Posts by Michael Earls
Building AI Muscle Memory: Learning Fast to Implement AI in the Workplace
AI is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s here, transforming how we work, collaborate, and deliver value. As I lean into Microsoft’s OpenAI and AI platform, I’ve realized that staying ahead isn’t just about knowing what AI can do; it’s about learning how to learn at the speed of change. I’m applying Jim Kwik’s speed reading…
Read MoreTame the Teams Tsunami: Time Management Tricks to Reclaim Your Focus
We all love Microsoft Teams. Until we don’t. It starts with one ping… then a channel mention… then a group chat… then a reply in a thread from a meeting you weren’t even in… and suddenly it’s noon and you’ve spent your entire morning reacting. Sound familiar? Good news: Microsoft Teams isn’t the problem. It’s…
Read MoreNew year at Microsoft, new team, and a fresh perspective.
It’s been outstanding sharing our core values, vision, heroes, and even failures to build genuine connections. It inspired me to share my heroes here—because in a world that moves so fast and keeps us glued to our phones, we need reminders of what truly matters. We need more heroes. Not capes-and-comic-book heroes but real ones.…
Read MoreProgress Over Perfection: What Homemade Pasta Taught Me About Learning
This weekend, I made homemade pasta—flour, eggs, and patience. It wasn’t perfect (the first batch was too thick, the next too thin), but each one got better. My mom is Italian, and my dad’s Irish—so pasta and potatoes are in my DNA. Traveling the world inspired me to learn how to make bread and pasta.…
Read MoreLearning Faster: Memory, Senses, and My Brother’s Story
Here’s how a personal story reshaped how I think about learning in tech. A few weeks ago, I shared the story of my brother surviving a life-changing accident. What I didn’t mention is one of the most fascinating parts: After damaging his right temporal lobe, his memory was impacted, yet he could still remember and perform…
Read MoreHow I Recovered from Vacation in Half the Time: Inbox Rules, Action Items & Copilot Summaries
I took a week off, and if you saw my previous post, I made a real effort to step away this time. I stayed available for escalations, but day-to-day? I let my Inbox Rules and Microsoft Copilot handle it. Coming back from vacation used to feel like a punishment—hundreds of unread emails, missed meetings, and a calendar ready to…
Read MoreWant to Get Smarter? Get Moving.
There’s a fascinating idea that keeps popping up in both neuroscience and high-performance circles:If you want to get smarter, don’t just sit there—move. In a recent article by Jeff Haden for Inc., he breaks down the science behind intelligence and adaptability. The TL;DR? Mental agility isn’t just about what you think—it’s about how you live. It’s one more…
Read MoreNow Is the Time to Build: Why High Standards, AI, and Speed Matter More Than Ever
Marc Andreessen recently unpacked what made Steve Jobs truly different, and it’s a lesson that feels more relevant than ever in the AI era. https://www.inc.com/chris-morris/steve-jobs-genius-came-down-to-1-key-ingredient-marc-andreessen/91212789 Jobs’s genius, Andreessen says, came down to one simple, but bold assumption: Everyone on the team was capable of doing great work. And when you start from that belief, it changes everything.…
Read MoreGrowth, Bridges & Coffee Cups: A Personal Reflection on Change and Resilience
I don’t often share this story. But after 30+ life-changing events, I’ve realized something: every curve, hill, and bridge in my life has brought me here, for a reason. And I’m finally okay with that. A Detour That Changed Everything When I was in high school, my brother Dan was in a terrible car accident.…
Read MoreSoundtracking Productivity: How I’m Using Music to Own My Day
Over the past few months, I’ve shared my approach to reclaiming time, including the power of 168 hours, organizing email into four actionable folders, and leveraging Microsoft Copilot to reduce cognitive overload. But there’s one more piece that has quietly elevated my routine: Music. Not just any music. Not the kind that randomly hums in the…
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