Joe Redd
@joeredd.bsky.social
I talk about the Vision I’m pursuing in hopes it helps you too
Pinned
Joe Redd
@joeredd.bsky.social
· Oct 19
A friend of mine asked me to share my definition of self-actualization. Hope it inspires you. If so, lemme know!
People think we chase perfection because we're ambitious.
It's like if we accept what is, we'll stay stuck forever. Temporary defeat ≠ rejection. It's just a pause in your momentum.
Allow yourself to be stuck today without a plan to escape it. Enjoy the view from there and see where it takes you.
It's like if we accept what is, we'll stay stuck forever. Temporary defeat ≠ rejection. It's just a pause in your momentum.
Allow yourself to be stuck today without a plan to escape it. Enjoy the view from there and see where it takes you.
December 14, 2025 at 3:32 PM
People think we chase perfection because we're ambitious.
It's like if we accept what is, we'll stay stuck forever. Temporary defeat ≠ rejection. It's just a pause in your momentum.
Allow yourself to be stuck today without a plan to escape it. Enjoy the view from there and see where it takes you.
It's like if we accept what is, we'll stay stuck forever. Temporary defeat ≠ rejection. It's just a pause in your momentum.
Allow yourself to be stuck today without a plan to escape it. Enjoy the view from there and see where it takes you.
People think we overcomplicate because we're thorough.
The real driver is fear that if we can't predict outcomes, we're not really leading. Which I get. But uncertainty ≠ incompetence.
So go with the flow: Make a decision today based on patterns, not protocols.
The real driver is fear that if we can't predict outcomes, we're not really leading. Which I get. But uncertainty ≠ incompetence.
So go with the flow: Make a decision today based on patterns, not protocols.
December 13, 2025 at 3:32 PM
People think we overcomplicate because we're thorough.
The real driver is fear that if we can't predict outcomes, we're not really leading. Which I get. But uncertainty ≠ incompetence.
So go with the flow: Make a decision today based on patterns, not protocols.
The real driver is fear that if we can't predict outcomes, we're not really leading. Which I get. But uncertainty ≠ incompetence.
So go with the flow: Make a decision today based on patterns, not protocols.
Myth: Progress requires constant forward motion.
Reality: Sometimes you need to stop thrashing to see the way forward. Yet the myth survives because stillness feels like failure in productivity culture. Try this instead:
This week, merely describe where you are, without judgment, with gratitude.
Reality: Sometimes you need to stop thrashing to see the way forward. Yet the myth survives because stillness feels like failure in productivity culture. Try this instead:
This week, merely describe where you are, without judgment, with gratitude.
December 7, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Myth: Progress requires constant forward motion.
Reality: Sometimes you need to stop thrashing to see the way forward. Yet the myth survives because stillness feels like failure in productivity culture. Try this instead:
This week, merely describe where you are, without judgment, with gratitude.
Reality: Sometimes you need to stop thrashing to see the way forward. Yet the myth survives because stillness feels like failure in productivity culture. Try this instead:
This week, merely describe where you are, without judgment, with gratitude.
Myth: Complex environments need more control.
Reality: They need more sensing, less forcing. The myth survives thought because command-and-control feels like leadership. Try this instead:
Watch what's already working in your system for a bit before intervening right away.
Reality: They need more sensing, less forcing. The myth survives thought because command-and-control feels like leadership. Try this instead:
Watch what's already working in your system for a bit before intervening right away.
December 6, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Myth: Complex environments need more control.
Reality: They need more sensing, less forcing. The myth survives thought because command-and-control feels like leadership. Try this instead:
Watch what's already working in your system for a bit before intervening right away.
Reality: They need more sensing, less forcing. The myth survives thought because command-and-control feels like leadership. Try this instead:
Watch what's already working in your system for a bit before intervening right away.
You presume that utilities scale with your ambition.
The cost? You build on sand when regions face water bankruptcy and forced relocation. Fix the false presumption with a question:
"Water is a load-bearing assumption, so what's our plan if regional water access changes?"
The cost? You build on sand when regions face water bankruptcy and forced relocation. Fix the false presumption with a question:
"Water is a load-bearing assumption, so what's our plan if regional water access changes?"
December 2, 2025 at 12:08 AM
You presume that utilities scale with your ambition.
The cost? You build on sand when regions face water bankruptcy and forced relocation. Fix the false presumption with a question:
"Water is a load-bearing assumption, so what's our plan if regional water access changes?"
The cost? You build on sand when regions face water bankruptcy and forced relocation. Fix the false presumption with a question:
"Water is a load-bearing assumption, so what's our plan if regional water access changes?"
AI founders ignore water because it's invisible until catastrophic.
That's too bad, because your competitors who built water resilience into their model early benefit. When operations halt and investors ask why, you'll only have yourself to blame. Pivot:
Start by reading a water stress forecast.
That's too bad, because your competitors who built water resilience into their model early benefit. When operations halt and investors ask why, you'll only have yourself to blame. Pivot:
Start by reading a water stress forecast.
December 1, 2025 at 8:08 PM
AI founders ignore water because it's invisible until catastrophic.
That's too bad, because your competitors who built water resilience into their model early benefit. When operations halt and investors ask why, you'll only have yourself to blame. Pivot:
Start by reading a water stress forecast.
That's too bad, because your competitors who built water resilience into their model early benefit. When operations halt and investors ask why, you'll only have yourself to blame. Pivot:
Start by reading a water stress forecast.
All companies optimize product-market fit.
Far too few embrace resource-reality fit. For instance, entire factories shut down during water shortages while some startups wonder why supply chains broke. Remove this bottleneck:
Add "water availability" to your site selection criteria.
Far too few embrace resource-reality fit. For instance, entire factories shut down during water shortages while some startups wonder why supply chains broke. Remove this bottleneck:
Add "water availability" to your site selection criteria.
December 1, 2025 at 6:08 PM
All companies optimize product-market fit.
Far too few embrace resource-reality fit. For instance, entire factories shut down during water shortages while some startups wonder why supply chains broke. Remove this bottleneck:
Add "water availability" to your site selection criteria.
Far too few embrace resource-reality fit. For instance, entire factories shut down during water shortages while some startups wonder why supply chains broke. Remove this bottleneck:
Add "water availability" to your site selection criteria.
The business game still being played these days is ignoring externalities to hit milestones.
We score how fast AI scales before reality hits. How? By treating water like bandwidth...infinite until it isn't. Stop taking water for granted:
Hire someone who knows water law.
We score how fast AI scales before reality hits. How? By treating water like bandwidth...infinite until it isn't. Stop taking water for granted:
Hire someone who knows water law.
December 1, 2025 at 4:08 PM
The business game still being played these days is ignoring externalities to hit milestones.
We score how fast AI scales before reality hits. How? By treating water like bandwidth...infinite until it isn't. Stop taking water for granted:
Hire someone who knows water law.
We score how fast AI scales before reality hits. How? By treating water like bandwidth...infinite until it isn't. Stop taking water for granted:
Hire someone who knows water law.
Words triggering resistance: "water scarcity," "water rationing," and "limits." Those words signal AI anti-growth pessimism.
Swap to: "Resilience planning," "resource intelligence," and "adaptive capacity." Use them in your next board deck.
Swap to: "Resilience planning," "resource intelligence," and "adaptive capacity." Use them in your next board deck.
December 1, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Words triggering resistance: "water scarcity," "water rationing," and "limits." Those words signal AI anti-growth pessimism.
Swap to: "Resilience planning," "resource intelligence," and "adaptive capacity." Use them in your next board deck.
Swap to: "Resilience planning," "resource intelligence," and "adaptive capacity." Use them in your next board deck.
I've realized that I've been solving for stuck-ness by adding more action.
I'd forgotten that movement returns when I stop forcing it. But I kept pushing because I thought part of letting go = giving things up.
Today, I'll niks for 5 minutes without fixing anything; help the brain realign.
I'd forgotten that movement returns when I stop forcing it. But I kept pushing because I thought part of letting go = giving things up.
Today, I'll niks for 5 minutes without fixing anything; help the brain realign.
November 30, 2025 at 3:32 PM
I've realized that I've been solving for stuck-ness by adding more action.
I'd forgotten that movement returns when I stop forcing it. But I kept pushing because I thought part of letting go = giving things up.
Today, I'll niks for 5 minutes without fixing anything; help the brain realign.
I'd forgotten that movement returns when I stop forcing it. But I kept pushing because I thought part of letting go = giving things up.
Today, I'll niks for 5 minutes without fixing anything; help the brain realign.
I keep seeing folks apply linear solutions to adaptive challenges.
As a consequence, they miss leverage points only revealed through interaction. Yet we keep doing it because we think complex = complicated. So let's reframe:
Run small experiments and iterate rather than running one big plan.
As a consequence, they miss leverage points only revealed through interaction. Yet we keep doing it because we think complex = complicated. So let's reframe:
Run small experiments and iterate rather than running one big plan.
November 29, 2025 at 3:32 PM
I keep seeing folks apply linear solutions to adaptive challenges.
As a consequence, they miss leverage points only revealed through interaction. Yet we keep doing it because we think complex = complicated. So let's reframe:
Run small experiments and iterate rather than running one big plan.
As a consequence, they miss leverage points only revealed through interaction. Yet we keep doing it because we think complex = complicated. So let's reframe:
Run small experiments and iterate rather than running one big plan.
We say, "I need to get unstuck."
Sometimes that means, "I'm not allowed to be here, feeling this." That mismatch creates resistance loops. Embrace your self; replace it with "I'm exactly where I am."
Then name 1 feeling you've been fighting today.
Sometimes that means, "I'm not allowed to be here, feeling this." That mismatch creates resistance loops. Embrace your self; replace it with "I'm exactly where I am."
Then name 1 feeling you've been fighting today.
November 23, 2025 at 3:32 PM
We say, "I need to get unstuck."
Sometimes that means, "I'm not allowed to be here, feeling this." That mismatch creates resistance loops. Embrace your self; replace it with "I'm exactly where I am."
Then name 1 feeling you've been fighting today.
Sometimes that means, "I'm not allowed to be here, feeling this." That mismatch creates resistance loops. Embrace your self; replace it with "I'm exactly where I am."
Then name 1 feeling you've been fighting today.
When we create in complex environments, we say, "Let's simplify this."
But what we often mean is, "I need predictable cause and effect." That mismatch creates untenable ideas. So instead say, "Let's navigate emergence."
That way, you identify dynamic relationships in your systems and teams.
But what we often mean is, "I need predictable cause and effect." That mismatch creates untenable ideas. So instead say, "Let's navigate emergence."
That way, you identify dynamic relationships in your systems and teams.
November 22, 2025 at 3:32 PM
When we create in complex environments, we say, "Let's simplify this."
But what we often mean is, "I need predictable cause and effect." That mismatch creates untenable ideas. So instead say, "Let's navigate emergence."
That way, you identify dynamic relationships in your systems and teams.
But what we often mean is, "I need predictable cause and effect." That mismatch creates untenable ideas. So instead say, "Let's navigate emergence."
That way, you identify dynamic relationships in your systems and teams.
The Default: Manage your image so no one sees you struggling.
The Cost: Trust requires letting people witness your real process, gaps included.
Swap-In Default: "I'm figuring this out, here's where I am. And even then, I'm not sure yet—so let's explore it together."
The Cost: Trust requires letting people witness your real process, gaps included.
Swap-In Default: "I'm figuring this out, here's where I am. And even then, I'm not sure yet—so let's explore it together."
November 22, 2025 at 12:08 AM
The Default: Manage your image so no one sees you struggling.
The Cost: Trust requires letting people witness your real process, gaps included.
Swap-In Default: "I'm figuring this out, here's where I am. And even then, I'm not sure yet—so let's explore it together."
The Cost: Trust requires letting people witness your real process, gaps included.
Swap-In Default: "I'm figuring this out, here's where I am. And even then, I'm not sure yet—so let's explore it together."
Impostor syndrome is rooted in perform competence rather than building it with people.
Only perfectionists would rather hide than be helped. And that benefits no one; working relationships stay transactional. Go new school:
Today, ask a human (not AI or the Internet) for help with something.
Only perfectionists would rather hide than be helped. And that benefits no one; working relationships stay transactional. Go new school:
Today, ask a human (not AI or the Internet) for help with something.
November 21, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Impostor syndrome is rooted in perform competence rather than building it with people.
Only perfectionists would rather hide than be helped. And that benefits no one; working relationships stay transactional. Go new school:
Today, ask a human (not AI or the Internet) for help with something.
Only perfectionists would rather hide than be helped. And that benefits no one; working relationships stay transactional. Go new school:
Today, ask a human (not AI or the Internet) for help with something.
The game still being played right now is credibility through invulnerability.
Unfortunately, we applaud how rarely anyone says, "I don't know." This habits destroys human connection by pretending to be finished. Avoid this trap:
Count how many times you admit uncertainty this week.
Unfortunately, we applaud how rarely anyone says, "I don't know." This habits destroys human connection by pretending to be finished. Avoid this trap:
Count how many times you admit uncertainty this week.
November 21, 2025 at 6:08 PM
The game still being played right now is credibility through invulnerability.
Unfortunately, we applaud how rarely anyone says, "I don't know." This habits destroys human connection by pretending to be finished. Avoid this trap:
Count how many times you admit uncertainty this week.
Unfortunately, we applaud how rarely anyone says, "I don't know." This habits destroys human connection by pretending to be finished. Avoid this trap:
Count how many times you admit uncertainty this week.
Everyone optimizes looking capable.
The real test is comfort with being incomplete. Case in point: The leaders people trust most are the ones who own their limits. Cozy up to being unfinished:
Add a "Questions I'm Holding" section to your status updates.
The real test is comfort with being incomplete. Case in point: The leaders people trust most are the ones who own their limits. Cozy up to being unfinished:
Add a "Questions I'm Holding" section to your status updates.
November 21, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Everyone optimizes looking capable.
The real test is comfort with being incomplete. Case in point: The leaders people trust most are the ones who own their limits. Cozy up to being unfinished:
Add a "Questions I'm Holding" section to your status updates.
The real test is comfort with being incomplete. Case in point: The leaders people trust most are the ones who own their limits. Cozy up to being unfinished:
Add a "Questions I'm Holding" section to your status updates.
Words that can trigger resistance include "unsure," "learning," and "beginner." Those words can signal you're not qualified.
Instead, use "developing," "investigating," and "building" when describing your growth edges.
Instead, use "developing," "investigating," and "building" when describing your growth edges.
November 21, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Words that can trigger resistance include "unsure," "learning," and "beginner." Those words can signal you're not qualified.
Instead, use "developing," "investigating," and "building" when describing your growth edges.
Instead, use "developing," "investigating," and "building" when describing your growth edges.
I’ve decided to abandon pursuing the rigor of ideation.
I’ll never be able to out-ideate machines in an AI era. No more listing 25 to 100 ideas per creative thought session. That’s AI’s job now.
Instead, I choose to study and improve my ability to create effectively in complex environments.
I’ll never be able to out-ideate machines in an AI era. No more listing 25 to 100 ideas per creative thought session. That’s AI’s job now.
Instead, I choose to study and improve my ability to create effectively in complex environments.
November 18, 2025 at 1:08 PM
I’ve decided to abandon pursuing the rigor of ideation.
I’ll never be able to out-ideate machines in an AI era. No more listing 25 to 100 ideas per creative thought session. That’s AI’s job now.
Instead, I choose to study and improve my ability to create effectively in complex environments.
I’ll never be able to out-ideate machines in an AI era. No more listing 25 to 100 ideas per creative thought session. That’s AI’s job now.
Instead, I choose to study and improve my ability to create effectively in complex environments.
Who holds the real risk: People in regions where data centers source water.
They fear losing economic stability when water politics force shutdowns. And right so: Your expansion bids against their communities. So prioritize humans:
Scenario-plan water constraints in your 5-year model.
They fear losing economic stability when water politics force shutdowns. And right so: Your expansion bids against their communities. So prioritize humans:
Scenario-plan water constraints in your 5-year model.
November 18, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Who holds the real risk: People in regions where data centers source water.
They fear losing economic stability when water politics force shutdowns. And right so: Your expansion bids against their communities. So prioritize humans:
Scenario-plan water constraints in your 5-year model.
They fear losing economic stability when water politics force shutdowns. And right so: Your expansion bids against their communities. So prioritize humans:
Scenario-plan water constraints in your 5-year model.
People think we ignore water because it's cheap.
The real driver is terror that acknowledging limits means killing AI's growth. But if we scale infinitely, what's the exit story? Consider this:
Ask your ops team what happens if water costs triple tomorrow. (It's not as hypothetical as you think).
The real driver is terror that acknowledging limits means killing AI's growth. But if we scale infinitely, what's the exit story? Consider this:
Ask your ops team what happens if water costs triple tomorrow. (It's not as hypothetical as you think).
November 17, 2025 at 8:08 PM
People think we ignore water because it's cheap.
The real driver is terror that acknowledging limits means killing AI's growth. But if we scale infinitely, what's the exit story? Consider this:
Ask your ops team what happens if water costs triple tomorrow. (It's not as hypothetical as you think).
The real driver is terror that acknowledging limits means killing AI's growth. But if we scale infinitely, what's the exit story? Consider this:
Ask your ops team what happens if water costs triple tomorrow. (It's not as hypothetical as you think).
Myth: Water scarcity only affects agriculture.
Reality: Data centers, manufacturing, and cooling systems all compete for shrinking supply.
Why the myth survives: Tech feels immaterial until the taps run dry.
Try this instead: Calculate your cloud provider's water footprint this week.
Reality: Data centers, manufacturing, and cooling systems all compete for shrinking supply.
Why the myth survives: Tech feels immaterial until the taps run dry.
Try this instead: Calculate your cloud provider's water footprint this week.
November 17, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Myth: Water scarcity only affects agriculture.
Reality: Data centers, manufacturing, and cooling systems all compete for shrinking supply.
Why the myth survives: Tech feels immaterial until the taps run dry.
Try this instead: Calculate your cloud provider's water footprint this week.
Reality: Data centers, manufacturing, and cooling systems all compete for shrinking supply.
Why the myth survives: Tech feels immaterial until the taps run dry.
Try this instead: Calculate your cloud provider's water footprint this week.
I've read about AI startups scaling without water risk modeling.
This shortsighted kind of growth misses the supply chain collapse hiding in plain sight. Yet it persists because we optimize for growth metrics, not resource constraints. Fix this:
Map your water dependencies in a diagram.
This shortsighted kind of growth misses the supply chain collapse hiding in plain sight. Yet it persists because we optimize for growth metrics, not resource constraints. Fix this:
Map your water dependencies in a diagram.
November 17, 2025 at 4:08 PM
I've read about AI startups scaling without water risk modeling.
This shortsighted kind of growth misses the supply chain collapse hiding in plain sight. Yet it persists because we optimize for growth metrics, not resource constraints. Fix this:
Map your water dependencies in a diagram.
This shortsighted kind of growth misses the supply chain collapse hiding in plain sight. Yet it persists because we optimize for growth metrics, not resource constraints. Fix this:
Map your water dependencies in a diagram.