The masses reward direction

Fifty-two weeks in and I’ve been thinking a lot lately about where this is going.

I’ve always known the value in making things in public.

You learn faster. You get sharper. You discover what resonates and what doesn’t—not in theory, but in the open air.

But, at least for me, that knowledge has only ever been combated. Because where the responses are real, there’s also the inevitability of change and discomfort and imbalance, if only temporary. That’s why I started this newsletter: To create a space for something public. For honing insight-sharing and storytelling, and to help people like me who care about meaningful work and are looking for new ways to help them do it.

I’m more than fifty-two weeks in and I’ve been thinking a lot lately about where this is going. And whether I’m doing it in a way that actually helps the people I care about reaching.

Because if I’m honest, the numbers aren’t moving. I’m not growing quickly. I’m not sure if the message is landing, hitting, or perhaps even too early.

And that’s okay. But if something isn’t working, I want to understand why. And in the same spirit in which I originally pushed myself to start this newsletter, I want to be brave enough to change direction when needed.

Some hypotheses

I’ve thought a lot about why this newsletter hasn’t taken off the way I hoped.

If I had to pick one single theory, it might be that of drift. I’ve drifted between storytelling and strategy, creative musings and technical scaffolding. People desire lanes. They want categories. The masses value direction, and at times I’ve resisted picking one. That’s the kind of writing I love to do, but it’s not always the kind of writing people know how to follow.

I’m also of the belief that I haven’t shared enough of myself within my stories. I’ve tucked my overarching “why” into the corners too much. And also haven’t shed enough light on the struggles of my journey. That distance might have made the work cleaner, but it also made it harder to connect with, if not a little vapid. In a world full of noise, people cling to people. And withholding too much of what makes me a person might have made it harder to jump onto the path I’m forging.

But there’s something else I’ve felt at the edges: a quiet resistance. Among creative communities, there’s a mistrust of AI, maybe even a grief. Things are changing, quickly, and there’s a lot of noise out there pretending to be wisdom. In any hype cycle, hacks and gimmicks always take the lead. And those are the things that threaten to drain the magic from the creative process. And so, even when someone tries to talk earnestly about using new tools to make meaningful things, it can feel like walking into the arms of the thing we’re running from.

There’s no right answer for emerging tools and how they shape what it means to be creative today, just our own mental models and desires to create meaning.

But that’s exactly why I’m as bullish as ever. Because this is what I set out to do.

Giving more space

I’m not just a technologist or an engineer. I’m also an author. And that’s what I intend to make my center of gravity for now.

And in order to get my work the attention it deserves, I plan to funnel more of my time toward on the exposure of the writing I’ve been crafting for the last decade.

That means focusing more on events, interviews—anything that helps me on the journey of publishing. More of putting myself in the right position. Controlling what I can control. Sure, I’m a builder and I like doing the work more than I like selling it. But, lived over a long life, hiding behind the work is way worse than any rejection. And if I want to reach the people this work is for, I need to dedicate time to that next step. I have to put myself in the right position. I have to be willing to stretch further, to share, and to stumble out loud rather than tucked away.

So it’s time to ratchet the discomfort up a notch. The uncomfortable spots are the ones where you reach people.

That’s the only way this works.

The mission isn’t changing (much)

That said, the mission of AI Artistry isn’t changing much. If anything, it’s gotten clearer.

So, if you’re reading this—one of a small but loyal following—I want to first say thank you. I’m grateful to be writing for you. And I’m going to keep writing for anyone who wants to think deeply and make things that are beautiful.

So, here’s where I’m at.

• I’m going to start publishing less frequently—two posts a month instead of every week. Not because I’m giving up, but because I’m finally listening. I want this newsletter to be more than a drop in your inbox.

• I want it to be a toolbox. A set of weapons for creative people thinking deeply about technology and art, and how to make things that matter long after the ground stops shifting beneath our feet.

Which means reprioritizing a bit, as this newsletter is concerned. I want to spend more time on lasting tools that support the process of creation and less on one-off posts. Tools that help creatives think clearly, work better, and stay grounded in what they love.

The next chapter is about clarity and consistency, and spearheaded in the direction of authorship.

As always, I will be around to help thoughtful, creative people navigate without losing their voice. To hold space for the important questions while still moving forward.

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And one more thing about direction…

All of this change comes on the heels of a classic creative conundrum: juggling two major side projects. For me, it’s authorship (namely a historical fiction novel) and a debut music album. The years (and I mean years) of juggling have led to making progress on both, but finishing neither.

The journey I took was at its heart, pros and cons, but it was more than that. It was rooted in emotional discovery and lightly understood motivation. Exploring those roots was key to me feeling like I came out with the right answer (and was the kind of interactive self-discovery AI can be brilliant for).

The process (kicked off with the prompt below) allowed me to lock. Choosing the better focus for me not just by asking the question, but by:

• Uncovering the "why" of each project. Namely, that the novel represented a clear path to a new career and a new identity, while the album was about "momentum for my music career," a vision that was still fuzzy.

• Pushing past the surface-level goals. This included challenging my own narratives around what they meant for me.

• Forcing the issue. Both with a ‘don’t take no’ line of questioning, as well as through pressure testing my initial decision (which was the album).

I was forced to admit that I’d regret not pushing the novel, that the album's monetization path was uncertain, and that I was ultimately prioritizing a personal feeling of accomplishment over a larger career shift.

The final choice: to focus 80% of my energy on the novel for the next 6-9 months—a strategic decision that honored long-term aspirations while also thinking through potential regret. The album isn’t abandoned; it was given a sustainable 20% focus, allowing it to slowly progress without compromising the bigger goal.

And with that, here’s a prompt for anyone trying to make the hard choice between two exciting creative endeavors:

I’m torn between multiple creative side projects — primarily writing fiction and making music. I often split my time, make progress on both, but finish neither. I need your help to:

* Explore the deeper purpose behind each creative pursuit
* Understand which aligns more strongly with my long-term goals
* Make peace with choosing one primary focus (for the next 6-9 months)
* Develop a short-term plan to finish something and use it as momentum
* Feel like I’m still honoring both parts of myself

Let’s do this interactively. I want you to ask me hard questions. Don’t let me off the hook with vague answers. If I try to say “both,” I want you to push me to pick one for now, based on purpose, potential impact, and momentum.

Start by asking me: • What are the 2–3 projects I’m actively juggling right now (titles or descriptions)? • What would finishing each one mean to me — emotionally and practically?

From there, guide me through trade-offs, goals, identity, and obstacles. Help me build a rationale for a decision I can commit to.

Ready when you are.

By identifying the root feelings and fears tied to each creative pursuit, I was able to come out with a decision that wasn't just logical on paper, but felt right at the gut level.

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Whenever you're ready, here’s how I can help you:

1. Level up with 1:1 coaching: Get tailored support in prompt design, creative workflows, or AI strategy. Whether you're a writer, leader, or product thinker, I’ll help you use AI to create faster and smarter—without losing your voice.

2. Grab my Prioritization Power Stack: Not ready for coaching or consulting? Check out the first in my library of plug-and-play prompt packs—a closed-loop productivity system that eliminates busywork.

3. Book a training or workshop: From half-day bootcamps to role-specific trainings, I help teams unlock practical use cases, establish smart guardrails, and build momentum with clear, no-jargon frameworks.

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