PERSONAL NOTE

I think most of you know that I am an avid auto racing fan.  NASCAR recently announced that they will have a race on Father's Day weekend next year at the North Island Naval Air Base in Coronado.  This is the first time a race has ever been held in the San Diego area.  While it will be only 10 miles from my house, I will be staying on the island that weekend because since it's an island the traffic would be horrific.    I want to give a shout out to my dear friend, Jacob, who was the inspiration for this month's topic on being more aware and less self-absorbed. 

ARTICLE

Being Aware Can Make an Impact

Have you ever been so focused on your own to-do list that you missed a moment to connect, support, or simply notice someone around you?

It happens to all of us. Life gets busy, our mental checklists take over, and without realizing it, we start operating in our own little bubbles — eyes down, thoughts racing, and awareness narrowed to just what’s right in front of us.

But what if lifting our heads — taking off those invisible blinders — could lead to something more? A better relationship. A new opportunity. A moment that matters to someone else (and just might come back around to bless us too).

Becoming more aware of our surroundings — and the people in them — isn’t just about courtesy or mindfulness. It’s about making space for connection, insight, and possibility.

Here are a few ways to practice expanding your awareness this month:

• Pause before reacting. Whether it’s a comment from a family member or a frustrating email at work, take a breath. Ask yourself, “What else might be going on for them right now?” This small act can shift your whole approach.
• Look up and around. At the store, in a waiting room, or on a walk — make a point to notice others. Who looks like they could use a smile or kind word? Who might be quietly doing something remarkable?
• Practice “micro-consideration.” Hold the door, let someone merge in traffic, ask how someone’s day is going — not out of obligation, but as a simple habit of seeing people.
• Be curious, not rushed. The next time you’re tempted to power through a conversation, slow down. Ask one extra question. Listen for something they’re not saying directly.
• Check your ripple. Consider how your actions — even the small ones — ripple out to others. Are you leaving people feeling uplifted, ignored, respected, or hurried?
• Create space for others to shine. In team meetings or family gatherings, notice who’s always speaking… and who’s rarely heard. Making room for others often invites surprising insights and new opportunities.
• Shift from autopilot to intentional. If you find yourself zoning out in a routine setting — driving to work, making dinner, sitting in a meeting — challenge yourself to notice five new things. What’s different today? Who needs a kind glance?
• Ask, “Who else is affected?” Before making a decision — even a small one — pause and ask, “How will this affect the people around me?” This habit builds empathy, better choices, and deeper trust.

The truth is that awareness is a choice — and a powerful one. It can turn a stressful interaction into a meaningful conversation. A quiet moment into a moment of connection. A regular day into one filled with tiny, fulfilling wins.

This month, try taking the blinders off — just a little. See what shifts when you step outside your own perspective and into a fuller awareness of the world around you. You might be surprised at what (and who) you notice. 

COOL RESOURCE

As a gift to you I created a short Awareness Challenge that you can do by yourself or with a friend comparing things you noticed at the end.  Enjoy it and let me know what you discovered. 

 Your Awareness Challenge   

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Stay safe, healthy, and happy!

Coach Jan