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Week 62: Early Season Setbacks, Why Social Media Sucks Balls, and AI AI AI…

Leadership

Last past week was kicked off with an all-day AI summit for leadership at work.

It was fascinating. And frustrating. And it sent my mental gears churning.

Recently, I’d convinced myself I was learning more about AI and its applications because I was doing some prompt training, watched some videos, and played around with a few tools.

In the first 10 minutes of the conference, I realized I was playing checkers while some others were playing chess.

I felt like I was selling horses when everyone else was setting up car dealerships.

I also felt energized because this wasn’t like some of the other signposts out there. Some changes arrive with subtlety, like the rustling of leaves. Others arrive with strobe lights, a disco ball, and a big brass band.

This was a very clear indicator of where the company was spending time, resources, and attention.

And a very clear gauntlet was thrown down.

Evolve or get left behind.

It feels like we’ve reached an inflection point at this, the midpoint in my career.

In one sense, it’s halftime.

And it’s time to decide what kind of second-half player I’m going to be.

Ultrarunning: Season 2

After a quick few weeks of getting back into the game, things came crashing to a halt.

Knee sprain.

Following an injury free year in which I ran almost 2000 miles, I thought I’d figured it all out. I thought I’d never get hurt running again. At age 41. When trying run longer than ever before.

I am consistently amazed at the arrogance of my thinking sometimes.

So, we wait and see how long this takes to heal.

Philosophical Dad Stuff

A few years ago, I was standing in my cubicle at work scrolling through social media. As I thumbed through updates and photos, I came across a friend posting about their current trip to the Outer Banks, NC.

Instantly, I was SEETHING with jealousy.

I couldn’t believe it. Why were they in the Outer Banks and I was standing there in my cube like a sucker? What were they doing in their life that afforded them that luxury? A February trip to the Outer Banks? Who does that? I want THAT life.

There was just one problem.

Just a week before, I’d returned from back-to-back amazing trips to Hawaii and Costa Rica.

And I was sitting there envious of a friend visiting North Carolina. I mean I was actually so jealous I was upset.

That’s when it struck me.

A week previously, someone might have been cursing my name, wondering what good fortune I stumbled upon in my life to take those trips (my wife being a badass at work).

I realized social media, for all it can do at its best, is a net-negative for us. It makes us unhappy.

I’d just returned from not one but two trips of a lifetime, and I was legit mad at someone I liked in real life.

And it makes me think that I need to be very careful with how I help my kids navigate that world. They’re still far too young for personal devices, but the day will come.

Oh well, that’s for another day. We’ll cross that friend request when we get there.

“In times of change learners inherit the Earth while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.” -Eric Hoffer

Live triumphantly. See you next week.