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While driving recently, I was listening to the “AI Explored” podcast with Michael Stelzner. The guest presented a truly profound framework for becoming “AI proficient”: 1. Play, 2. Create Excellence, and 3. Generously Lead. This isn’t just about artificial intelligence; it’s a powerful pathway to success applicable to everything we do.

Step 1: Play

The natural tendency is to jump straight to proficiency, striving for greatness right away. However, this can lead to fear of failure and paralysis. The concept of “play,” a core tenet of improv comedy, is critical. Playing means letting go of the outcome and experimenting without the pressure of perfection. The alternative to playing and experimenting is letting your fear build until the world leaves you behind, leaving you angry and stagnant. Instead, pick up the tool—whether it’s AI, a new skill, or public speaking—and explore it with curiosity. This space to “fail” is vital because it builds the genuine understanding necessary to move to the next level.

Step 2: Create Excellence

As you play and become comfortable, the natural next step is to Create Excellence. This is where the training wheels come off. The skills you develop through play are channeled into high-level endeavors, from refining technical systems to producing elite creative works. In today’s world, we see this with the “cell phone economy.” You no longer need a giant corporation to market for you; a single individual with a smartphone and the right tools can out-produce an entire department. When you create excellence, you are no longer just a hobbyist—you are a professional with agency, providing a level of quality that the old “big company” models can’t touch.

Step 3: Generously Lead

Finally, the “Generously Lead” step is where true transformation occurs collectively. Like a seasoned improviser who supports their scene partner, generously leading means sharing your knowledge and empowering others. It’s a mindset of fostering continuous growth and rejecting the fear of change.

These are a pathway to success in any new endeavor.

Have agency; don’t complain that you have none when you give it away every day by refusing to learn. By making these tiny, daily changes—embracing technology as something wondrous and new—we can watch the world transform. So, stop doomscrolling, let go of the negativity, and start playing. At 80 years old, think like a five-year-old and embrace the journey.

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