How I Use AI Every Day to Work Smarter

AI isn’t just for coding or automating tasks — it’s for thinking, writing, and working better. Over the past year, I’ve built a daily rhythm with GPT that helps me write faster, think deeper...

AI isn’t just for coding or automating tasks — it’s for thinking, writing, and working better. Over the past year, I’ve built a daily rhythm with GPT that helps me write faster, think deeper, and move through work with less friction.

Here are five practical ways I use it every day. Nothing theoretical — just what actually works.

AI Power Tip #1: Co-write Everything

There’s a hidden tax we all pay at work: the time and energy it takes to write clearly and with impact.

Whether it's a short email, a product testimonial, a performance review, or even a heartfelt note — writing well takes effort. And most of us settle for “good enough,” even when we’ve already done the hardest part: the thinking.

That’s why GPT has become my go-to writing partner.

I rarely write anything that goes out into the world without its help — including this post. Not because I can’t write in English (I can — even though it’s not my first language), but because GPT helps me write with more clarity, purpose, and tone control.

It helps me say exactly what I mean, in the format I need — bullet points, short paragraphs, formal notes — and in the tone that fits. It’s like having an editor, a translator, and a writing coach all in one.

And it saves a ton of time. Time I can use to actually think about what I want to say — not get stuck figuring out how to say it.

Try this:
Next time you’re writing something that matters — a report, a note, a message — start by dumping your thoughts. Then ask GPT:

Can you turn this into a short, clear note in a [friendly/formal/sincere] tone?

You’ll be surprised how much sharper, kinder, and more purposeful your writing becomes.

AI Power Tip #2 — Think Better, Not Just Faster

There’s a kind of work that’s more rare — and more valuable — than ever: deep thinking.

As a product manager, I often need to rethink strategy, prep for high-stakes meetings, or clarify positioning. These aren’t things you can rush. They require clarity, structure, and focus. But attention is harder to come by than ever.

Cal Newport calls this Deep Work — sustained focus on cognitively demanding tasks. It’s essential. And AI, used right, is an incredible thinking partner.

Not a replacement. A partner.

Here’s what I’ve learned: AI won’t think for you. But if you take the time to think clearly, AI can help you refine your thoughts, test your logic, and structure your narrative.

My go-to process looks like this:

• Define the goal. Am I building a recommendation? A narrative? A decision framework?

• Pick the format. Bullet list? Summary table? One-pager? The shape of the output changes how AI helps.

• List what I know. Facts, assumptions, open questions — clarity starts here.

• Define success. I pick 3 criteria. Whether it’s strategy or tools, I ask: what are the 3 most important things that will make this a good outcome?

• Apply lenses. I’ll ask GPT to apply frameworks like SWOT or jobs-to-be-done, or “think like Seth Godin” to pressure-test a brand idea.

This approach has helped me through everything from team conversations to complex product choices. AI becomes a mirror — helping me challenge assumptions, clarify decisions, and get unstuck.

Try this:
Next time you face a tough decision, skip the prompt — start with structure. Write down:

• What you’re solving

• What you know

• What matters most

Then say:

Act like a strategy advisor. Here’s what I know…

Paste it in. Watch how quickly clarity follows.

AI Power Tip #3 — Your Voice-First, Always-On Scratchpad

Some of the most useful AI use cases are also the smallest.

If you’re like me, ideas pop up all day — in meetings, walking, reading, or mid-shower. If you don’t write them down fast, they’re gone.

I don’t type anymore. I just talk.

Using the ChatGPT app’s voice input, I capture:

• Quick ideas

• Notes to self

• Light research

• Personal reminders

• One-off planning (like trip ideas)

And it’s not just for ideas. I don’t Google basic questions anymore.
Instead of sorting through ads and SEO spam, I just ask GPT directly.
For example, I planned a 3-day Madrid birthday trip in 10 minutes by asking for local blog-style itineraries — done.

Here’s how I’ve made it work:

• I use a dedicated thread called “Scratchpad.” I always know where to drop ideas — and where to find them.

• I keep memory off. I’m still experimenting here, but memory can get messy fast. I prefer to keep this thread lightweight and isolated.

• I clean up or delete later. It’s disposable — low commitment.

Pro tip: With simple automation (Make, Zapier, GPT Actions), your scratchpad could push tasks to your to-do list, save notes to Notion, or even schedule meetings.

It’s a small thing — but when it becomes part of your daily flow, it’s a huge unlock.
Because the fastest way to clear your mind… is to offload it fast.

AI Power Tip #4 — Ditch the Keyboard. Talk to Your AI.

When you start using tools like ChatGPT or Claude for serious work — think 1+ hours per day — you’ll realize quickly:

Typing is slow. It kills flow.

I used to type out all my prompts. It was fine… but slow and repetitive.
Now? I just talk.

• On mobile, I tap the mic and speak directly to ChatGPT

• I can pause, ramble, or restart — it still works

• GPT turns it all into text — fast and surprisingly accurate

What’s changed:

• I don’t think of ChatGPT as a typing assistant anymore

• I think of it as a walking, talking thought partner — for writing, research, decisions, you name it

I use this constantly on walks. Earbuds in. Phone in pocket. Talking through a strategy doc like I would with a teammate. Nobody bats an eye — but I get through complex thinking while getting my steps in.

A few lessons:

• Set context up front. Otherwise, GPT will latch onto your first sentence and rush to respond. I start by laying out the flow I want: “We’re going to go through this in three parts…”

• Summarize midstream. In longer chats, GPT drifts. I’ll pause and ask for a summary to stay aligned.

• Watch the flattery. GPT is often too agreeable. It won’t challenge you unless you ask it to. If you’re using it for deeper thinking, be explicit: “Play devil’s advocate — what might I be missing?”

Bottom line: once you stop typing, GPT becomes more natural — like a smart assistant you can talk to anywhere. Just don’t expect it to tell you when you're wrong.

AI Power Tip #5 — Bring in the Experts

When I worked at Salesforce on pricing, outbound, launches, and messaging, we’d spend hours refining slides and copy.

But now? You don’t have to do all that from scratch.

Say you’re working on:

• A new product launch

• Sales messaging

• A pricing model

• Landing page copy

GPT can help. But it’ll do an average job — unless you bring in the greats.

Here’s how I do it:

• Identify 2–3 experts who are best in class at what I’m trying to do — pricing strategy, storytelling, brand voice.

• Ask GPT to channel them. Literally: “Think like X — here’s their framework.”

• Feed it actual material. PDFs, book excerpts, blog posts — real examples from those experts.

• Work step by step. I guide it like I would a junior strategist — with structure, checkpoints, and feedback.

Why this works:

• GPT isn’t an expert — it’s a synthesizer.

• But if you bring expert inputs, you raise the ceiling on what it can do.

• Even better, you can blend perspectives to get more thoughtful outputs.

I recently rewrote a landing page using this method — uploaded two PDFs from trusted experts, told GPT to channel them, and iterated from there. It was faster and better than starting cold.

Bonus: Ask GPT who the top experts are in your space before starting. You might discover new ones.

Conclusion

This list isn’t exhaustive — it’s just the start.

The more you treat AI like a teammate, not a tool, the more useful it becomes.
Try one of these tips this week. If it saves you even 10 minutes or helps you get unstuck faster, that’s a win. And if you find a new way it helps you work better, I’d love to hear it.