Das Rush

While I always advocate for anyone to stretch in the morning Andrew Chen's idea of '10x work' from his latest Substack is quite dynamic and fresh: "Imagine the thousands of tasks you did in the past year and sort them by impact. How many of them actually moved the needle? I’m certain this list of tasks would sort themselves into a power law where a tiny number of high upside tasks drove the most impact. These are what I’ll call '10x work' — these are key tasks where your doing them well/poorly really matters, and the result might define your professional output for an entire year (or more). 10x work is weird and often the opposite of routine. 10x work seems to come up randomly, often hang on a few quick and important decisions, unfold in a few days or weeks, and the results can be huge (or catastrophic). Often there’s no undo button. A deal might fall apart and never recover. A product launch might cause usage to explode, when the right punchline in the launch video is crafted. 100 lines of brilliantly written code might be the difference between state of the art versus rapid obsolescence." So much of our work is about 'those' moments you can't plan or snap them into existance. However, you can manifest them. You can be aware the opportunities are out there waiting for you to discover them. "The 10x plan for 10x work for 10x people We need to remind ourselves that our careers are defined by the highest moments of the biggest swings. Let’s maximize these opportunities. Make a Master Plan, and then pick a direction and go! Embrace more serendipity, talk to more interesting people, take more swings, and go deep on your craft. Proactively position yourself to jump into action when 10x moments emerge, and create the opportunity to pour resources (time, people, capital) into a project that catches on. You’ll note that there’s no yoga or meditation on this list. (But fine, do it if it helps). And I don’t advocate working even more hours. In the end, I’m not sure that it’s possible to avoid the ~60 hours/week we all spend on emails/meetings/etc., and the most productive people on the planet aren’t working that much more than that. Perhaps someone like Elon can breathe/sleep his work and increase it +50% more, but not 3x or 5x. It’s just not possible. To achieve more, it’s more about how you fill the time you have." TLDR; Get out there and shoot your shot!

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Crafting and telling stories is what I do for work, studies, and fun! I also help others with theirs (e.g., fellow editors, writers, and other tech learners). So, here's some helpful and simple guidance for you. It's just 7 slides in under a minute - go for it now while you're here! Drop me a comment. I'll be posting more storytelling advice. #storytelling #bonding #empathy #data #memory

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[Professional Knowledge Engagement] Design as Creative Life In Jan 2023, I wrote a short note titled [CALL] Design as Creative Life. The subtitle of the note is "Designers' Subjective Experience and Project Engagement". The post initiated the  “Design as Creative Life” project. I used the following frameworks and tools for this project: The Creative Life Curation Framework https://lnkd.in/gaevF6Gi The “Kind of Project Engagement” Framework https://lnkd.in/ga4V-bsj The Thematic Journey Map https://lnkd.in/gsEyThGm This is a collaborative project. I need your help! We need at least 10 designers to share their real-life experiences with design projects. If you are a Designer, you are welcome to join the project and become a storyteller. The project is your stage for telling your creative life stories. You are expected to write your stories with many details such as your personal feeling, change of ideas, details of each iteration, arguments between you and others, etc. You are welcome to share supporting documents such as drafts, diagrams, notes, pictures, videos, etc. [CALL] Design as Creative Life https://lnkd.in/gnjRv5_B George Aye's story is a great example of the "Design as Creative Life" project. cc: George Aye: thank you for sharing your story! 5/26/2024 Oliver Ding Founder of CALL (Creative Action Learning Lab) https://lnkd.in/gB5vtBH6

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Are you doing anything Monday, August 5th? Are you interested in, concerned by or curious about AI? Here's an opportunity to talk, learn, network, and even commiserate with other editors, writers, and content creators. This monthly meetup is where editors gather to discuss how AI is affecting our work and how to handle it ethically and responsibly. RSVP and join the conversation. #EditorsandAI #EditorsMeetup #CopyeditingAI #aiethics

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Everyone Thinks Nathan Chan Built Foundr Alone. They're WRONG. Here Are 3 Secrets Behind Foundr's Success: 1. Foundr Content Thrives with Outsourced Talent It's easy to overlook, but Foundr's content performs exceptionally well thanks to a well-curated team of outsourced talent. From in-depth interviews with business moguls like Richard Branson to insightful articles, it's the writers, editors, and graphic designers who bring Foundr's vision to life. The magic isn't just in-house; it's in the diverse talents from across the globe. 2. Foundr’s Flexible Model: Managed Services for Course Creation Foundr's success also stems from its ability to turn its SaaS model into a managed service. By working with subject matter experts (SMEs) and video production teams, Foundr creates top-notch courses without the hassle of full-time employment. 3. Visibility and Recognition: Key to Outsourcing Success Foundr understands that talent thrives on visibility and recognition. By highlighting their best contributors and giving credit where it's due, Foundr builds strong relationships with its external partners. This mutual recognition fosters loyalty and encourages ongoing collaboration, which is crucial for sustaining the high-quality content pipeline. TAKEAWAY: Foundr has mastered the art of leveraging outsourced talent to build an insanely effective content machine. They've harnessed the power of a global network of remote talent without being solely dependent on an in-house team. Ready to outsource? Odesa helps you find top tier tech talent for 60% less than US-based equivalents. Find your next tech hire here: https://hireodesa.com/

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Gotta say, I really love #ADPlist and meeting new designers and marketers. If you want to chat about a new product, your resume, portfolio, or even a career change, I'd love to help out if you need someone to bounce ideas around. #OpenToMentor #Mentorship #design #marketing #creative

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What #GenAI means for #education is a fundamentally different set of questions than what generative AI means for #EdTech developers. I’ve been marinating on this thought a lot over the past week, and I think that these two connected-yet-distinct matters have gotten too tangled over the past two years. I suspect that this may be true for vendors & developers that support other industries too. The conversation always needs to come back to customer challenges and solutions that add meaningful value.

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What my day looks like with a portfolio career (tl;dr it's busy, frenzied, and fun) ↓ ​ A portfolio career. Or rather, what I like to call a patchwork career. Because for me, I stitch a bunch of things together that I find interesting. And that makes up one quilt of a career. A weighted quilt if you will. One that's cozy and offers support. It was in a recent conversation with someone in the Leopard.FYI community, that I realized it could be helpful to share what and how I made this happen. Because each day is different. Tuesday, for instance, was HEAVY on the video calls. Here's what it looked like: - Collaboration call with the wonderful, brimming-of-ideas Milly Tamati, founder of Generalist World, where we brainstormed coaching offerings - Call with a founder about a potential consulting gig to help build out their startup community - Call with one of my faves, Lexi Lewtan, who is the CEO of Leopard.FYI, where we checked in on community strategy and the onboarding experience for new members - Coaching call with a stupendous client (engineer and founder) who is feeling guilty for taking breaks and wants to improve her communication skills - A podcast recording with Just a Job, which was more laughing and sharing of outlandish decisions in my career, than a buttoned-up occasion (my favorite kind). Shoutout to Sara Soph and Ellen Turner, PMP for being the best hosts. Lots and lots of conversations! ​ And here's what Wednesday looked like: - Async coaching with my group program, AuthenTech and celebration of some wonderful milestones for people in the group (starting a LLC! applying for a job! meeting someone exciting for a coffee chat!) - Going to a musical midday on a solo date with myself. - Announcing my new offering! Monthly coaching through voice and text support. If you're excited by this (I'm looking at you Zoom fatiguers), I'm kicking this off as soon as next week. It will be intimate, helpful and by far, the most affordable way to work with me yet. DM me "VOICENOTE" if you're interested ☎ ​ There are definitely upsides to a portfolio career. Fun work! Variety! Stimulation! And downsides. Juggling of 10 things at once. Creating and adhering to boundaries. ​ If you're interested in such a life, I'm giving a free talk about it next Tuesday. With an overview of who I work with, a breakdown of my hours, and rough income. It'll be illuminating, helpful and slightly quirky. You can join us by signing up here: https://lu.ma/hpo4vtt9. ​

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Sick of ChatGPT? Try Claude! I recently switched to Claude and while it still has some of the same issues as ChatGPT, I find it better because: - its interface is way nicer and its tone is friendlier (honestly feels better!) - it asks great clarifying questions, making your brief even more specific - it asks pertinent follow-up questions (suggesting new pieces that make a lot of sense) - If you ask Claude to write something longer, it pops out to the side of the chat in a downloadable format, meaning you don't have to scroll all the way back up to see previous prompts I've seen enough to make the jump and proceed with a content strategy for a client with Claude! #ai #chatgpt #claude

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You shouldn't be using AI to work less. You should be using it to work MORE. 🤯 Hear me out. Automating routine or simple tasks gives you more time to devote that big ol’ human brain of yours to complex problem-solving and truly creative ideas. Things your clients actually care about. I cover the exact ROI of using AI in your creative work in my latest for Superside, plus examples to get started. 👇 https://lnkd.in/gViu57q4 #AI #creativeAI

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We've Been Sold a Lie on "Ikigai" The concept of "ikigai" has been widely misrepresented in the West through a Venn diagram linking passion, mission, vocation, and profession. However, this depiction—a Purpose Venn Diagram—does not truly reflect the authentic Japanese understanding of ikigai. What is Ikigai Really? In Japanese culture, ikigai combines "iki" (life) and "gai" (worth) to mean something that gives one a reason for living. It's about finding joy and fulfillment in daily routines and not just in one's career. It encapsulates finding value in life’s everyday activities, leading to contentment and meaning. The Misinterpretation The popular ikigai chart suggesting a formula where passion, mission, vocation, and profession intersect is misleading. In Japan, ikigai is a more holistic approach to life. It doesn't involve dissecting life into these four categories; rather, it's about a deeper, inherent satisfaction that emerges from engaging in meaningful activities. Examples of Real Ikigai Activities Here are five examples of activities that many Japanese identify as their ikigai, illustrating the diverse and personal nature of the concept: 1. Gardening: Cultivating a garden daily for beauty and sustenance. 2. Tea Ceremony: Practicing traditional rituals that emphasize mindfulness and respect. 3. Calligraphy: Engaging in the art of writing that requires discipline and creativity. 4. Volunteering: Giving back to the community which provides a sense of purpose and connection. 5. Cooking for Family: Preparing daily meals that nourish both body and soul. Why Does This Matter? Understanding the true meaning of ikigai can fundamentally shift how we approach our lives, encouraging us to seek fulfilment and happiness in simple, everyday actions rather than in grand achievements. It's about a life well-lived through engaging deeply in activities that bring personal joy and meaning. So let’s rethink ikigai. It’s not about finding a perfect career intersection but about embracing the beauty in everyday life. How do you find your ikigai in daily activities? #Ikigai #Purpose #LifeGoals Image source: ikigaitribe. com

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Hi everyone. I’m looking for my next project as a COO, Head of Operations, or fractional COO of a mission-driven team, and I'd love your help. My superpowers are turning vision into reality, leading projects end-to-end, bringing order to chaos, and taking a first-principles approach to recruiting. If you know of any bold, visionary projects who might be a good fit, I’d love to hear your ideas. If you're part of any private networks (alumni networks, founder/accelerator communities, a Burning Man camp) and would be willing to share a blurb for me, that would be super helpful that too. Sneak peek: I’m an entrepreneur who has spent the last 15 years working across startups, impact investing, philanthropy, nonprofit, tech, and mental health. In the last few years, I have co-led a nonprofit that helped Oregon set up statewide infrastructure for psychedelic therapy, helped millions of people understand the need for advanced AI systems to have safeguards, and co-founded a seven-figure startup. I have also advised philanthropists and startups, built a purpose-driven recruiting firm, helped build a National Geographic TV series, and had my music featured at TED 2022. More about me: https://lnkd.in/guu5ACUw 

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From (and for) my #FOAF friends, where I offer Chief Content Officer and publishing expertise: Are leadership gaps holding back your company’s growth? Our fraction-of-a-fractional executive model brings top-tier talent when you need it. Strategic guidance, operational expertise, driving your next growth phase -- FOAF's agile, seasoned executives deliver results, providing clarity and action that moves your business forward. Connect here or visit FOAF.pro for more details! #leadership #businessgrowth #FOAF #fractionalexecutives cc: David Berkowitz

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When a writer decides to self-publish, how do they choose a platform? There are many factors to weigh. This episode covers what you need to think about, and I share my favorite platform for new indie authors. Also, there is premium content available for my Substack members with a worksheet to help you process through it all. https://lnkd.in/giqnbhAE

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I dread negotiating and hate conflict--and I think I'm probably not alone in that. But I'm learning a lot by talking to people who are experts at reaching agreement, and publishing the interviews in a series called "The Art of Agreement," hosted by Docusign. We just launched the first one, with Kim Scott, author of Radical Candor. Next week we feature Jennifer Lupo, a top corporate mediator, and the week after that we'll have Martin Rand, CEO of Pactum, a company that makes AI chatbots that Walmart and others use to negotiate with suppliers. If you want to become better at negotiation, check these out. https://lnkd.in/e3XV5E7H

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Time to put together the best set of materials to share with ResearchOps Community next Thursday! #InternationalResearchOps Over the past 16+ years, I've worked with various clients (with different needs, setups and so on) to help them understand their customers and markets on a global scale (47 countries and counting). I've collaborated with teams of various forms from every continent (though, admittedly, I still dream of a project with some penguins down in Antarctica! 🐧) My research experiences weren't always smooth sailing. I've faced my fair share of tough challenges and surprises along the way. One common myth I keep running into is that doing cross-cultural research is as easy as hiring a local team, adding a translator, and going through the motions. But in reality, there’s so much more to it. There are a lot more nuances in it which would affect the quality of your research output and outcome. The ups, downs and hard-earned lessons from these experiences have been invaluable. That's why I decided to write 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 📖 so I can share these learnings and insights with others. My goal is to help others sidestep the mistakes I made and to help them minimise the challenges they might face when planning and executing international research, so they can get deeper, more accurate insights about international markets and local audiences. If this sounds interesting to you, I’d love for you to join the session! I’ll be leaving plenty of time for Q&A, so feel free to bring along any research challenges you’re facing! 📅 When: 21st Nov, 4 PM GMT 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/ePbHm7-C (This session will be recorded and shared on the ReOp's Vimeo channel later - I'll share the link once it's available) Hope to see you there!  😊 #researchops #internationalresearch #culturalisation

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Happy Fun Friday! Human Corporate Lingo vs. AI Speak 😂 Some people, like me, have noted how AI assistants like ChatGPT tend to write a bit too flowery and formal for their taste. It's also amusing to see their "obsession" with words like delve, nuanced, foster, shape, endeavor, realm, ever-evolving, game-changing, mind-blowing, unleash, unlock, revolutionize, and ignite. But we corporate humans have our own quirks. I asked Claude (AI from Anthropic) to rewrite a paragraph from Daniel Goleman's "What Makes a Leader?" using maximum corporate speak. Here's the original: "Every businessperson knows a story about a highly intelligent, highly skilled executive who was promoted into a leadership position only to fail at the job. And they also know a story about someone with solid—but not extraordinary—intellectual abilities and technical skills who was promoted into a similar position and then soared." And here's Claude's jargon-filled version: "Across the business war room, there are numerous bleeding-edge anecdotes circulating about top-tier talent who opened the kimono and leveraged their robust intellectual capital and best-in-class technical competencies. They got the ball rolling after being elevated to a leadership position to bang for the buck, only to drill down and quickly reach the boiling ocean - failing to move the goal posts or get the puck in the net. Concurrently, there are parallel touchpoint narratives about individuals with the right stuff - a strong but not extraordinary skill matrix and core competencies. After getting tapped to step up to the plate, they similarly took the helm, drank the Kool-Aid, and subsequently reinvented the wheel. With a lot of moving parts and irons in the fire, they shifted gears into high-octane mode, went full throttle to put the pedal to the metal, and achieved liftoff velocity - shooting the lights out to 10x KPIs across the board. That's the special sauce." Whether AI or human, language quirks make communication interesting. The good news is that we can guide AI to communicate in our preferred style, tone, and voice. What cringeworthy words should AI avoid? How have you guided AI to nail the right voice? What's worked for you? Share your thoughts below. #AILanguage #AIConversations #CorporateJargon #GenerativeAI #AIVoice

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