James Chen

1 week ago | jameschenjc.medium.com | James Chen

If knowledge was the answer, we’d all be rich with six-pack abs. The rise of the creator economy has democratized opportunity, anyone with an internet connection can publish, teach, or build something valuable. But with this freedom comes an unintended side effect: a subtle, paralyzing addiction to consumption disguised as preparation. You’ll hear it in conversations:“I’m just gathering ideas right now.”“I’m researching the best way to launch.”“I’m waiting until I feel ready.”These are not excuses.

3 weeks ago | jameschenjc.medium.com | James Chen

Ditching the fear and hype to build a productive partnership with AI that amplifies your work without replacing your valueMost professionals dream of the day they’ll get their first intern. Someone to help with those tedious tasks that steal precious time. Someone to bounce ideas off and maybe even learn from. Someone to help you scale beyond your own limitations. I’ve found that intern — and it’s AI. When ChatGPT launched, my first instinct was dread, not excitement. Would this thing replace me?

1 month ago | jameschenjc.medium.com | James Chen

Last month in a Kyoto temple garden, a monk smiled at my restlessness. “In the West,” he said, “you fill space. In Japan, we cultivate it.”That conversation changed everything about how I run Utorify. Six months before Japan, I was the quintessential always-on founder. Calendar packed with back-to-back meetings. Notifications constantly pinging. I measured productivity by busyness. Then came an afternoon of forced disconnection. Wi-Fi down. Laptop dying. Phone charger forgotten. My first reaction?

Nov 2, 2024 | jameschenjc.medium.com | James Chen

James Chen·Follow5 min read·--Photo by Kelly Sikkema on UnsplashThe most common piece of advice given to aspiring creators is “just start creating.” This advice, while well-intentioned, misses something fundamental: the underlying system that powers creation itself. Here’s the truth that nobody talks about: Most creators aren’t failing because of a lack of talent or motivation. They’re failing because they’re running the wrong engine.

Oct 26, 2024 | medium.com | James Chen

James Chen·Follow4 min read·--Photo by Akshar Dave🌻 on UnsplashIt’s 3:47 AM. I’m sitting in my apartment, surrounded by startup pitch decks, three half-empty coffee cups, and a copy of Karl Popper’s “The Logic of Scientific Discovery.”Welcome to the mind of a 26-year-old founder who can’t stop thinking. Last week, during an investor meeting, someone asked me that dreaded question: “What’s your specialty?”I almost laughed.