The Smart Way to Use AI
How To Use AI Effectively
I’ve been using AI for well over a year now, and in that time, both the tools—and the way I use them—have changed significantly. Early on, like many people, I experimented with curiosity but kept it at arm’s length, worried that it might dilute my own creativity or make my work feel less authentic. But over the last few months, as AI has grown more capable, I’ve developed a much clearer view: AI is simply another tool. No different, really, from Word, Excel, or any other software we rely on every day. It accelerates your work, but it doesn’t replace your thinking. It doesn’t take away your judgment. You still need to verify accuracy and ensure the output reflects your voice.
This mindset shift has made all the difference.
For small business owners, especially, AI can be one of the most valuable tools in your kit. Running a business requires a constant balance of efficiency, clarity, and responsiveness—and most of us operate in a state of “not enough hours in the day.” We still need our personal stamp on what we produce, but getting to that polished version takes time. And time is the one resource none of us can manufacture.
This is where AI can dramatically change your productivity.
Let me share a practical example. Last week, I was working on a new Performance Review form for a client. I’ve created several variations over the years, all based on the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) People Analyzer. The EOS performance philosophy centers around three simple—but important—questions. First, does the person live the Core Values? Second, do they Get it, Want it, and have the Capacity for the role (GWC)? And finally, how well are they progressing on their 90-day priorities—their Rocks?
Notice what’s not there: “Can they technically do the job?” By the time someone is in the seat, that should already be a given. If it isn’t, that points to an entirely different issue—one that suggests we’ve made a hiring mistake. The People Analyzer is really about culture, behavior, and commitment. Because how often have we watched someone leave an organization, not because of skill, but because “they just didn’t fit in”?
So, there I was with a newly refined People Analyzer, and I realized the next step was to create a clear set of guidelines for how to use it. I know how to use it inside and out—that’s not the challenge. But translating that into a simple, structured, easy-to-follow guide takes thought. And time. At least an hour, probably more. And this was time I couldn’t fairly charge back to the client. It was simply part of the process of doing good work.
That’s when I turned to AI.
I gave it a brief explanation: what the tool is, how it fits within EOS, and what the guidelines needed to achieve. I uploaded the PDF. And within three minutes, I had a well-formatted, three-page usage guide. I didn’t just accept it as-is—I edited it, improved it, and ensured it reflected the intent behind the People Analyzer. But the heavy lifting was done. In minutes. Not hours.
This is the real value of AI.
Not replacing your thinking.
Not cutting corners.
Not outsourcing judgment.
Instead, it removes the friction from the work so you can apply your energy where it matters most—clarity, expertise, and decision-making.
Most tools require us to adapt to them. AI adapts to what you need. But like any tool, you get the best results when you’re clear about the job. What is the deliverable? What does “good” look like? What is the outcome you’re driving toward?
Once you define that, AI becomes an accelerator. It gives you a jump start, and you finish the race.
AI doesn’t diminish your creativity; it frees more of it. It doesn’t take away your expertise; it gives you more room to use it. And for those of us running businesses, leading teams, or juggling multiple priorities, that added capacity can be the difference between feeling overloaded and feeling in control.
Used wisely, AI helps you do more of what only you can do—and that might be its greatest benefit.
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