Read Time: 3.5 Minutes

June 17, 2023

This week I’m going to show you how to start using AI at work (without spending 10+ hours on research).

Currently, AI is all the rage and is seemingly taking over a new industry each week.

Many people would agree that learning to use AI with their workload sounds like a good idea:

• Taking back control over your schedule

• Decreasing the time projects take

• Filling knowledge gaps

• Automating tasks

That sounds like a no-brainer, right?

Unfortunately... 99% of people are lacking one thing: time

99% of people don’t have the extra 2+ hours to spend researching AI.

In addition to lack of time, people:

• Don’t know where to start

• Don’t know which tools to use

• Don’t know if they are wasting time

• Don’t know how to improve AI output

The reason I know these are all hurdles is that they were the exact same ones I faced when starting to learn AI 8+ months ago.

But, there’s a better way.

Here’s how to begin mastering AI (without needing to spend hours in the process):

1. Start by realizing the impact of not using AI will have on your workload.

According to a recent article published by BCG, 80% of company leaders are already using AI tools regularly but over 60% of frontline workers aren’t! On the flip side, 62% of leaders are optimistic about the potential of AI, while less than half of frontline employees feel the same way.

Regardless of how you might feel about it, trends and adoption rates tend to follow that of the leaders within each company.

This means:

• Frontline employees will have to make a choice surrounding their AI adoption much sooner than later.

• Companies will soon expect everyone to adopt some form of AI use to stay ahead.

• AI use may soon be considered a normal part of expected upskilling.

How will your company leaders view employees unwilling to make the switch? Alex Hormozi sums it up well in this Tweet:

Those willing to AI-proof their career won’t have anything to worry about, but those hoping and praying that AI won’t be adopted (it will) will be at the mercy of their company.

2. Start practicing publicly and sharing what you learn.

If companies are going to be expecting employees to adopt AI use, you want to become the go-to person in your company for that.

When you are the go-to person:

• Companies come to you with opportunities.

• Opportunities to share what you’ve learned are created.

• Your organization will begin to place a higher value on you.

• Organizations begin to negotiate for you vs the other way around.

This all sounds great, but how do you do it?

Like this:

You don’t have to be an AI “expert”. You just need to be willing to share what you’ve learned with people 1 - 2 steps behind you.

Credibility creates opportunity and leverage.

Start sharing what you’re learning.

3. Save yourself 2+ hours each day in research by asking yourself the right questions.

AI is only as good as the questions you ask it.

Good input = good output

Here are the top 5 questions I ask each week (that you can use today):

99% of people don’t have an extra 2+ hours to research new AI tools, prompts, and articles each week. So, 10x your results by narrowing down your focus as much as possible.

Only look at tools, tips, and research that correlates with what you are trying to achieve.

How do you figure out what to focus on?

By doing a weekly self-assessment of your current use of AI (if you are using it) and intended use of AI. Make sure you are focusing on the 20% of work that is providing you with 80% of your results.

Remember, this isn’t an overnight solution. It takes practice and some time - not a lot of time. Start with 10 - 15 minutes each week, if you can. Or, maybe even 3 - 5 minutes when you can.

Conclusion

Taking steps to begin learning how to use AI and then improving your AI use doesn’t have to take 10+ hours each week.

It can start with taking 10 - 15 minutes each week to ask yourself some simple questions that will narrow down your focus and ensure that you are spending your time wisely.

AI adoption will soon be the norm within the business world. A majority of leaders have already adopted it, which means it’s up to frontline workers to decide whether or not to use this as an opportunity to get ahead or as a threat to your job security.

Start with baby steps and go from there.

That’s it for this week.

See you next week.