Twice: A Second Look at What Really Matters

Every so often, a book comes along that doesn’t just tell a story—it holds up a mirror. Mitch Albom’s Twice is one of those books. Like most of his work, it doesn’t shout lessons; it quietly whispers them. The story centers on redemption, second chances, and the simple truth that we often see life more clearly the second time around.

When I finished the final page, I sat in silence for a few moments. It wasn’t the kind of story you walk away from and say, “That was nice.” It was the kind that makes you want to call your kids, thank your spouse, and show up to work a little differently the next day.

The title—Twice—is simple but profound. It’s about living with the awareness that every day, every relationship, and every opportunity might be worth experiencing as if it were your second chance. It’s about looking again, more closely, at the things that quietly shape our lives.

Seeing People, Not Just Roles

In my work as a superintendent, I interact with hundreds of people each week—students, teachers, bus drivers, custodians, secretaries, parents, and community members. It’s easy, in the rush of responsibilities, to see people through the lens of their role: the teacher who needs a resource, the parent with a concern, the principal awaiting feedback.

But Twice reminded me that titles are a thin substitute for people. Behind every email, conversation, and complaint is a story that deserves to be seen and heard.

We often assume we’ll get another chance to express appreciation or extend grace. Yet sometimes we don’t. The book nudges us to act as if this moment is our second chance—to be fully present the first time around. That simple mindset shift changes how I try to lead.

What Would I Do Differently If Given the Chance?

That’s the question that lingers long after finishing Twice.

As a husband, there are days when the noise of work drowns out my ability to listen. As a father, there are nights when exhaustion replaces patience. And as a leader, there are moments when the urgency of tasks overshadows the importance of relationships.

If I were given a “twice” moment in each of those situations—a second go at the same conversation or interaction—what would I do differently?

I’d slow down. I’d look people in the eye longer. I’d ask more questions and make fewer assumptions. I’d remember that most of the time, people aren’t looking for perfection or position—they’re looking for presence.

Leadership isn’t just about making the right call; it’s about showing up with the right heart. That’s something Albom’s characters learn the hard way—and something I’m continually learning myself.

The Gift of Being Interrupted

One of my favorite lessons from Twice is the power of interruption. The protagonist’s life is disrupted in ways that force him to re-evaluate what he values most.

Most of us resist interruption. We crave structure and predictability. But life rarely follows our plans. The truth is, the interruptions—the phone call from a friend who needs to talk, the child who asks you to shoot hoops when you’re buried in work, the teacher who lingers after a meeting because something’s weighing on them—those are often the moments that matter most.

In leadership and in life, the interruptions are the work.

When I look back at meaningful moments in my own journey, they rarely came from the calendar blocks or the neatly checked boxes. They came from the moments I didn’t see coming—the ones that forced me to look twice and realize I was being given a chance to do something that mattered.

Twice Isn’t About Regret—It’s About Renewal

Albom doesn’t write to make readers feel guilty. He writes to help us notice what we often overlook.

To live “twice” isn’t about reliving the past—it’s about living the present with greater intention. It’s about second chances disguised as ordinary days.

Every sunrise is a quiet reminder that we get another shot—to be a better listener, to encourage someone who’s struggling, to take care of ourselves, to show appreciation before it’s too late.

We don’t always get to go back—but we always get to begin again.

A Personal Challenge

Maybe you’re already thinking about your own “twice” moments—a phone call you’ve been putting off, a conversation you need to have, or a simple “thank you” you’ve been meaning to share.

Here’s my challenge—for me as much as anyone else:Don’t wait for the second chance to act like it’s your second chance.

Look again. Listen again. Appreciate again. Because leadership—and life—aren’t measured by what we control, but by what we notice.

That’s what Twice reminded me of. And it’s a lesson worth living—at school, at home, and everywhere in between.

Who in your life deserves your “second look” today?