# 101 Posts, 97,406 Words, and My Top 10 Highlights

> A recap and helpful reader's guide to the first six months' of my relaunched blog, Hard Mode First

**Published by:** [Hard Mode First](https://hardmodefirst.xyz/)
**Published on:** 2024-12-13
**Categories:** writing, ai, technology
**URL:** https://hardmodefirst.xyz/101-posts%2C-97%2C406-words%2C-and-my-top-10-highlights

## Content

Since June 24, 2024, I have written 101 blog posts with a combined total of 97,406 words. I know you've probably read fewer than 20 of them. Trust me, I get it. I know I crank out too much content. (I'm the problem, it's me.) But, I’ve got good news for you! I'm taking a few weeks off at the end of the year, which means this will probably be my last blog post this year (emphasis on the probably). So, if you’re new here (or just fell behind—no judgment), now’s the perfect time to catch up. To help you out, here’s an AI-generated overview of my blogging adventures so far.Hard Mode First - A Reader's GuideContent BreakdownFirst, I asked ChatGPT to read all of my posts and categorize them into broad content themes. Here's what we got. (Side note: If you care about these themes too, you should subscribe!)Source: ChatGPTKey Themes I like to write about how we can use technology to elevate the way we learn, work and connect. Here's the AI-enabled main ideas from each of these key themes:How We LearnLearning is about staying curious and reimagining what’s possible. My posts in this category explore personal growth, education challenges, and how dynamic environments and shifting perspectives drive creativity and transformation.How We WorkWork is about managing energy, navigating transitions, and defining success on your terms. These posts cover fractional work, leadership, productivity, and the intentionality needed to balance multiple projects and shifting contexts.How We ConnectConnection weaves together community, networks, and relationships. These posts highlight how trust, collaboration, and small actions—like meeting neighbors or sharing resources—can spark meaningful, lasting impact.Red Zone Mode - Only the HighlightsOkay, okay, but what if you just want the good stuff? With a little help from ChatGPT, I stack ranked all 101 blog posts against a 1-10 rubric that assessed each post based on relevance, resonance, impact, readability, and originality. Here's the breakdown: Source: ChatGPTTop 10 Highlights ReelBased on this rubric, and a few other criteria, me and ChatGPT came up with these as my 10 best posts from the past 6 months. If you're just joining in fresh...start with these. (I'll try to refresh this list every so often.)Best Of The Blog June - Dec 2024What We Didn’t Learn in School: How to Change the System Let's take the red pen to the education system and reimagine it as something that actually prepares us for real lifeWhy Employees Quit: The Work Quests We Really Need It’s not just about perks...here’s why people really leave jobs and what workplaces can do to keep them engagedUsing AI to Tighten the Interpretation Loop at Work AI isn’t a cure-all, but it can make workflows smoother and decisions sharper (a few tips that I've been using this year that might help you, too)For When You Have the Time...Full Stack Learning (Part 2): Unlocking the Potential of Learning Frameworks Learning frameworks are more than buzzwords—they’re tools to unlock growth in work and lifeLearning Lenses and Learning Environments See how personalized learning environments can change the way we learn, both in and out of the classroomThe New Network Effects: Make the World Smaller Rethinking the way we think about networks and communities for a cozier, bespoke era of working and livingDefining AI-Shaped Problems Not every problem needs AI, but here's a framework to help you think about how to find the ones that do (and use AI most effectively to solve them)Curiosity Did NOT Kill My Cat (But it did help me meet my neighbors) How Bagel my cat became the ultimate icebreaker and brought our neighborhood closer with a near-death rooftop jumpFalling Forward: The Art of Public Failure How failure isn't so scary when you own it... a story about falling flat and getting back up (in style)Introducing: Hard Mode First My official blog re-intro; getting in the mindset of tackling challenges head-on to achieve growth and successThanks, all for tuning into this season! Stay tuned for more in 2025... including a better way to help you discover and synthesize some of this stuff on a regular basis. Until then...see you on the job market!

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