Creating is an act of courage. 

You reveal a piece of your soul, unsure if it will resonate. 

My friend Justin understands this vulnerable path intimately.

Justin and I met on Clubhouse where I was hosting conversations and he was building his now massive following (10M on TikTok, 6M on YouTube).

We've stayed close friends, often trading insights. He offers guidance on content strategy while I keep him updated on the latest AI advancements and how they can enhance his work.

In every chat, his number one piece of advice has been: Embrace vulnerability.

He isn't talking about full disclosure. Nor about oversharing intimate details. He means the courage to create - to put a piece of yourself out there, not knowing how it will land. And to do it again and again.

The vulnerability that comes with taking risks, especially during professional transitions when your identity and ego are wrapped up in other people’s perceptions and expectations. 

To be vulnerable to judgment. From others yes, but especially from your harshest critic, yourself.

Justin admits this soul-exposing feeling was incredibly difficult for him when starting out. 

He would pour his heart into a video he believed in, but when the applaud wasn’t as loud as he’d hoped, the silence was piercing. 

But leaning into the discomfort of experimenting ultimately led him to his signature style and loyal following.

Justin's wisdom hit home, more than it ever has.

Over the past few years, I’ve pushed myself to open up more too - on Clubhouse where I hosted large virtual events weekly, and now through writing on LinkedIn as I share my insights about generative AI.

This has started to feel less scary. But I’ve wanted to expand into short videos. And that feels tremendously uncomfortable.

Each time, I find stress about looking awkward on camera, stumbling over complex topics in 90 seconds, or how long it’ll take me to edit the video, since I’m not a pro.  

Another friend from the corporate world confessed she was anxious to start a TikTok channel, fearing judgment from her professional circle.

I’ve done it a few times now(the latest video included 👇as the 1^st Linkedin post) and it gets a bit easier. But each round still surfaces fears about exposure and judgment.

But growth requires vulnerability. It means listening not just to the world, but to that quiet inner voice whispering "What if it works?"

Over the past 10 months, I’ve immersed myself in the world of AI - researching, studying, experimenting and working closely with generative AI. I've also been thinking deeply about AI's impacts on our work, lives and society.

I’ve come to realize the immense value of what I've learned, and how helpful it can be to my family, friends and network, especially as AI literacy has become essential. 

And I’ve felt an inner tug to find ways to share what I’ve learned with others, because I believe it will make a genuine difference in their lives. 

But this is where my own self-doubts creep back in. 

It whispers: “Can my voice rise or even be heard in a space full of hype, promises of quick-wins, flashy headlines and a parade of shiny new tools launching weekly? Will people listen to a voice that says “Don’t rush. Slow down and learn” or “Wait on that AI business or revenue stream idea because it will be obsolete in 3-6 months.”

But then again, I remind myself about how hard it is to find the signal through the noise, or the credible, well-informed and trustworthy voices as the complexities and ethical dilemmas continue to rise.

So, despite the discomfort, I've decided to listen. 

I’m exploring ways to best package and share the most essential, relevant insights along with practical guidance. I’ll likely start with a few live webinars or virtual workshops. 

I’ll share the details, hopefully soon. Click 👇 if you'd like to be among the first to know.

Having the support of encouraging friends and communities gives me the courage to keep inching ahead, even as the uncertainty intensifies. 

If you've been on the fence about something new, consider this your nudge. 

As Brené Brown wrote: "Give me an example of courage that didn't require uncertainty, risk or emotional exposure." 

Until next time, trust your instincts and embrace the uncomfortable. That's where the magic unfolds.

With love,

Avi

P.S.  I'd love to hear any of your AI-related questions or topics you'd want to learn more about. Your curiosities will help me shape what I’m covering, so it’s as helpful as possible. Please hit ‘reply’ let me know. 

Some of my AI Related Posts

Since I've been writing lots about AI on Linkedin, I'm including  a few here if you're not normally a "Linkedin person" but want to catch up. 

To be honest, I'm not really a Linkedin person either 😁.

I'm also thinking about writing a brief weekly newsletter just to share a few links of the news that actually matters each week. Hit 'Reply' and let me know if you'd be into that.  

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