💡The annual review is not just a ritual—it's a compass, a mirror, and a catalyst for intentional growth. As I enter my twelfth year of this tradition, 2025 stands out as a year defined by both acceleration and intentionality, set against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving world.Introduction & Context
As I sit down to write my twelfth consecutive annual review, I’m reminded of the enduring power of this ritual—a practice that has become both a mirror and a compass in my life. Since 2014, these year-end reflections have been my way of pausing the relentless forward motion, carving out space to look back with honesty and curiosity, and distilling the lessons that will shape the next chapter of my journey. This process is never just about tallying achievements or recording milestones; it’s about cultivating self-awareness, gratitude, and clarity of purpose in a world that rarely slows down for reflection.
Over the years, my annual reviews have evolved from simple exercises in personal accountability to deeply personal reports—snapshots of who I am, and perhaps more importantly, who I am becoming. The process is often uncomfortable, requiring patience and a willingness to ask hard questions. Yet, it’s precisely this discomfort that makes the exercise so valuable. By confronting my own narratives, biases, and blind spots, I’m able to move beyond surface-level retrospection and engage in the kind of deep, honest inquiry that leads to real growth.
In a world that prizes velocity and constant achievement, the act of slowing down to reflect can feel almost subversive. Yet, I’ve come to believe that this pause is not a luxury, but a necessity. The annual review is my opportunity to step off the treadmill of busyness and ask: What truly mattered this year? Where did I find meaning, fulfillment, and connection? What patterns—both constructive and limiting—emerged in my work, relationships, and inner life? By making space for these questions, I’m able to move beyond the noise of daily life and reconnect with my core values and aspirations.
2025 was a year defined by movement—both literal and metaphorical. The literal movement took me across more cities than any previous year: work commitments carried me to countless US cities, while personal adventures with Klara painted a vivid map of exploration across Boston’s cobblestone streets, Miami’s neon nights, Phoenix’s desert sunsets, Seoul’s bustling markets, Taipei’s night markets, San Diego’s coastal bliss, Atlanta’s vibrant culture, Austin’s creative energy, Las Vegas’s electric atmosphere, and Honolulu’s tropical tranquility. Perhaps most meaningfully, a family trip with my parents and brother wove through Chicago’s architectural wonders, Philadelphia’s historic charm, New York’s relentless energy, the San Francisco Bay Area’s innovation hub, and Seattle’s misty embrace. Each destination wasn’t just a pin on a map but a lens through which to see the world—and myself—differently.
The metaphorical movement was equally profound. At Twelve Labs, my responsibilities expanded not just in scope but in impact. I found myself grappling with decisions that would shape not just quarterly outcomes but the trajectory of years to come. This year crystallized my evolving definition of “intentional impact”—a concept I’ve been refining since my early career days. Where I once measured impact by immediate visibility and reach, I now evaluate it through a different lens entirely: quality and sustainability. The decisions I’m most proud of from 2025 are those I believe will remain sound, valuable, and aligned with my values five years from now. This “five-year stickiness test” has become my North Star, filtering out the noise of urgency to focus on what truly matters.
As I embark on this year’s review, I do so with a sense of gratitude for the opportunities, challenges, and relationships that have shaped 2025. Growth is rarely linear, and the most profound lessons often emerge from moments of struggle, uncertainty, or unexpected change. My hope is that this reflection will not only serve as a record of what was, but as a springboard for what could be—a foundation for more intentional, impactful living in the year ahead.
Before I dive into the specifics of what I learned, accomplished, and struggled with in 2025, I want to pause and invite you, the reader, to join me in this process. Whether you’re a longtime follower of these annual reviews or a first-time visitor, I encourage you to carve out your own space for reflection. What did this year mean to you? What are you grateful for? What do you want to carry forward, and what are you ready to leave behind?
Notes: See my previous Annual Reviews for 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, and 2014.
Part 1: Reflection and Gratitude
1.1 What am I grateful for?
💡Gratitude, for me, is not a checklist—it’s the connective tissue that binds together the people, places, and pursuits that made 2025 a year of genuine meaning and momentum.Klara: My Constant and My Compass
At the heart of it all is my partner Klara. Her unwavering support and gentle encouragement have been the through-line of my year. Whether we were navigating new cities together or simply sharing quiet mornings at home, her presence brought a sense of stability and warmth that made even the busiest stretches feel manageable. Klara’s ability to see possibility where I see challenge, and to celebrate both the big wins and the small joys, has been a daily reminder of what a loving relationship truly means.
The Gift of Family, Twice Over
This year, I was especially grateful for the rare gift of seeing my parents not once, but twice. Our two weeks together in Vietnam in July were a return to roots—a chance to reconnect over shared meals, old stories, and the familiar rhythms of home. Then, in October, having them visit the US for three weeks was a different kind of homecoming. Watching them experience my world here—exploring new cities, laughing over unfamiliar foods, and weaving new memories—reminded me how foundational these relationships remain, no matter how far I roam.
Colleagues Who Make Work Feel Like Purpose
At TwelveLabs, I’m surrounded by colleagues who challenge and inspire me in equal measure. The energy we create together—whether we’re building demo applications late into the night, brainstorming the next hackathon, or representing the company at conferences—makes work feel less like obligation and more like shared adventure. I’m grateful for the trust, camaraderie, and relentless curiosity that define our team. Each project, from content creation to public speaking, has been an opportunity to stretch, learn, and contribute to something larger than myself.
Movement as Ritual: Fitness and Soccer Across Cities
Amidst all the travel and change, regular movement became my anchor. Soccer games provided a familiar rhythm, a way to ground myself no matter where I was. But this year, I also leaned into variety—trying out ClassPass workouts in every city I visited. From the focused calm of yoga and pilates to the intensity of Barry’s Bootcamp, HIIT, and F45, each class was a small act of exploration and self-care. These sessions weren’t just about fitness; they were about connecting with new communities, maintaining consistency, and honoring the body that carries me through it all.
Threads of Connection and Growth
What ties all of this together is a deep sense of gratitude for the connections—old and new, near and far—that made this year feel full. The people who anchored me, the work that challenged me, the rituals that sustained me: these are the threads that wove 2025 into a tapestry of growth, meaning, and joy.
💡Gratitude, I’ve learned, is less about perfection and more about presence—about noticing abundance even journey worthwhile.1.2 What are my magical moments?
💡The magic of 2025 wasn’t found in grand milestones, but in the steady rhythm of meaningful work, the warmth of shared experiences, and the quiet satisfaction of growth—woven together by intention and presence.Finding Magic in the Everyday
If there’s one lesson this year has crystallized for me, it’s that magic doesn’t always announce itself with fireworks. Sometimes, it’s the gentle hum of daily rituals, the comfort of familiar faces, and the slow, steady accumulation of small wins that create the most lasting enchantment. 2025 didn’t bring seismic personal milestones or dramatic reinventions. Instead, it offered the rare gift of consistency—a year where I found my groove and let the rhythm of purposeful habits carry me forward.
There’s a subtle magic in waking up each day with intention, diving into work that matters, and ending the day with a sense of progress rather than just productivity. The absence of upheaval became its own kind of blessing, allowing me to focus on deepening, refining, and enjoying the journey.
Professional Alchemy: Creating Impact Through Content and Community
The Writer’s Journey
This was the year I truly leaned into the craft of writing. Publishing around 20 high-quality blog posts for the TwelveLabs blog wasn’t just about hitting a quota—it was about finding my voice at the intersection of technology and storytelling. Each post became a small act of translation, turning complex video understanding concepts into accessible narratives that could spark someone else’s next breakthrough. The real magic wasn’t in any single post, but in the rhythm of consistent creation and the gradual sharpening of my perspective.
Building Bridges Through Code
Working with my team to develop ~10 high-impact sample applications was another highlight. Each app was more than a technical demo—it was a bridge between possibility and reality, a tangible invitation for developers to imagine what they could build. The most rewarding moments came when a developer would reach out and say, “I saw your sample app and it inspired me to try…” That ripple effect—where my work became the spark for someone else’s creativity—felt truly magical.
Cultivating Community: The Hackathon Experience
Organizing and sponsoring ~10 developer hackathons across universities and cities was a masterclass in community building. Each event was a microcosm of innovation—strangers becoming collaborators, wild ideas turning into prototypes, and the boundaries between learning and creating dissolving. The magic wasn’t just in the winning projects, but in the late-night brainstorming, the camaraderie, and the sense that we were all building something bigger than ourselves.
Connections That Ground and Inspire
The Anchor of Partnership
Amidst all the travel and professional intensity, my partner Klara remained my most consistent source of magic. Whether we were exploring new cities or simply sharing quiet moments at home, her presence brought stability and joy. There’s a special kind of magic in having someone who knows your rhythms, celebrates your wins, and helps you find perspective when things get hectic.
The Alchemy of Collaboration
My colleagues at TwelveLabs became more than just teammates—they became co-conspirators in the pursuit of meaningful work. The magic happened in brainstorming sessions that ran long because the ideas were too good to stop, in Slack threads that solved problems through collective intelligence, and in the shared satisfaction of shipping work we were genuinely proud of.
Adventures That Expand the Soul
Winter Magic in Sun Valley
Kicking off the year with a skiing trip to Sun Valley, Idaho, reminded me why physical challenges can be spiritual experiences. There’s something magical about the silence of fresh powder, the focus required to navigate a new slope, and the satisfaction of pushing your body to learn something new. The mountains offered a different kind of problem-solving—immediate, physical, and deeply grounding.
The Asian Odyssey: Seoul, Taipei, Hanoi
My June-July journey through Asia was a masterclass in cultural fluency and adaptability. Each city offered its own form of magic:
Seoul: The energy of a city where tradition and innovation dance together, and where the streets are alive with possibility at all hours.
Taipei: The warmth of night markets and the realization that some of the world’s best conversations happen over street food.
Hanoi: The poetry of my hometown that moves at its own pace, teaching patience and presence in equal measure.
Celebrating Life: From Miami to Honolulu
The year’s travels weren’t just about destinations—they were about the people and moments that made each place memorable:
Miami and Phoenix (May): Early summer energy and the joy of exploring American cities with fresh eyes.
Toronto (July): The magic of international friendships and conversations that span cultures.
San Diego (August): Celebrating Klara’s 30th birthday—a reminder of the joy that comes from witnessing a loved one step into a new decade with confidence.
Chicago, Philadelphia, New York (October): A family trip that wove together history, culture, and the irreplaceable comfort of shared experiences.
Las Vegas and San Diego (December): Work travel that proved business trips can be their own form of adventure.
Honolulu (December): Ending the year on a beach, with time to reflect and recharge before diving into 2026.
The AI Renaissance: Tools as Creative Partners
Perhaps the year’s most significant creative breakthrough came through mastering AI tools as genuine creative partners. Becoming proficient with ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, You.com, and others wasn’t just about efficiency—it was about discovering new ways to think, create, and solve problems.
Personal Applications: Using You.com to plan travel itineraries transformed trip preparation from a chore into a collaborative creative process. Leveraging AI for financial investment planning on Vanguard helped me approach personal finance with greater confidence and clarity.
Professional Integration: In my work, AI tools became extensions of my creative process—helping me brainstorm blog post angles, refine technical explanations, and explore ideas more thoroughly than I could alone. The real breakthrough was learning to use these tools not as shortcuts, but as amplifiers of human creativity and insight.
1.3 What challenges did I face?
💡The true test of 2025 wasn’t about overcoming dramatic setbacks, but about evolving through complexity—learning to align, adapt, and sustain in a year defined by relentless pace and rising expectations.Looking back, the challenges of 2025 were less about singular crises and more about the ongoing, often invisible work of alignment, adaptation, and endurance. This was a year where the obstacles weren’t always obvious, but their impact was deeply felt in the day-to-day rhythms of my work and life.
Professional Growth: Bridging DevEx and Business Impact
The most significant challenge on the professional front was aligning Developer Experience (DevEx) objectives with TwelveLabs’ broader Go-To-Market strategy. This wasn’t just a matter of translating technical wins into business value—it required a fundamental shift in how I thought about the role of DevEx within the company. I found myself constantly refining our team’s outputs to directly support Revenue, Partnerships, and Growth teams. This meant reimagining documentation as a sales accelerator, designing developer tools that could unlock new partnership opportunities, and ensuring that every initiative was tethered to tangible business outcomes.
Staying current with the ever-evolving world of Generative AI added another layer of complexity. The pace of change in this space is both exhilarating and exhausting. Adapting TwelveLabs’ products and narratives to keep up with new trends—whether it was multimodal AI, shifting developer expectations, or the next wave of agentic systems—demanded a level of agility and synthesis that stretched me in new ways. The challenge wasn’t just about keeping up; it was about staying ahead, anticipating what would matter next, and ensuring our work remained relevant and impactful.
Personal Resilience: Consistency as Strength
On a personal level, I’m grateful that 2025 didn’t bring any major struggles or crises. Instead, the challenge was about maintaining the good habits I’ve built over the years—staying consistent in the face of mounting demands. There’s a quiet resilience in simply holding the line, in not letting the busyness of life erode the routines that keep me grounded. This year, resilience looked less like bouncing back from setbacks and more like sustaining momentum through steady, intentional effort.
Health and Balance: Endurance Over Intensity
Perhaps the most persistent challenge was finding balance between work and everything else. 2025 was, without question, the hardest working year of my career. The intensity of my professional commitments often made it difficult to carve out space for rest, reflection, and personal pursuits. My approach to fitness evolved out of necessity—I shifted my focus from building strength and muscle to prioritizing stamina and mobility. This wasn’t just a practical adjustment; it was a recognition that endurance, both physical and mental, would be the key to thriving in a year defined by sustained effort.
1.4 Moments & Milestones Timeline
💡2025 was not a year of singular, explosive breakthroughs, but a steady, intentional layering of experiences—each month adding new depth, each book offering a fresh lens, and every journey weaving together the personal and professional into a quietly extraordinary tapestry.🗓️ 2025: A Year in Moments
The story of 2025 is best told not as a series of isolated events, but as a continuous unfolding—each month building upon the last, each experience and insight compounding into something greater than the sum of its parts. As I look back, I see a year defined by movement, connection, and a relentless curiosity that found nourishment both in the world around me and in the pages of the books I devoured.
The year began with a sense of renewal and adventure.
January found me carving fresh tracks in the snow at Sun Valley, Idaho, a week of skiing that set the tone for embracing both challenge and play.
Back in San Francisco, I celebrated three years with Klara in the quiet beauty of Napa, and welcomed my brother into my apartment for a month as he prepared for his new chapter at Meta in Seattle.
Professionally, I co-sponsored the Women in AI RAG hackathon at Stanford and completed my 2024 Annual Review, setting intentions for the year ahead. These early weeks were a reminder that growth is as much about reflection as it is about action.
February and March were a whirlwind of professional engagement and community building.
I represented TwelveLabs at AI Dev World in Santa Clara, co-hosted our San Francisco office launch, and spent time in Los Angeles for a Go-To-Market leads offsite.
The energy of these events was matched by the intimacy of personal moments—Valentine’s Day with Klara at the After Dark show in Chinatown, and weekends spent grounding myself through soccer and new ClassPass workouts.
March also brought the opportunity to sponsor Chinatown Hacks in San Francisco and represent TwelveLabs at NVIDIA’s GTC conference in San Jose, deepening my appreciation for the intersection of technology and community.
April was a month of amplification—of ideas, of voice, of reach.
I published “Video Intelligence is Going Agentic” on the TwelveLabs blog, a piece that captured the shifting landscape of AI and set the stage for many conversations to come.
Speaking at MIT’s Imagination in Action Summit in Boston and the MLOps LA Meetup in Los Angeles, as well as sponsoring HackTech at CalTech, pushed me to articulate our vision to new audiences and to learn from the best minds in the field.
These experiences were mirrored in my reading, as I dove into books like Amp It Up from Frank Slootman and The Scaling Era from Dwarkesh Patel, both of which challenged me to think bigger and move faster.
May brought a change of scenery and a burst of new perspectives.
I traveled to Miami for the Infobip Shift conference, explored Phoenix with Klara over Memorial Day, and spoke at DataStax’s Hacking Agents meetup in Santa Clara.
Sponsoring hackathons in New York and other cities reinforced my belief in the power of grassroots innovation.
These travels were accompanied by a deepening interest in how people and organizations grow, reflected in my reading of The Venture Mindset from Ilya Strebulaev and Alex Dang and How Big Things Get Done from Bent Flyvbjerg and Dan Gardner.
The summer months were a mosaic of cultures, cities, and connections.
June saw me attending the AI Engineer’s World Fair and the Databricks Data + AI Summit in San Francisco, speaking at the Video AI Summit in Palo Alto, and co-hosting a meetup with Qdrant.
I spent a week in Seoul for a company offsite, followed by a whirlwind visit to Taipei with Klara.
July was anchored by two weeks working remotely from Vietnam, a rare and precious opportunity to reconnect with my parents and roots.
A quick trip to Toronto for Hack The 6ix at York University, a Giants game with colleagues, and Klara’s 30th birthday celebration in San Diego rounded out a season of movement and meaning.
Throughout these journeys, books like Factory Girls from Leslie Chang, How Asia Works from Joe Studwell, and Breakneck from Dan Wang offered context and depth, helping me see each city not just as a destination, but as a living case study in transformation.
August was a time of consolidation and mentorship.
I spoke at the Agentic AI in Action showcase at AWS Loft in San Francisco and worked closely with our DevEx interns, Mohit and Aahil, to bring their projects to fruition.
The satisfaction of guiding others and seeing their growth was echoed in my reading of Be Useful from Arnold Schwarzenegger and *The Art of Spending Money from Morgan Housel -* both of which reinforced the value of practical wisdom and intentional living.
As autumn arrived, the pace only quickened.
September was filled with panels at API DevWorld, speaking engagements at MCP Connect, and the announcement of the TwelveLabs MCP Server.
Sponsoring hackathons at Rice University and Georgia Tech, and publishing “Context Engineering for Video Understanding,” kept me at the intersection of technology and education.
October was a highlight of the year: my parents visited the US for three weeks, and together with my brother, we explored Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York—creating new family memories in cities that have shaped American history.
I organized the AdWeek hackathon in New York, represented TwelveLabs at the Stanford Career Fair, spoke at MLOps World in Austin, and celebrated my 31st birthday with family in Bodega Bay and Calistoga.
The month closed with a visit to Seattle for DubHacks and time spent with my brother and uncle’s family, as well as attending GitHub Universe in San Francisco.
These weeks were a living reminder of the themes explored in Supercommunicators from Charles Duhigg, We Need To Talk from Jennifer Rishner, and The 5 Types of Wealth from Sahil Bloom—the richness of connection, the complexity of legacy, and the many forms that abundance can take.
November offered a brief but welcome pause, as I celebrated Thanksgiving with Klara’s mother, Alysson. It was a time to reflect on the year’s abundance and to appreciate the quieter forms of gratitude that often go unnoticed.
December brought the year to a crescendo.
I represented TwelveLabs at AWS re:Invent in Las Vegas and NeurIPS in San Diego, sponsored BellHacks at Bellarmine College Prep, and finally took a much-needed vacation in Honolulu with Klara.
The month was capped by Christmas at Alysson’s house and a New Year’s Eve celebration at the Swedish House Mafia concert in San Francisco—a fittingly energetic close to a year defined by movement and music.
In these final weeks, I found myself returning to books like Wabi Sabi from Beth Kempton, Dopamine Nation from Anna Lembke, and How to Change from Katy Milkman, seeking wisdom on embracing imperfection, understanding motivation, and navigating transitions.
📚 Most Impactful Books Read in 2025
Throughout the year, my intellectual journey was as rich and varied as my travels.
I found myself drawn to books that challenged my assumptions and expanded my horizons: Money for Couples from Ramit Sethi deepened my understanding of partnership and financial harmony; Of Boys and Men from Richard Reeves and The Closing of the American Mind from Allan Bloom prompted reflection on societal shifts and personal identity; Source Code from Bill Gates, On The Edge from Nate Silver, and Fluke from Brian Klaas offered new frameworks for thinking about risk, resilience, and serendipity.
Works like The Code Breaker from Walter Isaacson, Chokepoints from Edward Fishman, and Iron Curtain from Anne Applebaum provided historical and geopolitical context for the technological changes I witnessed firsthand.
Meanwhile, The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing, The Wealth Ladder from Nick Maggiulli, and Abundance from Ezra Klein & Derek Thompson reinforced the importance of long-term thinking and sustainable growth—principles that guided both my personal and professional decisions.
💡In sum, 2025 was a year of intentional layering—of experiences, insights, and connections. It was a year where the timeline was not just a record of what happened, but a map of how I changed. Each moment, each book, each journey added a new thread to the tapestry, creating a narrative that is both uniquely mine and, I hope, universally resonant for anyone seeking meaning well-lived year.Part 2: Knowledge Gained
2.1 My Top 5 Life Lessons
💡The most enduring lessons of 2025 didn’t arrive as thunderclaps, but as quiet, persistent reminders—emerging from the steady practice of aligning my actions with my values, adapting to change, and seeking meaning in the everyday.Looking back, I’m struck by how the most important insights of this year didn’t come from dramatic upheaval, but from the slow accumulation of experience. It was in the friction of daily choices, the subtle shifts in perspective, and the willingness to ask better questions that these lessons took root.
1. The Five-Year Stickiness Test: Building for Lasting Impact
This year, I found myself returning again and again to a deceptively simple question: Will this decision still matter five years from now? In a world obsessed with short-term wins and instant feedback, I realized that true impact is measured not by immediate applause, but by the quiet persistence of choices that stand the test of time. Whether it was launching a new developer initiative at TwelveLabs or investing in my relationship with Klara, I began to filter my actions through this “stickiness” lens. The result was a subtle but profound shift: I became less reactive, more intentional, and more willing to say no to opportunities that didn’t align with my long-term vision.
2. Evolving for Sustainability: Adaptation Over Perfection
If previous years were about pushing for peak performance, 2025 taught me the value of evolving my approach to fit the season I’m in. My fitness journey, for example, shifted from chasing personal records in strength training to prioritizing stamina and mobility—an adaptation born out of necessity as my travel schedule intensified. Professionally, I learned to let go of the need for every project to be flawless, focusing instead on building systems and habits that could sustain momentum over time. Growth isn’t always about doing more; sometimes it’s about doing differently, and having the humility to adjust course when circumstances change.
3. Leading Through Uncertainty: Embracing the Unknown in the AI Era
Working at the intersection of developer experience and generative AI means living with a constant undercurrent of uncertainty. This year reminded me that leadership isn’t about having all the answers, but about making decisions with incomplete information and trusting the process. Whether aligning DevEx with TwelveLabs’ go-to-market strategy or adapting our product narratives to new AI trends, I learned to embrace ambiguity as a feature, not a bug. The most effective leaders are those who can hold space for uncertainty while still moving forward with conviction.
4. Integration Over Compartmentalization: Aligning Values Across Life Domains
One of the quiet revelations of 2025 was the power of integration—of aligning my personal values, professional work, and daily habits so that they reinforce rather than compete with each other. I noticed that my most fulfilling periods were when my reading, my work at TwelveLabs, my travel, and my relationships all pointed in the same direction. This year, I made a conscious effort to break down the artificial walls between “work” and “life,” seeking out projects and routines that supported my core values across the board. The result was a greater sense of coherence and satisfaction, even amidst the busyness.
5. Technical Excellence Must Serve a Greater Purpose
Early in my career, I was enamored with the elegance of technical solutions for their own sake. But 2025 reinforced a hard-won truth: the most beautiful code or developer experience means little if it doesn’t move the needle for the business or the people it serves. At TwelveLabs, I was challenged to ensure that every DevEx initiative was not just technically sound, but strategically aligned with our revenue, partnerships, and growth objectives. This lesson has pushed me to think beyond the boundaries of my own expertise and to measure success not just by what I build, but by the impact it creates.
💡These lessons are not endpoints, but waypoints—markers on a journey that is still unfolding. As I look ahead, I’m reminded that wisdom is less about having all the answers and more about asking better questions, staying open to change, and building a life that is both intentional and resilient.2.2 My Top 5 Career Lessons
💡The professional lessons of 2025 were not departures from my personal philosophy, but their natural extension—each one a reflection of how intentionality, adaptability, and integration played out in the crucible of work, leadership, and impact.If the life lessons of 2025 provided the foundation for how I approached each day, the following career lessons defined how I navigated the ever-shifting landscape of work, leadership, and impact. In many ways, the boundaries between personal and professional growth blurred this year; the principles that guided my relationships and habits found new expression in the way I built teams, shaped strategy, and responded to the relentless pace of change in the AI world.
1. Strategic Alignment Is a Continuous Process, Not a One-Time Event
This year, I learned that aligning Developer Experience (DevEx) with TwelveLabs’ broader Go-To-Market strategy is not a box to be checked, but an ongoing conversation. Early in the year, I assumed that once objectives were set, the rest would follow. In reality, I found myself revisiting and refining our team’s goals in response to shifting business priorities, new partnership opportunities, and the evolving needs of our developer community. The most impactful moments came not from rigid adherence to a plan, but from the willingness to adapt, listen, and recalibrate—sometimes on a weekly basis. This lesson reinforced the importance of staying close to both the product and the people it serves, ensuring that every initiative is grounded in real-world impact.
2. Empowerment Is the Heart of Leadership
As my responsibilities grew, I was reminded that leadership is less about directing and more about creating space for others to shine. Working with my team to build high-impact sample applications and organize developer hackathons, I saw firsthand how much more we could achieve when everyone felt ownership over their work. The most rewarding moments were not when I solved a problem myself, but when I watched a colleague or report take an idea further than I could have imagined. Empowerment, I learned, is not just a leadership tactic—it’s a culture, built on trust, feedback, and the courage to let go of control.
3. Communication Is the Bridge Between Vision and Execution
No matter how compelling the strategy, it means little if it cannot be communicated clearly and persuasively. This year, I invested more time than ever in refining my writing and speaking—whether it was crafting blog posts that demystified our APIs, presenting at conferences, or facilitating cross-functional meetings. I learned that effective communication is not about dazzling with jargon, but about meeting people where they are, translating complexity into clarity, and inviting collaboration. The feedback I received—both positive and critical—became a catalyst for growth, pushing me to become not just a better communicator, but a better listener.
4. Staying Ahead Requires Relentless Curiosity and Adaptation
The pace of change in generative AI is both exhilarating and daunting. This year, I made it a priority to stay ahead of the curve—not just by reading the latest research, but by experimenting with new tools, engaging with the developer community, and seeking out diverse perspectives. I became a more proficient user of AI tools, integrating them into both my professional and personal workflows. The lesson here was twofold: first, that expertise is always provisional in a fast-moving field; and second, that curiosity is the best antidote to complacency. The willingness to learn, unlearn, and relearn became my most valuable asset.
5. Sustainable Impact Is Built on Systems, Not Heroics
Perhaps the most profound shift this year was moving from a mindset of individual achievement to one of systemic impact. In the past, I measured success by the projects I shipped or the problems I solved personally. This year, I realized that true, lasting impact comes from building systems—processes, habits, and cultures—that can sustain momentum long after the initial burst of energy fades. Whether it was refining onboarding for new team members, developing reusable content frameworks, or creating feedback loops between DevEx and other teams, I learned that sustainability is the ultimate force multiplier. The most meaningful work is not the work that depends on me, but the work that endures without me.
💡As I reflect on these career lessons, I see them not as isolated insights, but as extensions of the life principles that shaped my year: intentionality, adaptation, integration, and a commitment to building for the long term. The boundaries between life and work may blur, but the lessons compound—each one reinforcing the others, creating a foundation for growth that is both resilient and expansive.2.3 Current Life Assessment
💡This year’s assessment is less about static scores and more about the dynamic interplay between the domains of my life—a systems view that reveals both the strengths of my current foundation and the leverage points for future growth.Looking back on 2025, I’m reminded that a life assessment is not a final verdict, but a snapshot—a momentary cross-section of a much longer journey. The numbers I assign to each domain are less about precision and more about pattern recognition: where am I thriving, where am I treading water, and where do I see the greatest opportunity for intentional improvement?
Health (8/10)
This was the year I learned that adaptation beats perfection in the realm of physical well-being. My fitness routine evolved from rigid strength training to a more fluid integration of soccer, ClassPass workouts across different cities, and mobility work that supported my intensive travel schedule. The lesson about “systems over perfection” proved especially relevant here—rather than maintaining a perfect gym routine, I built adaptable movement habits that could flex with my lifestyle. The energy and mental clarity this provided became essential infrastructure for everything else that followed.
Family (9/10)
The highlight was undoubtedly seeing my parents twice this year—first during my trip to Vietnam, then when they visited the US. Our journey together through Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York wasn’t just about tourism; it was about applying the five-year stickiness test to family relationships. These moments of connection, I realized, are the experiences that will matter most when I look back from 2030. The challenge of distance remains, but the intentional quality of our time together has deepened significantly.
Friends (7/10)
My friendship landscape remained stable but didn’t expand as much as I’d have liked. The intensity of work at TwelveLabs and extensive travel created natural constraints, but this also highlighted the importance of the “strategic alignment” lesson—being more intentional about which relationships to invest in and how. The friends who remained close are those where our values and life directions naturally align, creating effortless connection even across time and distance.
Romance (9/10)
My relationship with Klara continues to exemplify the principle of “integration over compartmentalization.” Rather than treating our partnership as separate from my professional and personal growth, we’ve found ways to weave our individual development into shared experiences. Celebrating her milestones, traveling together, and building rituals that anchor us have all reinforced that the strongest relationships are those that enhance rather than compete with other life domains. The “empowerment through systems” theme shows up here in how we’ve created structures that support both individual achievement and collective flourishing.
Money (8/10)
This year marked a significant evolution in my relationship with financial planning and wealth creation. Opening new investment accounts and diving deeper into financial literacy felt like implementing the “sustainable impact through systems” principle in the monetary realm. Rather than just earning and spending reactively, I’ve begun building financial infrastructure that can compound over time. The shift from scarcity thinking to abundance planning represents a fundamental recalibration that will serve the five-year horizon and beyond.
Career (9/10)
Professionally, 2025 was transformative in ways that perfectly embody this year’s key lessons. The expansion of my role at TwelveLabs—launching developer initiatives, integrating DevEx with broader business objectives—demonstrated how “intentional impact” could scale through systematic thinking. Rather than trying to do everything perfectly, I focused on building processes, teams, and frameworks that could create sustainable value beyond my individual contribution. The integration of AI tools into my workflow exemplified “adaptation over perfection”—embracing new capabilities rather than clinging to familiar methods.
Spirituality (7/10)
While not a primary focus, moments of reflection emerged naturally through travel, meditation, and time in nature. These practices served more as grounding rituals than formal spiritual pursuits, but they provided important counterbalance to the intensity of work and ambition. There’s room here for more intentional development, perhaps applying some of the systematic approaches I’ve developed in other domains.
Leisure and Play (7/10)
Leisure often became integrated with travel and relationship experiences—skiing in Sun Valley, vacationing in Honolulu, exploring new cities. While restorative, I recognize that more unstructured, spontaneous play could enhance creativity and prevent the optimization mindset from creeping into every corner of life. The lesson about “integration over compartmentalization” doesn’t mean everything needs to be optimized; sometimes separation creates essential breathing room.
Technology (9/10)
This was the year I fully embraced AI as a creative and analytical partner, fundamentally shifting how I approach both professional and personal projects. The integration wasn’t just about efficiency—it was about amplifying human insight and capability in ways that felt genuinely empowering. This domain exemplifies the “adaptation over perfection” principle: rather than fearing technological change or trying to maintain old workflows perfectly, I leaned into new possibilities and found transformative value.
Environment (8/10)
The decision to renew my lease in Mission Bay reflects a deeper understanding of environmental stability as a foundation for growth in other areas. Rather than chasing change for its own sake, I’ve recognized that some consistency creates the psychological safety needed for taking bigger risks elsewhere. My living space has become more intentionally designed to support both focused work and relaxed restoration, embodying the systems thinking that characterized this year.
Synthesis
The throughline of this assessment is the maturation from individual optimization to systems integration. The domains where I’ve made the most progress—career, romance, technology, money—are those where I’ve successfully implemented the year’s core lessons: building sustainable systems, choosing adaptation over perfection, and creating intentional impact that compounds over time.
The areas with the greatest opportunity—spirituality, leisure, and friendship expansion—are those that would benefit from more deliberate application of these same principles. The challenge for 2026 is not to chase perfect scores across all domains, but to continue building the interconnected infrastructure that allows each area to support and amplify the others.
As I look toward the five-year horizon, I’m less interested in achieving balance—that static concept that assumes equal weight across all domains—and more committed to creating dynamic integration where growth in one area catalyzes development in others. This assessment isn’t a destination; it’s a systems check on a much sustainable flourishing.
Part 3: Vision and Clarity
3.1 Goals by Life Domain
💡The most powerful goals are not isolated ambitions, but interconnected levers—each one designed to create ripples of positive change across the entire system of my life. For 2026, I’m setting goals that honor both where I am and where I want to go, guided by the lessons of integration, sustainability, and long-term vision.Framing My 2026 Goals: From Silos to Systems
If 2025 was the year I learned to see my life as a dynamic, interconnected system, then 2026 is the year I put that insight into practice. Rather than treating each domain—health, career, relationships, and beyond—as a separate box to be checked, I’m approaching goal-setting as a process of systems design. The aim: to identify leverage points, create positive feedback loops, and ensure that progress in one area amplifies growth in others.
The following goals are not just about incremental improvement; they’re about building a resilient, adaptive architecture for a flourishing life. Each is crafted with the five-year stickiness test in mind: Will this still matter in 2031? Will it compound, rather than compete, with my other ambitions?
Health
Objective:
Build a sustainable foundation of physical and mental well-being that supports high performance and resilience.
Goal: Complete at least 150 minutes of aerobic activity and two strength-training sessions per week, tracked via app or wearable.
Goal: Maintain a consistent sleep schedule (7+ hours/night), with monthly reviews of sleep quality.
Goal: Integrate a weekly recovery practice (yoga, stretching, or massage) to support mobility and prevent injury.
Why it matters: Health is the keystone domain—when my energy is high, every other area of life benefits.
Family
Objective:
Deepen and sustain meaningful family relationships, despite distance and busy schedules.
Goal: Schedule and complete at least one video call with parents and brother each month.
Goal: Organize two multi-generational family trips (one in the US, one in Asia).
Why it matters: Family is my emotional anchor; intentional connection here creates stability everywhere else.
Friends
Objective:
Cultivate a diverse, supportive network that enriches both personal and professional life.
Goal: Organize or attend at least one social gathering with friends each month.
Goal: Reconnect with two old friends or colleagues each quarter.
Goal: Join or participate in one new community or interest group to expand my social horizons.
Why it matters: Social capital is a buffer against stress and a source of inspiration—friendship is a force multiplier.
Romance
Objective:
Strengthen my relationship through intentional communication, shared experiences, and mutual support.
Goal: Schedule a dedicated “date night” or shared activity at least twice per month, alternating who plans.
Goal: Complete a relationship check-in or reflection exercise each quarter.
Goal: Support each other’s individual pursuits by celebrating milestones and providing encouragement.
Why it matters: Integration over compartmentalization—when my relationship thrives, so does every other domain.
Money
Objective:
Achieve greater financial clarity, security, and alignment with shared values.
Goal: Review and update personal and joint financial plans quarterly, including investment allocations and savings targets.
Goal: Automate monthly contributions to retirement, emergency fund, and charitable giving.
Goal: Read two books on wealth-building by year’s end.
Why it matters: Financial security is the foundation for risk-taking, creativity, and peace of mind.
Career
Objective:
Scale my leadership impact by building adaptive teams, driving innovation, and aligning work with long-term purpose.
Goal: Launch or lead at least three high-impact initiatives that align DevEx with company-wide strategic goals.
Goal: Mentor at least four interns within TwelveLabs.
Goal: Publish four thought leadership pieces that advance the conversation on multimodal AI, developer experience, or systems thinking.
Why it matters: Sustainable impact is built on systems, not heroics—my role is to multiply value, not just create it.
Spirituality
Objective:
Deepen spiritual grounding through regular reflection, mindfulness, and acts of service.
Goal: Establish a weekly ritual for reflection or meditation (journaling, nature walks, or guided meditation).
Goal: Read at least two books or teachings on philosophy, spirituality, or ethics.
Why it matters: Spirituality is the quiet engine of resilience and meaning—an undercurrent that sustains me through change.
Leisure
Objective:
Prioritize restorative and creative leisure that fuels curiosity and joy.
Goal: Try at least three new leisure activities or hobbies in 2026 (e.g., cooking class, art workshop, new sport).
Goal: Attend at least two cultural or creative events each quarter.
Why it matters: Play is not a luxury—it’s a necessity for creativity, renewal, and long-term sustainability.
Technology
Objective:
Leverage technology as a force multiplier for learning, creativity, and connection.
Goal: Audit and optimize digital workflows quarterly to reduce friction and increase focus.
Goal: Share learnings and best practices with team through documentation.
Why it matters: Technology, when used intentionally, amplifies my capabilities and frees up time for what matters most.
Environment
Objective:
Create and maintain environments—physical and digital—that support focus, creativity, and restoration.
Goal: Complete a full declutter and reorganization of home and workspace by end of Q1.
Goal: Add at least two new elements to my environment that promote well-being (plants, art, ergonomic upgrades).
Why it matters: My environment is the stage for my life—when it’s optimized, everything else flows more easily.
💡The architecture of my 2026 goals is built on the conviction that integration beats compartmentalization, and that sustainable impact comes from focusing on a few high-leverage, high-quality objectives. By treating each domain as part of a living system—and by regularly reviewing how progress in one area ripples through the rest—I’m setting myself up not just for achievement, but for compounding, resilient growth.3.2 Intentions and Focus Areas
💡If goals are the architecture of my year, intentions are the gravity that holds everything together—quietly shaping the trajectory of my actions, decisions, and growth. In 2026, I’m choosing to let these deeper currents guide not just what I pursue, but how I show up in every domain of my life.Having mapped out my goals by life domain, I find myself drawn to the question beneath all questions: What is the through-line? What are the deeper themes that will give coherence and meaning to the mosaic of ambitions I’ve set for the year ahead? If Section 3.1 was about the “what,” this section is about the “how” and “why”—the intentions and focus areas that will animate my daily practice and ensure that my efforts compound into something greater than the sum of their parts.
Rather than treating each goal as an isolated project, I’m seeking the connective tissue—the strategic priorities and philosophical commitments that will help me navigate complexity, avoid fragmentation, and build a life that is both resilient and resonant.
Sustainable Systems and Long-term Architecture
I intend to build enduring foundations and make decisions that pass the five-year stickiness test, prioritizing compound growth over immediate gratification.
This year, I’m doubling down on the belief that real progress is less about heroic sprints and more about patient, deliberate system-building. Whether it’s my health routines, financial strategies, or professional development, I’m asking: Will this still matter—and serve me—five years from now? The five-year stickiness test is my filter for distinguishing between what’s urgent and what’s truly important. It’s about building habits, processes, and relationships that generate compounding returns, resisting the temptation of quick wins in favor of sustainable momentum.
Integration and Holistic Coherence
I choose synthesis over compartmentalization, seeking synergies across life domains and embracing the interconnectedness of all areas of growth.
Gone are the days of chasing “balance” by keeping work, health, relationships, and creativity in separate silos. Instead, I’m embracing integration—looking for leverage points where progress in one area naturally accelerates growth in others. My professional growth fuels my personal mission; my health practices unlock creative energy; my relationships deepen my sense of purpose. By treating my life as an ecosystem rather than a set of competing priorities, I can create positive feedback loops and avoid the friction of internal competition.
Intentional Impact and Meaningful Contribution
I focus on creating sustainable value through thoughtful systems and deep contribution, emphasizing quality and depth over quantity and breadth.
The most fulfilling goals are those that ripple outward—creating value for others, building capacity in my teams, and contributing to something larger than myself. This year, I’m committed to a service mindset: saying no to scattered efforts that dilute my energy, and yes to commitments that allow me to go deep and create lasting impact. It’s about building frameworks and processes that outlast my direct involvement, and measuring success not just by what I achieve, but by the legacy I help to build.
Present-Moment Mastery and Adaptive Learning
I cultivate presence, curiosity, and a growth mindset, approaching each day as an opportunity to learn, adapt, and become more aligned with my authentic self.
While long-term vision and systems are essential, I don’t want to lose sight of the power of the present moment. This year, I’m committing to show up fully—treating each day as a chance to learn, iterate, and refine my approach. Setbacks become data, not failures. Curiosity becomes my default mode. I want to remain open to course corrections, new insights, and the evolving sense of who I am and what I’m here to do.
A Framework for Decision-Making
These four intentions are not just philosophical musings—they are the practical framework I’ll use to navigate the inevitable trade-offs and opportunities of the year ahead. When faced with a decision, I’ll ask:
Does this pass the five-year stickiness test and contribute to sustainable systems?
How does this connect to and reinforce my other life domains?
What meaningful contribution does this enable, and whom does it serve?
How does this support my present-moment awareness and ongoing learning?
By returning to these questions, I can ensure that my pursuit of specific goals remains tethered to deeper purpose and long-term vision, creating a life that is not just productive, but profoundly aligned.
💡The transition from goals to intentions is a shift from external achievement to internal alignment. In 2026, I’m letting these intentions be my compass—ensuring that every tactical move is animated by a deeper sense of purpose, coherence, and of becoming.3.3 The Year of Integration and Sustainable Systems
💡2026 is not about chasing more, but about weaving better—transforming the patchwork of goals and intentions into a living, breathing system where each part amplifies the others. This is the year I move from compartmentalized ambition to integrated, sustainable architecture.As I step into 2026, the throughline that emerges from my goals and intentions is unmistakable: integration is the new optimization, and sustainability is the new ambition. The work of the past year—articulating goals by life domain, then distilling the intentions and focus areas that animate them—has revealed a simple but profound truth. Progress is not a function of how many boxes I check, but of how well the different domains of my life reinforce and compound one another.
In Section 3.1, I set out a blueprint for each area of my life—health, family, friends, romance, money, career, spirituality, leisure, technology, and environment. Each goal was crafted with the five-year stickiness test in mind, designed not for fleeting achievement but for enduring impact. Section 3.2 then asked a deeper question: How do I ensure these goals don’t become isolated silos, but instead form a coherent, self-reinforcing system? The answer lies in the intentions I set—prioritizing sustainable systems, seeking integration over compartmentalization, and focusing on actions that create positive feedback loops across domains.
This is the year I move from managing a collection of projects to orchestrating a holistic life design. Health routines are no longer just about physical well-being; they are the energy source that powers creative work and deepens my relationships. Financial planning is not an end in itself, but a foundation that enables risk-taking, generosity, and peace of mind. Career initiatives are chosen not just for professional advancement, but for how they ripple outward—enriching my learning, expanding my network, and supporting my family. Even leisure and spirituality, often relegated to the margins, are now recognized as essential nodes in the system—sources of renewal that sustain the whole.
The shift to integration and sustainable systems is not about perfection or rigidity. It’s about designing gentle, adaptable rhythms that can flex with the seasons of life. It’s about building routines that are resilient to disruption, and about creating feedback mechanisms—regular reflection, honest check-ins, and course corrections—that keep the system healthy and aligned. Most importantly, it’s about recognizing that the most meaningful growth is rarely linear. It happens in the spaces between domains, in the unexpected synergies, and in the compounding returns of small, consistent actions.
Summary Box
Integration over compartmentalization: Every goal is evaluated for its cross-domain impact.
Sustainable systems: Routines and practices are designed for long-term adherence, not short-term intensity.
Compound growth: Progress is measured by the health of the whole system, not just individual achievements.
Feedback loops: Regular reflection ensures that intentions and actions remain aligned as life evolves.
💡The true challenge—and opportunity—of 2026 is to become a systems architect of my own life. To move beyond the pursuit of isolated wins, and instead cultivate an ecosystem where each domain nourishes the others. This is the year I build not just for today, but for the compounding, sustainable flourishing of the years to come. Integration is the theme, and sustainable systems are the method. The journey continues—not as a series of disconnected sprints, but as a patient, intentional orchestration of a lift in harmony.Conclusion & Meta-Reflection
💡The true story of 2025 is not one of isolated achievements, but of integration—of weaving together experiences, lessons, and intentions into a living system that is greater than the sum of its parts. This was the year I learned to build for the long term, to let sustainable systems do the heavy lifting, and to trust that small, consistent actions compound into lasting change.As I sit down to synthesize 2025, I’m struck by how the theme of “Integration and Sustainable Systems” quietly threaded its way through every domain of my life. What began as a set of ambitions—career milestones, relationship goals, health routines—gradually transformed into a more holistic architecture, where each part reinforced and amplified the others. Looking back, it’s clear that the most meaningful progress didn’t come from heroic sprints or isolated wins, but from the patient, deliberate work of connecting the dots and building resilient foundations.
The timeline of the year—skiing in Sun Valley, launching developer initiatives at TwelveLabs, celebrating family milestones across continents, and deepening my partnership with Klara—was less a checklist and more a tapestry. Each experience, whether a professional breakthrough or a quiet moment of reflection, became a thread in a larger narrative of compounding growth. The five-year stickiness test became my north star, guiding decisions both big and small: Would this choice still matter, still serve, half a decade from now? That question helped me say no to distractions and yes to what truly endures.
The life and career lessons of 2025 converged around a few core truths.
Integration over compartmentalization: the realization that my best work, deepest relationships, and most sustainable habits all emerged when I stopped trying to keep life in neat boxes.
Sustainable systems over short-term optimization: the shift from chasing perfect routines to designing adaptable processes that could flex with the seasons of life.
Leadership as empowerment, not control: learning that my greatest impact came not from doing more myself, but from building teams, frameworks, and cultures that could thrive without me.
And, perhaps most importantly, adaptation over perfection: embracing the inevitability of change, and seeing every setback as an invitation to iterate, learn, and grow.
This year’s life assessment revealed the power of this systems approach. Progress in one domain—like health or technology—rippled outward, fueling creativity, deepening relationships, and enabling risk-taking in others. The areas where I struggled, like leisure or spirituality, were not failures, but signals—reminders to apply the same principles of integration and intentionality that had served me elsewhere. The goals I’ve set for 2026 are not just about doing more, but about doing better: building feedback loops, creating positive spillover, and ensuring that every effort compounds over time.
I am deeply grateful for the people who shaped this year—my family, whose presence anchored me across continents; Klara, whose relationship is both foundation and inspiration; my colleagues and mentors at TwelveLabs, who challenged me to lead with both vision and humility; and the friends, old and new, who reminded me that growth is a team sport. I’m also thankful for the books, conversations, and even the setbacks that forced me to confront my assumptions and refine my systems.
💡2025 was a year of patient architecture—of building, testing, and refining the systems that will support not just the next twelve months, but the next five years and beyond. The journey was not linear, nor was it always comfortable. But in the end, it was the quiet, compounding work of integration that made the difference.As I look ahead to 2026, I’m carrying forward the conviction that the most meaningful change happens not in grand gestures, but in the daily practice of aligning actions with values, and in the courage to let go of what no longer serves. The work is ongoing, the systems are still evolving, and the questions are far from settled. But if this year has taught me anything, it’s that the journey itself—messy, iterative, and interconnected—is where the real growth happens.
Thank you for being part of this process, whether as a reader, a friend, or a fellow traveler on the path of intentional living. I hope these reflections inspire you to look for integration in your own life, to build systems that sustain you, and to trust in the quiet power of compounding growth.
Here’s to another year of weaving, building, and you in 2026.