You can hear the symphony

I just looked up… It’s 10:05 AM, Friday, January 16th.

For the past three months, I've been deep in the development of a dream. My routine: unfiltered morning sunlight with the dog, a single espresso, then a blur of "fugue state" work in my tiny office. Dinner with the fam, a few more follow-ups, then repeat.

I encountered countless “this can’t be done” moments. They were all obliterated.

My first public recognition was in 6th grade when my teachers voted me “best listener.” At the time, it was embarrassing, everyone else was winning awards for football or basketball. But my wife talks about superpowers, and it turns out listening actually is one.

Actually listening before speaking.

I’m the person who doesn’t mind the silence in a meeting. While others rush to fill the gap, I use that time to reflect on what was just said and what it really means.

Over the past few decades, I’ve been listening. What works and what doesn’t, how to get things done, and what makes a great team tick. These past few months, I finally stopped over-analyzing. I trusted my instincts and followed the more difficult, rewarding path.

This week has been another uphill slog. At times, it was almost demoralizing. But then comes the test, and everything finally clicks.

You can hear the symphony for the first time.

Damn, this is good.