A.I. Augmented High Agency : Empowering Individuals for Effective Action
The Power of High Agency in an AI-Driven World
In a world that is changing faster than ever before, one of the most powerful qualities a person can develop is high agency. This is the ability to take control of one’s own life, make independent decisions, and actively shape personal and professional success. High-agency individuals do not wait for permission. They do not let obstacles define them. Instead, they take ownership of their circumstances, find solutions to problems, and persist in the face of challenges.
High agency is what separates those who create opportunities from those who wait for them. It is the difference between someone who rises in their career and someone who remains stuck, between an entrepreneur who builds a thriving business and one who gives up after the first setback. This trait is not just about intelligence, skills, or even resources. It is about mindset and action.
At its core, high agency is the belief that no matter what obstacles exist, there is always a way forward. Those who develop this mindset refuse to let external factors control their lives. They do not blame the economy, their background, or their circumstances for their lack of progress. Instead, they focus on what they can control and take proactive steps to improve their situation.
But as artificial intelligence continues to evolve, an important question arises. How does AI impact human agency? Does it empower individuals by giving them access to powerful tools and insights, or does it threaten to make people overly dependent on machines? The answer depends on how AI is used.
Richard McKay Bio
Richard McKay, an experienced leader in the flooring industry, heads Sprung Gym Flooring in Glasgow. Richard's digital journey began in 2008 with Tweetabix, a blog showcasing early Twitter adopters. He interviewed notable figures like rugby legend Will Carling and marketing expert David Meerman Scott. In 2010, he launched Floorcrunch to discuss flooring trends, contributing to publications such as Content Rules by Ann Handley and C.C. Chapman, and Social Media Marketing All-in-One For Dummies (3rd Edition). From 2011 to 2020, Richard ran McKay Flooring and now manages Sportsflooring.co.uk and Gym-flooring.com. His personal site shares insights on gym design and fitness products through guides and expert advice. Gym & Sports Flooring Achievements Richard's work in gym and sports flooring includes: - Emirates Arena Velodrome and Aquatics Centre at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. - Manchester City Training Ground. - New Balance Hospitality Suite at London 2012 Olympics. - MOD in Falkland Islands. - Google HQ in California. - Selfridges in London. - Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge University. - Imperial College London. - Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. - Gleneagles Hotel. - National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh. - University of London. - Microsoft HQ, Edinburgh. - Pernod Ricard in London. - New Balance in Warrington. - BrewDog sports flooring supply. - Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Glasgow with Junckers Flooring. As a founding member of the Global Flooring Alliance, Richard also created Whisky Barrel Flooring from reclaimed whisky barrels, showcasing his innovative use of materials and sustainability commitment. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13065200.scottish-twitter-100-list-business/ https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-herald-1130/20101214/283265979227558?srsltid=AfmBOorJY1MX5XSt_iRmVL8ZBKP_McysDAp7POCc4H46RSeB7taG-rbo https://www.woodfloorbusiness.com/news/article/15125771/mckay-floorings-whiskey-barrel-flooring-catching-on https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/13259020.my-salvage-success/ https://www.insider.co.uk/special-reports/richard-mckay-incubator-9875793 https://www.insider.co.uk/special-reports/rising-stars-stars-speak-minds-9875873 https://37signals.blogs.com/products/2008/08/scottish-wood-f.html https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/24683142.glasgow-firm-floored-requests-hollywood/
The Ultimate Guide to Gym Flooring by Richard McKay
Imagine you’re in a high-energy group fitness class. The music’s blasting, the instructor’s shouting motivational phrases that only half make sense (“Feel the burn! Sweat is just your fat crying!”), and you’re pushing yourself through an intense HIIT workout. Then, mid-jump, your foot lands awkwardly on an uneven mat, and suddenly, you’re making a dramatic exit—not because of an epic workout but because of a twisted ankle.
Or maybe you’re in a commercial gym, heading over to the free weights section to test your max deadlift. The floor beneath you is thin, hard, and unforgiving—zero shock absorption. You drop the weight (as one does), and the barbell makes a noise so loud it echoes through the entire building, triggering a collective head-turn from every single person in the gym. Worse yet? That unforgiving floor cracks under the pressure, leaving the gym owner cursing their cost-cutting decisions.
“If you think these are exaggerations, I assure you they’re not. I’ve seen it all. Floors that peel like a bad sunburn. Mats that shift around like they have a mind of their own. Even gym owners who thought “a little bit of carpet should do the trick” only to regret it after a few months of sweat absorption turned their gym into a breeding ground for bacteria.
This book exists to help you avoid these mistakes—whether you’re a gym owner, a fitness enthusiast, or someone setting up a home gym in their garage and wondering why some rubber mats cost as much as a used car.”
