Growing up, I was always fascinated by mechanical devices and how machines operated. Once allowed to use my father’s tools, I spent more time taking toys apart and reassembling them or retrofitting them into hybrid versions of themselves than just playing with the actual toy. This curiosity followed me into adulthood, as I have forged a career out of designing technical solutions.

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Working in the field of Energy Technology and Software Automation, I have spent years finding ways to optimize the design and operation of electrical, mechanical, and software systems for complex buildings and critical infrastructure. While exploring these engineering efficiencies, I found the common denominator for successful projects was less about the design and more about the people responsible for managing the installation. I didn’t understand this initially, instead, I would credit great design documents and robust product offerings. Soon, I discovered the reality that the right team could solve for any flawed design or missing products.

 

Despite all the engineering documentation, construction planning, technical narratives, and installation guides, the one missing component never considered on paper was the individual personalities of those responsible for installing and operating these latest technologies. Throughout this process, there are thousands of man-hours participating in logistical coordination and systems integrations. The human interactions required to achieve these goals are exhaustive and highly stressful at times. This is where I began to recognize that an ability to communicate and articulate complex messaging for various audiences actually held as much, if not more value than any of my technical product knowledge. 

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Typically, I tend to apply a positive attitude during adverse situations, which is often the case in this line of business. In doing so, I not only gained success in my career but also noticed consistent patterns in people during high-stress situations. I found there was a distinct correlation between the quality of efficient communication and perceived stress levels. So, I began exploring how I could possibly improve participant morale within these environments, regardless of role or responsibility. My concept was fundamental; by fostering the emotional and psychological well-being of individuals, I hoped to help them control and communicate their thoughts more clearly. Simple enough, I ambitiously imagined, but where to begin…

 

Stepping back a moment, in hindsight, I started to develop this research during college at Northeastern University (Boston, MA). Blessed with a football scholarship, my coaches put education first and promoted players to take all the classes we desired. Without a definitive direction, I figured I’d explore multiple fields in the hope of finding a true passion. Engineering was the logical choice, but it felt too familiar having grown up in a construction household. I chose a university in the city because I grew up in a rural country setting and decided college was where I could experience new things. With ambitions to improve the legal system, as well as help people overcome financial challenges, I chose Criminal Justice and Business as my two main academic focuses.​

 

I was fortunate to have access to great professors with lifetimes of experience in law, finance, psychology, philosophy, politics, and communications, all of which I thoroughly enjoyed studying. These areas of learning began to pique my interest in neuroscience, behavioral science, and general thinking on how we make decisions, especially in times of adversity.

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Through college co-op programs and research assignments, I gained valuable exposure to some of the harsh environments we face in society. This led to my employment with a local Sheriff’s Department, where I completed a five-month deputy academy and worked for a year in the field of corrections. Drawing from my personal case work, I can recall instances that tested my abilities as a human far beyond that of occupational requirements. The misconception that our titles or responsibilities supersede our human nature is a burden we all face throughout our lives. Luckily, we’re also equipped with the mental capacity to manage this burden and adapt quickly to our environment. The downfall of this reality is that we can fall prey to our own competencies if not able to recognize the stress signals, which take a toll on the body.   

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During this time, I discovered much about the criminal justice system and the processes we have in place to help those incarcerated work toward reform. The challenges faced are deep-rooted and not easily remedied. Naturally, technology is helping, but even that poses a series of new threats. With no simple solutions and ongoing budget constraints, the social gap widens as correctional programs scramble to keep up with demand. The growing disparity between those with a criminal history and those without paints a stark picture for the likelihood to gain a second chance.

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This concept of correcting the curve on reoffending prompted me to work with different age groups to explore recidivism rates between Juveniles and adults. Youths under seventeen years old have more than a 70% chance of reoffending and landing in higher security-level facilities. Once integrated with adult corrections centers, the tide shifts greatly against young offenders. Survival instincts compel us to win the approval of our crowd. In this case, much of the crowd preys on its newcomers. Clearly, this poses many challenges for all associated parties, including the corrections department tasked with the innate responsibility to fix the problem.

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Perhaps the most compelling factor I found when speaking to those incarcerated was the psychology in which offenders, young or old, wished to be viewed (specifically accepted). Regardless of charges, time served, age, or ethnicity, everyone has their own story. These stories are sure to evolve over time, but originate within the mind of the narrator. If we compare recidivism to a fire that can quickly spread, these stories are the fuel, amplifying the burn with an elusive web of tales that ignites the systemic spread of information. Those who enter are immediately exposed to many personalities possessing both fact-based and synthetic narratives crafted by their surroundings. This is not to say all narratives are negative; in fact, many find direction and peace through this process. I believe this was a pivotal point for my personal learning as I saw many similarities between myself and those I studied, gaining a newfound appreciation for my own narrative and willingness to make choices in life that preserved my freedoms. Exposure to the corrections system might be one of the most pronounced social experiments we maintain in our society, and one that compelled my fascination deeper into the human mind.

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Little prepares us for the polarizing shift in freedom when incarcerated. Navigating how the human mind endures this highly stressful transition is almost inconceivable, but remarkably, the brain finds a way to process. Wellness programs provided at this time are crucial, but with almost two million people incarcerated in the US alone, it raises questions about program success.

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Reflecting deeper, I looked inward at what motivates and drives purpose within my own mind. With the accountability to seek more out of life, I constantly tried to find balance by grounding my thought process in the present. Not an easy task for an otherwise hyper-ambitious person in their early 20s. Here, I can attribute my honest behaviors to my education, and knowledge that brain development continues into our early 30s. With a heightened awareness to take charge of my actions, I applied similar financial governance to maintain a sustainable personal budget. I didn’t understand at the time, but looking back, I was effectively mitigating risk factors to allow for a proactive exploration of my future.

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Knowing I craved creative thinking and ambitious goals with conservative financial practice, I set out to find a career path that may satisfy these requirements. Through a series of trials, errors, and calculated decisions based on all the above, I landed in the field of Energy Technology. I could never have imagined where this industry would take me. At first blush, it was an opportunity to learn construction management along with hardware and software for mechanical and electrical systems. Little did I realize the electrical revolution that was underway and how many new opportunities would lie ahead.

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To my surprise, the opportunities exceeded the realm of technology at face value. Along with the technical training and field experience, a larger effort was at stake. I found myself in a position to help shape the minds and attitudes of our industry's best and brightest in the adoption of these innovative solutions, simply by communicating differently. While cultivating the messaging required to simplify complex digital technologies to a wide range of audiences, I drew a similar design parallel in neuroscience. Just as we design buildings and infrastructure to connect hardware and software for automated response, we as humans are wired over time to connect thoughts and actions through a series of electrical communications between neurons in the brain.

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Intricate mappings of neurological pathways and cellular mechanisms evolve over time to produce a mature adult brain. The fact that we have the capability to shape this process and determine much of who we become has captivated my attention since first learning of this science. Yet, I had ignored my true understanding of what was possible until realizing, I needed to be more attentive to the actions of others, not just my own. Where our surroundings greatly impact our cognitive learning, we must be vigilant in that regard. This is when everything clicked. I knew my framework for thinking was coachable, as I had deliberately been practicing these techniques based on my findings and personal improvements. Suddenly, I began to believe in my ability to convey a comprehensive message to help others gain a similar understanding of their own mental and physical abilities.

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I started by making a conscious effort to pay closer attention to verbal and non-verbal cues when in social settings with colleagues, friends, and family. Interestingly enough, the tell-tale signs began to present, and now, actively looking, the signals were more evident. Equipped with this newfound sense of awareness, I was able to readily detect causes for concern. I developed an aptitude to tactfully inquire about an individual’s state of being. A simple question, a show of compassion, or even a subtle non-verbal gesture can make all the difference in allowing people to open up and communicate differently. These actions would often spark deeper discussions, which led to an eye-opening realization. In my conscious effort to recognize others and learn more about their needs, I learned much about myself as well. There is truth in that we learn more from others, and that a watchful eye can avoid danger. 

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What I observed is what we would typically expect: high stress, fatigue, burnout, and bad habits leading to poor life choices. I found terms, such as depression and anxiety, used loosely or out of context. Understanding what causes or defines these disorders is paramount for identifying them and seeking proper treatment. Furthermore, it has been determined that depression is typically predicated on worries of the past, whereas anxiety stems from fear of the future. There is a distinct difference to be aware of here, and it’s important to note when these terms are misused or misrepresented. Regardless, these terms should be recognized as a trigger, and appropriate attention should be given when one presents them.​

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This is a brief example of the bigger picture, but it soon provided evidence validating my findings and prompted further research. It's clear that the more education we gain on these topics (our overall mental state and abilities), the better we can look out for ourselves and subsequently those around us. By tracking my typical routine and noting stressful situations that arose, I focused on maintaining a deliberate approach. Step one: do my best to maintain control in these moments. Step two: document the stressful occurrence. Step three: Identify what was similar or different to other stressful environments. I didn't focus on the solutions at this time, only the thought process. This allowed me to identify how often I and or those around me were exposed to daily stress factors and draw any possible parallels. Some may say that I handle stress well and keep calm, and I believe that I do… until I don’t.​

 

• Independent of this period of study, I want to share that I went on to experience severe anxiety and panic attacks after the age of 34 years old due to a shellfish allergy acquired later in life.  Having gone into anaphylaxis on multiple occasions including instances of cross-contamination, this threat impacted my ability to eat in public for quite a while until I was able to condition my mind to accept the new normal. A truly humbling experience, but grateful to have survived these events and gained a completely new appreciation for my own mental preparedness. For more on this, the story of how I met my wife is nothing short of a miracle. Not only was she willing to date me, but she saved my life as I discovered this allergy in her presence.

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We all experience setbacks and or weaknesses, but with proper planning, we can better prepare for these challenges when they arise. For the first time in my life, I stopped focusing on how I can accomplish the things I do and started focusing on why I do them. This type of self-reflection can seem scary at times because we don’t always want to understand our motives or admit our fears. However, being honest with ourselves is imperative to formulate a plan for our future, and once accomplished, it provides the structure we often lack.​

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In lieu of this self-discovery, I expanded on my prior education and perceived knowledge of these psychological and philosophical topics. With the intent to better understand the human mind, I have researched a wide array of works and studies spanning from the latest clinical science data to narratives derived from biblical times. The general consensus would agree that we, as emotional beings, have a strong susceptibility to falling prey to cyclical stress and anxiety traps.​

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Inversely, the conclusion is not to shelter but rather to expand our mental capacity by using a variety of healthy techniques. This reasoning made sense to me, as it felt seemingly familiar with my current practice, but there was clearly much I had yet to learn. Recognizing the fact that we can do things without even knowing why we do them has compelled me to not only think deeper but to also visualize this process of how we think. Gaining clarity on my own mental outlook allowed complex concepts to take on a more simplistic form. I do not proclaim to be an expert on all matters psychological and neurological, nor do I have a doctoral degree to speak from, but I am an expert in processing and communicating information clearly for optimal performance gain.​

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Understanding how this informed viewpoint has improved my life personally, I developed a comprehensive way to communicate the messaging to help others and hopefully make a positive impact on their lives as well. I'm excited and energized to collectively build upon the knowledge that surrounds us and improve our way of thinking. As we better understand how we as individuals operate, we can improve our process of reaching endless possibilities. The goal is simple: decide we’re capable, and then take the actions required to achieve our dreams.​

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As people, we are motivated by what we need, what makes us happy, and what we want (typically in that order). When these priorities become rearranged, we may find ourselves feeling out of balance or losing control of routine tasks. We are empowered by what we are good at, what makes us feel important, and, of course, what brings us a sense of achievement. However, getting there isn’t easy- it requires the commitment to maintain the right mindset. Naturally, we all must learn some lessons the hard way in life, but what if we could minimize them? This notion of reverse engineering tasks and finding efficient means of operation has been my life’s curiosity and inevitably brought me to develop the program 'T.E.A.M. Mentality™'.​
 

T.E.A.M. Mentality is based on a philosophy of simplifying the complex to gain a greater understanding of how we think and operate. My goal is to help others discover the raw power we all possess, the power achieved through one's mindset. More than just a saying, there is science-backed evidence that shows how thinking patterns impact performance. This science is the basis of our program and the inspiration behind the T.E.A.M. Mind Map ©. Without strong cognitive awareness, we risk never reaching our true potential. The brain is infinitely perplexing, but when categorized into more manageable segments and terms, we begin to unlock the mystery behind why we do anything.​

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Our path is unpredictable, but by making good decisions in the present, we improve the chances greatly for guiding our future in a positive direction. Reducing the fear of the unknown or failures opens a world of opportunity. I am passionate about helping others, and I find great value in the lessons we learn from working together. As iron sharpens iron, we as people collectively sharpen one another by supporting each other's strengths and weaknesses.

 

Similarly, we operate more effectively when allowed to think collaboratively as well. Neuroscience shows us where areas of the brain excite and respond given sensory signals received. These signals then lead to chain reactions, lighting up more areas of the brain as they collectively ignite in response to the sensory inputs presented. The awareness of such neurological activity should prompt us to think differently about this purposeful share of data taking place. As we better understand how and why this happens, we can begin to harness our thought process and improve our mindset, much like the improved performance experienced by sharing knowledge across a Team.​

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For those who feel they may not work well in groups, it's worth considering how the mind is already working as a team every day. Multitasking, choosing between skillsets, adjusting personality traits based on audience, and calling upon stored or current sensory inputs are all examples of where the brain shares data across segments to determine best practices at all times. Consistency in following best practices will provide us the ability to achieve the greatest version of ourselves. In return, we become stronger teammates to our peers and collectively will do amazing things, starting with properly respecting each other’s thoughts and opinions.​ T.E.A.M. Mentality is a program that has been designed to open minds and heighten self-awareness. Please join us in building weaknesses into strengths and strengths into talents. Are you ready to discover the power of your mindset?

“Our mindset is what we make of it, everyone has the power to choose greatness, it starts the moment you believe you’re great” – Justin Simmons