Friday Feels: Chasing Dandelions

When you're two years old the world is your oyster.

If you want to test my assertion just go on a walk with a toddler outside anywhere.

They notice everything.

And not only do they notice everything, but they delight deeply in the things they notice.

A plane passing overhead becomes a moment to jump so that you can maybe, just maybe, hitch a ride.

A dandelion becomes an invitation to make a wish and blow til their heart's content.

Little things that we serious grown-ups take for granted they see with clear eyes.

And those clear eyes are marvelous to behold.

My daughter has something that I don't - fresh perspective.

For her all these things are brand new and they never existed before she noticed them. I'd love to crawl inside her beautiful brain and take a peak at the awesome power and inspiration she possesses, declaring the world around her to others that maybe just haven't noticed it yet.

And then I start to think of me. Boring, old me.

For me these things are mundane. Typical. Unremarkable.

And I know that neurologically speaking there is a necessity to this. My brain would be in over-drive all the time if I didn't learn to tune out what's not important so that I can focus.

Focus.

When we pull the aperture too tightly, the superfluous fades into obscurity so that our mental energy can zero in on what really matters. But I wonder if it's in the process of focusing that we actually lose perspective?

But I know that focusing is a useful skill.

Most successful people have chosen to dedicate a big portion of their life to an area of deep focus. Maybe it's a passion project, maybe it's a curiosity, but to succeed in the "real world" it often rewards the ability to focus.

But what gets lost in those blurry bits we choose to ignore?

Is there beauty, challenge, or mystery I miss because I'm so tunnel-visioned on what I think matters most?

Do I walk past the magical field of dandelions taking flight so I can spend my energy on important things - like Google Sheets?

This weekend I will pass a significant milestone of 5 years at Meta (Facebook when I joined).

And the path I've charted here has looked atypical so far.

I joined as an HR Business Partner, then raised my hand for an opportunity to lead part of Recruiting, and now I have the distinct honor of leading Performance for the company.

To say it's been a ride on a rocketship still doesn't quite capture it.

But it's also been a journey built around being open to where the dandelions could take me - and I think I'm better for it.

As an HR Business Partner I noticed that recruiting talent to help us grow was a key business challenge - and I followed that dandelion.

Years later, I noticed that helping people grow their careers and do their best work would propel our ability to succeed, so I took another deep breath and blew.

And now I'm floating on that breeze.

I've always found challenge and deep satisfaction in keeping my eyes peeled for dandelions.

It keeps me on my toes. It reminds me to stay open to wonder.

People say one of the best things about having children is that you get to relive your childhood through them. I completely agree.

But I also think that in the reliving I'm growing.

And I can't wait to see where the wind may carry me next.

Take care of each other, mi gente.

Jeremiah