For those of you that are new here, every week I send what I call a 1x1x1.
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One thought from my week.
One interesting find/tool from my week.
One image from my life.

Let's dive in 👇

Thought from the week

I think it’s so easy to let AI take over… well, everything.

It’s kind of like the first time I discovered Bitchin’ Sauce.

That stuff went on anything even remotely edible for months.

I’m happy to report I’ve recovered and now only use it occasionally.

But my point is: when you let AI do everything, certain muscles start to atrophy.

I think about how hardly anyone can remember directions anymore (thanks, Google Maps), or how I can only remember six phone numbers (including 411 and 911).

And the only reason I remember my wife’s number is because she quizzes me quarterly!

The saying “if you don’t use it, you lose it” couldn’t be more true.

And I think that’s one of the big risks with AI.

The risk of not working your creative muscle. Your written communication muscle.

The risk of being super sharp and witty online… but a total cinder block in real life.

Lately, I’ve been trying to stay really conscious of when and where I use these incredible tools and where I don’t.

That’s one of the many reasons I love writing this newsletter.

Even if nobody read it (thanks mom), it’s become an amazing forcing function to get off the screen and practice my craft.

Fun fact: I write every newsletter out by hand.

Then I let it rest like a hot pie out of the oven.

I come back, edit and refine, let it sit again, and then do a final review.

Time-consuming and inefficient? Absolutely.

Keeping me sharp and keeping a muscle I care about in shape?

I think so, but you tell me next time we get coffee.

AI and tech can enhance, streamline, and give you crazy productivity boosts.

But they can also dull your voice, erode your identity, and let creative muscles wither.

But only if you let them.

Interesting find/tool of the week

For the sake of irony I really wish I had a good AI tool to recommend but I've got nothing!

Image from my life

Summertime is in session!

See you all next week!