The Path of Believing, Knowing and Acting

AI, for better or worse, is a topic of discussion in nearly every company, especially within the tech and software sectors. I’ve dedicated much time to reading, learning, and experimenting with AI tools. While not an expert, I have a broad understanding and above-average proficiency.

Recently, I suggested an AI proof of concept to a client, even though it was beyond my job scope. I believed it would benefit the company, and creating a slide deck was not difficult. I presented it to a manager, and she was impressed. She asked if I would be interested in a role working on the proposal, which would provide more money, security, and professional prestige.

I respectfully declined.

“Change takes time, and its impact may not be immediately apparent. ”

A few years ago, I would have accepted. I've focused on promotions and raises most of my career, which has served me well. Layoffs are common in tech, so you want to be working on the hip and cool projects. AI certainly qualifies.

But lately, I’ve felt something is missing. Although I’m too young (at least in my mind) for a midlife crisis, I realized that my inner compass may need recalibration to align more authentically with the person I am becoming.

In the past, I experienced dissatisfaction and had difficulty finding inner peace at work without understanding the cause. It took some time and self-reflection to accept that what I was doing was not matching what I cared about.

I now realize that my anxiety and self-doubt were not hindrances to push down but signals prompting me to act. The discomfort and restlessness I felt were not symptoms of helplessness but a call to make a difference, no matter how small the impact might seem. Discontent can be a powerful driving force, motivating positive contributions.

Change takes time, and its impact may not be immediately apparent. However, our efforts should not be underestimated.

The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche categorized people into two types: those who seek to know and those who prefer to believe. He highlighted the contrast between individuals who pursue knowledge and question their understanding of the world and those who cling to their beliefs without critical examination.

However, Nietzsche's dichotomy didn't offer a complete solution. I believe there was a missing third type: the person who seeks knowledge and then acts based on that understanding. This type combines intellectual curiosity with proactive engagement, going beyond contemplation to achieve tangible transformations in oneself and the world.

I wanted to grow in that third type, so I settled on a life philosophy of a short-term cynic but a long-term optimist, blending critical thinking with positive action. It is the best combination.

Short and long-term cynics are always negative and give up because the world is a mess and cannot be fixed. A short and long-term optimist never questions the status quo or pushes for change, believing everything is for the best. A short-term optimist and a long-term cynic are contradictory; if you trust the status quo and are happy today, you have no reason to doubt the future, leading to no change.

But a short-term cynic and long-term optimist combines the best of both worlds. You accept that things may be broken today and need fixing, but you believe in working towards a solution. This mindset allows you to stand out in a world where many are content to accept things as they are or criticize without offering solutions.

Of course, thinking about something and taking action are two different things. You can't control all the variables in life or what options exist. For example, it can be challenging to question the status quo if you work in a company culture where criticism is dismissed as negativity and not being a “team player.”

Being a short-term cynic and long-term optimist isn’t for everyone at every stage of life.

But I find the philosophy liberating. I am no longer motivated by the levers companies used on me years ago, so I don’t need to overthink why my motivations are different than others in the workplace. I have to forge my path, as short-term cynics and long-term optimists seeking purpose must take the initiative and pursue their passions proactively.

And if, along the journey, my knowledge and experience help a company, mentor a friend, or change the world— even without recognition— all the better.