The Human+ Mindset

The Human+ Mindset is a practical framework for surviving and thriving in a world transformed by AI, rapid change, burnout, and constant demands on our attention. It combines future-focused skills with everyday practices to help you stay adaptable, resilient, and ready for whatever comes next. 

There are things AI can’t do well.  These are the instincts and intelligence rooted deep in our bodies. In an AI-powered world, your body is your edge.

SCARF (Rock, 2008): The 5 Social Drivers of Human Motivation

• Status – Feeling important or worthy, relative to others 
• Certainty – Feeling confident in my understanding of reality
• Autonomy – Feeling like I have free will and options available to me
• Relatedness – Feeling like I belong and am connected to others
• Fairness – Feeling like things are just and fair, to me and others

MORESO (Parks, 2025): The 6 Building Blocks of Human Performance

• Move – Move your body every day, even if you don't want to 
• (Get) Outside – Experience nature every day, get sunlight in your eyes
• Rest – Get 7-9 hours of sleep every night and learn how to relax
• Eat – Eat real food every day, not too much, mostly plants
• Socialize – Surround yourself with safe, healthy, loving people
• Organize – Keep your digital and physical spaces organized

PALEO (Parks, 2025): The 5 Essential Human Skills

• Personhood – knowing who you are, living authentically
• Adaptability – perspective change, trying new things, failing fast
• Learning Agility – learning and unlearning across the lifetime
• Engagement – collaborating and co-creating with others
• Oral Tradition – storytelling, creating meaning and coherence

Understanding how to work with AI, not just as a tool but as an extension of your cognition, is critical in the future of work. You don’t need to be a software developer to be confident using AI and know when to trust your own human judgment. 

• AI Avoidant: You intentionally avoid using AI, for whatever reason.

• AI Curious: You use GenAI to help you brainstorm or draft content.

• AI Confident: You continually learn about AI capabilities and limitations. 

Whether AI disrupts your work, replaces your work, augments your work, or reconfigures your work, now's a really good time to reduce your reliance on your 9-5 for stability and wellbeing.

• Cancel – cut unnecessary services and invest in self-sufficiency
• Earn – create a diversified income stack (active + passive earning)
• Optimize – adopt human performance protocols + AI strategies
• Upgrade – invest in learning, relationships, experiences, and systems