👋 Hi, my name is Max Zsol.

I'm a computer engineer and writer of sci-fi, some times with the help of AI.

I also blog about writing, mindfulness, engineering leadership, mechanical keyboards, and a long etcetera.

On AI harming the Artists - Market competition

In support of the argument

We could argue that the unfair competition against the uniquely tailored jobs is tangible enough to justify that harm is caused to the artists. If a tool can be created to target the exact same creative space that artists have specialized in (defined by their personal style), we can easily infer that direct harm can be inflicted on the targeted individuals.

A machine can be fine-tuned to produce output in the same domain space as other artists, and in such a way cannibalized the existing demand for such creations. Such cannibalization is especially acute given how production costs of automation are dramatically lower compared to human counterparts.

What’s more, a machine would not be able to produce such targeted outputs were it not for the artist’s labor in defining and, in many cases, popularizing such space.

In defense of the argument

We have yet to see such harms materialize themselves.

For one, existing tools haven’t reached a comparable level of proficiency that can match the inputs in their training sets. However, this is a weak argument considering the high likelihood of such outputs reaching competitive quality levels in the not-so-distant future.

Another counterargument to the claim that AI will pose harm to the artists’ ability to own the market is that AI tools might democratize access to creative output. Still, it is to be proven whether such an expanse will decrease the demand for artists’ work. One could see a scenario in which the demand for artists’ work could evolve to focus on “authenticity”, provenance, uniqueness, “soul”, etc.

Show yourself more kindness

Self-compassion is key to a healthy, happy life. It’s easy to be hard on yourself, to focus on your mistakes and shortcomings rather than your strengths and accomplishments. But when you’re kinder to yourself, you’ll be better able to cope with the inevitable ups and downs of life, and you’ll be more resilient in the face of adversity.

Here are a few simple ways to show yourself more kindness:

1. Talk to yourself like you would talk to a friend. If a friend came to you with a problem, you would be understanding and supportive. So why not give yourself the same kindness and compassion?
2. Be mindful of negative self-talk. When you catch yourself thinking negative thoughts about yourself, acknowledge them and then reframe them in a more positive light.
3. Practice self-care. Take care of your physical and emotional well-being by eating well, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities that bring you joy.
4. Be forgiving of yourself. Nobody is perfect, and we all make mistakes. Remind yourself that it’s okay to mess up, and that you can learn from your mistakes.

Remember, showing yourself kindness doesn’t mean ignoring your flaws or being complacent. It simply means treating yourself with the same compassion and understanding that you would show to a friend. When you’re kinder to yourself, you’ll be able to approach life with a more positive attitude and a greater sense of peace.

Be More Regular Creating A Wholistic Life

Here are my key habits for a well-rounded life:

• (B) Body
  • Take care of your body and your body will take care of you.
• (M) Mind
  • Take care of your mind as you do of your body.
• (R) Reading
  • Read regularly. It is the best way to grow.
• (C) Coding
  • Keep those coding skills sharp.
• (A) Art
  • Create, make art, do things with your hands in whichever form, but do it.
• (W) Writing
  • Write and journal to think better.
• (L) Life / Personal
  • Take care of the personal things in your life.

A state of Flow

The book Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is one I keep coming back to for the ideas on it, and has been one of the most influential of last year for me.

Here are some quotes and takeaways from the book:

• Flow is defined as a state of losing oneself to the activity at hand.
• Flow is a state of enjoyment that can happen both while working or playing.
• This state is one we should aim to get to, for instance by choosing or designing our activities to favor such a state.
• One way to think of meaningful work is that which gives us a sense of flow.
• Getting into the flow requires effort and skill, so it is something that one works toward. There is a satisfaction that comes from proficiency.

“It’s exhilarating to come closer and closer to self-discipline.”

― Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience

• We might be more successful searching for jobs with activities that give us flow, rather than career paths in the abstract.

“The best moments in our lives, are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times—although such experiences can also be enjoyable, if we have worked hard to attain them. The best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.”

― Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience

• Flow can make the mundane enjoyable.

“The mark of a person who is in control of consciousness is the ability to focus attention at will, to be oblivious to distractions, to concentrate for as long as it takes to achieve a goal, and not longer. And the person who can do this usually enjoys the normal course of everyday life.”

― Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience

• Running, doing crafts, making art, editing a spreadsheet, coding, and playing videogames, all are possible ways to get into a state of flow.
• Being in the flow might be one of the best ways to dissolve the ego and achieve a state of happiness (even if temporarily or mindlessly so).

On too much focus

There is such a thing as too much focus.

I do experience it every now and then. When I obsess over a piece of code, or I go down the rabbit hole of doing my taxes.

In those moments I find myself as if awakening from a daze realizing I’ve spent the last few hours deeply busy with the task at hand.

This is the state of flow, which is one of the most enjoyable states to people.

“The best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.”

― Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Flow

As much as I enjoy those moments of flow, I am learning that there is such as thing as too much flow and too much focus.

Mindfulness is an effective path here. To find my balance I pause and take a deep breath.

We seek the flow, but we must find balance as well. Letting go is part of being on the flow.

“Whether we are happy depends on inner harmony, not on the controls we are able to exert over the great forces of the universe.”

― Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Flow

Writing Hooks

Attracting attention with your writing is a vital part of capturing your reader’s interest and keeping them engaged. One effective way to do this is by using multiple hooks throughout your text.

Hooks are parts of the text that serve as entry points for the reader. They are the first thing that catches their eye and draws them into the piece.

Highlighting content

Some examples of hooks include headlines and sub-headlines, bold text, lists, and paragraphs. These elements break the rhythm and can be used to create a sense of intrigue, curiosity, or importance that encourages the reader to keep reading.

• Headlines and sub-headlines are the first thing that a reader sees when they come across your text. They should be clear, concise, and attention-grabbing.
• Bold text is another great way to draw the reader’s attention. It can be used to highlight key points or to emphasize important information.
• Lists are also a great way to break up your text and make it more readable. They make it easy for the reader to scan through your content and pick out the most important information.
• And lastly, paragraphs should be broken up into small chunks of information, making it easy for the reader to follow along and understand the main points.

Section dividers

In addition to these entry points, there are also things that can break up the reading experience and help to hold the reader’s attention.

• Images can be used to break up the text and make it more visually appealing. They can also be used to help explain a concept or to add an emotional element to your text.
• Section dividers can also be used to break up the text and make it more visually appealing. They can be used to separate different sections of your text, making it easy for the reader to follow along and understand the main points.

Overall, incorporating multiple hooks into your writing is an effective way to capture and hold onto the attention of your readers. By using a variety of entry points and breaking up the reading experience, you can create a more engaging and enjoyable experience for your readers.

—MZ+🤖

The core tenets of rule-making and rule-living

1. Rules are restrictions on behaviors.
2. Restrictions beget creativity.
3. Rules beget creativity.

Living by rules may seem restrictive, but in reality it can be incredibly liberating and inspiring. Having a set of guidelines to follow can free you from decision fatigue and help you focus on what truly matters. It allows you to channel your energy and creativity into making meaningful choices and taking purposeful actions.

As Austin Kleon says, “Creativity is subtraction”, not addition. Rules give us boundaries within which to work, providing a framework for our ideas and actions. They also give us a sense of structure and purpose, helping us to stay on track and achieve our goals. When we live by rules, we are able to tune out the noise and distractions of the world, and focus on what is truly important to us.

Embrace the rules, and see how they can help you live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

—MZ+🤖

Recap of 100 days of daily blogging

Back in October of last year, I set to write and publish on this blog every day. This week I crossed the milestone of 100 days of consecutive posts.

I have been intrigued by the activity of daily creation for a long time. I am fascinated by people who consistently create and publish. Austin Kleon talked about the value of regular practice. Focusing on quantity can help free us from the pressure of perfectionism and might even deliver better results in the long run than focusing on quality.

When I started writing daily I was trying to dry the well. This is a similar idea to Julian Shapiro’s Creativity Faucet:

Visualize your creativity as a backed-up pipe of water. The first mile is packed with wastewater. This wastewater must be emptied before the clear water arrives

Because your pipe has only one faucet, there’s no shortcut to achieving clarity other than first emptying the wastewater

—Julian Shapiro

We have to get through all the bad ideas before we get to the strong ones. To do that we have to turn off our inner critic and create freely and really let it all out.

Seth Godin said it best:

The goal is to get bad ideas. Because once you have enough bad ideas, then some good ones have to show up

—Seth Godin

There are many benefits of writing (ideation, mental health, mindfulness, etc), but here’s what I have learned from writing 100 posts in 100 consecutive days:

• You don’t know what you are thinking until you write things down. Writing is a great way to clear your thinking and generate new ideas.
• Some of the best ideas come from extreme constraints like having to write a post when you have only a few minutes or are extremely tired.
• Short and sweet beats long and overdone
• When stuck free writing works wonders. Most of the time some good nugget will come up after a paragraph or two.
• Sometimes bullets instead of paragraphs, are the best way to get ideas flowing.
• Writing is a great way to feed your curiosity and learn.

Looking back at the last 10 years of writing I haven’t always been this consistent, but this is not the first time I start a project of daily practice. I wrote 101 science-fiction flash-fiction stories in 101 consecutive days, and I am currently on my 262 day of fiction writing (for a novel that might or might not ever see the light of day).

If you need inspiration here are some posts I wrote about other creators who believed in the power of the daily practice:

• Henry Darger and the Perseverance of a Lifetime
• Ernest Hemingway on the Daily Practice of Writing
• William James on Daily Rituals
• Kate Bingaman-Burt’s Daily Drawings
• Austin Kleon on Daily Blogging
• Hemingway on Daily Writing
• Seth Godin on writing bad

You know, in order to do something, you need to organize your time. It is very easy to do — you organize your time. You say, “One hour a day you will write. From this hour to this hour, I will write that. And even if I don’t have idea, one hour I write. Even a line. Even three words. But I write. Every day I write.” You organize your time and then you do whatever you want. You take your time like your friend and you don’t lose your friend. Because your time is your life and then you organize your life. I do that, everyday I do that.

—Alejandro Jodorowsky

Machine Art

When it comes to digital art, the terms ‘generative art’ and ‘algorithmic art’ are often used interchangeably. But, in reality, these two forms of digital art have distinct characteristics and different origins. Understanding the difference between these two forms of art is crucial to appreciate and evaluate them properly.

Art doesn’t have to be just about the final product. It can also be about the process of creation. And that’s exactly what generative and algorithmic art are all about.

Generative Art

Generative art is an art form that uses algorithms and computer programs to create artworks that are unique and unpredictable. The artist creates a set of rules or an algorithm that the computer uses to create a work of art, but the final output is not determined by the artist. The focus of generative art is on the process of creation and the relationship between the artist, the algorithm, and the final artwork. In generative art, the algorithm is an active participant in the creation of the artwork, rather than just a tool for the artist to use.

“Generative art refers to any art practice where the artist creates a process, such as a set of natural language rules, a computer program, a machine, or other procedural invention, which is then set into motion with some degree of autonomy contributing to or resulting in a completed work of art.”

—Philip Galanter

A great example of generative art is the work of Joshua Davis, an artist who uses algorithms to create mesmerizing patterns and designs. His work often features organic, flowing shapes that seem to be in a constant state of motion. The beauty of Davis’s work is not just in the final outcome, but also in the process of creation, as the algorithm generates unique and unpredictable patterns every time it is run.

Algorithmic Art

On the other hand, algorithmic art is a form of digital art that uses algorithms as a tool for creating art, rather than as the primary focus. The artist uses algorithms to create artworks that are highly precise and predictable, often with a specific outcome in mind. In algorithmic art, the algorithm is a means to an end, rather than an end in itself. The focus of algorithmic art is on the final outcome, and the artist uses the algorithm as a tool to achieve their desired result.

I write computer algorithms, i.e. rules that calculate and then generate a work that could not be realized in any other way. It is not necessarily the system or the logic I want to present in my work, but the visual invention that results from it. My artistic goal is reached when a finished work can visually dissociate itself from its logical content and convincingly stand as an independent abstract entity

—Manfred Mohr in Art of the Digital Age

A great example of algorithmic art is the work of Golan Levin, an artist who uses algorithms to create interactive installations and digital sculptures. His work often features intricate patterns and shapes that are highly precise and mathematically generated. The focus of Levin’s work is on the final outcome, and the algorithm is simply a tool that he uses to achieve his desired result.

The connection with Process Art

Generative art and algorithmic art have a strong connection to “process art,” a movement that emerged in the 1960s, characterized by the use of non-traditional materials, and the emphasis on the act of creating rather than the final outcome.

In this way, generative art and algorithmic art can be seen as a natural extension of the process art movement, as they both focus on the process of creating art through the use of algorithms and computer programs. In Generative art the algorithm is an active participant in the artwork creation and in algorithmic art, the algorithm is a means to an end, rather than an end in itself.

In closing

It is indeed a surprising and fortunate fact that nature can be expressed by relatively low-order mathematical functions

—Rudolf Carnap

In conclusion, generative art emphasizes the process of creation and the unpredictability of the final outcome, while algorithmic art emphasizes the precision and predictability of the final outcome.

Understanding the difference between these two forms of art is essential to appreciate and evaluate them properly.

32,872 days

Life is fleeting.

Time is our most precious resource. It is the one thing we can never get back once it’s gone.

Consider this: if you are lucky to live to be 90 years old¹, you’ll have only 32,872 days to spend on this earth.

But the real question is not how many days we’re allotted, it’s how many we have left. If you’re in your early 20s, you may have 22,500 days remaining. And if you’re in your early 40s, that number might be closer to 15,000.

As you think about those numbers, ask yourself: How am I spending my days? Are you living the life you want to live, or is it time to start designing a life that truly aligns with your values and passions?

In the end, time is our most valuable commodity. Life is short, and it’s up to us to design it in a way that makes us truly happy and fulfilled.

Carpe diem, my friends. Seize the day and make the most of every single moment. Because, before you know it, the clock will run out.

3 Rules for living (a life of rules)

Many of us have likely heard the phrase “rules are meant to be broken.” But when it comes to living a meaningful and productive life, rules can actually be quite helpful. In fact, having a set of rules to live by can provide structure and direction for our actions, helping us to make better decisions and achieve our goals.

• Rule #1: Write down your rules.
• Rule #2: Follow your rules.
• Rule #3: If a rule doesn’t work, rewrite it, don’t ignore it.

So, here are in detail my top 3 rules for living a life of rules:

Rule #1: Write down your rules

Rule number one for living a designed life is to write down your rules. This might seem like a simple step, but it’s crucial for creating a clear understanding of what you want to accomplish. When you write your rules down, you’re putting them in a tangible form that you can refer back to, and they become more real to you.

Rule #2: Follow your rules

This is where the rubber meets the road, and where many people tend to fall short. Having rules is one thing, but following through with them is another. It takes discipline and a sense of purpose to stick to your rules, but the rewards are well worth it. By following your rules, you’ll be building momentum and making progress towards your goals.

Rule #3: If a rule doesn’t work, rewrite it

You should be always looking for ways to improve your rules. Sometimes, you might find that a rule that you’ve set for yourself is no longer working for you. In this case, it’s important to not ignore it, but to rewrite it. By being open to changing your rules, you’ll be more adaptable and more likely to find what works best for you.

To sum up, the rules for living a life of rules and a designed life is to write them down, follow them, and be open for changes. Remember, rules are not a set of restrictions to limit your life, rather they are a roadmap for the direction of your life. They are there to help you become the best version of yourself and achieve your full potential.

The 4-Notebook Method for Life Planning and Organization

As someone who values organization, I’ve found that using four notebooks helps me keep my writing, to-dos, and miscellaneous notes in order. These notebooks include:

1. The Journal: A place for reflective writing and long-term goal planning.
2. The Daily Planner: A spot for tracking daily tasks and appointments.
3. The Organizer: A notebook for organizing projects and ideas.
4. The Pocket EDC: A small notebook that I can always have on hand for quick notes and reminders.

Each notebook serves a specific purpose in helping me stay organized and productive. Here’s a closer look at how each one works:

Notebook 1 - The Journal

In this notebook, I keep track of my daily reflections and journaling entries. It serves as a place for me to do free writing and brain dumping, as well as to keep track of lists and other information. I write the date at the top of each page before getting started.

With 400 pages, this notebook, which I affectionately call the Hulk, has the potential to last for years.

• Format: A5, soft or hardcover, lined paper.
• Where to use: This is the friend you carry on your EDC bag for leisure or work.

Notebook 2 - The Daily Planner

Small but mighty. A daily planner has a calendar and one page per day. This is the analog replacement for both my calendar and todo app. All the tasks I have to do get entered in the planner.

The advantage of using a notebook instead of an app is better focus. It is easy to find and write what you need and there are no notifications to distract you.

• Format: A6, soft or hardcover.
• Where to use: This is your friend for work space (office, personal or house work).

Notebook 3 - The Organizer

In this notebook I focus on the task of organizing my year, month, and weeks. This is where the planning process begins before being transferred to the Daily Planner. It is important to note that this notebook is meant to be a workspace and not necessarily something that will be referred back to in the future.

I use this notebook to jot down bullet points, to-do lists, and diagrams that help me create structure for my projects and plans. It is also where I keep timelines and roadmaps for my projects. The main focus of this notebook is on figuring out what steps I need to take to reach my daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly, and long-term goals.

I keep this notebook at home and use it as a tool for fleshing out plans. If I am out and have ideas, I record them in one of my other notebooks. The Organizer is designated by its red cover and is meant to be used as a workspace.

• Format: A5 or larger, soft or hardcover, dotted paper.
• Where to use: This is your friend that lives at your (private) space for personal focus work.

Notebook 4 - The Pocket EDC

The goal for this notebook (similar to the red organizer) is for it to be a temporary place. Nothing important should live here. Many important ideas or plans might start here, but they should not end here.

Since you’ll have this notebook with you all the time, it will be filled with a random assortment of stuff. This means you will never go to this notebook with confidence to find something.

You need to migrate value out of this notebook into a permanent space. That could be your Hulk, or your planner, or any other tool (calendar, to-do app, etc).

The EDC is your faithful companion. Your adventurous friend always willing to go anywhere and everywhere. Take it with you when you don’t know what to expect and you will have a faithful companion.

This notebook should be thin and flexible so you never have to think twice about bringing it with you or not. Yes, you want to bring it with you.

• Format: A6 or smaller, softcover, dotted paper.
• Where to use: This is your friend for on the road.

Conclusion

Is using four notebooks overkill? Maybe. But it has been a game-changer for me in terms of staying organized and on top of my tasks and notes. Each notebook serves a specific and essential purpose in my productivity journey.

Freeform journaling: How to Embrace the Mess and Find Value in Your Notes

“Freeform journaling” is a term I use to describe my journaling practice. It involves capturing everything, both valuable and seemingly insignificant notes, without hesitation or worry.

One of the benefits of this approach is that it allows me to be more free and spontaneous with my writing habit. I never have to worry about whether or not something is worth recording in my journal because I know that everything goes in there.

The first step of freeform journaling is simply capturing your thoughts and ideas on paper. This can be as simple as writing down everything that comes to mind without worrying about organization or structure.

From there, you can move on to the second step: processing the value of your notes. This might involve identifying valuable ideas, labeling them, categorizing them, and eventually archiving them for future reference.

While “freeform journaling” doesn’t necessarily mean messy journaling, it does involve letting go of perfectionism and allowing yourself the freedom to write whatever comes to mind. This can be liberating and inspiring, and it can also lead to more creative ideas and insights.

Maximize the Value of Your Journal Notes: 5 Simple Steps to Follow

As a writer, I often journal my thoughts and ideas. But sometimes, I find myself overwhelmed with too much content that doesn’t have any real value. That’s why I’ve developed a process for extracting value out of my journal notes.

1. Scan pages: First, I scan through my journal pages and mark any that don’t have any value with a big black cross in the corner. This helps me quickly skip over pages that don’t have anything of interest.

2. Mark content: Next, I label sections of valuable content in a different color. I only mark the headline of the content, so I can easily find it later. For example, I might use a red pen to underline a title.

3. Process the content: Then, I process the valuable content. If it’s a draft, I might rewrite it for clarity. If it’s the seed of an idea or project, I flesh it out in more detail.

4. Migrate the content: After that, I migrate the content to its proper place. For instance, to-dos go into an app or planner, quotes go into a text file, and article ideas go into the draft folder of my blog. However, my daily driver notebook (which I call “the Hulk”) is where I keep early concepts and project ideas, so I don’t move them anywhere else.

5. Archive the content: Finally, I archive the content by letting it live where it is or by going back through the previous steps to make sure I’ve properly processed and migrated the information.

It’s important to build a habit of getting value out of your finished journals. By following this process, you can make sure that you’re not wasting your time on content that doesn’t matter and that you can easily find and use the valuable content when you need it.

The 1-Month Project Plan to Boost Your Productivity: A Guide

When working on creative projects (anything that involves creating something, such as cooking, building, painting, or coding), I recommend setting up plans that are one month in duration.

I am a big advocate of 12-week-year project planning¹. It’s a great middle ground between long-term planning (more than a year into the future) and short-term planning (one week or month ahead). 12-week planning allows you to allocate enough time to make significant progress, while still being able to keep the entire project in mind.

So, why consider a 1-month project plan instead? One-month and 12-month plans are not mutually exclusive, but they focus on different aspects of achieving goals. I like to aggressively time-box goals to force myself to make tough decisions early on. With too much time, we may be tempted to increase the scope of our project beyond our capabilities.

A 1-month project plan is focused on creating a viable, complete, and self-contained results within a short timeline.² This doesn’t mean that the final product will be finished in one month (for that, we rely on the 12-week plan), but it does mean that we will have something complete and end-to-end by the end of the month.

Benefits

So, why do this at all? Here are some reasons I can think of:

• You can break down large projects into manageable chunks.
• You can see progress and check things off at least once a month.
• It increases motivation by allowing you to see constant progress.
• It allows you to regularly take stock and assess whether you are still on track to your main goal.
• It even allows you to pause projects without leaving too many loose ends. The project will be “completed” to some degree.

However, don’t get caught in the trap of process over progress. Pilot new methods without committing to them. Take what works for you, adapt it, incorporate it into your own processes, and move on.

Above all, always be creating.

The Power of the Regular Brain-Dump

As someone who has struggled with anxiety and feeling overwhelmed, I have found that one of the most effective ways to calm my nerves and center myself is through a brain dump.

For those unfamiliar, a brain dump is simply the act of getting all of your unstructured, unorganized thoughts onto paper through free-writing. It’s not about creating a finished product, but rather about getting everything out of your head and onto paper.

I find that when I’m feeling anxious or tense, I have a million different thoughts racing through my mind. Some of these thoughts are fully formed, but many times they are just emotions that need to be processed, plans that are still being developed, or unconnected ideas that are clouding my judgment.

The goal of a brain dump is to free up your mental bandwidth by getting all of these thoughts out of your head and onto paper. And the best part is, you don’t even have to worry about what you wrote afterward. If there’s something you want to act on, you can save it in a journal or add it to your to-do list. But if not, you can simply let it go and move on.

But you don’t have to wait for a crisis to do a brain dump. Regular brain dumps can serve as a form of mindfulness, similar to journaling or meditation.

So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed out, try doing a brain dump. You might be surprised at how much better you feel.

The Dehumanization of Decision Making: Why It’s Time to Reclaim Our Individuality from Institutions

Have you ever stopped to consider just how much control institutions have over our lives? They dictate where we go to school, what we do for work, and even how we spend our free time. Institutions have become the dominant force in society, shaping the way we think and act.

But what is an institution? At its core, it is a form of emerging intelligence - a collective entity that makes decisions and shapes our lives. We have given full control of our lives to these institutions, delegating our responsibilities to them.

But this kind of decision making can be dehumanizing. Instead of being guided by our own intelligence and humanity, we are led by the madness of crowds. We become nothing more than a cog in the machine, following orders and marching in lockstep with the rest of society.

This is not to say that institutions are inherently bad. They serve a crucial role in society, coordinating and organizing our collective efforts. But we need to be mindful of the impact they have on our individual experiences and decision making.

Successful communities, particularly close-knit ones, reinforce collaboration and the human touch. These communities recognize the value of the individual experience and encourage people to think and act independently.

As we continue to develop artificial intelligence and further segregate organizational decision making from humanity, it’s important to consider where the value of the individual experience lies among the crowds. Do we want to continue down this path of dehumanization, or do we want to find ways to incorporate more humanity into our decision making processes? The choice is ours.

The Constant Pressure to Be Perfect: How to Cope and Find Relief

The weight of perfection is suffocating, constantly bearing down on me and never letting up. But through mindfulness and self-reflection, I’ve learned to navigate the overwhelming pressure and find moments of peace.

To cope with this pressure, I try to observe the situation objectively and calmly. I take a deep breath and focus on the present moment, trying to remove any excitement or drama from my analysis. Most of the time, things are under control or there is a clear solution to the problem at hand.

Journaling or writing posts like this one can also help relieve some of the pressure. It’s a matter of mind over matter - by writing about my anxiety, I can help to dissipate it.

This process of detachment and observation is a form of mindfulness. It doesn’t always feel like mindfulness when I’m sweating from the pressures of work and trying to objectively assess the situation. It feels more like a technique that should be taught in MBA programs rather than meditation retreats.

But hey, at least I’m not alone in this battle against the pressure to be perfect. We all have our own inner demons to fight and our own unique ways of coping. And who knows, maybe one day we’ll all become so zen that we can laugh in the face of perfectionism (or at least chuckle softly to ourselves). Until then, let’s keep taking deep breaths and reminding ourselves that it’s okay to be human.

Leadership and Art: 5 Keys to Success in Either Field

1. Stick to your principles, even when it’s tough.
2. Don’t cut corners. Do things the right way, even if it’s harder or takes longer.
3. Do the right thing without compromise. Act according to your values and beliefs.
4. Don’t give up when things get tough. Stay resilient and determined.
5. Be true to yourself and your values. Be transparent and consistent in your actions.

The Healing Power of Creativity: How Crafting and Labor Bring Order to Chaos and Peace to the Soul

The soul-lifting power of creativity, craft, and labor comes from the fact that the products of these activities exist outside of ourselves. By focusing on outputs we are forced to shift our attention to the external world, and away from us and our ego.

There is a peace that comes from completing a project, painting a picture, fixing a broken shelf, volunteering… All of them bring our conscience into the world, away from us.

The ego is the enemy and the source of much of our suffering. Creativity, in the widest sense of the world (meaning creating anything, making anything tangible), is a remedy to our suffering.

Creating in any of its forms (cooking, journaling, building, fixing,…) is human ingenuity working to put order in the world to make sense of the chaos around us.

This is the meaning of a well-lived life. To bring order where there’s chaos. To create.

We suffer because of the chaos within, we regain peace when we create and put order back out into the world.