Systems & Processes

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You are not the first person ever. Odds are someone before you has done what you have been trying to do. They worked it out. Experimented. Tried over and over again. Developed a best method or practice. And now they have probably even written about it. They have shared their idea with the internet for everyone to read for free or cheap.

Why then are you trying to figure out how to do it on your own? Adapt their method to your use case. Odds are they figured out the fastest and cheapest way to do it. Plus, if you use their method, you have just freed up so much of your own time to get things done that really matter.

And if you are doing this and you are the only one who does it and it has to be done the way you do it. Then why not write it down, systemize it, and help someone else do what you are doing. There is a pretty good chance there are other people in the world trying to do what you are doing. These other people can probably use your advise and perspective on how to do what you are already doing so well.

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There and Back Again

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Last summer, I had the opportunity to transition from Real Life to Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) at the Event Center. All in all, a pretty seamless transition. Of course I was sad to leave the Real Life family whom I had become so close to over the 8 years I had been a volunteer or staff member. All in all, it was the right move to make. I genuinely believe I was taken there for a reason and I am glad to have had the opportunity to be there.

While I was there I was able to make new friends and acquaintances with so many people within SEL and the Moscow-Pullman communities as a whole. I am so glad to have these new relationships. I am glad to have been a part of an organization wholly dedicated to producing quality products for their customers and continuing to be a staple of the community not only only on the Palouse and the Lewis-Clark Valley but all over the world. SEL is truly dedicated to making power safer, more reliable, and more economical.

After forty weeks, three weeks, and three days I have returned to Real Life to join the staff again as a part of the Creative Arts Team. I have been developing the way we plan and prepare for Sunday Mornings, our larger events, and finding and sharing the stories of God working in people’s lives within Real Life.

My time at SEL was not the best of times for a variety of reasons. I cannot speak to the parts of it that were not my responsibility but I can speak to the parts for which I know I am responsible. And there is no doubt I had a role to play in my time at SEL.

The biggest personal change I experienced is being knocked down a few notches. Going into SEL, I was very full of myself. I had grown and developed far beyond where I had started.

And

I

Knew

It

I left Real Life with an axe to grind, a chip on my shoulder, and my nose turned up at the world. My experience at SEL reminded me of who I am. I am a member of the cast of life, not the star of the show.

I learned several lessons in my time at SEL. I hope to lose none of them. But this one lesson I hope will never leave me personally. I do not know that I could ever teach someone the experience I received in developing my humility. My humility will now and forever be the best tool I have in learning from others, loving those who matter, and leading those who I am so fortunate to lead.

Humbly,

–JT

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Shipping

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When I drop something off with the USPS or UPS or FedEx. They take it and immediately start moving it towards the intended destination as fast as they should. They do not have the option to sit on it or wait. They have been given my parcel to be delivered and they have the responsibility of getting it there.

Similarly, when I have an idea, passion, or solution. I have the responsibility to take it to the logical end. I cannot sit on it and rob the world of the idea and keep it from helping others or implementing it into a system. These ideas are meant to better the world around me. I have to let them out and help everyone else I can.

My friends.

My coworkers.

My family.

I have to put my ideas out there otherwise I am robbing other people of the better life I can help them have. The better life I could have. All because I shipped my idea and did not sit on it anymore. Not that my ideas are the key to success, but they are a step in the journey.

What ideas are you holding back from implementing? For yourself and others, what problems and solutions do you see? Who can help you ship more of your ideas?

Shipping,

–JT

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Enough

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I like to bounce around with new ideas. I have quite a bit of fun sprouting ideas no matter how real or unreal they are. I like iterating and innovating on existing structures and blending together tools and resources to see something new come to fruition.

One space I am creative in far too often is my relationships with other people. I create stories for people. I create reasons for people. I invent ideas for people. Motivations for others. I fill in the gaps.

When I fill the gaps, my materials range from the biographical to the fictional.

Far too often I fill in the gaps for other people. Sometimes, I literally fill in the gaps by finishing someone’s sentence for them. Most often, I fill in the gaps with a story. Usually the story assumes a positive light or at least a neutral motivation. Only in a few cases do I frequently assume a negative motivation.

Ultimately, they are all wrong. They all fill in holes I am not meant to have. In short, I must fill in the gaps with the truth. If I truly care about the story or motivation I need to investigate the source and use the source material to explain the reasons behind happening. The more I invent, the farther from reality I land.

Truly, my creative curse is knowing when to stop. When to stop creating stories and ideas. When to wait for the truth.

Where do you make up stories? Where do you create when you should wait? When do you work when you should be resting?

Waiting,

–JT

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Contributing

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Whenever I look at ancient architecture, I have to almost physically stop my self and remember someone built this building. Someone sat down, laid out a plan and decided to build this building. They decided it best for this series of bricks, carved stone, or pour blocks to go where they are.

I can look at the modern civilization around the ancient architecture and see this building is completely out of place. It no longer belongs, but once upon a time, it was exactly where it needed to be for the purpose it was made.

It was made where it was made for a reason.

For the construction no longer standing, it had a purpose but it did not stand the test of time. Whether the materials gave out, mother nature had her way, or war took its toll. The building is no more.

Today, I can see modern society, government, and the culture. They have all been placed where they are for a reason. They were all created with a purpose. I use all of them regularly.

However, I have to be prepared to contribute to them if I expect to ever see them change for the better. I have to be willing to throw in my two cents or I will forever be a silent victim of their demise.

How are you working to make the structures you are a part of better? What are you doing to add to positive forward progress? How are you making the people around you better?

Contributing,

–JT

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Attitude Indicator

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I recently learned about the attitude indicator from an episode [Apple Podcast | Web] of The Art of Manliness podcast by Brett McKay (Art of Manliness with Les Parrot.

One of the points Les makes in the episode is about Attitude Indicators. In flight, they reference the plane’s orientation with the horizon.

In life, they reference my orientation with the people around me, the events around me, and my reaction to my life’s circumstances.

A few of my Attitude Indicators:

Willingness to take responsibility for my successes…and failures.

Ability to take constructive criticism.

Ability to give constructive criticism.

Willingness to join in a conversation.

Willingness to help others.

What are you Attitude Indicators? What does it look like for you to have a good attitude? What does it look like for you to have a bad attitude?

Indicating,

–JT

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My Own Press

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My biggest problem with listening to the people who know me best is not that they tear me down. It is that they build me up. I need to be built up. I need their help. I need the help of my friends to help me keep up my self-esteem. And to be the yin to the proverbial yang, I also need to not get so caught up in what my friends think of me that I forget who I am.

I need to keep my head down and keep working hard. I cannot let my friends’ perspective steer me off course to be more self-important than I really am.

I am no more than my friends say I am. I do not exist to please my friends. But I am only as good as they say I am. No more. No less.

Believing I am more than my friends say I am will only lead me to live in the illusion of fame, the busyness of too much to do, and the arrogance to make mistakes.

What does arrogance lead you to? Where are you developing pride? Where do you need to be taken down a notch?

Humbly,

–JT

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Speaking of.

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I have a really hard time having difficult conversations. Giving negative feedback to people makes my guts churn, pulse weaken, and knees weak. I think I would rather go to the dentist than have to give someone negative feedback.

The reality is, the times I have given negative feedback to people are the times I can point to with absolute certainty that I have grown, stretched and become a better version of me.

Here I go again. I need to grow up [again] and give feedback where feedback is due.

How do you do with hard conversations? Who do you need to have a hard conversation with?

Growing,

–JT

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The System

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Having recently had the opportunity to celebrate the American Daylight Saving time and knowing the majority of the rest of the world had now had the opportunity to also catch up and join us in our time change of productivity. ( A great explanation if you did not know different parts of the world celebrate DST at different times.)

This only rekindles my eternal loathing for the semiannual holiday. My seething subsides a little more with each passing year as I have fewer and fewer clocks to change. I think at this point, there are only four clocks I have to update manually. However, how many lost hours of productivity have been lost to the time change negatively affecting people because they forgot and showed up to work late? Or how about how many hours have been spent wasting time communicating this archaic tradition to help people not forget? Or what about the opportunity we all have to change our clocks? I doubt there has been any time lost to changing clocks every year.

Truly, what upsets me most is best summed up by Admiral Grace Hopper, “The most dangerous phrase in the language is, ‘We’ve always done it this way.’” (An amazing woman to say the least. We a great deal to her in regards to modern computing languages and software development if you do not already know of her, you should get to know her.)

There are very few methods, systems, or processes that last forever. I have a pretty good system for brewing my french press at work. However, it is not perfect and will not last forever. Maybe my taste will change or my preferences will change on the flavor, style, or strength of my coffee. Similarly, Daylight Saving Time was once very necessary for generations built on sunlight, productivity, and manufacturing. As we now deviate from these ancient systems, it is time for us to update our clocks for the last time.

Similarly, as I grow and mature, it is time for me to take a look at the systems and processes in my own life and develop them. Mature them. Bring them up to speed with where I am at in life.

What processes are you using without question? What systems are outdated that you use regularly? What long overdue process do you need to institute?

Intentionally,

–JT

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Loft Foothills

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As I sit in the lofty foothills of the almighty Rocky Mountains, I can sit and watch, slacktivist, and react to what goes on across America. I can project theoretical ideas, offer commentary, and make posters. But I have to come up with an ignition to the catalyst before I can expect to make a difference.

I refuse to fight fire with fire. I have had 2nd degree burns before and I do not wish that on anyone. The way to fight against those I do not agree is to stand up with love and peace. For me, the difference worth making is love. The difference I can make in the world is through peace.

Love

Peace

The reason I know the work of Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Ghandi, Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela, and Pope Francis is because they are all agents of peace. They want peace through peace because peace always wins.

I might look at the current social political landscape and see only hate and anger. I might feel like all my friends do on Facebook is argue. I might only hear from news outlets about how bad things are all over the world.

But I am not responsible for all these people. I am responsible for my actions and bringing love and peace to the world around me. I have tools such as a smile to a cashier who is having a rough day, helping a coworker who can’t seem to figure something out, and choosing to be a light more often than anything else.

What are the little things you can do to bring love and peace to the world around you? What are peaceful ways you can stand up to the negativity you encounter? How you can you bring joy to the lives of others?

Peacefully,

–JT

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Same Team

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When I get frustrated with people, I will start trying to explain why they did what they did or what their motivations are. I do not know their motivations for sure, I do not know what they are thinking for sure, I am not in their head. However, I am trying to assume I can get in their head.

I forget they are very different people than I am. They see the world through a different lens than I do. I forget they have very different life experiences than I do. I start to attribute my made up motives as their actual motives. Over time it goes from me trying to make it ok for them to have done something I dislike to their malicious intent.

The story I start telling myself is they are out to get me and we are not on the same team. I start to set myself against them because of the story in my head. I start to think they are colluding with the system to get rid of me and I forget.

I forget we are on the same team.

We are on the same team.

When I am on the same team as someone else, I am interested in their wellbeing. I have to stop telling myself the unhealthy stories and start having the hard conversations and working together.

Who are you telling stories about in your head? When was the last time you presented them with these stories? How can you work with these people you are frustrated with to get to the bottom of the stories you are telling yourself?

Truthfully,

–JT

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Organizations

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I have historically tried to rely on systems and organizations as a safety net and avenue for success in my life.

There is nothing wrong with trusting organizations. But they are not here for my success. They have a limited scope of use and value and I am not at the core of their purpose. My ability to succeed is largely built on my actions and my own ability to make choices in line with my values and priorities.

My ability to make these good choices and succeed is going to be heavily influenced by the people in my life. The social systems and organization I build around myself.

Bringing these people into my life is as much about their success as it is my own. I am not bringing people into my life to only make me better. I am also joining with their social systems and organization to make them a more successful person. More importantly, when I join into their system with their success at the core of my decision making process. They will succeed and I will succeed.

Who’s social structure are you joining? Who are you trying to help succeed? Who are you bringing into your social structure?

Structuring,

–JT

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Different Cries

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My son has different cries. One cry is all about needing food. Another cry is telling me he has a loaded diaper. A third cry is his call to be held. And still, another cry is all about him just being fussy and angry for little to no reason at all.

Learning these cries has taken me pretty much his whole life. These cries are all symptoms of the issue they represent. They are probably indistinguishable to other people and sound only like a baby crying. Annoying. And crying.

What I am now considering is how I too have symptoms. When I am hungry, I get grumpy and short tempered. When I am tired, I become frustrated and apathetic. To everyone else, I am unpleasant to be around and a nuisance.

The only difference between my symptoms and his symptoms is about 30.5 years.

The only difference between my symptoms and the symptoms of the people I see around me is understanding. I understand and know my symptoms. I do not know the symptoms of my neighbor, their nuance, and their meanings.

When my symptoms start showing, I need to take a deep breath, pause, and remember how my symptoms can hurt the people around me.

What are your symptoms? Who helps you stay in check? How do your symptoms affect the people around you?

Symptomatically,

–JT

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Wrestling Elephants

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When my son is on the verge of falling asleep in the afternoons, he will fight it. He will fight it so hard. He will pull his wubanub (wub) out of his mouth over an over again.

Every time he pulls the wub out of his mouth, he wakes himself up. When he wakes up, he fusses hard core because he is grumpy. He is grumpy because he is tired. We will put the wub back into his mouth and then he will start to doze off and then he will realize he is dozing off and fight it, flail, pull out the wub. Then we start the battle all over again.

The issue is, he needs to sleep.

He.

Needs.

To.

Sleep.

He is wrestling his little elephant and he keeps wrestling it despite the obvious benefits it will bring into his life.

However, how often am I any different? How often do I not do something I desperately need despite my personal preference in the moment? How do I react when my friends try to give me a tool to help me grow? Do I accept it or fight it off?

They are obviously giving me this advice because I need it. Why do I take my time accepting it?

How often do I handicap myself by pushing away what I need because I am grumpy, afraid of the change, or being selfish?

What are you not doing because you are afraid of the change? What crutch are you pulling away because of the change it will bring? Who are the people in your life you trust to give you the tools you need to succeed in the moments you want them least?

Wrestling,

–JT

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Busy

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I do not know for sure if this actually came from Eugene Peterson or not. But this Twitter account claims it as his.

No matter where you stand on pace, speed, and to do lists. I think the illusion of busyness is a symptom of a disease. For me, the disease is a lack of self control. When I am, “too busy.” I am actually saying my schedule owns me and I am taking the time to organize and prioritize my tasks. I am letting my time be ruled by external unimportant to do lists and tasks rather than my priorities.

I always have time for my priorities. It is the moment when I let non-priorities take over when I am sick with busyness.

What does busyness look like for you? What does it mean when you are too busy? What are your priorities?

Prioritizing,

–JT

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Goals

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During 2016 I tried to focus on three main goals in everything I did. I described these things as Grit, Push, and Vision.

Grit, or sticking with something longer than I wanted to stick with them.

Push, pressing through the barriers and roadblocks I encounter in life.

Vision, developing some sort of direction or goals for myself.

I would probably give myself a 3 out of 5 on these. I tried, did not master anything, but definitely showed up. I am pretty sure I am being generous saying 3 out of 5 at that.

However, I learned from them. Vision brought me a sense of knowing what success would look like. I have no idea what I am trying to accomplish unless I have a vision for what success looks like.

I will not succeed unless I push through the barriers I encounter.

I will never accomplish anything unless I keep following my processes even when I do not feel like it.

It took me writing it out to realize ‘push’ and ‘grit’ are the same thing. I guess I should have written out my vision for what each of those mean. sigh

However, 2017 is a new year.

2017 is a year to actually take ground.

The year I write down what my vision is, define what push means, and really reflect on what a third goal would be if there is one.

Where are you trying to grow? How are you trying to develop yourself? How will you know if you are successful in developing in these areas? Who is going to help you grow in these areas?

Clarifying,

–JT

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Unmistakeably

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I hate facing down my mistakes. I recognize that I make mistakes, but I hate facing them. I hate talking about them. I hate looking at them, thinking about them, or event mentioning a specific.

I cannot stand when other people suffer because of my mistakes. I loath the moments when other people have to clean up after me. I almost convulse thinking of the times when people have seen me at my lowest moments.

Being so repulsed by my mistakes has led to me not owning my own mistakes when someone else finds my mistakes or admitting my mistakes before someone else finds them. I try to minimize, explain, and transfer responsibility.

None of which is any good for anyone.

All of it waste my time and the time of others.

I am going to do better at finding and taking full responsibility of my mistakes.

How are you at finding your mistakes? How do you do at taking responsibility for your mistakes?

Unmistakably,

–JT

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My Sunday Best

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I like to think I do my best. Whether I am washing the dishes, tying my shoes, or driving down the road. I am doing my best. But I haven't ever asked myself of what it means to do my best.

Up till now, my best has been showing up and doing whatever it is I am here to do. My best has never involved much preparation. My best has only been what I have at the moment, trying a little bit, then coasting the rest of the way through on whatever I could do in the moment.

Most everything I have done is hardly an example of my best.

My best has been attendance with effort.

My best involves preparation.

My best involves planning.

I have been doing myself and others a complete disservice.

I can do better.

Up till now, I have been doing my best from the perspective I had at the time. Now I have a new perspective and a new responsibility to do my best with my new perspective. Doing my best now requires I am ready to do my best in the moment because I have prepared myself to do better than I have done before.

Like a musician practicing for their great performance, they do not show up on concert day and kill it by accident, it is only because of their hard work and preparation.

What does doing your best look like right now? How can you improve your best? Who can help you improve your best?

Preparing,

–JT

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Scary Hard

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Some time ago, I decided I was an excellent second. I mean, who is Robin Hood without Little John? Or Hook without Schmee? How about Jobs without Woz? Maybe even King Arthur without Merlin?

Do any of these people really succeed without their second in commands?

The other day, I was doing dishes recently and realized I was using this as a crutch. I was not having hard conversations because I was a second. I was allowing myself to not take the lead in my own life because I was the second. I was letting the “firsts” push me out of the way.

Not literally.

Literally, I have been thinking of very smart ideas and then saying, “That will never work.”

Or I have been thinking of the right moves to make and disqualifying myself before I even twitch in the right direction.

I am not an arrogant person. When I say, ‘…very smart ideas.’ I mean something like, having my car looked at when it is acting a little weird. A real genius idea…right!?

No sooner than I thought of this idea had I talked myself out of it because it could never work.

I bought into a lie about who I am. I sold myself short because of a mental spasm to a good idea. I canceled my own ability to succeed.

Pretty much the only reason I can come up with for why it is so easy to talk myself out of these ideas is fear.

Fear of failure.

Fear of doing it wrong.

Fear of letting other people down.

Fear of the unknown.

However, whether I am a first, a second, or a ten millionth. No position allows me the right to not do my part, try things I am afraid of doing, and push my own limits.

I think I am very comfortable. I am too comfortable.

How do you sell yourself short? Where are you too comfortable? Where do you stop yourself from doing things you’re afraid of doing?

Uncomfortably,

–JT

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Another Way

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Martin Luther King Jr. was a very prolific man. He inspired change without violence or riots. He shaped the face of equality and carried the flag of equality. He did all this without firing a shot.

He is one of the reasons I will never support a message of hate or rioting to cause change in America.

He showed us that despite the need for radical and immense change, it doesn’t take a gun or rocket. It takes the courage to believe in the human beings on the other side of the line from me. It takes me believing they are capable of change, progress, growth, and prosperity in a world where we work together.

A message we need to remember in this political climate.

We are a bunch of people all trying our best to do what we think is right.

How are you doing at treating the people across the line from you as real people trying to do what they think is right? What are you modeling for your friends, children, and coworkers?

Peacefully,

–JT

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