So you don't miss a thing. Hi there! A number of you have recently subscribed to The Weekly Chronicle. Of which I appreciate. Here's the list of past volumes. So you don't miss a thing. . . . ~T.K.K Volume 102: The World Cup Chronicles 102.1: Part 1 102.2: Part 2 Volume 101: My Top 10 Favorite Newsletters Volume 100: A Century Volume 99: The Story that is Harry Maguire Volume 98: Metacognition Volume 97: Opportunity Cost Volume 96: Where They're At Volume 95: The Sword of Damocles Volume 94: Easter 2026 Volume 93: Positive-Sum Mentality Volume 92: Product Belief Volume 91: Seize the Opportunity Volume 90: Lose Yourself Volume 89: Legends in the Making Volume 88: The Allegory of the Casino Volume 87: Gamble or Guarantee Volume 86: Calm Ambition Volume 85: An Ode to a Friend Volume 84: The Light of the World Volume 83: The Sustainability Question Volume 82: The Pygmalion Effect Volume 81: The Main Lesson Learned in 2025 Volume 80: On Meaningful Work Volume 79: Going Quiet Volume 78: Thank You - Thanksgiving 2025 Reflection Volume 77: Progress, not Perfection Volume 76: Think in Decades Volume 75: The Infinite Game Volume 74: The Two Games of Life Volume 73: Momentum Volume 72: Navigating your Worst Days Volume 71: Consistency and Intensity Volume 70: Consistency vs Intensity Volume 69: Nibbling Through Obstacles & Baby-Step Simplification Volume 68: On Barriers to Entry Volume 67: On Starting Unready Volume 66: The Power of Consistency Volume 65: Birthday Note—Letter to my 19-YO Self Volume 64: The Future to Come Volume 63: Would I Trade Lives with Warren Buffett? Volume 62: The Next Five Years Volume 61: Kids and Hardwork Volume 60: How Much is Enough? Volume 59: July 1st Volume 58: "Will More Money Make You Happy?" Volume 57: Baby Steps Volume 56: A Summary on Mental Models (Multi-Series)—Jimmy and His Treehouse 56.1 - Pareto's Principle and First Principles 56.2 - Second-Order Thinking and Inversion 56.3 - Systems Thinking, Occam's Razor, and Linear Thinking Volume 55: Linear Thinking + Other Mental Models Volume 54: The Problem with Linear Thinking Volume 53: Linear Thinking Volume 52: One Year On... Volume 51: Occam's Razor vs Linear Thinking Volume 50: Occam's Razor Volume 49: Two More Systems Examples Volume 48: Life as a System (LaaS) Volume 47: Systems Thinking Volume 46: Inversion Thinking Volume 45: First Principles Thinking Volume 44: A Story on Resilience Volume 43: Root-Cause Analysis Volume 42: Pareto's Principle - The 80/20 Rule Volume 41: Mental Models Volume 40: Second-Order Thinking Volume 39: How to Decide Volume 38: Crypto 101 Volume 37: The Mentor's Crucifixion Volume 36: Dream. Execute. Repeat. Volume 35: 20 Lessons from 2024 Volume 34: A Top 1% Skill Volume 33: It Takes More Effort than You Think Volume 32: Life Lessons from a 60-Year-Old Friend Volume 31: Thanksgiving Volume 30: Work = Creating Output Volume 29: 13 Lessons in 13 Months - Lessons from my Early Career Volume 28: If You Don't Know What to Do With Your Life Volume 27: Seasons Volume 26: Rule of 26 Volume 25: You Are Your Own Competition Volume 24: Do It Scared Volume 23: Build II Volume 22: The Overthinking Paradox Volume 21: You are the Goal Volume 20: What Goes Into a Minute Volume 19: Don't Sacrifice Quality Volume 18: Happy Birthday Uncle Warren 🎊🎉🎈. Volume 17: Letter to my 18-Year-Old Self Volume 16: Luck Doesn't Exist Volume 15: Build Volume 14: Be Good. Be Ethical. And Be Honest. Volume 13: The Meaning of a Newsletter Volume 12: Write Volume 11: The ROI Mindset Volume 10: Doing Meaningful Work Volume 9: The Weekly Chronicle Special - A Quintuple Series 9.1: Part I: Intro 9.2: A Meaningful Goal 9.3: The Journey Between 9.4: The Journey is the Destination 9.5: Rounding It Up - Goal Setting Volume 8: The Rule of 36 Volume 7: Meeting Jordan Peterson Volume 6: The Art of Mini-Tasking Volume 5: Stop Trying Too Hard Volume 4: The Nothing Week Volume 3: Do It for Yourself Volume 2: "I don't have to - I get to" Volume 1: Welcome

Disclaimer This was a hypothetical discussion with AI, with most suggestions making sense. Exercise caution with the response to the AI Bubble question and take it with a grain of salt. Enjoy! :) . . . ~T.K.K . . . ~T.K.K Subscribe to The Weekly Chronicle Newsletter for motivational insights and high-impact ideas in under one minute. Delivered every Sunday.

klnlk Cristiano needs no introduction. ( For anyone who doesn't know, he's the greatest footballer of all time. ) Discipline, longevity, reinvention—he’s built a career mastering the controllables and adapting to enigmas. And adapt he did... again. But this time, not on the pitch...but off it . The Portugal Football Globes Gala So...it's one of those football stardom moments when Cristiano takes the pulpit to accept another award for his collection. And the last thing you'd expect was his speech that followed. Not in what he said...but in   how he prepared it. Cristiano Ronaldo on using Perplexity (Prestige Globe Awards) Ronaldo used  Perplexity AI  to write his speech at the JEBK Soccer Awards. Context Okay. Ronaldo is a Top-10 confident sportsman there is. Yet he clearly admits that, even for accepting this award, he was anxious. He needed some help drafting his speech, and out came Perplexity. Think about it for a sec: One of the greatest athletes to have ever graced the earth, who has won all the accolades in the sport...needs help writing a award speech. Let that sink in. Crazy.   Loco. And of course, Perplexity came to the rescue—Pretty solid assist if you ask me. If I met Ronaldo, I'd ask him these questions. Quick Plug If you like what you're reading so far, I have a newsletter that shares   weekly motivational and personal development insights to spark your mind and inspire you as you start your week. Takes   one minute long . Join   The Weekly Chronicle newsletter here . Your support would mean the world to me. 💜 Thanks! We keep reading. The Bigger Picture Ronaldo was neither outsourcing gratitude nor delegating sincerity. Rather, he did what we'd typically do— leveraging tools to sharpen our message. By now, we all know how AI can fine-tune language to be inspiring, humble, and all that - suited for any stage. We also agree that:   AI doesn't replace talent—It amplifies impact. So Ronaldo isn't shortcutting with AI even though he has every reason to siiiiuuu on stage. If anything, Perplexity   amplified the award's authenticity and its meaning to him. Meaning, we could kinda tell this award was a big deal to him compared to his past Ballon D'Ors, for instance. Which is kinda funny because, if you ask me, it's a win-win scenario here: Perplexity got free publicity from the event...while Ronaldo became an angel investor not so long after. Perplexity x CR7 Collab ( Perplexity.ai ) What does this mean for us? For those of us who don't score bangers on weekends, it shouldn't come as a surprise that we can save our intellectual capital on tasks AI can do at 1,000% efficiency for 0.001th of the time. And if there's one thing to learn from Ronaldo using AI, it's that: You are the Product—AI is the Packager. Ronaldo is a subject matter in scoring bicycle kicks and performing at the highest level. I am a Business Analyst dealing in Data Analytics and Agentic AI. And you are a specialist in your niche. Your expertise, your niche, and your skills comprise the product—AI handles the packaging,   whether it's r ecommending courses ,   automating tasks , or even   mind-mapping. No One Operates in Isolation Ronaldo's use of AI also sheds light on another truth: No one operates in isolation. Not founders. Not creators. Not athletes. Not Ronaldo. Not Messi. Neither you nor me. No one operates in rapid isolation. Meaning, in Ronaldo's case, it's clear he's asking for more than just help:   He needs help expressing what he already felt,   and Perplexity did the job right. And that’s the shift we’re all navigating now: ➙   To spark angles we missed. ➙   To tighten the language we fumbled. ➙   And to turn raw emotion into refined expression. That's what AI does for us when it works  with  us. What This Means for Us (The Builders, The Learners, The In-Betweeners) Watching Ronaldo embrace AI tells us something important: Even the best are still learning. Still experimenting. Still building in public. And if someone at the pinnacle of global fame can openly use AI to refine his voice,   you and I can use it to refine our thinking. Not to hide behind nor mask any insecurities, but to   explore ideas   with more   clarity, courage,   and   curiosity. Closing Ronaldo didn’t use AI because he lacked the words—He could've said anything really. Still, he used AI because he respects the moment well enough to get the words right. And maybe that’s a lesson for all of us: Excellence is about choosing the right mechanisms to elevate what matters. If used right, AI won’t replace your voice— It will amplify it. Have a good one. . . . ~T.K.K Subscribe to The Weekly Chronicle Newsletter  for motivational insights and high-impact ideas in under one minute. Delivered every Sunday.

Thinking with AI Mental Models in the Age of AI So, the anthem stands by now: “ AI won’t replace you…but someone using AI will. ” Including someone that   thinks  with AI. One counter-question would be: "Why do I need to think when I can just ChatGPT it?" And...that’s kinda the problem: You don’t just naturally delegate your thinking to AI. Mythbuster: ChatGPT is no Sage See, the thing is... ChatGPT is not—and will not—be the answer to all our problems. It’s no guru...but a tool, like any other Generative AI. Meaning, “ Just ChatGPT it ” is as vague as the thought process behind it. And ChatGPT—or any AI for that matter—is   only as good as the brains behind it . And not just data brains...but human brains, too. Enter Mental Models Mental Models—A subpremise of this article. Combined with AI, Mental Models can make a user formidable in the next decade or so. What are Mental Models? “ Thinking Shortcuts ” in short. If you’ve heard of concepts like: ↳   First-Principles Thinking  (My Favorite)   ↳   Second-Order Thinking ↳   Pareto’s Principle (The 80/20 Rule) And so on, Those are some Mental Models. Thinking frameworks that help you problem-solve scenarios. Farnam Street Blog: More About Mental Models Now that definition’s out of the way, let’s add AI to the mix. MENTAL MODELS FOR THE AGE OF AI So, as initially stated, ChatGPT alone isn’t enough— We need some thinking to back it up and some mental models up our sleeves, considering how fast the world is evolving in tech. Some mental models for starters: First Principles Thinking Bayesian Updating Second-Order Thinking Critical Thinking Systems Thinking Inversion Thinking Bias to Action Root-Cause Analysis Latticework of Models Mental Model Plasticity Cynefin Framework Probabilistic Thinking Critical Thinking Note An overarching theme in this article is that   AI is an assistant. That’s already obvious off the bat, but the more we dive in, the more we’ll uncover that AI further   brainstorms  beyond our natural limits. And at the end of the day,   we bear the consequences of our actions, not ChatGPT. 1. First Principles Thinking First-Principles Thinking is breaking down problems into their fundamental, undeniable components and solving them from scratch. The art of   problem deconstruction   and   building up solutions   from notwithstanding   pillars of facts. First Principles Thinking Why is this important?   It helps to have these   irrefutable pillars of truth   to lean on when all else fails, especially during ambiguity. So in the case of AI, sure—You can use it to solve a problem...or use it upon these pillars for amplified results. Or if you’re not sure where to start,   prompt it. AI & First Principles Thinking (1) AI & First Principles Thinking (2)  AI & First Principles Thinking (3) 2. Bayesian Updating Bayesian Updating is   revising one’s beliefs using new data. Why is this important?  Data is changing everyday, and so is AI—Both evolving at rates faster than the human mind can fathom. And   our thinking prowess is only as good as the data we hold. Pierre-Simon Laplace on Bayesian Thinking So with Bayesian Thinking ( or Updating, as you may ),   the more unlikely something is, the more compelling the evidence must be to update your belief. This factually proves one conclusion:   The ignorant and the close-minded shall be left behind if they don’t adjust their thinking. If your thinking is rigid, you risk being obsolete. 3. Second-Order Thinking 2-o-Thinking ( as I call it )   considers the effects of our actions to the second order   ( or more. ) Meaning,   “If this happens, that happens. And if that happens, what happens?” Second-Order Thinking Why is this important?   AI can perform scenario analysis on different events. Meaning, if you can’t hypothesize an outcome in second-order, AI can map out potential outcomes, further boosting your analysis. One caveat, though, is that AI generates outcomes from historical data, so while data provides context, it reduces (but doesn’t entirely eliminate) second-order ambiguity. Meaning...the only way out is through.   You  must take action regardless.  ( See #7 - Bias to Action - below . ) Action Kills Ambiguity Swipe left for more. 4. Critical Thinking As the title suggests, this implies the art of thinking critically using whatever information is at our disposal to solve a problem logically. And not everything that glitters is gold—Don’t take everything at face value. Not everything that glitters is gold. Case example When writing this article, I asked ChatGPT for “Sample mental models in the age of AI,” and it also recommended   “R&D as Search,”   whatever that is.   Inexperienced-me would’ve considered it, but critical-me, already aware of mental models, had to look it up to confirm if indeed it was a thing. It wasn’t. Why is this important?   AI is a tool and an assistant for that matter...but   don’t take its output as gospel.   Critically assess if: The answer makes sense , and The answer is helpful. You bear the results of your actions, not Copilot. 5. Systems Thinking Systems Thinking involves   analyzing an entire system, its constituent parts, and their cause-and-effect relationships. A System Life as a System Why is this important?   AI is   a  second brain   in cultivating your system. It can help analyze a system, create new ones, or identify blind spots in existing ones. Swipe left for more. 6. Inversion Thinking Inversion Thinking involves   thinking the opposite of the intended goal, then doing its  inverse . In practice, it involves seeing what guarantees failure, then doing everything in your power to avoid it. Inversion Thinking Charlie Munger was a huge proponent of Inversion Thinking, using it in much of his investment and life   theses. Charlie Munger on Inversion Thinking Why is this important?   Sometimes   the best thinking comes before AI. Sometimes the best accelerator is not running towards something...but from something, and AI can’t do that for you. Quick Plug - The Weekly Chronicle Hopefully you’re gaining some value from this article. If you are,   kindly consider supporting me by   joining my newsletter — The Weekly Chronicle — where I share   Motivational and Personal Development   Insights every Sunday in under one minute.   Specifically for   people wanting to  improve their lives   and   better themselves every day. More eyeballs on my work helps me be more candid, clear, and insightful. Plus, I want to learn more and share better, too. It’s free. Thank you. We resume reading. 7. Bias to Action Bias to Action is a   natural tendency to act,   favoring   action  over  inaction. It’s   more of a behavior than a model...but exemplary for this age of accelerated information access. Why is this important?   Bias to action is a trait independent of AI—A non-causal relationship. In other words, the presence of AI shouldn’t stop someone from taking action regardless. You don't need the full picture to get started, but you need to start if you want to get the full picture. (Or at least achieve what you needed the picture for.) One could brainstorm their way to planet Pluto, but   action will always be the catalyst.   People feel safe researching...but it’s the outliers that   win by  taking action. AI is not needed here—Common sense and Execution are. 8. Latticework of Models & Mental Models Plasticity 2-in-1. The Latticework of Models is of a network of   interconnected models from various disciplines.   ( Disciplines including Technology, Engineering, and more. ) A Latticework of Models (Drawn by Google Gemini) On the other hand, Mental Models Plasticity (MMP) is   the ability to switch mental models interchangeably depending on the scenario. Plasticity refers to the quality of something that can be easily shaped or molded. Just like   Neuroplasticity —The brain’s ability to change through the reorganization of its neural networks. Mental Models Plasticity So when you combine MMP & the Latticework of Models, you get: MMP + A Latticework of Models So, by definition: The Equation for Mental Models Mastery Why is this important?   No one model can solve an entire problem on its own. Another thing: (Generative) AI can generate a latticework any time, depending on the problem to be solved. It can also drill down to the First Principles of each model and map interrelationships that are not readily identifiable to the human eye. Additionally, both models provide a "playground" to test your mental models arsenal, just like you would try new tricks on a pitch. You get a good ground to test your models, hypotheses, and combinations across different scenarios, honing your decision-making muscle over time. 9. Cynefin Framework Cynefin categorizes problems into five domains:   Clear, Complicated, Complex, Chaotic, and Confusion. The Cynefin Framework Why is this important?   Some problems are not so straightforward for AI to solve, plus the skill of identifying a problem’s complexity helps even before introducing AI to the mix. Furthermore,   AI isn’t needed to solve all problems.   ( Ref. Bias to Action above. ) Cynefin classifies these problems— You judge whether or not AI is needed. 10. Probabilistic Thinking Probabilistic Thinking   estimates the likelihood of different outcomes. Probabilistic Thinking Why is this important?  PT is a mental muscle to be built that comes with experience and arithmetic, specifically   Probability . You don’t have to be a Math expert; Rather, you’re better off developing the ability of foresight. AI can also map out possible scenarios...and to some extent, predict the chances of each happening ( at least from the data it’s trained on. ) And again, the human bears the brunt of the consequences. 11. Critical Thinking Pretty straightforward. Critical Thinking is   analyzing the available information   to form   sound  judgments   and make   informed,  logical  decisions. Why is this important?   Even AI itself admits so. AI Disclaimers 🌟 THE BOTTOM LINE AI has infinite memory—We love that already. But humans still possess the edge in judgment, wisdom, and discernment. ( Or at least...so long as we realize that. ) Mental models can help us become great thinkers and, to some extent, prolific problem solvers. Legends of the past have shaped cities, moved economies, and changed the course of history th rough their use of mental models. And so can we. And with the onset of AI, it will be no different. Take nothing else from this essay but this:   AI is but a tool—A  means to an end. And   those who harness it and know when to use it will rule the world. Harness AI into your Thinking. The best is yet to come. Peace, . . . ~T.K.K Subscribe to The Weekly Chronicle Newsletter  for motivational insights and high-impact ideas in under one minute. Delivered every Sunday.

Carerra's (Titus) Technical Portfolio Greetings, This page showcases my ongoing technical projects, writings, and technology use cases that I'm currently exploring. It's a build-in-public project where anyone can follow my thought process as I explore these cases in real time. Updated periodically. Major themes: AI: Generative & Agentic AI, AI-powered Analytics and Insights Data Technical Projects Kikuyu AI App A Kikuyu language agent fed with a built-from-scratch Kikuyu glossary and taught to teach the language leveraged by LLMs and NLP. Skills: Data Entry, End-to-End Process Mapping Tools: Google Docs, ChatGPT(5.0) AI Fitness Tracker Skills: Data Entry, End-to-End Process Mapping, Data Visualization Tools: Notes for iOS, Google Sheets, Google Gemini(2.5) Backlog Cloud telemetry Incident management LLM/agentic workflows Business impact storytelling Articles Most recent on top. Human Leadership in the Age of AI Carerra's Chronicles LinkedIn The Rise of Agentic AI Carerra's Chronicles LinkedIn Lifelong Learning for 2025 Carerra's Chronicles LinkedIn Emotional Intelligence in the Age of AI Carerra's Chronicles LinkedIn A Snippet on Multimodal AI Carerra's Chronicles LinkedIn The Case for AI & Business Analysis Carerra's Chronicles LinkedIn Medium - Latest Version My Journey from Mathematics to Business Data Analysis Carerra's Chronicles LinkedIn Challenges How to continuously document my projects in one place. If a blog is a better format, or if the Technical Portfolio has a page of its own. ( Like this one .) To more wins, . . . ~T.K.K

On Meaningful Work: Steve Jobs I can’t stop thinking about this quote: Steve Jobs Life is full of work. Since the dawn of mankind, The Garden of Eden, The Age of the Dinosaurs, Humans have been consistent at one thing— Working. Humans have been called to work—To produce results. So until we depart from this planet, ( Bluntly said, until we die ) A good change of our lives is spent working. Which is kinda why, taking a step back, Steve’s quote hits harder. The problem likely isn't the idea of working itself. Rather, it’s about answering the question: What are we truly working on with our short time here on Earth? The Idea of Fulfillment Part of how we attain fulfillment is through the work we do. You may be: ➢ The best data analyst, ➢ The best AI engineer, ➢ The best philosopher or orator, Whatever the case may be. You’re working. And hopefully, You’re working on what you do best—Your Ikigai . ( Story for another day. ) So when all is said and done, You’ll have null regrets on not just the work itself, But its impact on the world as a whole. The Fulfillment Formula And I think that’s what Good Ol’ Man’s Steve got me thinking about. And, well, you may be asking, “Then what work am I supposed to be doing?” Having been there a couple of times myself, I’d say: Part of the journey entails finding the work you need to do. Some get there sooner—Good for them. Others get there much later. But with persistence, We’ll all get there... eventually. Call to Action I think this warrants a call to action; To take a step back and reevaluate the work we do. As to whether or not it’s meaningful. Life itself is finite, And so is our time. Hence best to make the most of it doing meaningful work. Something purposeful. Food for thought. Do what you believe is great work—Steve Jobs Happy Monday, ( Or whenever you're reading this. ) . . . ~T.K.K Subscribe to The Weekly Chronicle Newsletter  for motivational insights and high-impact ideas in under one minute. Delivered every Sunday.

Birthday Note 2025 - Letter to my 19-YO self. I turn 25 today. ( A quarter of a century already. Yikes! ) 19-YO Me and 25-YO Me And as an ongoing birthday tradition, I’m writing letters to my past self. So for today, I’m writing to my 19-YO self. I’m not where I want to be ( yet ), but they say any lived experience counts, so consider this paying it forward. Anyway, we move on. Who was 19-YO Me? Community college student, getting an A.Sc . in Computer Science. Life was…starting to make sense. Community service, school clubs, academics—You name it. Java kinda kicked his butt, so he switched from Computer Science to Math…but still completed his Comp. Science degree. He met people. Made friends. He missed a few aspects, hence penning this letter to him. You Will Lose Friends. A stark beginning to a letter…but such is life. Some relationships, understandably, are transient. Some friendships are suitable for a specific time until their utility is resolved, then new friends come in, old friends ship out, and day-ones stay. It’s nothing personal. It’s just…life. You Will Make Friends. Surprisingly, though, you will make better friends. Because, “ These are YOUR people. ” Lifelong mates with whom you’ll bond and collaborate to achieve your goals. You probably don’t realize this yet, but you’re a big Ubuntu guy. ( Not the OS. ) Ubuntu, being South African, for “ I am because you are. And you are because I am. ” Mutual empowerment, so to speak. And to conclude this part… Some of these friends will practically be the reason you graduate from college. Know What You’re Getting Yourself Into I’m talking about your Math degree here. So…you pivoted from Computer Science to Math. Interesting. And you had your reasons why; Makes sense. However…a pivot doesn’t guarantee it’s easy. Especially with Math. College Math - Not High School Math. Anyway, read the curriculum beforehand. . You switched out of interest…but didn’t prepare for the storm to come. And easily said in hindsight, Math is the hardest thing you’ll do in your life … yet .But also the most fulfilling. The same goes for everything else: New job, new city, new skills, etc. Take the time off to learn if need be. Then start—Not necessarily when you have the full info, But at least when you have an idea of what you’re plunging into. You Need a Mentor. Yeah…you need this one badly. Think: You didn’t have an internship, you were doing okay in school—No harm done. But you probably would’ve benefited from a mentor early on; Someone who would notice your potential and supercharge it for you. But here’s the kicker: You don’t know you need a mentor because you don’t have one. (“ You don’t know what you don’t know. ” Ideally speaking.) And, funnily, In your community, there was no mentor figure. They were good people, yes, with well-meaning intentions, But few stood out as a mentor in tutelage. An exaggerated way of saying, “ Mentorship was foreign to you. ” And it’s not until you get your first mentor three years later that you realize the power of mentorship and giving back. Anyway, kiddo, get yourself a mentor. Or at least let me be one  :) Happy Birthday Kiddo. You’ll live long. 🙂 God bless you, . . . ~T.K.K Subscribe to The Weekly Chronicle Newsletter for motivational insights and high-impact ideas in under one minute. Delivered every Sunday.

With six science-backed reasons, what if you played life like you would a video game? Life as a Video Game So...this' an interesting one; Playing life like a video game. You don't do that everyday, do you? To start, Life is a series of: ↳ Goals ↳ Challenges ↳ And opportunities Just like a video game, where: ➵ The challenges get harder the more you play ➵ You have opportunities to recharge using XP points ➵ And the goal is to win. Let's explore this theory, Life as a Game, Along with the data and science to back it up. Brief Glossary "Fax"  = Facts "Sayans"  Science I'm just having fun. 🙂 CTA = Call to Action Clear Objectives and Milestones Video games have missions and goals: ➙ You race in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to win. ➙ You play NBA2K to dunk 80 with Lebron. ➙ You play Minecraft to build an imaginary empire. Players know what to do to win. They know what necessitates winning. And they act upon it. The same applies to life. By setting clear or SMART Goals in your life, career, or personal development, you risk maintaining focus and direction. ( The good kind of risk ) A study by Locke and Latham (2002) on APA PsychNet shows that people who set specific and challenging goals achieve higher performance and enhance persistence, effort, and focus. ↳ Set goals. ↳ Big goals. ↳ Audacious goals. ↳ Goals that will stretch you. ↳ Goals that will evolve you. Set a goal for what it will make of you to achieve it - Jim Rohn I miss you Rohn. 💔 Set your goals today. Failure as a Learning Tool In video games, Failure isn't the end. We don't "fail" in a video game Simply because we refuse to. We LITERALLY refuse to do so...to a point it's addicting. ➙ Guys will restart a FIFA match seven times just to beat the CPU at World Class difficulty. ➙ Or tell me why you wouldn't restart a race after watching this . ↳ Each setback is a lesson. ↳ And each failure is a feedback loop, Teaching us what to do better next time and how to approach it differently. The same applies to life. In life, Failures birth growth. They suck in the short term, but we shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves. Failure isn't a final verdict - It's a Feedback Loop. The Sayans Carol Dweck's work on Mindset: The New Psychology of Success (2006) states that viewing challenges as learning opportunities improves outcomes and fosters development. Failure is a feedback loop. Shameless Plug Subscribe to The Weekly Chronicle Newsletter for High-Impact, High-Quality Ideas that will make you smarter in under one minute. Delivered to your inbox every Sunday. We keep reading. Continuous Feedback and Adaptation Video games have quick feedback loops. They provide feedback through: Score Updates as the Lakers beat the Raptors Health Bars while navigating Black Hawk Down in Mogadishu New Abilities as you ( idk - Put your own game here. ) The same applies to life. In life, you get feedback from: Mentors Self-Assessments Performance Reviews And use these to improve. The Fax Because games provide continuous feedback, let's look at gamification. Gamification is the application of in-game elements into non-game contexts ( e.g., work ) to drive progress, innovation, and behavioral change. So if you're at work, you modify it into a "work-game" to encourage employees to be more productive and enjoy working. Items like achievements, badges, leaderboards, etc., incentivize productivity because people love seeing their numbers on a scoreboard. Reminds me: Company Hackathons are a thing too . AmplifAI cites that 90% of employees became more work-productive through gamification , with 83% feeling motivated after gamified training. Read more here . And this presents a market niche; As per Precedence Research , the worldwide gamification market is currently valued at $20.84 billion (2025) and projected to reach $190.87 billion in 2034, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.90%. About Gamification Gamify your goals. Strategic Planning and Resource Management In a game, you need MASSIVE resource management. And your resources include health, time, and in-game currency. ( Can't believe Robux is a thing. 💀) The same applies to life. You can apply similar resource-management approaches in life; techniques such as budgeting, career moves, and time/energy investments. And you become a better strategic thinker that way - Identifying the needle-moving levers that get you closer to your goals. Read about Pareto's Principle - The 80/20 Rule - here . The Fax Float , a professional services company, found that their ost successful customers saw a 35% increase in tracked working hours and a team with a 90% on-time delivery rate courtesy of effective resource management. More info here . Master your Resources Plan strategically, Manage Resourcefully Building Skills Through Challenges The more you play a game, the more challenges arise. 'Cause they're part of the game, right? The whole point of the game is facing challenges in a fun and dopaminergic way. And these challenges force you, the player, to construct the skills necessary to overcome them. The same applies to life. Life rewards continuous learning and skill acquisition. You won't be a master on day 1, but with time, you'll build: ↳ Expertise ↳ Credibility ↳ Mastery The Fax Reports from the World Economic Forum stipulate that the modern workplace values adaptability and continuous learning. Social Engagement and Collaboration Video games emphasize teamwork. When you're playing FIFA, you have 11 players, not one . Or when playing Call of Duty, you're in a brigade, not a solo hitman. There's an absolutely 0% chance you'll win a game solo. 'Cause Think About It: When you can't beat a final boss, you'll Google how to do it...and find someone's Reddit post showing you the solution. You still collaborated, albeit indirectly. The same applies to life. Networking, collaboration, and social capital can unlock opportunities that would've initially been out of reach. Pretty self-explanatory. Read about Social Capital here . Collaborate. Kollaborate Conclusion So in conclusion, Life is a video game; ↳ Challenges are objectives ↳ Failure is learning ↳ And feedback is everywhere So if you can win a game, You can win life too. So go out there and win life. And win it big. God bless. . . . ~T.K.K Bibliography Locke, Edwin A., and Gary P. Latham. “Building a Practically Useful Theory of Goal Setting and Task Motivation: A 35-Year Odyssey.” American Psychologist  57, no. 9 (2002): 705–717. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.57.9.705 . Gamification Market Size to Surpass USD 190.87 Billion by 2034 25+ Gamification Statistics You Need to Know in 2025 | AmplifAI

Magnus Carlsen vs D. Gukesh - My Thoughts (Photo Credits: Respective Owners) Earlier this month ( June 2nd, 2025 ), Chess made history— D. Gukesh (19) beat Magnus Carlsen (34) in classical Chess, Symbolizing a changing tide of up-and-comers against the veterans. And as enthralling as the end-game was, So were the reactions: Credits: Norway Chess ➙   Magnus slammed the table in rage. ➙   Gukesh, covering his face and mouth, stealthing away in disbelief. Both in pure emotion. And the internet, as usual, was in a rush of its thoughts: “ MaGnUs WaS oVeRReaCTinG!! ” “ GuKEsH wAs ScAReD!! ” But I saw it differently, Considering I'm constantly pursuing success, excellence, and mastery. These were two giants at the top of their game. ↳   Thor vs Goliath ↳   Achilles vs Hercules Articulated more below. 1. MAGNUS’ REACTION In his defeat, Magnus erupted, Slammed the table, Muttered “ Oh my God! ”, And trudged off into the shadows. But to note: He wasn’t angry at Gukesh— He was mad at himself. See, There’s a reason he’s been Chess kingpin for a decade: ↳   He holds himself to a serious level of personal accountability. ↳   He expects the most from himself, both in practice and in the arena. Which adds to why he was mad ( at himself )— He blundered. He dominated the game until time pressure caught up with him in a knight move, which Gukesh capitalized on and went on to win the game. And for someone of his caliber, He’s better than that. Even he knows it. Another thing, Despite the heat in the moment, Magnus exuded sportsmanship in his brief spans of consciousness. ↳   He apologized to Gukesh (twice), ↳   Shook his hand, ↳   And patted his back on his way out. Even in loss, Respect is earned, And Magnus did just that -   He gave it. His enragement is justified, and rationally speaking, observers can note his overreaction. This is someone who has dedicated his life, sweat, and tears to the game, creating art from the game of chess. To him, success is the bare minimum. ( Akin to Cristiano Ronaldo losing a game. Same goes for the Kobes, MJs, etc. ) If You Haven't Yet... I'm currently building my newsletter— The Weekly Chronicle —where I share weekly motivational insights and high-impact ideas in under a minute. If you wish to support my journey, consider   subscribing to my newsletter here . Your support means the world. Thank you in advance. We keep reading. 2. GUKESH'S REACTION On the other hand, A proud ( yet stunned ) 19-year-old Gukesh's face speaks volumes. "I can't believe it!" "I finally beat Magnus!" "I beat  THE Magnus Carlsen! " As silent as he was, his reaction was loud. Post-match, He conceded that it was a lucky day for him ( "99 out of 100 times" reference ), not expecting to beat Carlsen in the end. "99 out of 100 times I would lose. It was just a lucky day." Despite the slip-up, Gukesh is a force to be reckoned with. Him being 19 signifies a new era of upcoming Chess titans, ready to topple the legacies. Both titans, at the top of their game, share the same reaction: "I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!" A Hidden Mentorship But there's something interesting. In some not-so-many-seen clips, When Magnus beats other challengers ( including Gukesh ), He mentors them. ➙   He teaches them after their loss. ➙   He analyzes their improvement points. ➙   He motivates them to strategize better for the next game. I'm willing to bet that Magnus is not just a serial winner, But a serial mentor too. And in the long run, Whether it's Gukesh beating Magnus or not, Magnus is survived by mentees. Closing Those are my thoughts. Chess is incredibly mental; Players can burn 132-320 calories per hour, with grandmasters going up to 6,000 calories due to the intense stress and focus. So to many, it’s just a board game; A sophisticated checkers. But to others, it is a life force. A pathway to meaning. An   Ikigai . { Fun Fact:   My ELO rating is between 1400 and 1800 - Haven't focused much on it recently. } Curious to hear your thoughts. What do you think? Happy Tuesday, . . . ~T.K.K Subscribe to The Weekly Chronicle Newsletter, where I share weekly motivational and high-impact ideas in under a minute.

Why an Internship is Important Why an Internship is Important Author's Note I'll likely edit this article in the future. Posting it now just so I have something on the website. Note to my Past Self Something I regret in my undergrad was not getting an internship. And I emphasize this with my mentees and anyone seeking "advice." ( "" because advice is subjective ) Sure - Fellowships and research experiences are nice, But tangible experience showing industry prowess is helpful headed into the job market after school. And with the current job market as of this writing (March 2025), An internship is more essential than ever. My LinkedIn, in case you're wondering who I am . 2019 Highline College . I did my Associates in Computer Science. Sophomore year of college.  I downplayed the idea of an internship because I thought they were " overrated ." I'm seeing others applying and scoring internships while I'm still trying to fathom the big deal behind them. For context, I was doing Computer Science at the time. And practically every Comp.Sci major did an internship - I was the exception. No surprise there. The Case for Mentorship However, to my case, I was mentor-less. ( Apparently, mentors were a thing? ) In fact, If I could turn back time, I'd get my 19-YO-Self a mentor 'Cause even he doesn't know he needs one. But I digress. We was discussing internships. That was 2019. 2020 Zoom University - 2020 Mwaka wa COVID ( Swahili ) The Year of COVID Everything went virtual, clearly. The idea of an internship still didn't hit me, let alone a virtual one. 2021 At the end of Junior year, months after joining NSBE , I hit my "OH SNAP, I NEED AN INTERNSHIP!!!" moment. I think I noticed their importance and value-add to your resume plus overall professional experience. Plus the idea of firms willingly giving you three months to "work" and "get paid", then return to school with a fat bank account ( for a college student ) plus tons of experience, that appealed to me. ↳ That was when I wanted an internship. ↳ And realized I NEEDED an internship. At least I tried within the few weeks of getting my act ( and resume ) together, applying hitherto - A decent resume for what it was worth. Nada. 2022 I attained some real luck scoring some interviews, yet no internship. Three years prior, that would've been acceptable…but not when you're graduating in six months. That's not to say I didn't work the hardest I ever did those six months to eventually land my current job. How I did it . Reflection I chronologize this not out of regret ( I have none ) But to depict how things would've emerged differently from the beginning. In other words, Had I pursued an internship in 2019,  My trajectory would likely have been different.  But I'm glad it ended up as so...as God is never wrong. And I'm not complaining. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Two Lessons : An internship is vital - It cultivates your interests early on. Once you acknowledge the above, get an internship pronto. Kids, Don't be like Uncle Titus. Get an internship ASAP. Peace out. . . . ~T.K.K Subscribe to The Weekly Chronicle for weekly motivational insights in under a minute.

How AI Complements Business Analysis The Case for Artificial Intelligence and Business Analysis A rabbit hole I've been digging lately. Some of my work notes. Quick Definition: Business Analysis Business Analysis is the art of: ➢ Identifying needs ➢ Solving problems, and ➢ Implementing solutions To: → Drive growth, → Improve efficiency, and → Deliver organizational value As a Business Analyst, you're a: ↳ Problem-solver ↳ Analyst ↳ Strategist ↳ Innovator ↳ Thinker ↳ And Leader In one. I define a Business Analyst as a Consultant who actually finishes the job- ↪ A Consultant recommends. ↪ A Business Analyst recommends and executes. Anyway, Enter AI, which needs no intro. The Case for AI and Business Analysis At least so far. 1. 📊 Data-Driven Insights 📊 💡. A good chunk of a BA's job is Data Analysis & Visualization. With AI integrated into BI tools ( e.g., Copilot for Power BI ), Data is analyzed faster and more efficiently, And predictive analytics for forecasting purposes. I'd call AI my Analytical Assistant that does the heavy lifting As I strategize the next steps from the analysis. 2. 🔁 Automation of Repetitive Tasks 🔁 This is a good one. 💡. Manual tasks like: ↳  ETL - Export, Transform, and Load, ↳ Data cleaning, ↳ Report generation, and ↳ Requirements documentation AI can do such. 💡. There´s also Natural Language Processing (NLP) that can extract insights like customer feedback from a variety of data sources. 💡. Then there's Workflow Automation; → In a Product Development Lifecycle (PDLC), there's a process flow. → And in that process flow, AI can detect and execute monotonous tasks, saving time. → Best case: A process of seven tasks, for example, being slashed into four, which the BA executes. 3. 📈Scalability and Efficiency 📉 This is a big one. 💡 When AI handles the humongous tasks in an org, Business Analysts become more strategic. 💡 AI can handle complex datasets that directly correlate to an organization's size. For example, Assuming 💯% efficiency, → If a team of 10 handles 1GB with AI, → Then AI analyzing 100GB means it supports a team of 1,000. That's 1,000 pieces of brainpower that can be leveraged toward the needle-mover tasks in an organization. ( Broader AI training + AI Literacy needed, of course. ) 4. 🧠 Focus on Strategic Value 🧠 💡. AI does all the dirty work: → Hands-on analysis → Workflow Automation → And insights provisioning Then, Business Analysts become the strategic piledrivers. 💡. If you're looking at the Five "Wh" questions: → AI does the "What." → BAs do the "When," "Where," and "Why." 🫱🏽‍🫲🏽 And both the BA and AI collaborate on the "How." Plus many more use cases, of course. Closing I'm 90% instinctually confident that AI won't replace Business Analysts, Or any other analytical jobs, for that matter. Rather, AI is a catalyst that has us reimagining our professions more strategically. The future of Business Analysis, As I see it, Lies in the synergy between Human Expertise, Strategy, and AI Innovation. More to come. Curious about any thoughts. Peace, . . . ~T.K.K { PS: I've never put these many emojis in a blog post before, lol.} Subscribe to The Weekly Chronicle for weekly motivational insights in under a minute.

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