High Agency in the Age of AI

Why initiative, speed, and self-direction matter more than ever

AI is getting better at doing just about everything. It can write, code, plan, and even make decent decisions. But one thing it still can't do is take initiative like a human with high agency. That’s what George Mack explores on highagency.com, where he breaks down why the ability to take action matters more than ever.

This post pulls some of the best ideas from George’s interview on the My First Million podcast. From building a raft instead of waiting for help to acting on ideas before they go stale, these moments are a reminder that urgency, ownership, and creativity are still your greatest advantages.

Don’t Wait — Build a Raft

Imagine two people deserted on an island. Person A uses the wood to spell ‘HELP’ and just waits, hoping someone saves them. Person B takes the same wood, builds a raft, and starts paddling. That’s high agency.”

This quote captures the essence of proactive thinking. One person waits, the other acts. Both have the same resources, but only one chooses to create momentum. It’s a reminder that progress often begins the moment we stop hoping and start building.

Your Word is Your Wand

Your word is your magic wand and it shapes your reality exactly as you're describing.

Words are not just expressions, they are instruments of creation. How we speak to ourselves and others shapes the tone of our inner world and the direction of our actions. High agency begins with language. Speaking with clarity, intention, and confidence turns thoughts into movement and beliefs into behavior. The right words don’t just describe your reality, they help create it.

Ideas are Avocados

Ideas are avocados…I’m not going to let this go brown, I'm going to do this thing right now.

Good ideas don’t last forever. Like a ripe avocado, they are best acted on when fresh. This quote is a call to move quickly when inspiration strikes. The longer you wait, the more you risk losing energy, clarity, or opportunity. Execution is the difference between intention and impact.