to obsess over how we serve more and better while finding balance and peace.

Closing your eyes and getting your mind to a totally blank slate… it feels great; like I took a nap. I tried to be aware of the thoughts in my head. I only heard myself “listening.”

I have lots of gigs tomorrow. Is tonight the right night to stay up late and eat like crap? No. Today is for rest, de-stress, good and quality food. Today is for sleep. It’s for preparing my mind and my body for what will come tomorrow. Screwing over David from Tomorrow doesn’t sound like a good idea.

There is nothing better than being at the same space and at the same time with someone.