Tricefalia. Reflections of a Sponge

The song says it best: “3 is a magic number. Yes it is, is a magic number.” And I say “says” in the present tense, because songs speak to us now (the very moment we listen to them). Good songs never go out of style: they endure, they evolve with new versions, they adapt.

As of today...

• at home, my family is 3: my wife, my daughter, and I

  UPDATE: at home, my family is 3: my wife and my 2 daughters

• our work was built by 3 of us (though by now we’re a bigger team... and we rock 3 eggs)
• plus I like to share 1 of my 3 passions—the most essential one, the one I couldn’t live without—music, alongside 2 traveling companions: a worldly Murcian and a Chilean with a Catalan heart, whose every year of life reads like poetry (can you tell I’m writing this post after a concert?). So, once again, we are 3.

Why “a sponge”? It’s simple: because in each of these 3 aspects (the most important in my life: ‘family, work, and leisure’, ‘home, office, and recreation’, ‘loved ones, partners, and friends’...), like a sponge, they either fill you to the brim or squeeze you dry. And also because many times people have told me I’m quite “absorbent” when it comes to those I care about—why deny it?

And since I’ve always liked seeking balance (back to songs; this time it’s Piratas reminding us that “el equilibrio es imposible”), walking (or running or jumping) the path (that’s where we learn, live, and enjoy), let’s triangulate—or, well, reflect—and apply it wherever it fits:

• Organization! And flexibility. Don’t fall into burrocracy. Chart a route and (once in a while) take a shortcut. To say “I love it when a plan comes together,” you need a plan first. Plan, organize yourself, and follow workflows (but don’t chisel anything in stone).
• Think it over 2 or even 3 times. Let go and improvise. This may sound contradictory, but I’m a lover of relativity. It depends. Analyze each scenario (faster or slower depending on the situation).
• Practice, practice, practice. Good results and good habits demand it. “Test,” “rehearse,” and “experiment”—it’s what great magicians do. And who doesn’t love a bit of magic?
• Learn to teach and teach how to learn. The secret? Listen. Sounds easy, huh? Give it a try. Listen.
• Speak up. Give others visibility, communication is key. If you only listen, information won’t flow as it should. You also have to voice your opinion to keep learning or teaching. Besides, ensuring others are clear on what you bring to the table is vital for good coordination.
• Pitch in, be supportive and understanding. When you want something you’ve never achieved before, you’re forced to do things you’ve never done, and that can cause fear, vertigo, and uncertainty—for you as well as others. Help those around you and let them help you. All for one and one for all!
• Offer to others and take what you need. Delegate, but don’t forget to do your share (and set an example). Though asking is easier than giving, the best way to nurture any relationship is to start by giving and keep striving for balance. It’s great for showcasing that “tiqui-taca.” That’s how trust gearwork runs smoothly.
• Neither black nor white, but a scale of grays. Avoid extremes, radicalism, and absolute truths. Remember that sometimes a gray can be very light or very dark, and you can’t stand between two waters forever—you have to take a stance.
• Motiva(te)—Motivate (yourself). It’s fantastic to fuel your enthusiasm and keep a steady tempo. Always encourage others to reach their goals, and place the carrot just far enough to keep you moving at the pace you desire/need.
• Have a lot of fun. What’s the point of life otherwise? And smile. Smile!

Finally, with all the humility so appreciated at Uvinum, Covertura, and home—and hoping this doesn’t sound like the usual “blah, blah, blah”—I just want to say I shared these reflections to never forget them, to always remember them. I’ve already forgotten them. Let’s read them again. :)