Welcome to this bonus episode of the Microsoft Today Podcast. Today we're stepping away from focusing on Microsoft or technology, and discussing something more along the lines of life, education, and personal development.Spiral Out, Keep Going

I've had a few of you ask about why I end each podcast with the line, "Spiral out, keep going."  The line is from a song by the band Tool, called Lateralus. I could talk about the brilliance of this album for hours, but I won't bore you with that. Here's a snippet of the lyrics, which contain the line I've been saying at the end of the episodes, which should give you some insight:

And following our will and wind, we may just go where no one's been. We'll ride the spiral to the end, and may just go where no one's been. Spiral out, keep going…

In short, it is a song (and album) about always questioning what you see, and continuing to expand your knowledge each day, by spiraling out, like a Fibonacci Spiral. I've made "Spiral out, keep going" my daily mantra for years - and I try to encourage others to do the same. Regardless of what you're passionate about, I hope that you become the best that you can with it, and never settle for mediocrity… and I equate innovation with the willingness to never settle.

The Fibonacci sequence, named after Leonardo of Pisa, is a series of numbers where, after two starting values, each number is the sum of the two previous numbers. Examples: 1+1 = 2, 1+2 = 3, 2 + 3 = 5, 3 + 5 = 8, 5 + 8 = 13

Some interesting tidbits from Tool's Lateralus:The time signature of the main riff is 9-8-8, which is the 16th step of the Fibonacci sequenceThe lyrics are sung by syllable count, in the Fibonacci sequenceThe first lyrics in the song are 1.618 minutes into the song, and 1.618 is the golden ratioFocus on What Matters and Only on What You Can Control

I have a real problem with remaining focused on things I can control, so much so that I have a VIN diagram printed out and by my desk to remind me each and every day to only focus on what both matters to me, and that I can control. I want to know ask much as I can, about everything, but I must also remain focused long enough on something to finish the task at hand.

This struggle I've found, is very common in the technology world, which is why I am sharing it now. I suffer from severe ADHD, and am constantly sidetracked by the next big thing… and it even happens when I am trying to put together episodes for this podcast. So, I thank Tool for their words of wisdom, and I try to remind myself often that: 

"Over-thinking, over-analyzing separates the body from the mind. Withering my intuition, leaving opportunities behind…"Ride the Spiral to the End

The brilliance of this song, it's composition and lyrics was documented by Phil Riehl on Twitter in a video from 2007 - that I have watched probably 1000 times over the past 12 years. I encourage you all to check out the show notes and watch the video. It is about 10 minutes long, but so worth it - even if rock music isn't your cup of tea.

Living by this mantra has truly reshaped my career and life trajectory. I refuse to be mediocre, and am always seeking to expand my horizons. I know I don't know it all, and I know I never can, but I want to, and I strive to, and that's good enough. My father gave me a piece of advice when I was much younger that helped as well, if anyone asks if you know how to do something tell them yes! You may not know how to do it now, but you have to have faith that you can figure it out.

The Fibonacci in Lateralus by Phil RiehlBack Us on Patreon

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