AI Beyond the Basics: Build Your Personal AI Toolkit for Work and Life

Three months ago, I set ambitious goals for Q2. Some I crushed, others humbled me. But here’s what I learned about growth, fear, and the power of showing up—plus the bold commitments I’m making for Q3.

Looking Back: Q2 Was My AI Renaissance

This past quarter was transformative, though not always in the ways I expected. I called it my “AI domination” phase, and honestly, that’s exactly what it was. I dove headfirst into AI agents, consuming countless articles, videos, and courses. The learning curve was steep—I went from prompting AI like anyone else would to building a conversational AI for onboarding that could handle complex customer scenarios, and a personal AI that helps me on my daily endeavours.

What fascinated me most was discovering how AI amplifies human creativity rather than replacing it. There’s research from MIT showing that workers using AI tools like ChatGPT saw productivity increases of 37% for writing tasks, but the real magic happened when I learned to combine AI capabilities with my own insights and domain knowledge. It wasn’t just about using the technology—it was about understanding how to dance with it.

But the real wins went deeper than code. I made a conscious effort to prioritize relationships—family, friends, and my partner—and discovered something profound: vulnerability creates connection. When I started being more open about my goals and struggles, our conversations became richer. I’d call my family more often, not just for obligatory check-ins but to actually share what I was learning and working on. With friends, I moved beyond surface-level catching up to deeper discussions about life direction and challenges. And in general I have now openly shared with my closest friends and family all my ambitious goals!

Harvard’s Grant Study, which has followed subjects for over 80 years, consistently shows that good relationships are the strongest predictor of happiness and life satisfaction. I felt this truth viscerally as my relationships deepened. My girlfriend and I started having more honest conversations about our future, aligning our individual ambitions with our shared vision. The connection became stronger because I wasn’t hiding behind a facade of having everything figured out.

Getting back into calisthenics after a long break reminded me that physical challenges mirror mental ones: the comeback is always harder than the original journey, but infinitely more rewarding. My shoulder, which had been bothering me for months, started improving as I committed to consistent stretching and bodyweight exercises. There’s something humbling about struggling with movements that once felt effortless, but research shows that neuroplasticity—our brain’s ability to reorganize—actually increases when we’re relearning familiar skills.

Highlights

Successfully completing a demo version for actual clients. Nothing pushes you out of your comfort zone like real stakes and real people depending on your work. I remember the moment when the client tested the AI system and of course found something not working—I couldn’t figure out what it was that made it break. That’s when I realized I wasn’t just building cool projects anymore; I was solving real problems for real people. Pushing through to understand and fix every bug that popped up along the way, was what underlined what I had already known: I will never give up!

Reality Check

Time management became my biggest nemesis. Balancing work, personal projects, and social commitments felt like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle. Daily Bites, my app project, didn’t get the attention it deserved because I was spreading myself too thin. Research from the University of California, Irvine found that it takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to refocus after a task interruption—and I was interrupting myself constantly, switching between projects without giving any single one the deep work it deserved.

Present Reality: I’m Ready But Scared

Here’s where I stand today: professionally, I’m in the best place I’ve been in years. I’m working on projects I genuinely love, feeling energized and focused. My life satisfaction ratings tell the story—I’m at 9.5/10 for work and ambition, 10/10 for learning and growth. But ratings are just numbers until you understand what they represent.

The 9.5 in work comes from finally landing in a role where I’m building things I believe in, where my boss trusts my judgment, and where every day brings new challenges that stretch my capabilities. It’s not just about the technical work—it’s about the alignment between what I’m doing and what matters to me. Cal Newport’s research on “Deep Work” shows that people who can focus intensely on cognitively demanding tasks report higher job satisfaction and better performance. I’m experiencing this firsthand.

But there’s a gap that’s been staring me in the face, and it’s the gap between competence and confidence, between creating and sharing. I’m still not seeing results from my own work. I mean, how could I? I’m building incredible things, learning voraciously, but I’m not putting myself out there. The brutal truth? I’ve been recording myself for over four weeks and haven’t edited a single video. I have hours of footage sitting on my hard drive, documenting interesting projects, insights, and reflections—but they’re invisible to the world.

This hits on something psychologists call “impostor syndrome,” but I think it’s more nuanced than that. Research from the International Journal of Behavioral Science shows that 70% of people experience impostor syndrome at some point, but for creators and entrepreneurs, there’s an additional layer: the fear of being seen as self-promotional or inauthentic. Let me explain: I had the idea to approach strangers in London to offer free photo editing in exchange for experience and connections—a win-win that could lead to paid work or unknown opportunities—but fear held me back.

Standing there in London, camera in hand, I felt the weight of every “what if” scenario. What if they think I’m trying to scam them? What if my work isn’t good enough? What if I’m just bothering people? But here’s what research from Stanford’s psychology department reveals: the “spotlight effect” makes us overestimate how much others notice our mistakes or judge our actions. Most people are too focused on their own lives to scrutinize ours as harshly as we imagine.

My inner critic keeps asking: “What if it’s not good enough? What if people don’t care?” But here’s what I’ve realized through both personal experience and research: perfection isn’t the enemy of progress—invisibility is. A study from the Journal of Business Venturing found that successful entrepreneurs share one key trait: they’re willing to be visible before they feel ready. They understand that feedback from real people is infinitely more valuable than endless internal preparation.

There’s also the time management piece that’s been haunting me. I rate my inner peace at only 6/10 because I constantly feel like I’m not doing enough, not moving fast enough. But psychologist Tim Pychyl’s research on procrastination shows that we often delay tasks not because we’re lazy, but because we’re perfectionists afraid of producing imperfect work. The antidote? Embracing “good enough” and iterating from there.

The Bold Leap: My Q3 Commitments

This quarter, I’m making two major commitments that honestly terrify and excite me in equal measure. But before I dive into what I’m committing to, let me explain why these specific goals matter—both personally and based on what research tells us about growth and success.

My Work Main Quest: Become Visible

The Goal: Promote myself authentically and get comfortable being seen.

The science behind this goal is compelling. Research from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management shows that professionals who actively share their work and insights online are 5x more likely to receive new opportunities than those who don’t. But it’s not just about the algorithm—it’s about something deeper.

When I look at creators I admire, from indie developers to thought leaders to creative solo-film-makers, they all share one thing: they document their journey publicly. They’re not waiting until they’re experts to start sharing; they’re learning in public and bringing others along for the ride. Ali Abdaal talks about this concept extensively—how documenting your learning process creates value for others while accelerating your own growth.

What this means for me:

Upload 12 videos to YouTube (yes, I’m finally creating that channel)
Post on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, or my website to promote every video or blog post
Go out on the streets at least 3 times and approach people to make genuine connections (that’s just once per month come on!)
Finish and submit Daily Bites to the Google Play Store

The 12 videos aren’t arbitrary—it’s one per week, which research shows is the sweet spot for building a consistent audience without burning out. Consistency beats perfection every time.

The street approach goal might seem random, but it’s based on something profound: comfort zone expansion. Psychologist Amy Cuddy’s research shows that small acts of courage compound over time, literally changing our brain chemistry and increasing our confidence in bigger challenges. If I can approach strangers to offer value, I can pitch to clients, speak at conferences, or handle any other professional interaction.

This feels massive because visibility is what I’ve been avoiding. I know I have valuable insights and skills, but I’ve been keeping them locked away. Network effects research from Stanford shows that your network’s value grows exponentially as you become more visible within it. Connections are everything when you’re trying to make people aware of what you’re doing, and I’ve been my own biggest obstacle.

My Life Main Quest: Become an Intentional Learner

The Goal: Transform my natural learning habit into active, structured growth.

Here’s something fascinating: I rated myself 10/10 for learning and growth, but I realized I’ve been learning reactively, not proactively. I absorb information quickly and pick up new skills naturally, but I haven’t been systematic about it. Research from cognitive scientist John Dunlosky shows that the most effective learners use specific strategies: spaced repetition, active recall, and deliberate practice.

What this means for me:

12 focused study sessions of at least 48 minutes each
Choose a specific topic to dive deep into each week
Read at least 2 books
Document and share what I learn

The 48-minute sessions are based on the Pomodoro Technique research, but extended. Studies show that it takes about 20-25 minutes to reach deep focus, so 48 minutes gives me time to both settle in and do meaningful work. The number itself comes from a personal joke—it’s my lucky number—but the principle is scientifically sound.

The weekly topic focus addresses what researchers call “task-switching costs.” When we constantly jump between subjects, we lose momentum and depth. By committing to weekly deep dives, I’m creating what Cal Newport calls “deep work” sessions that compound over time.

I’m already a quick learner who gets the gist of things fast—that’s why I’m good at many things. But research from K. Anders Ericsson on deliberate practice shows that becoming truly exceptional requires focused, intentional effort over time. I want to become a professional in specific areas, not just a generalist who knows a little about everything.

The book goal connects to research showing that people who read regularly have better analytical thinking, increased empathy, and stronger problem-solving skills. Bill Gates reads 50 books a year, Warren Buffett spends 80% of his day reading—there’s a pattern among high achievers that I want to tap into.

More importantly, documenting and sharing what I learn closes the loop. Richard Feynman’s famous technique of explaining concepts in simple terms forces you to truly understand them. By sharing my learning journey, I’m not just growing myself—I’m contributing to others’ growth too.

My Commitment Device: Radical Transparency

Here’s how I’m holding myself accountable, and why this approach is more powerful than private goal-setting: I’m creating a public tracking system. Every week, I’ll update my progress on social media. If I miss a video upload, I’ll explain why. If I skip a learning session, I’ll own it.

This isn’t masochism—it’s based on solid behavioral science. Research from Dominican University shows that people who write down their goals and share them publicly are 42% more likely to achieve them. The study found that accountability partners and public commitment create what psychologists call “social proof pressure”—we’re wired to be consistent with our public commitments to maintain our reputation and self-image.

Dr. Gail Matthews, who led the study, found that the most successful participants didn’t just set goals—they created what she calls “implementation intentions.” Instead of saying “I want to make videos,” they said “I will upload a video every Tuesday at 6 PM.” This specificity is crucial because it removes decision fatigue and creates automatic behaviors.

More importantly, I’m scheduling everything. I created a personal work calendar where I’ll schedule upload dates, study sessions—it’s all going in. No more “I’ll do it when I have time” because that time never comes. Research from the Harvard Business Review shows that people who schedule their goals like appointments are 3x more likely to follow through. Time management expert Laura Vanderkam’s analysis of high achievers reveals they all share one trait: they treat their most important goals with the same seriousness as their most important meetings.

But here’s the deeper reason for radical transparency: it transforms fear into fuel. When I’m documenting my struggles publicly, I’m not just accountable to myself—I’m modeling vulnerability for others. Brené Brown’s research on shame and vulnerability shows that sharing our struggles actually increases our resilience and helps others feel less alone in their own challenges.

There’s also something powerful about what I call “teaching to learn.” When I share my progress publicly, I’m not just documenting—I’m teaching others what I’m discovering. The Feynman Technique shows that explaining concepts to others forces us to understand them more deeply. By sharing my journey, I’m creating a feedback loop that accelerates my own learning while helping others.

Your Turn: What’s Your Q3 Commitment?

I’m sharing this not just for accountability, but because I believe we grow faster when we’re not alone in our challenges. There’s fascinating research from the University of Rochester that shows people who pursue goals for intrinsic reasons (personal growth, meaningful relationships, contributing to something larger) report higher well-being than those chasing external validation.

But here’s what’s interesting: even intrinsic goals become more powerful when shared with others. Social psychology research shows that when we publicly commit to something meaningful, we tap into what’s called “social facilitation”—we actually perform better when others are watching, especially when the task aligns with our values.

Here’s my challenge for you: Pick one thing that scares you a little bit—something you’ve been putting off because it feels too uncertain or vulnerable. Make it your Q3 commitment.

The key word here is “scares you a little bit.” Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s research on flow states shows that optimal growth happens when we’re challenged just beyond our current comfort zone. Too easy, and we get bored. Too hard, and we get overwhelmed. But that sweet spot of “scared but capable”? That’s where magic happens.

Maybe it’s:

Starting that project you’ve been planning for months (research shows that people who start projects within 72 hours of conception are 85% more likely to complete them)
Having a difficult conversation you’ve been avoiding (conflict resolution studies show that most feared conversations go better than expected)
Learning a skill that feels just outside your comfort zone (neuroplasticity research proves our brains are more adaptable than we think, even in adulthood)
Putting your work out there for the first time (creativity research shows that sharing imperfect work leads to faster improvement than perfectionism)

Drop a comment below with your one Q3 commitment. I’ll check in with everyone who shares—we’re in this together. Research from the American Society of Training and Development shows that having an accountability partner increases your chance of success by 65%, and having regular check-ins with that partner increases it to 95%.

This isn’t just about individual achievement—it’s about creating a community of people who are willing to grow in public, support each other’s journeys, and prove that vulnerability is actually a superpower disguised as a weakness.

What Comes Next

In three months, I want to look back at this post and smile at how terrified I was to hit “publish.” I want to have built genuine connections, helped people through my content, and proven to myself that imperfect action beats perfect inaction every time.

The audience in my life movie would be screaming: “Just give us those videos already! We want to hear your thoughts and see what you’re working on—it doesn’t matter if they’re not perfectly curated!”

Consider this my first step in finally listening to them.

Follow along as I document this journey. I’ll be sharing weekly updates, behind-the-scenes struggles, and hopefully some victories worth celebrating. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the magic happens when you stop preparing for the moment and start living in it.

Track my progress: I’ll be posting updates every week on my social channels and on some blog posts. Search for #HSQ3Visibility to follow along, and use the same hashtag if you’re taking on your own Q3 challenge.

Sources

Henoch Schmohe

Creative problem-solver driven by curiosity. I’m constantly learning, creating, and seeking new challenges in technology, photography, and personal growth.