Being ready for the magic moment when everything clicks
FM (Friday Morning) Reflection #8
Does “luck” just drop into our laps or do we make it? Some say it’s about being in the right place at the right time, and while that’s certainly helpful, I believe that luck more often is about readiness—being prepared when the moment arrives.
As a news photographer, I learned that great shots don’t come into existence just by chance. You spend time learning how your camera works, understanding framing, exposure, light—and yet, none of that matters if you aren’t ready, positioned, and ready to capture the moment. That’s when skill meets serendipity.
I experienced this last Saturday. After a brief rain shower in the early evening, I had a feeling that the sunset was going to offer something special. Living in a river valley, I know that when the sun dips just below the clouds in the golden hour, we often get a window—about 15 minutes—where the light breaks through and bathes the sky in a visual feast of color. I stepped out onto my patio with my camera, looking southeast toward downtown Philadelphia. And there it was—a full 180-degree rainbow against a backdrop of purples, pinks, and oranges.
That was picture-worthy on its own but the moment didn’t stop there. I heard the sound of a plane, on approach and preparing to land, and noticed it was about to traverse the rainbow. My camera was ready and so was I, but I had the wrong lens. So I rushed downstairs, grabbed my 500mm lens, and ran back up to the patio, hoping to catch the next plane. Within minutes, another one flew through, and I got the shot—just as it hit the violet arc of the rainbow.
Was it luck? Nature offered me the rainbow, and I happened to be in the right spot. But I was also prepared. I knew what to look for. I had the skill, the tools, and the awareness to seize the moment. It was a combination of serendipity *and* readiness.
I spend much of my day working with technology and people, working on strategies and programs to generate progress. Generative AI is *the thing* that I’m focused on these days, and I see many parallels in the recollection of getting that shot last week and what it will take to make magic with GenAI tools. This technology has arrived and many of us are having “a-ha” moments daily as we discover its capabilities. But like any tool, its potential will be unlocked not by luck but by preparation and thoughtful engagement.
A Humanistic Approach
When it comes to working with AI, I’ve found that grounding myself in how we do things as humans helps me engage with it in more meaningful ways. Just as we don’t trust the opinion of one person, we shouldn’t rely on a single AI output without context or verification. We gather multiple perspectives, look for evidence, and triangulate the truth. It’s the same with AI—whether we’re using it to research, draft a letter, or brainstorm, it requires thoughtful prompting, much like we give context and specific instructions to a person when seeking advice.
We wouldn’t walk up to a random someone on the street and say, “Solve this problem for me,” without first considering whether that person is the best for the job, explaining what we need, and why it matters. We are selective and provide details—and the same is needed when working with AI. How we prompt and interact with these models is key to getting meaningful results. Just as with human interaction, context matters.
My Use of Generative AI in Everyday Life
I use Generative AI daily in my personal and professional life. Not as a magic wand, but as a way to make everyday tasks more efficient. Whether it’s summarizing notes, organizing ideas for a business plan, or trying to figure out where I heard that, I’ve found it to be very helpful. But I never forget that it’s a tool—an assistant that aids in the journey, and never intended to take over and decide the destination.
As with any new tool, I find that we’re still figuring out where it fits best, and where it doesn’t.
Where do we need human intuition?
How do we take Generative AI outputs and use them to be wise?
We’re climbing the learning curve, much like when we first had to learn how to use a word processor or a smartphone. Right now, we’re in that phase of exploration and skill-building. It’s about preparation and positioning—just like setting up to capture that perfect shot with a camera. We need to be ready, aware, and understand what to expect from the tool in our hands.
How can we Do Good by Doing Better with Generative AI?
It’s time for experimentation, testing use cases, and figuring out how AI can help in our work and lives. And we also have to ask these questions along the way: How do we use it safely? What are its limitations? What protections do we need to ensure it’s used responsibly?
GenAI is not a magic wand and won’t solve every problem, just like my coffee maker doesn’t generate world peace. But we will learn what it can do as we take individual and intentional steps. Whether you’re using AI to streamline your daily tasks, challenge your ideas, or enhance creativity, it’s about creating good outcomes.
So, let’s start small. I encourage you to experiment with AI, learn its strengths and weaknesses, and develop your own GenAI literacy. We need that to figure out how to integrate it thoughtfully into our lives. In doing so, we’ll not only be ready for the moments when everything clicks, but we’ll also be part of shaping a future where we Do Good by Doing Better.
I hope you have a great weekend!
Photo Bonus
Plane on approach to Philadelphia International Airport, as it crosses the leading edge of a 180-degree rainbow after an evening rain shower, and framed by power lines overhead. Taken with my Nikon Z6 and 500mm lens.