Life Leaves Clues 🔍🧩💻

Published: Wed, 03/19/25

Updated: Wed, 03/19/25

Art is the imposing of a pattern on experience, and our aesthetic enjoyment is recognition of the pattern.

Alfred North Whitehead

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I never had that talent when I was younger.

You know that ability some people have to tap into the societal zeitgeist and see a trend coming before it arrives. I was always late to the party, but the older I became, the more I could see. Success—whether in life, business, or relationships—isn’t just about luck, talent, or relentless hard work. In an unpredictable world, you need an additional skill: seeing patterns before others.

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Look for the patterns, that's where the gold is.

We like to believe that life is a series of random events, but the truth is that everything follows patterns. The way people behave. The way markets rise and fall. The way certain choices lead to predictable outcomes.

Elite creators, investors, and entrepreneurs succeed because they recognise hidden patterns before the rest of the world catches on. But here’s the thing: pattern recognition isn’t just for the ultra-successful—it’s for everyone.

🌍 Afrofuturist City Planning Challenge: Design the City of Tomorrow! 🌍

Calling all visionaries and urban planners! We invite you to step into the future and design a city that epitomizes the spirit of Afrofuturism. Imagine a place where tradition meets cutting-edge technology, where the streets pulse with cultural heritage, and the architecture itself tells a story of innovation and sustainability.

Challenge Details: Design a futuristic African city that reflects the principles of Afrofuturism. Your submission should include a map and a 500-word description detailing the city's architecture, technology, and culture.

How to Enter:

City Map: Create a detailed map of your city. This can be hand-drawn, digitally rendered, or even a 3D model. Ensure it highlights major landmarks, infrastructure, and urban layout.
Description: Write a 500-word description of your city. Explain the architectural styles, technological innovations, and cultural elements that make your city uniquely Afrofuturistic.
Key Features: Highlight key features such as energy sources, transportation systems, public spaces, and how these elements integrate with the natural environment.

Judging Criteria:

Creativity and Innovation: How original and innovative is your city design?
Cultural Integration: How well does your design incorporate elements of African heritage?
Sustainability and Technology: How effectively does your city use technology for sustainable living?
Presentation: How clear and visually compelling are your map and description?

Prizes:

🥇 First Place: Your character will be featured in an upcoming story in our newsletter, plus receive a $50 Amazon gift card.
🥈 Second Place: Your character will be featured in our newsletter and receive a $25 Amazon gift card.
🥉 Third Place: Your character will be mentioned in our newsletter and receive a $10 Amazon gift card.

Submit Your Designs: Email your City Design and any optional sketches to Marksmanstudios1@gmail.com. Please format your entry with your contact details and the title "Afrofuturist City Planning Challenge!"

Submission Deadline: Be sure to submit your submissions by 6th April 2025.

Life is a series of Patterns—Can You See Them?

When Netflix disrupted the entertainment industry, Reed Hastings didn’t just see a DVD rental company. He saw how internet speeds were increasing while bandwidth costs were falling. That pattern pointed to the future of streaming.

Before Airbnb, the pattern of unused rooms + trust networks hid in plain sight.

Before ChatGPT, OpenAI saw how pattern-matching in language models was improving exponentially.

The greatest opportunities don’t announce themselves. They are whispers within patterns that most people ignore.

And this applies not just to business—but to life itself.

When I’m looking for an exciting story to tell, I’m always able to come up with something unique because I’m aware of what has been done and can see where I need to position myself.

How the Best Minds Spot Patterns—And How You Can Too.

The most successful people in the world aren’t always the smartest or the hardest-working. But they are often the most observant. They see the patterns that others overlook.

You can train yourself to do the same. How? By looking at life through patterns instead of isolated events.

If you’re always running out of money before payday, there’s a pattern to your spending.
If you find yourself in the same toxic relationships, there’s a pattern in the people you’re choosing.
If you keep quitting new habits after a few days, there’s a pattern to how you set (or don’t set) yourself up for success.

Most people go through life reacting to their problems. But those who live well recognise their patterns, adjust, and adapt.

The Key to Thriving: Pattern Recognition in Everyday Life.

The Financial Pattern

Money problems aren’t just about income. They’re about spending patterns. If you always feel broke, it’s not just how much you make but how you allocate your money. You need to see the financial patterns and shift them.

The Relationship Pattern

Look for the common thread if your friendships or relationships end the same way. It’s easy to blame others, but your choices create patterns. Are you choosing emotionally unavailable people? Are you repeating old cycles from your past? The pattern holds the answer.

The Productivity Pattern

If you struggle with focus, energy, or consistency, it’s not a motivation issue—it’s a pattern issue. The best performers don’t just work harder. They see the patterns in how they work best—when they have the most energy when distractions hit hardest—and structure their days around that.

The Emotional Pattern

Your moods follow patterns, too. Anxiety, stress, burnout—these don’t just happen randomly. They often follow specific triggers. The key to breaking stress cycles isn’t to wait until you’re overwhelmed —it’s to recognise the early pattern signals and adjust before they escalate.

Why Ignoring Patterns Keeps You Stuck.

Most people ignore patterns until they become problems.

They wait until they’re deep in debt before realising they have a spending pattern.

They wait until a relationship ends before seeing the warning signs they ignore.

They wait until burnout hits before realising they’ve been overloading themselves.

But the truth is, life doesn’t just happen to you. It unfolds in patterns you can choose to recognise—or ignore.

How to Train Yourself to Spot Patterns in Life.

Zoom Out – Stop treating events as isolated moments. Ask yourself: “Have I seen“this before?”
Track It – Keep a simple journal of what’s happening in different areas of your life. You’ll start seeing recurring themes.
Find the Invisible Thread – What’s the common factor in your financial stress, relationships, or energy slumps?
Make a Small Adjustment – Patterns don’t change overnight, but once you spot them, you can start shifting them bit by bit.

Seeing Patterns = Seeing the Future.

The people who see the future aren’t fortune tellers. They’re just good at spotting the present.

The best investors don’t chase hype; they spot trends before they explode.
The best writers don’t just write; they notice the recurring cultural themes.
The happiest people aren’t the luckiest —they simply recognise the patterns that make them feel fulfilled and prioritise them.

Life is always whispering to you through patterns.

Are you paying attention gentle reader?

Peace, love and power.