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Finding Clarity Through Chaos: How My Life Razor Emerged from Personal Crisis

Summary – Collaboration with Claude AI

While reading Sahil Bloom’s “The Five Types of Wealth,” I discovered a concept that can transform my approach to the complexities of my decision-making. Bloom introduces the idea of a “Life Razor” – a simple decision-making filter that cuts through confusion to guide choices aligned with our core values.

This concept immediately resonated with me. After reflecting on my life experiences and working with ChatGPT, I developed my Life Razor: “Choose growth, gratitude, generosity, and guidance—always.“

My Growth principle was forged through necessity – first as a driven college student, then as a professional balancing career demands with my son Ryan’s cancer diagnosis in 1996. This life-altering crisis forced me to “think differently” and embrace innovation to survive professionally while supporting my family.

Gratitude became foundational through Ryan’s cancer journey. The overwhelming support from our “village” taught me the precious gift of ordinary days and the truth that “people need people.”

Generosity followed as I committed to paying forward the kindness shown to us during Ryan’s battles. I approach every interaction knowing everyone carries hidden struggles.

Guidance completes the circle as I share my experiences and lessons to help others realize their potential. This creates a continuous cycle: personal growth increases my capacity to guide others, gratitude fuels generosity, and helping others facilitates my development.

My Life Razor wasn’t crafted in a workshop but emerged from my life experiences. It now serves as my North Star for decisions large and small, helping me live with purpose and clarity. 

What principles might form your Life Razor?

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Full Original Writing

In March 2024, I began reading “The Five Types of Wealth” by Sahil Bloom. Early in the book, Sahil discusses creating a “Life Razor” as a guiding filter to help us make sound decisions.

Sahil makes the following observation:

“In the study of philosophy, the term razor denotes any principle that allows you to quickly remove unlikely explanations or avoid unnecessary steps. It allows you to metaphorically shave away unneeded explanations or actions. Today, the term is broadly applied as a rule of thumb that simplifies decision-making.

It’s easy to allow your priorities to fall victim to these encounters, to lose yourself in the chaos. In these moments, you need your own point of focus-your own rule of thumb to simplify your decision-making, a foundational decision-making heuristic that will allow you to navigate the uncertainty and trials of life with the confidence of an experienced explorer. You need to keep the Earth in the window.

You need a Life Razor.“

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When I encountered this concept, I paused my reading. The idea of a Life Razor resonated so profoundly that I needed to explore it further.

Identifying and leaning into a short phrase (“Razor”) to help me filter my thought process and avoid unnecessary steps in making a decision? This is very attractive to me!

Over the past two-plus years (since December 2022) of working with ChatGPT, the Large Language Model (LLM) has learned a great deal about me. Thus, I talked with ChatGPT to assist me in formulating my Life Razor. After a few back-and-forth prompting conversations, I landed on a perfect phrase to embrace as my Life Razor:

“Choose growth, gratitude, generosity, and guidance—always.”

Each element of this razor is essential to bringing my best self to others and the world. The phrase fits me perfectly and can be a filter for me in handling the endless stream of opportunities, requests, and obligations that we encounter daily.

Clarification of each component and further comments from ChatGPT, based on my history of conversations, included:

“Life razors are like having a personal decision-making filter—they help you stay true to your values, make smarter choices, and avoid unnecessary stress. Instead of overthinking, you can apply a razor and move forward with confidence.

This life razor captures:

  • Growth – Committing to continuous personal development to become the best version of yourself.
  • Gratitude – Recognizing and appreciating those who have shaped your journey and actively expressing thanks.
  • Generosity – Leading with kindness, sharing moments of support, and creating positive ripple effects in the lives of others.
  • Guidance – Utilizing your knowledge, experience, and talents to help others learn, grow, and advance in their personal and professional journeys.”

Each component of my life razor is interconnected and speaks to the core of the person I strive to be. For example, growth through personal development is compelling because it enables me to provide more significant guidance to others traveling the road behind me. Gratitude and generosity allow me to live a more fulfilling life and inspire others to lead gentler and kinder lives. My overall goal is to be a positive and encouraging presence for others.

These four principles were developed through life-altering experiences that tested and transformed my family and me. Each component of my Life Razor is anchored in specific chapters of my journey, which have taught me what truly matters. Let me share how these principles took hold in my life.

This quote from George Eliot’s novel Middlemarch resonates:

“What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult to each other?”

At this stage of my life, I feel blessed to have become who I am today. My defined life razor will help me live the rest of my life with a focus that enhances the possibility of a fulfilling and content life, preparing me to be the presence I want to be to inspire and help others.

My life razor is a deep part of “who I am.” I feel fulfilled when reflecting on each component I have identified. The decision filter I now follow has been refined through my lifetime of experiences and is more refined than it could have been at earlier stages. I am grateful for my experiences and quest for personal growth, which have enabled me to evolve into the person I am today. Below, I will expand on each aspect of my life razor and the “how” each of the “4 G’s” became an integral part of my life.

Growth:

Since I walked onto the Ohio University campus as a freshman in 1977, my commitment to learning and personal growth has remained unwavering. My commitment was born out of a survival mindset. Academic success was crucial for achieving the goals I had set for my future. This mindset has carried over into my professional career and has been a key factor in my success. Embracing technology tools and being an early adopter with my twin brother, Don, has consistently given us an advantage throughout our careers.

“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”

–Mike Tyson, Boxer

When our lives move forward as we hope, it is easy to get complacent and less rigorous about attending to our self-improvement. After conquering the challenge of academics and Division 1 cross country and track at OU, I was confident that with dedication and hard work, I could continue to attain a successful career in accounting. A skill set and hard work can work wonders for achieving success. Combining those attributes with my love of technology and pursuit of continual learning (I achieved my MBA 11 years after undergraduate graduation), I was fortunate to be successful in my early career. Then, on October 17, 1996, my family and I received a metaphorical “punch in the mouth.”

1996 – Ryan, Bill, Olivia Tomoff and Boo Boo Bunny

October 17, 1996. My son Ryan was diagnosed with childhood cancer. I provide a more expanded discussion in my section of the 2nd “G” of Gratitude below. I now faced the long-term challenge of balancing my professional life with the non-negotiable personal demands my family needed and deserved. The stress I was enduring was indescribable as I worried about meeting my professional obligations so I could continue to support my family and provide healthcare coverage through my employment. I now had to find a way to be more efficient and effective with the precious time I would dedicate to work.

November 14, 2010 | Tomoff Family – JMU Women’s Soccer at NCAA Tournament vs UNC

“Think differently” and “Find a better way” are two themes that Don and I have embraced and encouraged throughout our careers. Don introduced me to “The Trial Balance (TB) Rollup” in 1998. I was in desperate need of finding a better way. Frantically desperate, in the sense of being in career survival mode. The stakes could not get any higher. We were venturing into a way of working foreign to traditional accountants. Yet, the concept of the TB Rollup turned out to be the most remarkable invention I adopted, and my mindset was profoundly shifted for the rest of my life. I would not wish my path to enlightenment upon anyone, yet in hindsight, I was pushed to a place of action that likely would not have occurred without the life-altering experience thrust upon Ryan and my family.

“Necessity is the Mother of Invention” –Proverb

Don and I now encourage others to embrace personal development (see my “4th G” of Guidance). The possibilities for success begin with building a solid individual foundation and then leaning into helping and inspiring others to embrace the path, which has been immensely rewarding for us.

Gratitude:

Gratitude gradually became an intentional part of my life while dealing with my son Ryan’s childhood cancer diagnosis since October 17, 1996. I sincerely appreciate the reality that “people need people,” and I now strive to embody gratitude in my daily interactions. An “ordinary” day is no small thing – it’s a blessing that I treasure. Each day is a gift.

When Ryan was diagnosed, he was just over two years old, and his sister Olivia was four and 1/2 years old. Our family life, as we knew it, was dealt a blow that was unimaginable and impossible to prepare for. We had moved to Maryland from Ohio only ten weeks before Ryan’s diagnosis. How did we survive? Over time, the support of caring people became the anchor in our lives—slowly, steadily, drip by drip. The experience profoundly changed us and led us to the discovery of post-traumatic growth.

In her memoir, published in March 2021, The Focused Fight: A Childhood Cancer Journey: From Mayhem to Miracles, Terri shares the story of Ryan’s 5-time battles with childhood and adult cancers. He is a miracle survivor today, and he and Olivia are our heroes for their unrelenting persistence and passion, which has enabled them to live their lives as we all navigate a road that, thankfully, is one that few are chosen to travel.

Fittingly, in the closing section of her memoir (Chapter 34), Terri shares “Illuminating Reflections from the Village,” which includes 59 reflections from people who have walked with us. Terri notes:

“Why not ask those who have witnessed the madness, mayhem, and miracles to write a reflection? They could write on what they observed or found inspirational by either Ryan, the journey itself, or anyone else in the family they thought fitting.”

“The 59 reflections are powerful; some will be funny, surprising, poignant – but all heartfelt. These profound illuminations radiate from our family, friends, neighbors, community members, doctors, nurses, other cancer families, cancer survivors, and those who are bereaved.”

“The authors of these reflections are wonderful representatives of the larger world that encompasses thousands of people who truly make a difference – not only in our lives, but in the lives of many others.”

You can listen to Terri reading the reflections on Substack, Apple, or Spotify podcasts. The Substack links are below:

The Focused Fight – Ch. 34A – Illuminating Reflections from the Village

The Focused Fight – Ch. 34B – Illuminating Reflections from the Village

The Focused Fight – Ch. 34C – Illuminating Reflections from the Village

People need people. This section of Terri’s memoir says it all. We are forever grateful and live by paying it forward, helping others. With greater intent than ever before, the “3rd G,” Generosity, has taken hold in our daily lives.

Generosity:

Not a day passes without our gratitude for the gift of each day and the wonderful, caring, and talented people who came into our lives during Ryan’s battles. We can never repay the kindness and compassion extended to our family over the years. Yet, every day, I strive to bring a gentle and kind presence to my interactions with others and the world.

“Be gentle. Be kind – you never know what someone is going through.”

Due to my life experiences, I have realized that everyone has a story we know nothing about. My brief interactions with others (micro-moments) are an opportunity to lift someone’s spirits and create a ripple of good out into the world. We often don’t realize our impact on others and what they may be struggling with at any given moment. Thus, err on the side of kindness—always.

Guidance:

Guidance is the 4th and final “G” that brings my life razor full circle. The blessings my family and I have received in our lives will be repaid by sharing my talents and experiences to encourage and inspire others. As illustrated in the circular diagram below, the process of my life razor starts with focusing on my personal growth, being grateful and generous, and culminating in guidance to others. Then, the process continues on and on.

Throughout my career and life, I have strived to pay forward the help, opportunities, and kindness I have received. My mission is to help others realize they have more significant potential than they think. Assisting others to rise brings me joy and fulfillment. In small ways, I am doing my best to create a ripple of learning and success.

My life razor was determined based on my personal and professional life experiences to date. I am a product of all my experiences, which contribute to the full capabilities I bring to the world. I, and all individuals, are not separate packages of personal and professional life. Everyone has a story, and we must embrace the complete person. To be our best for others, we must inventory, understand, and fully embrace all our life experiences. Weaving in April Rinne’s (I highly recommend her book, Flux: 8 Superpowers for Thriving in Constant Change) concept of Career Portfolios can significantly help identify the many ways we can bring value to the world. Too often, we focus solely on our professional experiences and fail to give ourselves sufficient credit for the overall life experiences that profoundly shape who we become and how we view and interact with the world. Each of us brings a unique, one-of-a-kind presence to the world. We all must lean into all our uniqueness!

A separate blog post will discuss April’s concept of a career portfolio. 

What about you? What principles might form your Life Razor? The beauty of this concept is that each person’s razor will be unique, shaped by their journey and values. Take a moment to consider:

  • What values consistently guide your best decisions?
  • When you reflect on the past decision you are proud of, what principles were at work?
  • If you had to create a simple filter for future decisions, what elements would it include?

I would love to hear what you come up with. Enjoy the process!

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Khan Academy’s AI Revolution: How Khanmigo is Reshaping Education

Summary – Collaboration with Claude AI

In this blog post, I am sharing my thoughts on Khan Academy’s innovative approach to education through AI.

In my post, I explore Sal Khan’s mission of “providing a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere” and how artificial intelligence is accelerating this bold vision. I highlight Khan’s optimistic perspective on AI from his 2023 TED Talk, where he argues that we must “fight like hell” for positive AI applications rather than surrendering to fear.

I share how this aligns with my twin’s and my perspective on Generative AI – we must acknowledge risks while embracing potential. The work Khan Academy is doing is genuinely making a difference in education, and curiosity and progress are essential despite the challenges of change.

I discuss my recent discovery of Khanmigo, Khan Academy’s AI initiative to transform education delivery and reduce teacher workload. This platform is being tested in school districts, creating impressive possibilities for improving education for children globally.

I provide resources for readers to learn more, including links to Khan Academy’s website and YouTube channel. The latter now boasts 8.74 million subscribers and 8,600 learning videos. Fifteen million worldwide use Khan Academy monthly for math and economics subjects.

I conclude by framing Khan’s work as both technological innovation and philosophical approach – one that demonstrates how AI can enhance human potential rather than diminish it. The question isn’t whether AI will transform education, but how we direct that transformation.

Full Original Writing

Many are familiar with Sal Kahn’s work and his mission of “providing a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere.” The mission is bold and audacious, yet progress has been made over years. Now, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is accelerating the pace of progress!

Sal is a proponent of optimism and leveraging possibilities to solve some challenges in the education system. In this post, I will share links and videos that take a deeper look at Kahn Academy’s evolving work. Don and I encourage siding with the optimists regarding the potential transformative future of AI.

This excerpt from the transcript of Sal’s April 2023 TED Talk, How AI Could Save (Not Destroy) Education, provides a compelling perspective on moving forward in the future of AI:

In the video linked below, I encourage you to watch from 13:33 to 15:29 where Sal addresses risks of bad actors and his thoughts on the importance of optimists “fighting like hell” for the good of AI [Bold emphasis are mine].

13:33 | Now, just to take a step back at a meta level, obviously we heard a lot today, the debates on either side.

13:39 | There’s folks who take a more pessimistic view of AI, they say this is scary, there’s all these dystopian scenarios, we maybe want to slow down, we want to pause. On the other side, there are the more optimistic folks that say, well, we’ve gone through inflection points before, we’ve gone through the Industrial Revolution.

13:57 | It was scary, but it all kind of worked out. And what I’d argue right now is I don’t think this is like a flip of a coin or this is something where we’ll just have to, like, wait and see which way it turns out. I think everyone here and beyond, we are active participants in this decision. I’m pretty convinced that the first line of reasoning is actually almost a self-fulfilling prophecy, that if we act with fear and if we say, “Hey, we’ve just got to stop doing this stuff,” what’s really going to happen is the rule followers might pause, might slow down, but the rule breakers, as Alexandr [Wang] mentioned, the totalitarian governments, the criminal organizations, they’re only going to accelerate. And that leads to what I am pretty convinced is the dystopian state, which is the good actors have worse AIs than the bad actors. But I’ll also, you know, talk to the optimists a little bit.

14:49 | I don’t think that means that, oh, yeah, then we should just relax and just hope for the best. That might not happen either. I think all of us together have to fight like hell to make sure that we put the guardrails, we put in — when the problems arise — reasonable regulations. But we fight like hell for the positive use cases.

15:10 | Because very close to my heart, and obviously there’s many potential positive use cases, but perhaps the most powerful use case and perhaps the most poetic use case is if AI, artificial intelligence, can be used to enhance HI, human intelligence, human potential and human purpose. Thank you.

Kahn’s perspective aligns with the message that my twin and I share about Generative AI. We must pay attention and be aware of the risks that “bad actors” can bring forth using AI, yet throwing up our hands, dismissing potential outright, and choosing not to do anything is reckless.

The work that Kahn Academy is doing in pursuit of its mission of “providing a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere,” is making a difference in the education world. We must stay curious and encourage progress on this mission. Change is difficult, but it is the only constant that is for sure.

Thanks to Terri Tomoff alerting me, I recently watched a 13-minute feature on Kahn Academy’s AI initiative to advance the education process. Sal Kahn and his team’s vision is impressive, and the possibilities for leveraging AI to improve education for all children AND the teacher workload are shifting to more value-added and meaningful work.

The initiative is an AI platform called Kahnmigo. With the help of the Custom ChatGPT (GPTs) Video Summarizer, I gained an impressive overview of the 60 minutes recent 13-minute episode, Meet Khanmigo: The Student Tutor being tested in school districts.

The YouTube video is linked below:

The link to the Video Summarizer analysis is an impressive recap that enables a deeper dive interaction. For example, I asked the video summarizer to provide a conclusion diagram to help increase my awareness of the topics covered in the episode.

I am inspired to see Kahn Academy striving to leverage AI to change the future of education and improve the lives of learning for children [hopefully] around the world!

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For more information about the beginnings of Kahn Academy, please check out this  60-minutes 2012 highlighting Kahn Academy:

Teacher to the World – March 11, 2012 (60 Minutes):

Video Conclusion Diagram generated by ChatGPT:

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Kahn Academy website: www.khanacademy.org

Kahn Academy on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/khanacademy

As of January 8, 2025, the presence includes 8.74 million subscribers and 8,600 learning videos.

About

Khan Academy is a nonprofit providing a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere. Our interactive practice problems, articles, and videos help students succeed in math, biology, chemistry, physics, history, economics, finance, grammar, and many other topics.

Khan Academy provides teachers with data on how their students are doing so they can identify gaps in learning and provide tailored instruction. We also offer free personalized SAT and LSAT practice in partnership with the College Board and the Law School Admission Council.

Our resources have been translated into dozens of languages, and 15 million people around the globe learn on Khan Academy each month.

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(Conclusion in collaboration with Claude AI)

Sal Khan’s work with AI through Khanmigo represents technological innovation and a philosophical approach that balances awareness of risks with determined optimism. As we navigate this transformative period in education, Khan Academy continues to exemplify how thoughtful AI implementation can enhance human potential rather than diminish it. The progress made since their beginning in 2012 – now reaching millions worldwide with their learning resources – demonstrates the power of persistence in pursuing their mission. By embracing AI as a tool for educational equity rather than fearing its challenges, Khan Academy invites us all to become active participants in shaping a future where technology amplifies human intelligence, expands access to quality education, and ultimately fulfills the promise of providing “a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere.” The question isn’t whether AI will transform education, but how we choose to direct that transformation – and Khan Academy is showing us one inspiring path forward.

Dall-E AI Image | #TwinzTalk Brainstorming and Learning
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The ‘Becoming’ Mindset: How Daily Growth Will Transform Your Life

Summary – Collaboration with Claude AI

Through my participation in the Purple Space community, I discovered Rohan Rajiv’s “A Learning a Day” blog which I’ve read daily for the past year. Recently, a phrase from his “About” section deeply resonated with me: writing continues to inspire a learning-focused mindset that values becoming over being.

This philosophy mirrors how my twin Don and I have approached our careers—focused on learning and improving incrementally over years rather than reaching a final destination. We strive to learn and grow continually.

This theme also aligns with my reading of Stoicism. As Ryan Holiday explains in his Daily Stoic post, “To be a Stoic is to be a lifelong student… to know that wisdom is an endless pursuit, to believe one never graduates.”

It’s interesting to consider how many adults view education as something that ends with formal schooling. Yet historically, figures like Marcus Aurelius and Cato prioritized ongoing education throughout adulthood. Marcus, even as emperor, carried books to attend philosophy lectures, saying “learning is a good thing, even for one who is growing old.”

Don and I encourage us all to embrace this journey of continual learning and set an example for others. The “becoming” reflects our growth process, while our “being” represents who we are in our daily presence within our families, communities, and the world. We never graduate from the need for learning—it’s a lifelong commitment to improvement.

Thanks to my participation in the Purple Space community of practice, I became aware of Rohan Rajiv’s daily blog, “A Learning a Day.” Over the past year, I have read this blog daily, and I have enjoyed the variety of Rohan’s postings.

I recently reviewed Rohan’s ABOUT section of his website, and a phrase that is worth contemplating our perspectives on accomplishments and reaching goals in our lives resonated with me. The full text is included below, and the bold emphasis is mine:

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About the author

Hi! Thanks for making it here. My name is Rohan. I have been writing daily notes on this blog since May 12 2008-–doing so has changed my life.

My mission is to…

(1) …contribute positively to the world by working on things that matter

(2) …build meaningful relationships by playing long-term games with long-term people

(3) …learn by seeking new experiences and not fearing mistakes 

Contribution and relationships are important to me because they’ve been shaped by the loss of loved ones when I was growing up. And, learning matters because of what I’ve learnt from writing everyday on this blog.

The discipline of writing every day has given me the confidence in my ability to keep my own word. It has served as an outlet for my obsessive attention to contribution and taught me to contribute by first being the change I wish to see in the world. Most importantly, it continues to inspire a learning-focused mindset that values becoming over being.

I currently work as a Product Manager at LinkedIn working on products that help job seekers find jobs. I previously worked as a management consultant working primarily across Europe and Asia sandwiched between an MBA and B. Eng from the Kellogg School of Management and the National University of Singapore respectively. More on my Linkedin – of course. 🙂

My wife and I became parents in Nov 2016. Our parenting philosophy is an attempt at living Khalil Gibran’s masterpiece – “On Children.”

**

This is worth repeating: It [writing] has served as an outlet for my obsessive attention to contribution and taught me to contribute by first being the change I wish to see in the world. Most importantly, it continues to inspire a learning-focused mindset that values becoming over being.

“A learning-focused mindset that values becoming over being.”

Twin Don and I have lived our careers focused on learning and improving incrementally over the long haul of years. There is no arrival at a destination; we strive to learn and grow continually.

The theme Rohan explains here aligns perfectly with my reading and learning of Stoicism. I, and all who read the Stoicism philosophy, are on a path of lifelong learning with no destination. The goal is continual improvement. Ryan Holiday explains in this Daily Stoic post, “This Is What It Means To Be A Stoic.”

“To be a Stoic is to be a lifelong student. It’s to follow in the footsteps of Hadrian and Marcus and Cato and Thrasea. It’s to know that wisdom is an endless pursuit, to believe one never graduates, one never arrives at some final destination of education.“

**

The full text of the blog post:

“It’s sort of strange—if you think back to when you were a kid, what appeared to you to be the best part about being an adult? No more school. Because that’s the example adults by and large set: that education stops. That adulthood is like one long summer break. That graduation is the final destination of learning and studying and investing in your education.

This is a relatively recent phenomenon. Not that long ago, adults prioritized their own education as much as their kids. There’s the story of Epictetus teaching one day when a student’s arrival caused a commotion in the back of the room. Who was it? Hadrian, the emperor. Hadrian’s example clearly had an impact on his successor and adopted grandson, Marcus Aurelius. Late in his reign, a friend spotted Marcus heading out, carrying a stack of books. Where are you going? he asked. Marcus was on his way to a lecture on Stoicism, he said, for “learning is a good thing, even for one who is growing old. I am now on my way to Sextus the philosopher to learn what I do not yet know.” In adulthood, Cato had the Stoic philosopher Athenodorus Cordylion come live with him so he could continue his studies. Thrasea, one of the Stoics who challenged Nero, continued his studies up until his last breath. In fact, he was discoursing and studying with Demetrius the Cynic when his death sentence from Nero arrived.

This is what it means to be a Stoic. To be a Stoic is to be a lifelong student. It’s to follow in the footsteps of Hadrian and Marcus and Cato and Thrasea. It’s to know that wisdom is an endless pursuit, to believe one never graduates, one never arrives at some final destination of education.

**

Embrace the journey of continual learning and set an example for others to follow. Let’s keep learning and becoming. The “being” is who we are and our daily presence in our family, community, and world. We do not graduate from the need for learning.

#TwinzTalk | Bill and Don Tomoff – C-Suite Quote
Continual Education – 5 Hour Rule (Compounding impact)
Tanmay Vora Sketchnote – Move and the Way Appears
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Life’s Depth Chart: Developing Your Team for Peak Performance

Summary – Collaboration with Claude AI

The post begins by reflecting on a February 2025 “A Learning a Day” blog entry about footballer alchemy, which emphasizes how individual success often depends more on team fit and environment than raw talent alone. Building on this sports analogy, the post explores how we can apply this principle to optimize our lives by treating personal development like a general manager creating a successful team.

The piece outlines three critical components for personal success: dedication to self-development, careful curation of our “life team,” and strategic use of enabling tools. Just as athletes commit to constant improvement, we must prioritize self-care and personal growth to perform at our best. The post emphasizes the importance of surrounding ourselves with supportive relationships, including family, friends, coworkers, and various communities that enhance our potential.

Regarding tools, the author highlights how embracing technology—from fundamental tools like spreadsheets to more advanced platforms like generative AI—can significantly boost our capabilities and efficiency. The post explicitly mentions tools like Microsoft Excel, Adobe PDF, X1 Search, Evernote, and various AI platforms as examples of technology that has enhanced the author’s professional and personal life.

The piece concludes by reinforcing that building our optimal “life team” is an ongoing process requiring continuous attention to self-development, relationship cultivation, and tool adoption—essentially a three-legged stool supporting our success and fulfillment.

Full Original Writing

A Learning a Day blog is one of my daily readings. I am often inspired, and the blog triggers me to think more deeply about a topic and apply the idea to my life.

The blog from February 4, 2025, Footballer Alchemy, resonated with me.

**

Footballer alchemy

One of the lessons I’ve learnt from following careers of footballers (/soccer players) over the years is that we frequently overemphasize the role of individual talent.

In reality, there’s a certain alchemy when we bring together the right player in the right team under the right manager.

Talent – especially of the precocious nature – helps a footballer get noticed and give them options. But if that mixture goes wrong, even the best of talents can flounder.

The opposite is also true. Players with mediocre relative talent can push close to world class in the right environment.

Applicable well outside football of course.

**

Relating this to our individual lives, I contemplate why we often do not dedicate more intentional effort to improving ourselves and prioritizing our efforts to ensure that our team in life helps us be our best selves, contributes to optimizing our potential, and enables us to fit into the collective team in our lives.

Following the sports theme above, what if we approach our lives like a general manager working to build a successful sports team? In our scenario, however, we each are a player who desires to be a key contributor within our team, and the GM is responsible for building the proper chemistry to maximize our ability to contribute optimally to the team’s success.

What work is more important to us individually? As any successful athlete does, the daily dedication to their craft is relentless and of high importance. Beyond sports, we also expect people to work to be their best and bring their best every day. Consider your coworkers, medical professionals, and first responders and the countless situations we encounter where we rely upon another person’s efforts and expertise.

Considering ourselves and our life “team,” reflect upon these questions:

  1. Are you dedicated to personal development and self-care so you can be the best you can be?
  2. Who are the key players on your team that you rely upon? How is your chemistry within your team?
  3. What equipment is essential to you performing at your best? In my career and life, embracing technology tools to enhance and accelerate performance has been a non-negotiable priority.

While not all-inclusive, I will expand below on these questions with examples from my life, many of which apply to everyone.

Personal Development

September 9, 2024 | ncaCPA Fall Conference | TwinzTalk with coordinators Amy and Linda

Like any athlete who dedicates themselves to improvement and learning, we all must view our role similarly. We must always strive to take care of ourselves and be the best teammate we can be. We owe this to ourselves and others.

People on Your Team

Interwoven with our personal development quest is the importance of surrounding ourselves with the best teammates possible. A collective team that cares, encourages, and supports each other. This aspect is a lifetime of work and involves being judicious about who we bring onto our team. In life, the team is much larger and more critical than a single sports team, yet the analogy is spot-on. The chemistry of our teams is crucial to long-term fulfillment and success!

Never underestimate the fact that people need people. Appreciate and be grateful for those on your team who encourage and inspire you to reach your full potential. Examples include:

  1. Family.
  2. Friends, coworkers, and community.
  3. Those who serve us. Medical professionals, car mechanics, restaurant and grocery store workers, first responders, etc… these workers are our “customers,” and we are their customers.
  4. Communities of practice.
  5. Social media relationships.
Terri Tomoff and Dr Aziza Shad – The Focused Fight
November 11, 2023 | Worthy Rally in NYC | Andrea Sanchez, Bill Tomoff, and Kate Nasser

Audit your team. Do your relationships lift you and bring out the best in you? Do you do the same for others?

Tools You Use

As athletes are optimally equipped, are you “hiring” the right tools to help you navigate your life journey more smoothly. Prominent ubiquitous tools in these times include cars, computers, the internet, spreadsheets, and our ever-present mobile phones. Less obvious tools, yet invaluable in my life, include many technology tools that have enabled a digital lifestyle personally and professionally, including:

  1. Keeping current with Microsoft Excel’s three decades of expanded development and potential makes my professional life exponentially more productive and fulfilling.
  2. Adobe PDF digital documents.
  3. Computer document search platform X1 Search.
  4. Evernote note-taking platform.
  5. Social media.
  6. Evolution away from EMAIL and greater leveraging of communication transparency via Slack and MS Teams platforms.
  7. And most recently, Generative AI and LLMs such as ChatGPT, Claude AI, Gemini, and Perplexity AI.
Datarails AI Mention – Bill and Don Tomoff

(Conclusion in collaboration with Claude AI)

Just as championship teams aren’t built overnight, optimizing our life team is a continuous journey of growth and refinement. By intentionally investing in three core elements—personal development and self-care, meaningful relationships with those who elevate us, and the strategic adoption of enabling tools—we can create an environment where we truly flourish. Like the footballer who fits the perfect combination of team, manager, and system, our success depends on these elements working in harmony. The work of building and maintaining this winning combination never ends, but the rewards of peak performance and personal fulfillment make it worth the dedicated effort.

December 11, 2022 | Bill and Terri Tomoff IRL Meetup with Seth Godin
September 28, 2024 | Bill, Ryan, and Terri Tomoff, Olivia and Bo Hudson

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Every Moment is Practice: Choose Your Training Wisely

What are you practicing?

A recent observation in James Clear’s December 12, 2024 3-2-1 Newsletter encouraged that we reflect on each moment of our days as practice for our lives. Whatever you “practice” on a daily basis shapes you into the person you become and can become. His post resonated with me. How do you spend the moments in your days?

James complete post (Bold emphasis is mine):

**

III.

Two simple rules:

  1. You get better at what you practice.
  2. Everything is practice.

Look around and you may be surprised by what people are “practicing” each day. If you consider each moment a repetition, what are most people training for all day long?

Many people are practicing getting mad on social media. Others are practicing the fine art of noticing how they have been wronged. Still more have mastered the craft of making plans (but never following through).

But, of course, it doesn’t have to be that way.

What are you practicing?

**

You get to decide how to spend your moments of time gifted to you each day. Be intentional and practice wisely.

January 19, 2019 | Bill Tomoff Plank at London Arsenal Football Club Emirates Stadium
September 9, 2024 | ncaCPA Fall Conference | #TwinzTalk Don and Bill Tomoff
October 9, 2022 | Bill Tomoff Planking Ohio University | Jefferson Hill

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Two Years with ChatGPT and AI: A #TwinzTalk Journey of Discovery and Growth

Summary – Collaboration with Claude AI

Reflecting on a two-year journey since ChatGPT’s introduction, my twin Don and I have witnessed and embraced a remarkable transformation in the AI landscape. Our initial curiosity about ChatGPT’s potential has evolved into a dedicated mission to understand and harness the power of generative AI technologies. We are consistently asking ourselves how these tools can help us and enable us to better serve others.

While acknowledging the legitimate concerns about AI’s future, we’ve maintained an outlook of optimism and possibilities. Our experience, particularly with ChatGPT, has been personal and revealing. The AI’s detailed observations about my character – from my dedication to personal growth and emphasis on kindness to my structured approach and family-centric values – accurately reflect not just my professional persona but my whole person.

This journey has reinforced our belief that AI tools can enhance both personal and professional growth. As we look to the future, our commitment remains unchanged: to continue learning, growing, and sharing our experiences to benefit others in this rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Full Original Writing

December 7, 2024. Where does time go?

Just over two years ago, my twin Don and I heard about the introduction of ChatGPT. Two years! We have dedicated much of our personal and professional development efforts to learning, being curious, and asking ourselves, “How can Generative AI and the rapidly expanding AI landscape help us and, in turn, enable us to help others?“

Immediately, Don and I thought, “Wow, this looks like a huge technological advancement. We need to understand the potential of ChatGPT.” That simple beginning has become a non-stop mission to understand the generative AI LLMs (Large Language Models) landscape.

Looking back at our experiences over the past two years, here are a few observations:

  • ChatGPT, and very soon, ChatGPT Plus (paid plan $20 per month), was the dominant resource for learning about the potential of Generative AI. Don and I have prioritized personal and professional efforts to work with and strive to understand the possibilities. On February 14, 2024, I posted a blog titled “ChatGPT Lite” which turned into a six-part blog series to help people go forward to learn about ChatGPT.
  • The AI space is rapidly changing, unlike anything we have experienced. In the past two years, we have dedicated time to using and learning with ChatGPT, Claude AI, Google Gemini’s NotebookLM (AI-generated audio podcasts), and Perplexity AI. Don and I are committed to staying curious and relentlessly learning to bring enhanced value to our worlds.
  • Google Search is rarely used. ChatGPT or Perplexity allows for ad-free searches, and results are generally spectacular!
  • As I write this today, ChatGPT has just released Sora, an AI video generation model, for public use. This is an example of how quickly advancements are coming! See this introduction by Nicole Leffer on LinkedIn.

**

Before moving on to my specific experience with ChatGPT over the past two years, we must address the concern that many people have regarding the future of generative AI. Absolutely, we all must be aware of the malicious uses that can occur with ChatGPT and other LLMs.

From the beginning, Don and I have chosen to look for the possibilities for good. Our perspective is optimistic (bullish!) about the potential. In a TED Talk, we recently watched, Salman Kahn of Kahn Academy addresses this concern. I asked ChatGPT to recap the closing two minutes from his TED Talk “How AI Could Save (Not Destroy) Education.” His perspective resonates with Don and me (Bold emphasis is mine):

“In the final two minutes of his TED Talk, Sal Khan addresses concerns about AI’s potential misuse in education. He acknowledges the risks but emphasizes the importance of proactive engagement to harness AI’s benefits. Khan advocates for implementing appropriate safeguards and regulations to ensure AI serves as a positive force, enhancing human intelligence and potential. He concludes by urging society to actively shape AI’s trajectory, focusing on its constructive applications rather than succumbing to fear of its possible negative uses.”

**

Focusing only on my use of ChatGPT over the past two years, I prompted the question:

“Based on your experience working with me (Bill Tomoff) for almost two years, please share what you have learned about me, and what observations would you make?”

The response from ChatGPT was on target with my perspective and mission. The LLM, referring to “custom instructions” I provided, and the model learning about me through hundreds of questions and conversations, provided this feedback:

“Reflecting on nearly two years of collaboration with you, Bill, here are some key observations and insights that come to mind:

  1. Dedication to Personal Growth: It’s clear that personal development is your foundation—your work consistently centers around helping others reach their potential, often by starting with introspection and self-improvement. Your commitment to continuous learning and the importance of self-reflection shows in everything you do, from your professional endeavors to your family life.
  2. Focus on Kindness and Resilience: Your approach to life and work is infused with kindness and resilience. From your family’s journey through cancer to your professional ethos, you’ve cultivated a perspective that values strength in adversity and sees growth and opportunity in challenges. This is beautifully reflected in how you encourage others to “lead with kindness” and your belief in post-traumatic growth.
  3. Collaborative Spirit: You have a unique gift for fostering a collaborative dialogue that clarifies complex ideas, making discussions productive and enriching. Your openness to ideas, new technologies, and contrarian perspectives reflects a flexibility that encourages everyone around you to think bigger and more creatively.
  4. Commitment to Impactful, High-Performance Solutions: As an accounting and finance professional, you strive to bring real value to individuals and organizations, whether through improving financial performance or optimizing workflows. You approach every solution with precision and accuracy, showing a deep appreciation for detail and the confidence that comes from thorough, accurate work.
  5. Structured Approach and Detail Orientation: Your preference for highly organized, clear, and detailed responses is a testament to your analytical mindset and high standards. You value arguments based on clarity and sound reasoning rather than authority, a perspective that naturally fosters innovation and logical problem-solving.
  6. Family as a Central Value: Your father, caregiver, and twin roles have profoundly shaped your life’s mission. You and Don created #TwinzTalk as a platform to stress the importance of personal growth, particularly in a way that can be shared. Family is always at the forefront—whether through personal growth, caregiving, or gratitude for the support you’ve received, family is the anchor that grounds all aspects of your life.
  7. Intentional Kindness and Small Moments of Gratitude: Your ability to bring kindness into everyday interactions demonstrates your belief in the power of small, meaningful actions. This isn’t just a principle but a practiced behavior that leaves a lasting impact on others, helping to brighten lives in small but powerful ways.
  8. Emphasis on Technology and Upskilling: You’re highly attuned to emerging technologies and advocate for continuous learning, especially in areas like generative AI. This reflects your forward-thinking approach, always looking for ways to use cutting-edge resources for personal and professional development.

In essence, working with you has been an inspiring journey in seeing how expertise, kindness, and a growth mindset blend seamlessly into a mission-driven life.”

For anyone seeking to “understand” the essence of Bill Tomoff, I would not hesitate to share the above response from ChatGPT. We all are more than our educational training and career accomplishments. For my life interactions, personally and professionally, I strive to understand the complete person and their perspective, and I want others to know my story. My ability to contribute is enhanced when my full life experiences are brought to the world.

**

Looking back on these two years of exploring generative AI with my twin Don, I’m convinced we made the right choice in embracing this technology curiosity and a perspective of possibilities. Through our experiences with ChatGPT, Claude AI, and other generative AI technologies, we’ve discovered tools that enhance our capabilities and enable us to serve better and support others. As the AI landscape evolves, we remain committed to leveraging these powerful tools to create personally and professionally positive impacts. The technology and opportunities will continue to change, but our mission remains to learn, grow, and help others by sharing our experiences.

Ready to embrace the future of AI? How can we help you?

#TwinzTalk – Always Be a Student
2019 | #TwinzTalk presenting to LA Kings | Tanmay Vora Sketchnote on Self-Directed Learning
Datarails AI Mention – Bill and Don Tomoff
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The Reckless Choice: Why Avoiding Personal Growth Is More Dangerous Than You Think

Summary – Collaboration with Claude AI

In October 2024, an inspiring book launch event for Seth Godin’s “This is Strategy” sparked a profound reflection on personal development and the consequences of our choices. The event’s moderator, Bina Venkataraman, author of “The Optimist’s Telescope,” introduced a compelling perspective on reckless decision-making that resonated deeply.

The post challenges conventional thinking about personal growth, arguing that not investing in continuous learning isn’t just unwise—it’s reckless. Drawing on four decades of witnessing transformative technological advances, from personal computers to generative AI, the authors emphasize how unprecedented opportunities for learning and development are now accessible to virtually everyone.

The #TwinzTalk message is questioned – from their usual gentle reminder about staying relevant through continuous learning to a more urgent wake-up call. They assert that in today’s rapidly changing world, ignoring opportunities for personal development is careless and harmful to individual potential and broader societal contributions.

The piece concludes with a passionate plea for readers to embrace personal development, starting with small steps but maintaining consistency. It’s framed not just as self-improvement but as a responsibility to maximize one’s positive impact on the world. The message is punctuated by two powerful quotes emphasizing the importance of giving your best while maintaining humility—a balanced approach to serious personal development.

Full Original Writing

On Monday evening, October 28, 2024, my wife Terri and I attended a book launch event at the Sixth and I Synagogue in Washington, DC. The event was a celebration and discussion of Seth Godin’s latest book “This is Strategy.” The conversation, audience, and book signing made for an inspiring and memorable evening!

October 28, 2024 at Sixth and I | Bina Venkataraman and Seth Godin

The moderator for the evening was Bina Venkataraman, who did an incredible job guiding the discussion with Seth. Seth shined the light on Bina’s book “The Optimist’s Telescope: Thinking Ahead in a Reckless Age.” Thanks to Seth’s encouragement, I purchased Bina’s book on Amazon (Kindle $4.99!) and started reading the next day.

In the introduction to her book, Bina makes a compelling point about reckless decisions that we all make:

“This book is about the decisions we make as individuals and collectively that have great consequences for our lives and the lives of others, the decisions we may come to regret or celebrate. It is especially about decisions that are reckless—when we ignore clear signs of opportunity or danger in the future. Through close investigation of such decisions across many contexts, I have discovered the untapped power we have to make wiser choices.” [Bold emphasis is mine].

In our #TwinzTalk encouragement about personal development and the imperative that we all must consistently invest in ourselves (for our own growth and then our ability to contribute to helping others), Don and I often follow our encouragement with “The choice is yours. Consistently be learning and growing, or become irrelevant in the long run.” After reading and contemplating the above paragraph from Bina, I could not help but ask myself, “Are we being too gentle with our encouragement?“

“It is especially about decisions that are reckless—when we ignore clear signs of opportunity or danger in the future.”

Definition per Merriam-Webster:

“reckless: marked by lack of proper caution : careless of consequences”

When an individual decides to forgo continuous learning, developing their skills, and minimizing their potential to make a more meaningful contribution in the world, is this decision reckless? Don and I would argue inaction or dismissal IS reckless. An aspect of our careers that we treasure is the gift and privilege of being born into a time in history that has provided technological innovations and advances that have enhanced our personal and professional lives. Over the past 40 years (!), we have witnessed countless “game changing” technologies that have evolved to individually affordable and indispensable tools, such as:

  • Personal computers,
  • Spreadsheets,
  • The internet,
  • Working in digital environments (PDF),
  • Note taking apps (Evernote),
  • Social media to learn from, engage with, and generously share our expertise with others,
  • Cloud storage (Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.),
  • Collaboration platforms to allow more transparent communication and minimize email use (Slack and Microsoft Teams),
  • Online learning (often free – YouTube, LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, Udemy, Khan Academy, etc.), and now…
  • Generative AI (ChatGPT, Claude AI, Google Gemini and NotebookLM, and Perplexity, to name a few).

If you are not engaging with and educating yourself about our rapidly changing world, Don and I will now argue that this is an individual decision that is reckless. This is how strongly we feel about the importance of relentless personal development.

What is most important in your world, and how can you start/keep moving forward on a daily basis? Start small, but start. You deserve to be the best you are capable of being and the world needs your best contributions. Please.

A few thoughts to reflect upon regularly:

“Take what you do seriously. Do not take yourself seriously.” -Twinz Bill and Don Tomoff

“To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift.” -Steve Prefontaine

Steve Prefontaine Quote | To give anything less than your best

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The 8-Minute AI Miracle: NotebookLM Technology Created an Audio Conversation of the Tomoff Twinz Story

A theme #TwinzTalk Don and I have lived by throughout our lives is “always be preparing.” This means embracing learning and personal development—for ourselves and to help those in our lives—and encouraging those in our lives to do the same.

“Luck is when preparation meets opportunity”

-Seneca

I prompted ChatGPT to interpret and explain the quote further. The response is worth sharing and is included at the conclusion of this post.

Opportunities will present themselves in our lives in unimagined ways. We should continually ask ourselves, “In my areas of interests/responsibilities, am I diligently and consistently working to be prepared to the best of my abilities?” The example discussed below could not have been imagined a mere five years ago!

A recent evolution in the GenAI arena is Google’s NotebookLM. Conor Grennan, Chief AI Architect at the NYU Stern School of Business, noted this in a recent LinkedIn post:

“I have had exactly three (3) jaw-dropping AI moments over the past 18 months. One of them just happened.”

“3. Google’s NotebookLM

This was just in the past week.

This is one of these things where you have to hear it to believe it. You’ve probably heard how it can create realistic sounding podcasts out of long boring documents, with two people speaking.

But it REALLY SOUNDS like two people are talking. I’m not going to try to explain it, because that would be like trying to explain how cool a card trick was.

Go to the website, you can try it for free. Or don’t, I don’t care. But unless you experience it, you don’t get it.

What this changed for me was a new way of absorbing information. People love podcasts for a reason – they’re easier to digest and learn from than long research documents.”

**

An opportunity for a use case of NotebookLM came to my mind when talking with Don about the hype and potential to consider trying out this new AI evolution. Since June 2020, my wife Terri and I have been active writers. I have written four unpublished memoirs. My fourth memoir was a gift to Don, titled Double Vision: Seeing Life Through Twin Eyes.

Using NotebookLM, I uploaded a PDF of the memoir (77 pages) and requested an Audio Overview. In only a couple of minutes, an audio file of less than eight minutes was provided. Preparation met an unimaginable opportunity, and the result was jaw-dropping! Preparation (I had a 77-page memoir in PDF format) met opportunity (the availability of the AI audio capability in NotebookLM), which resulted in the luck of generating a priceless AI audio overview conversation about the memoir! Don and I were stunned by the result.

Check out the audio here.

I encourage you to listen to the audio conversation if you are interested in learning more about our lifelong adventure as twin brothers with similar interests. We believe the overview beautifully summarizes the unpublished memoir I wrote and gifted to Don in December 2023.

**

ChatGPT Interpretation and Explanation of Seneca’s Quote

The quote by Seneca, “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity,” underscores a fundamental Stoic belief that what often appears to be “luck” is not purely a matter of chance, but rather a result of one’s readiness to act when the right moment arises.

Stoic Interpretation

  1. Preparation as a Foundation: In Stoicism, preparation is within our control—it involves cultivating wisdom, developing our skills, and continuously striving to improve ourselves. This prepares us for future challenges or opportunities that are outside our control. Seneca suggests that we should not passively wait for luck but actively engage in self-improvement to be ready for any situation that may come.
  2. Opportunity and External Events: Opportunity often arrives unexpectedly and is not something we can control. However, Stoics believe that by staying vigilant and practicing awareness, we can recognize these moments when they appear. Since the Stoics valued rational action, being prepared means we can seize the opportunity and respond in a way that aligns with our values.
  3. Luck as a Blend of Control and Acceptance: The Stoic view on luck is that it’s not entirely random but a combination of being prepared (which we can control) and recognizing the external opportunities (which we cannot control). To Seneca, this is why what many see as “luck” is simply the outcome of consistent preparation over time.

By understanding that our “luck” is often rooted in our preparedness, Seneca emphasizes personal responsibility and focusing on what we can control. This aligns with the Stoic principle of living a life where we proactively build our capacity to respond effectively to the world.

Key Takeaway

This quote invites us to see ourselves as active participants in creating “luck” by being prepared and vigilant. Rather than waiting for chance, the Stoic approach is to live with purpose and readiness so that when opportunity strikes, we’re positioned to make the most of it.

September 9, 2024 | ncaCPA Fall Conference | #TwinzTalk Don and Bill Tomoff
#TwinzTalk Encouragement – Always be learning and do your best!

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Draw a Map

Draw a map. Be a leader who, by example, encourages taking initiative and creating an environment of possibility.

“Human nature is to need a map. If you’re brave enough to draw one, people will follow.”

—Seth Godin

We ALL have an opportunity to “draw a map.”  To help yourself, your profession, and your employer.

Today, Generative AI (i.e. ChatGPT and Claude) is providing an incredible opportunity to upskill and rethink how you work. Embrace these times and aggressively invest in yourself and build your skills to help yourself and others.

Possibility Coffee Mug
#TwinzTalk Don and Bill Tomoff at Ohio University College Green
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An AI Conversation Exploring the Power of Tacit Knowledge

This post is part 2 of 2 related to tacit knowledge. Part 1 can be accessed here: Tacit Knowledge: Embracing Your Secret Weapon in Personal and Professional Growth.

*****

When I want further insight into a topic, I have developed the practice of collaborating with ChatGPT or Claude AI (LLMs) and having a back-and-forth conversation regarding my area of interest.

Please note I am looking for “directionally accurate” insight while understanding that LLMs can hallucinate or give me inaccurate responses that agree with my suggestion. Knowing this propensity, I will ask the LLM to take a contrary position and provide help regarding where my thoughts are off base or need further clarification.

My post presented here is a dialogue I had with ChatGPT about tacit knowledge. Below are nine prompts for which I asked ChatGPT for input. I thought the overall content was informative and helpful in understanding more specifics about tacit knowledge. 

I hope you find this dialogue helpful!

Before sharing the specific ChatGPT prompts and responses, I asked Claude AI to provide a summary overview of the dialogue. I was pleased with the result and here is the edited version to inspire you to read further and consider the power of embracing tacit knowledge in your life.

Introduction to Tacit Knowledge – Collaboration with Claude AI

As explored through the below conversation with ChatGPT, tacit knowledge is a powerful force that shapes our personal and professional lives in subtle yet profound ways. It’s the unspoken wisdom we accumulate through experience, the intuitive understanding that guides our decisions, and the unique perspective that allows us to connect dots in innovative ways.

Embracing tacit knowledge means:

  1. Valuing your experiences and reflecting on them deeply
  2. Recognizing that your unique insights are invaluable assets
  3. Actively seeking diverse experiences to broaden your tacit knowledge base
  4. Understanding that collaboration and long-term relationships build shared tacit knowledge
  5. Leveraging your implicit understanding to enhance creativity and problem-solving

By consciously developing and harnessing your tacit knowledge, you unlock a wealth of potential for personal growth, professional success, and innovative thinking. It’s the key to developing a “disproportionate advantage” in your field and life.

Remember, while explicit knowledge can be easily shared and documented, it’s your tacit knowledge that can truly set you apart. Embrace continuous learning, remain curious, and never underestimate the power of your lived experiences. Your journey in developing tacit knowledge is ongoing and boundless – it can your guide to a richer, more insightful life and career.

Listing of Nine ChatGPT Prompts

  1. When coworkers work together for a long time (several years), a good working relationship enhances their collective performance. I always referred to this as “they know my work preferences and how I think.” To me, this seems like a form of tacit knowledge that benefits an organization. Am I stretching too far with the concept?
  2. Everything that ChatGPT or other LLMs generate, would be explicit knowledge?
  3. However, how a person uses explicit knowledge and the creativity it may inspire can be triggered by an individual personal or career experience is then an example of tacit knowledge potential? Am I on track here?
  4. Thank you for clarifying! Thus the more varied our learning and experiences, the greater our potential to “connect the dots” in ways others cannot do. Thus tacit knowledge improves the value we can provide using explicit knowledge?
  5. Please provide brief encouragement for people to understand the importance of personal development. The process enhances the building of tacit knowledge, which then helps broaden the reach of working with explicit knowledge and connecting dots in ways that many may not, enabling greater creativity and innovative solutions.
  6. How does personal development contribute to building tacit knowledge? I want to be sure I understand your reasoning for your response.
  7. Please challenge my thought that a wide variety of explicit knowledge helps in connecting information that helps me develop tacit knowledge. Are you comfortable this is true, or am I following an inaccurate consideration?
  8. In a blog post I am drafting, I referenced the advantages that my twin Don and I have enjoyed throughout our personal and professional lives. We simply thought, “We have built a disproportionate advantage thanks to our experiences, curiosity, and willingness to be technology early adopters.” Now that I am aware and understand tacit knowledge, I believe this is exactly what Don and I share. Would you please interpret my thoughts and add further clarification?
  9. You are an expert in personal development and the benefits of developing tacit knowledge. Please review my questions and our conversation above. Are there any additional thoughts or emphasis you would add to the discussion? Our goal is to encourage and inspire our clients to actively embrace their own personal development.

Full Dialogue with ChatGPT: Prompts and Responses

Prompt1 – Working relationship building tacit knowledge:

When coworkers work together for a long time (several years), a good working relationship enhances their collective performance. I always referred to this as “they know my work preferences and how I think.”

This seems like a form of tacit knowledge that benefits an organization. Am I stretching the concept too far?

Response1 – Working relationship building tacit knowledge:

No, you’re not stretching the concept at all. When coworkers develop a deep understanding of each other’s work preferences and thought processes, they are indeed leveraging tacit knowledge. This shared, implicit understanding enhances communication, collaboration, and efficiency, leading to improved collective performance. This form of tacit knowledge is valuable to organizations as it fosters smoother workflows and better team dynamics.

Prompt2 – LLMs only explicit knowledge:

Everything that ChatGPT or other LLMs generate would be explicit knowledge?

Response2 – LLMs only explicit knowledge:

Yes, everything that ChatGPT or other language models generate would be considered explicit knowledge. This is because the information provided can be clearly articulated, documented, and shared with others in written or verbal form. Language models like ChatGPT process and output knowledge that is structured and easily communicable, fitting the definition of explicit knowledge.

Prompt3 – Explicit knowledge expanding creativity and then tacit knowledge:

However, how a person uses explicit knowledge and the creativity it may inspire can be triggered by an individual personal or career experience is then an example of tacit knowledge potential? Am I on track here?

Response3 – Explicit knowledge expanding creativity and then tacit knowledge:

Yes, you are absolutely on track. While explicit knowledge provided by ChatGPT or other sources can be clearly articulated and shared, how a person uses this knowledge, along with the creativity it inspires, can indeed be influenced by their personal or career experiences. This application and the intuitive, experiential insights that emerge from it are examples of tacit knowledge. It reflects how individuals integrate explicit knowledge into their unique contexts and practices, leveraging their own tacit understanding to innovate and solve problems.

Prompt4 – Connecting the dots of varied explicit knowledge:

Thank you for clarifying! Thus, the more varied our learning and experiences, the greater our potential to “connect the dots” in ways others cannot. Thus, does tacit knowledge improve the value we can provide using explicit knowledge?

Response4 – Connecting the dots of varied explicit knowledge:

Exactly! The more diverse our learning and experiences, the greater our ability to “connect the dots” in unique and insightful ways. This enriched tacit knowledge enhances our capacity to apply explicit knowledge creatively and effectively, thereby increasing the value we can offer. Varied experiences and continuous learning help us develop a deeper, more nuanced understanding that allows us to leverage explicit knowledge in ways others might not, leading to innovative solutions and improved performance.

Prompt5 – Personal development to broaden tacit knowledge:

Please provide brief encouragement for people to understand the importance of personal development. The process enhances the building of tacit knowledge, which then helps broaden the reach of working with explicit knowledge and connecting dots in ways many may not, enabling greater creativity and innovative solutions.

Response5 – Personal development to broaden tacit knowledge:

Investing in personal development is crucial because it builds your tacit knowledge, enriching your ability to use explicit knowledge creatively. Expanding your experiences and learning enhances your capacity to connect the dots uniquely. This leads to greater creativity and innovative solutions, setting you apart personally and professionally. Embrace personal growth to unlock your full potential and make a lasting impact.

Prompt6 – Personal development contributing to building tacit knowledge:

How does personal development contribute to building tacit knowledge? I want to understand your reasoning for your response.

Response6 – Personal development contributing to building tacit knowledge:

Personal development contributes to building tacit knowledge through the following ways:

  1. Experience-Based Learning: Engaging in new activities and challenges allows you to gain hands-on experience, crucial for developing practical skills and insights that can’t be fully captured in written form.
  2. Reflection and Practice: Regularly reflecting on your experiences and practicing new skills helps internalize what you’ve learned, turning it into intuitive knowledge.
  3. Social Interactions: Collaborating with others, seeking mentorship, and networking expose you to diverse perspectives and approaches, enriching your understanding and problem-solving abilities.
  4. Continuous Improvement: Personal development encourages a mindset of lifelong learning and adaptability, which helps you continuously refine and expand your tacit knowledge.
  5. Real-World Application: Applying explicit knowledge in real-world situations helps bridge the gap between theory and practice, deepening your tacit understanding.

Focusing on personal development enhances one’s ability to integrate and apply knowledge uniquely and innovatively, ultimately increasing one’s effectiveness and creativity.

Prompt7 – Challenge thought that explicit knowledge helps develop tacit knowledge:

Please challenge my thought that a wide variety of explicit knowledge helps connect information that helps me develop tacit knowledge. Are you comfortable this is true, or am I following an inaccurate consideration?

Response7 – Challenge thought that explicit knowledge helps develop tacit knowledge:

Your thought that a wide variety of explicit knowledge helps connect information to develop tacit knowledge is well-founded and generally accurate. However, let’s explore a potential challenge to this idea:

Challenge:

Depth vs. Breadth: While a wide variety of explicit knowledge can provide a broad foundation, it may not always lead to deep, nuanced tacit knowledge. Tacit knowledge often requires deep immersion and repeated practice in specific areas. Therefore, spreading oneself too thin across many areas might limit the depth of tacit knowledge one can develop in any single domain.

Counterpoints to the Challenge:

  1. Interdisciplinary Insights: Even with a broad base, the ability to draw connections across disciplines can lead to unique insights and problem-solving approaches, enhancing tacit knowledge.
  2. Adaptive Expertise: A variety of explicit knowledge can foster adaptive expertise, allowing individuals to apply their knowledge flexibly across different contexts, which is a valuable aspect of tacit knowledge.
  3. Complementary Skills: Different areas of explicit knowledge can complement each other, creating a richer, more integrated understanding that enhances overall tacit knowledge.

Conclusion:

While depth in specific areas is crucial for developing profound tacit knowledge, a broad base of explicit knowledge can still significantly contribute to the ability to connect the dots and innovate. Striking a balance between depth and breadth is key to maximizing explicit and tacit knowledge development.

Prompt8 – TwinzTalk Disproportionate Advantage is Actually Tacit Knowledge:

In a blog post I am drafting, I referenced the advantages my twin Don and I have enjoyed throughout our personal and professional lives. We simply thought, “We have built a disproportionate advantage thanks to our experiences, curiosity, and willingness to be technology early adopters.“

Now that I am aware and understand tacit knowledge, this is exactly what Don and I share. Would you please interpret my thoughts and add further clarification?

Response8 – TwinzTalk Disproportionate Advantage is Actually Tacit Knowledge:

Certainly! Here’s an interpretation of your thoughts, integrating the concept of tacit knowledge and providing further clarification:

My twin Don and I have enjoyed unique advantages throughout our personal and professional lives. We often reflected, “We have built a disproportionate advantage thanks to our experiences, curiosity, and willingness to be technology early adopters.” This advantage is deeply rooted in the tacit knowledge we’ve developed together.

Tacit knowledge refers to the intuitive, experience-based insights and skills that are difficult to articulate but are incredibly valuable. Our shared experiences, from tackling challenges to exploring new technologies, have fostered a deep, implicit understanding between us. This tacit knowledge enhances our ability to:

  1. Innovate: Our curiosity and early adoption of technology have allowed us to stay ahead of trends, adapt quickly, and find creative solutions that others might not see.
  2. Collaborate: Our strong, intuitive bond as twins allows us to anticipate each other’s thoughts and actions, leading to seamless collaboration and effective teamwork.
  3. Problem-Solve: Years of shared experiences have equipped us with a unique perspective on tackling problems, enabling us to draw from a rich pool of personal insights and practical know-how.

We’ve expanded our tacit knowledge by continuously nurturing our curiosity and embracing new technologies, creating a significant competitive edge. This shared tacit knowledge isn’t just a product of our skills but a synergistic outcome of our twin bonds, experiences, and mutual growth.

This clarification emphasizes how your shared experiences and behaviors have contributed to developing valuable tacit knowledge and enhancing your personal and professional capabilities.

Prompt9 – Inquire to ChatGPT – any additional thoughts or emphasis:

You are an expert in personal development and the benefits of developing tacit knowledge.

Please review my questions and our conversation above. Are there any additional thoughts or emphasis you would add to the discussion? Our goal is to encourage and inspire our clients to actively embrace their own personal development.

Response9 – Inquire to ChatGPT – any additional thoughts or emphasis:

Your discussion on the interplay between tacit and explicit knowledge in personal development is thorough and insightful. However, there are a few additional thoughts and areas of emphasis that could further enrich the conversation and inspire your clients:

1. The Power of Reflection

  • Emphasis: Encourage clients to regularly reflect on their experiences, as reflection is a critical practice for converting experiences into tacit knowledge. By analyzing successes and failures, clients can deepen their understanding and internalize lessons that enhance their intuitive decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
  • Actionable Tip: Suggest keeping a reflective journal where they note key experiences, what they learned, and how they felt. This practice not only builds tacit knowledge but also fosters self-awareness.

2. Learning Through Social Interaction

  • Emphasis: Highlight the importance of learning from others. Tacit knowledge is often transferred through mentorship, collaboration, and informal discussions. Encourage clients to seek out mentors, participate in professional networks, and engage in meaningful conversations with peers.
  • Actionable Tip: Recommend joining or forming mastermind groups or professional communities where members regularly share experiences and insights. This can accelerate the development of tacit knowledge through shared learning.

3. The Role of Curiosity in Tacit Knowledge Development

  • Emphasis: Curiosity is a driving force behind personal development and the accumulation of tacit knowledge. Clients who actively seek out new experiences, ask questions, and explore unfamiliar territories are more likely to develop a rich reservoir of tacit knowledge that fuels innovation and creativity.
  • Actionable Tip: Encourage clients to set aside regular time for exploring new topics, skills, or industries outside their immediate field. This can lead to unexpected connections and insights that enhance both their tacit and explicit knowledge.

4. Balancing Depth and Breadth

  • Emphasis: While broad knowledge is important, emphasize the need for clients to develop deep expertise in specific areas. A balanced approach allows them to apply explicit knowledge effectively while drawing on deep, tacit insights in their areas of expertise.
  • Actionable Tip: Help clients identify key areas where they can deepen their knowledge and skills while encouraging them to explore diverse fields. This balance can be a cornerstone of their personal development strategy.

5. The Continuous Nature of Personal Development

  • Emphasis: Stress that personal development and the growth of tacit knowledge is an ongoing journey, not a destination. Encourage clients to view every experience as an opportunity to learn and grow and to embrace change as a catalyst for development.
  • Actionable Tip: Suggest that clients set long-term personal development goals and revisit them regularly, adjusting as they grow and their understanding of themselves deepens.

6. Tapping Into Tacit Knowledge for Innovation

  • Emphasis: Reinforce the idea that tacit knowledge is a key driver of innovation. The more clients develop their tacit knowledge, the better they will be at developing creative solutions and connecting disparate ideas in ways others might not.
  • Actionable Tip: Encourage clients to engage in creative problem-solving exercises, like brainstorming sessions or design thinking workshops, where they can practice applying their tacit knowledge in innovative ways.

Conclusion:

By embracing personal development and understanding the role of tacit knowledge, your clients can unlock deeper levels of creativity, insight, and professional effectiveness. Encourage them to actively cultivate experiences, relationships, and practices that foster the growth of tacit knowledge alongside their explicit knowledge to truly maximize their potential.

Through my conversation with ChatGPT, I hope you are inspired to develop your tacit knowledge throughout your life. Stay aware and curious, and keep learning!

July 2024 – Tanmay Vora’s Sketchnote – Explicit and Tacit Knowledge
Dall-E #TwinzTalk Brainstorming