A Week in Review – Systems, Signals, and Self-Awareness
In the past week, I’ve been navigating between system architecture, product thinking, and integration flows. Here’s a breakdown of what I’ve learned about myself—both as a builder and as a decision-maker.
✅ Strengths
1. System Design Thinking
I naturally break problems into structured layers. Whether it’s onboarding flows, cropping pipelines, or webhook integrations, I think in steps—signal tables, state transitions, and side effects. That’s been key to scaling modularly.
2. Prompt Engineering for AI Tools
When working with AI co-dev tools like Cursor or ChatGPT, I know how to speak their language. I craft clear, scoped prompts and iterate on structure until the job is just right.
3. Workflow Optimization
From queuing large TIFF jobs to reversing crop data, my brain defaults to finding the minimal viable effort with maximal output. Optimization isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s how I think.
4. Iterative Product Builder Mindset
I work in loops—mockup, test, adjust. This lean approach keeps momentum high without getting stuck in over-architecture.
5. Strategic Prioritization
When ambiguity hits (like evaluating an investment in a concert), I pause and look for frameworks to guide decision-making. I may not know the industry, but I know how to ask the right questions.
6. Cross-System Architecture Vision
Maintaining consistent logic across multiple services (PA ↔ FilesAPI ↔ Order Journey) keeps me grounded. Every API, webhook, and event is part of a bigger symphony.
⚠️ Weaknesses
1. Delegation Boundaries
I wear many hats—sometimes too many. When I jump between UI mockups, backend queues, and data triggers, I risk blurring team roles.
2. Fuzzy Discovery in Unknowns
When I enter a new domain (like concert investment), I need to slow down and map the landscape. Frameworks help, but real discovery starts with first-hand questions.
3. Design Decision Traceability
I move fast. But sometimes that speed means I forget to log why a particular change or refactor happened. Without it, long-term clarity suffers.
4. Over-reliance on AI Planning
AI is powerful—but it’s not a substitute for user validation or tech feasibility. I occasionally sketch flows before testing them against real pain points.
Final Thoughts
This week wasn’t just a series of tasks—it was a mirror.
Each prompt I wrote, each system I refined, brought me closer to how I think.