Three Guiding Words: AI Accelerates Intentional Growth
TL;DR
- Choosing three guiding words annually, rather than resolutions, provides intentional direction for personal and professional growth, fostering consistent habit building.
- AI tools like ChatGPT can serve as personal growth accelerators by assisting in documenting ideas, crafting learning paths, and supporting creative endeavors.
- Deep learning, or "3D learning," emphasizes real-world application through conversation and practice, extending beyond digital consumption for true knowledge acquisition.
- AI's memory expansion allows for revisiting past conversations and goals, providing objective perspective and shaping future plans based on historical interactions.
Deep Dive
The podcast episode "Ep 95 - My Three Words For 2026" centers on host Cary Weston's annual practice of selecting three guiding words to shape his year, replacing traditional resolutions with intentional habit-building. This approach, inspired by Chris Brogan, offers a more focused and actionable path to personal and professional growth, with the host demonstrating how AI tools like ChatGPT can be leveraged to support these chosen words.
Weston's 2026 words--Framework, Make, and Study--illustrate this intentionality. "Framework" signifies his goal to codify his principles and experiences into reusable assets, a task he will undertake by dictating to AI, thus transforming oral history into documented resources. "Make" encompasses both tangible hobbies, like woodcraft, and expanding his culinary repertoire, utilizing AI to discover new recipes and refine existing ones. The word "Study" addresses a desire for deeper knowledge beyond surface curiosity, with AI intended to help craft personalized learning curricula. The implications of this approach extend to how individuals can proactively engage with AI not just for information retrieval, but as a partner in self-directed learning and creative pursuits. This method of using AI to support a structured personal philosophy shifts the focus from passive consumption to active creation and skill development.
The core takeaway is that traditional resolutions are often less effective than choosing guiding words that provide ongoing direction, and that AI tools can be powerful allies in translating these intentions into concrete actions and deeper learning experiences, fostering a more dynamic and growth-oriented year.
Action Items
- Create reusable frameworks: Document 3-5 core principles and stories for scalable knowledge sharing.
- Develop 5-6 go-to recipes: Expand cooking repertoire to accommodate groups and family gatherings.
- Design personal curriculum: Outline a study plan for a new topic, targeting depth beyond surface curiosity.
- Build a 3D learning experience: Plan real-world activities and experiences to complement 1-2 chosen study topics.
Key Quotes
"Instead of making resolutions, Cary focuses on building intentional habits and goals that align with both his personal and professional growth."
This quote highlights Cary Weston's approach to personal development, emphasizing the choice of guiding words over traditional resolutions. Cary Weston uses these words to foster deliberate habits and objectives that support his overall advancement.
"For 2026, Cary's chosen words are Framework, Make, and Study, and he dives into how tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini will support him in these areas."
Cary Weston identifies his three core guiding words for the year 2026: Framework, Make, and Study. Cary Weston plans to leverage AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini to assist him in achieving goals related to these chosen words.
"Instead of making traditional resolutions, Cary selects three words each year to help guide his focus and actions--turning vague intentions into meaningful direction."
This takeaway explains Cary Weston's alternative to New Year's resolutions, which involves choosing three impactful words. Cary Weston uses these words as a method to transform abstract aspirations into concrete guidance for his year.
"Cary demonstrates how ChatGPT and other AI tools can go beyond basic tasks to help with things like documenting ideas, crafting learning paths, and even assisting with creative hobbies."
This point illustrates the versatility of AI tools like ChatGPT, as shown by Cary Weston. Cary Weston uses these technologies not just for simple functions but also for more complex activities such as recording thoughts, designing educational plans, and aiding in creative pursuits.
"In his goal to 'study' more deeply, Cary emphasizes the importance of learning that goes beyond the screen and into the real world--through conversation, practice, and real-life experience."
Cary Weston elaborates on his intention to "study" by stressing the necessity of experiential learning. Cary Weston believes that true learning involves engaging with the physical world through dialogue, hands-on activities, and practical application, rather than solely digital interaction.
Resources
External Resources
Tools & Software
- ChatGPT - Used for generating ideas, drafting content, and acting as an accountability partner.
- Claude - Used for comparing and enhancing content generated by other AI tools.
- Gemini - Used for testing and comparing AI capabilities.
Websites & Online Resources
- Facebook Marketplace - Source for purchasing a used end table.
- ChatGPT experiment.com - Website for the podcast, offering episode archives, articles, and information on training services.
Other Resources
- Wayfair - Mentioned for style tips and home decor inspiration.
- Three Words for 2026 - A personal planning framework adopted from Chris Brogan.
- Connect, Routine, Smile - The speaker's three words for the previous year (2025).
- Framework, Make, Study - The speaker's three words for the upcoming year (2026).