Kids don’t think “I am going to be a really good sand-castle builder”

Welcome back to this week’s edition of the newsletter of Unlearn With Prasanna, with the SPARK framework where we ignite thoughts, spark discussions, and maybe even inspire some action.

This week's title is inspired by a fascinating talk we'll dive into later.

So, let's jump right in and see what's been lighting up my world this week!

S - Serendipity: Flash Cards for Grown-Ups? ????

Who said flash cards are just for kids?

While helping my little ones study, I had this lightbulb moment: why not use flash cards for professional development?

We're constantly bombarded with frameworks and ideas in our digital world, and let's be honest, most of them get lost in the noise after a few days.

So, I'm experimenting with using flash cards to capture (not all, but) those ideas, concepts, and frameworks that really resonate with me.

It's like creating a physical, tangible library of professional wisdom!

I'll keep you posted on how this analog approach fares in our digital age.

P - Pondered: What if AI Could Talk to... Plants? ????

With all of humanity's collective intelligence being poured into Large Language Models (LLMs), I found myself wondering: what if we could bring plant and animal intelligence into the mix? ??

Imagine an AI that understands how plants sense their environment - monitoring humidity, responding to gravity, or communicating through root networks.

Or one that's learned problem-solving techniques from animals foraging for food and building shelters.

Could this bio-inspired AI help us develop more sustainable technologies or give us new insights into environmental conservation?

The possibilities are as vast as nature itself! What do you think - is this the next frontier for AI, or am I barking up the wrong tree? ????

A - Absorbed: Ethan Hawke on Creativity and Human Thriving ????

This week, I stumbled upon a gem of a TED talk by Ethan Hawke, and wow, did it leave an impression!

It's all about creativity, self-expression, and our uniquely human ability to not just survive, but thrive through our intellectual and creative capacities.

Hawke's insights are so powerful, they inspired the title of this week's newsletter: "I think I am going to be a really good castle builder."

It's a must-watch for anyone interested in tapping into their creative potential or understanding what makes us uniquely human.

Don't miss this one: [Ethan Hawke TED Talk].

R - Reflected: Choosing Your Battles Wisely ?????

This week, I've been reflecting on the importance of valuing one's peace of mind over the need for validation in arguments and discussions.

It's not about avoiding conflict altogether, but rather about developing the ability to gauge the criticality of a situation.

Do we really need to spend our time, energy, and peace on every disagreement?

As the saying goes, it's about choosing battles worth fighting. I'm learning to step back and ask myself: "Is this discussion truly important, or am I just trying to prove a point?"

It's a work in progress, but I'm finding that this approach is leading to more meaningful conversations and a whole lot less stress.

K - Kindled: Leadership in the Future of Work ????

I'm buzzing with excitement about the upcoming series of workshops and leadership development programs I'll be conducting in the next few weeks.

While the content is crucial, what really gets me fired up is the prospect of meeting leaders from across my organization.

I'm looking forward to engaging in meaningful conversations about the future of work and leadership.

In a world that's changing at breakneck speed, how do we prepare leaders for challenges we can't even imagine yet?

If you were designing a leadership program for the future, what skills would you focus on? Feel free to share in comments.

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And that's a wrap on this week's SPARK!

I hope something here resonated with you, made you ponder, or ignited a new idea.

Remember, we're all castle builders in our own right - whether we're building with bricks, ideas, or lines of code.

Got any thoughts on this week's topics? Experimented with professional flash cards? Pondered the future of AI? I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, keep learning, keep growing, and don't forget to find a little SPARK in your every day!

Keep Rocking,

Prasanna

P.S. If this SPARK lit up your week, why not share it with a friend who could use a little intellectual kindling? Let's spread the light! ????