Life is happening now

Are you paying attention?

I was at my desk at work the other day when I saw an old friend walking by at a rapid pace, typing on his phone. He kept his head down and didn't say anything. "Joe!" I said, "I’m glad you got to see me!" He stopped, turned around, smiled, and said, "Hey Tarek, you have a good day!"

I don't mean to pick on Joe. I've been there more often than I'd like to admit. I get so focused on tackling whatever problem or project I have for the day—something I think is really important that will advance my goals—that I forget to notice the people around me.

But what if I achieve every goal but don't take the time to understand my wife's dreams? What if my daughter only remembers that "Dad worked really hard, but he never knew me." Is that the legacy I want to leave?

We don't have endless time. Not to be morbid, but at some point, your clock will run out. Brendon Burchard¹, a top-tier high-performance coach and a mentor recently said, "People are the destination." This resonated with me. I believe that I have an opportunity, actually a responsibility, to impact others in a positive way. In today’s selfish world, making others feel seen and valued is crucial. Don’t you want to be part of changing the world around you?

“People are the destination.” -Brendon Burchard

So what would be different if you took a moment to engage with people instead of waiting for a more convenient time? How might it change your perspective? If you're married or have a significant other, are you walking by your spouse and your kids focused on the task at hand, not realizing that they need something from you?

Here are three ideas for you to try this week:

1. Notice people around you. It could be the barista at Starbucks or the waiter at a restaurant. Ask them how their day is going so far. Others want to feel seen and heard.

2. Smile and make eye contact. It seems simple, and it is. Smiling creates a human connection. It makes someone feel noticed.

3. Ask a specific question. The other day, I was about to walk by a coworker and give her the same old "good!" response to her "how's it going?" question. But then I stopped myself and asked how her daughter in college was doing. As I walked away, she said, "Thank you for really asking how I'm doing." The whole encounter took less than three minutes.

Next time you're in a hurry to get somewhere, don't miss the people you're passing in the hall. Notice, smile, and ask questions. I believe it will change your day and theirs for the better.

Go out there and make a difference with people this week! Thanks for reading.

1. I use Growth Day ever day