MVPs, Email Sign-Offs, and Non-Stinky Bodies.

A short, chaotic dive into the week’s random thoughts.

Ok, post numero dos equis (I can say that thanks to my 430 day streak on Duolingo #humblebrag). This week (likely going to be like every week), I’ve been juggling deep thoughts, random observations, and the ever-present chaos of parenting. Keep it short Trevor. STAY ON TARGET...

• People don’t generally go past the 1st or 2nd level of “why.” Critical thought is so... critical, but it’s easier to accept the surface-level explanation and move on than to question the deeper reasons behind something. Quick tip: A place to start is asking, “Who benefits from this?” Turns out, no one actually needs whole body deodorant, but boy are they trying.

• A book recommendation: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. This was one of those books that did a great job summarizing many general ideas and feelings I had circulating around in my head. It’s a refreshing take on how to spend your limited time wisely—without overloading yourself.
  Spoiler alert: 4,000 weeks is the typical amount of weeks we have in life.

• An MVP is NOT a polished product. It is the MINIMUM viable product. If you can prove the product using a cocktail napkin and some lipstick, you’ve done it right. Quit pretending that your initial release is an "MVP".

• I watched the OG Teen Wolf movie last week (with my young kids—don’t do that). The directing felt like a throwback to how movies aren’t made anymore (possibly for the better), and the character traits weren’t as “in your face” as in modern movies. The coach was subtly hilarious, with his 'I'm here for you, but I don't actually care' attitude. Here's a little leadership lesson for y'all: don't be Coach Finstock. Be supportive, but also be okay with challenging people. Don’t have an open-door policy and then not be available. Better yet, don’t have an open-door policy at all—actively reach out to your people instead of making them come to you.

• There’s got to be a better way to sign off emails than “Best Regards.” I need some help here, I typically sign off with "Best," but that sounds... lame?

• Say yes to shit. It’s amazing how many opportunities come from just trying something new (also: personal growth).

• Here’s an “I’m old and scared of the future which has become my present and the world continues to change and evolve around me day-by-day and it makes me grumpy and you need to get off my lawn while we still have enough water to keep it growing” take… what’s the deal with QR Code menus? Just give me a paper menu. I don’t want to pull out my phone to dig out the stupid app to then hover over your worn-out QR code to then click the link to open your menu. I know you want to collect my data (or at least I hope you are getting something out of it as the restaurant), but god damn, just hand me a piece of paper. It doesn’t even have to be nice. Hell, just point at a whiteboard and I’ll get something off there. The less I have to pull out my phone in this world the better.

• As much as I hate getting up and moving on the weekends (especially after having to do it all week to get these kids off to school so I can get some time without the screaming. Oh god the screaming. It never stops), I never regret it. Getting out for a walk, a hike, or even just NOT getting right on a screen and enjoying coffee outside is 🤌

Outro:

OK, post #2 in the BAAAAG! Two weeks in a row, not bad. Once again, thanks for actually reading this. I'm still figuring out this Substack deal. Let me know what's working and what's not! And hey, if you're a company that wants to sell me your services, you can hit me up here.

Smell ya later,

//Trevor

P.S.: If you’re curious about my consulting business or how I help build people-first workplaces with tech, check it out here: //TREVORFRY.TECH.

...oh the irony of shitting on people trying to sell me services and then publishing my own. My article, my rules, mofos!