From Strife to Strength – Thriving In an AI-First, Always-On World
Let us therefore boldly face the life of strife, resolute to do our duty well and manfully humanly; resolute to uphold righteousness by deed and by word; resolute to be honest and brave, to serve high ideals, yet to use practical methods. Above all, let us shrink from no strife.
-Theodore Roosevelt
For the past twenty-six weeks, we’ve explored the traits that shape The More Effect—not as a checklist, but as a compass. These traits weren’t chosen for inspiration alone. They were chosen because they show up in the real world. In pressure. In decision. In the quiet moments where we reflect and decide who we want to be.
And now, with so much shifting around us; with AI advancing at extraordinary speed, and fear rising that machines will replace us; we need something more than just tools. We need something human. Something that helps us stay grounded, aware, and in motion.
When I first launched my website, I put a bold statement front and center:
The endurance of human existence depends on one word: more.
I know how that sounds.
It’s big. Maybe even too big.
I mean, I am just a kid from Lansdale.
But I didn’t write it to sound important—I wrote it because I believe it’s true.
And I didn’t say it to center myself—I said it to center a conversation that matters.
That in a world racing toward artificial intelligence,
the only way we keep up is by becoming more human, not less.
More present. More thoughtful. More efficient. More connected.
That’s why today I’m offering a new lens on The More Effect’s twenty-six traits—what you might call a code of living.
A human code … in an AI-First world.
A code for how we show up every day.
A code for taking care of your community.
A code for supporting your team.
A code for taking care of yourself—and others.
It’s a code of living—and a code of working.
A way to lead in the modern world, where four generations are now sharing the workplace. Where Gen Z is entering. Gen Alpha won’t be far behind. Baby Boomers are transitioning out. And in between, people are navigating hybrid work, return-to-office mandates, caregiving, parenting, eldercare, and the persistent pressure to be always-on.
This framework doesn’t long for the past. It doesn’t insist on rigid models that no longer fit. It meets people where they are—and helps them move forward.
It’s a blueprint for honoring the whole person, not just the employee. For recognizing the role of the whole family, not just the professional identity. Because being a working mother or a caring father or a present partner isn’t a distraction from performance—it’s part of what shapes how we show up everyday. To ignore that truth? Foolish. (Hello, Jamie Dimon.)
This is how we modernize how we work, live, and lead.
With more clarity. More care. And more courage.
Now, please know this isn’t a manifesto. It’s a lens. A practical, emotional framework for modern life. A way to name and practice what already exists inside us—with more clarity and consistency.
Over the next several weeks, this new framing will guide the More on Monday editions of my newsletter. This reframing isn’t meant to simply explain what high performance looks like, It’s also meant to show what it feels like. It gives us a way to lead with intention—not reaction.
The Four Codes That Power Human Potential
At the core of The More Effect are four pillars—M-O-R-E. Each one houses a set of traits we’ve already explored. But together, they represent more than categories. One might suggest they represent a complete system for how humans thrive in an AI-First, always-on world.
When we view them through this lens, each pillar reveals its emotional purpose—its why beneath the what.
M: Mindfulness and Mastery → The Code of Presence
This is the foundation. The ability to be here, not scattered. To respond, not react. It’s where self-awareness meets skill. Where stillness meets precision. In a world that demands our attention, Presence is our power.
O: Optimism and Opportunity → The Code of Possibility
This is our forward motion. The belief that better is real, and available. That setbacks are setups. That failure is fine. That there’s always something to build, learn, try. Possibility turns fear into curiosity—and makes progress feel personal.
R: Relationships and Responsibility → The Code of Connection
This is where leadership becomes human. Where accountability meets care. Where we look each other in the eye and say, “I’ve got you.” Connection isn’t soft—it’s strategic. Because trust is the only thing that scales, and generosity is the currency.
E: Execution and Effectiveness → The Code of Momentum
This is motion with meaning. Not just doing more, but doing what matters, and becoming more. It’s consistency over chaos. Energy over ego. Momentum turns good intentions into real outcomes—and keeps the mission moving.
Why This Matters Now
We’re working, living, and leading in an always-on economy. The pace has shifted. The pressure has shifted. And people are asking deeper questions—not just “how do I succeed?” but “how do I find my purpose?”
That’s why this framing matters.
It gives us a language to name the energy behind performance. It helps leaders build cultures that are both fast and fair. It gives teams something real to rally around. It helps parents model resilience. It helps friends show up better. And most of all—it gives us a path to grow without losing ourselves.
Because ultimately, this is more than a leadership tool—it’s a reclamation of self.
A framework for agency.
A modern blueprint to improve the human condition in a world that’s being reshaped in real time.
You don’t have to trade pace for presence.
You don’t have to give up connection to get results.
We just need a system built for both.
This code of living – The More Effect – is that system.
What’s Next
This moment marks the shift. From trait to system. From list to lens. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be building on this foundation—bringing this reframing into my upcoming talks and daily leadership. This through line is the bridge between emotion and execution. Between potential and proof.
Because if we want to lead in an AI-first, always-on world—
We have to understand what makes us human first … and never lose sight of it.
Courage. Hope. Optimism. Pursuit of all three. CHOP. (I love and miss you Mom.)
Your Reflection This Week
Which code are you living strongest right now;
Presence, Possibility, Connection, or Momentum?
And which one needs your attention?
Be well, my friends,
-Jeremy