Seven Sparks: Weekly Insights to Ignite Personal and Professional Growth (SS002)

7?? for 7?? (Week of January 20, 2025)

Every week, I gather 7 powerful insights that shaped my thinking and growth. Whether it’s an eye-opening quote, a breakthrough idea, or a simple moment of joy, each takeaway contributes to my quest for daily improvement. Think of this as a map of how I’m growing as a husband, father, friend, and co-worker—one week at a time.

1?? Surround Yourself with Peers Outside Your Company

• We all know it is important to have a diverse network of friends and trusted advisors. Find forums to make these connections, be intentional, and when you get the chance, make the most of them. Building a network beyond your immediate circle expands your perspective.
• ?Ask yourself:?Am I actively seeking diverse viewpoints to challenge my assumptions and spark growth?

2?? AJ Brown Finds Time to Read a Book In a Place You’d Least Expect

• On the sideline of an NFL game, that’s where. AJ Brown shared "this game is 90% mental and 10% physical for me," Brown explained about his sideline reading habit. "I read it between each drive to lock in, no matter what happens - good or bad."
• Use small windows of time to read! Maximizing small pockets of time for learning can have an outsized impact.
• ?Ask yourself:?How can I use these often overlooked moments to learn more intentionally, to grow mentally and emotionally?
• Source/Reflection: Matt Ragland (@mattragland) “The Weekend WRAP” newsletter 159

3?? Asynchronous Work Deserves More

• How often do you ask for a meeting to discuss something you could articulate and share by email? This piece really made me reflect on how many times I do exactly what Wes speaks about in her post.?
• Main takeaway, don’t be lazy mentally. Think it through, write it down, and share for feedback vs calling a meeting.
• ?Ask yourself:?Is my need for a meeting a result of insufficient clarity on my part?
• Source/Reflection:?Wes Kao (@wes_kao) Wes Kao newsletter

4?? Don’t Work Through Lunch

• While the lunch hour is often a time to get work completed between a barrage of meetings, taking lunch meetings with others are always time well spent. They offer wonderful opportunities to get to know others personally and professionally. Human connections create value beyond task completion.
• ?Ask yourself:?Who is someone I’ve been meaning to connect with that could transform a simple lunch into a meaningful relationship?

5?? AI Acceleration ??

• Several announcements this week defines clearly that the AI models are vastly improving. Open AI launched Operator to its Pro users. Operator is one of their first agents which allows AI to complete various tasks for you independently. Be curious and adaptable.
• ?Ask yourself:?Am I leveraging the latest tools to work smarter and prepare for the future?
• Source/Reflection:?Open AI Announcement Introducing Operator

6?? Dream to Attend World Economic Forum in Future

• I achieved one bucket list item by attending CES this year, now I hope to get to Davos one day! Pursuing bucket-list goals keeps us motivated.
• ?Ask yourself:?What small steps can I take today to align myself with the global conversations I aspire to join?

7?? Date Nights?

• Experiences and memories are what matter. Date nights provide opportunities to visit new or less frequented places. When you look back, these date nights will stand out!
• ?Ask yourself:?Am I prioritizing time to strengthen relationships with those who matter most?

Reflection for the Week:

This week’s insights remind me again of the importance of intentionality—in relationships, communication, and personal growth. Small moments, whether it’s reclaiming time for learning or sharing a meal with someone new, can lead to lasting impact. As we pursue big dreams, it’s the thoughtful choices we make each day that truly shape our journey.