Hey there Reader You know that quiet satisfaction of making your bed in the morning? A small, delightful moment of passing smugness, because you got the simplest of basics done. That happens because the brain rewards you with a flood of dopamine and norepinephrine. On a biological level, this is just physical, animal chemistry. But something deeper is indeed happening: we are engaged in a moment of authorship. This is what separates mere production from true creation in work, art or anything else: the presence of intention, which requires real work and effort. A something-ness from nothing-ness: your creator's energy. Recognising and harnessing this creator's energy is a great way to future-proof yourself, regardless of any incarnation of artificial intelligence. You are not a digit on a spreadsheet, or a resource in a faceless sea, but a creator, capable of authoring utterly new experiences and things. A creative act (work, art or otherwise) carries the imprint of its maker, an intention or a response to the world. Without that, what is made is simply an echo, an imitation, without intrinsic value. In this sense, creation or progress requires an author, a force of intention shaping the unseen into something real. An artist sees the final product before the guidelines are clear. A maker brings order to raw potential. A creator answers the call of something stirring within them. Whether you are making your bed, writing a book, or launching a business, you are doing what humans have always done: inhabiting the role of an author. Creating your life in the way you want to see it, and that's where its value derives from. Read the full piece here and comment with your thoughts. Are you joining our conversation with John Vlismas on Wednesday 26th?For the South African contingent of our community, John Vlismas is known as a comedic legend who has graced the stage with his trademark wit and candour for over 20 years. But he's also a highly original, articulate and focused thinker, who has some impressively deep insights on community-building, relationships, identity, trust and social bonds (and how they could all be helped along by a dose of humour!) It's a great honour to have such a brilliant mind on our next podcast, continuing in an exciting direction of guests we'll be welcoming over the coming months. RSVP here to join us from 4pm CET on Wednesday 26th! From the communityCheck out Daniel's reflections on creating a precious atmosphere of trust in culture and leadership from Trust-Rich Pathways Rebecca from Time Wisely AI Automation will be dropping a full course on setting up AI automation - watch the introduction here and see her ingenious, lightning-fast method of generating 50 content ideas for LinkedIn posts & newsletters Going deeper: the Humble Mind WayEver had a moment where time felt suspended? Maybe it was watching the ocean, listening to a great song or holding eye contact with someone in a way that felt strangely profound. That’s presence, or rather, more accurately, the presence of the present. Check out more on the value of the present in cultivating a humble mind. Consider becoming a Sound Mind or Deep Mind to support our community. Get extra 1-1 time with me, access to our inner circle, session replays and way more. Want to join our 1-1 networking pods? Check them out here. Click here to enjoy previous Humble Mind Podcast episodes. Have an intentionally authored week, Alex
|
|
Gather your rosebuds this May Gather ye rose-buds while ye may,Old Time is still a-flying;And this same flower that smiles todayTomorrow will be dying. We often interpret 'seize the day' as a vague encouragement to be bold, to take risks and live fully. But what if it’s more precise than that? What if it's actually a reminder to get on with what you're here to do? To seize the day is a serious invitation (if you want it to be). In a modern world overflowing with busyness, noise and the...
Building communities is a core human technology of the future Did you ever notice that when things get uncertain, human beings instinctively draw closer together? It’s how we've survived every famine, war or any other period of upheaval. The impulse for belonging, connection and mutual aid is baked deep into our biology. Community is not a luxury but rather infrastructure. Now, more than ever, it’s a critical technology we must actively build and protect. Technology, at its simplest, is any...
How tiny experiments make us more playful (and more likely to succeed) Hey Reader It's a pity that we've forgotten how to play. As adults, we’ve been conditioned to equate progress with a certain type of visible, explicit productivity. It's a luxury that can only be tolerated if it guarantees concrete outcomes. If the meter ain't running, it's not creating value. At the same time, more research and behavioural psychology evidence is coming to an opposing conclusion: without play, we stop...