Monday 30th December 2024

Having access to unlimited possibilities isn't always the gift it seems. As I embark on building my business and documenting this journey, I've discovered that AI's greatest strength – its vast potential – can also be its most challenging aspect to manage.

Two hours. That's all it should have taken to get my basic website up and running. Instead, I found myself deep in the rabbit hole of alternative platforms, layout options, and tone-of-voice guidelines. Each AI-powered search opened new avenues of possibility, each suggestion sparked new ideas, and each solution branched into ten more opportunities for optimization.

If you've ever spent hours comparison shopping online, fallen down a YouTube rabbit hole of "how-to" videos, or found yourself with dozens of browser tabs open while researching a topic, you'll recognize this pattern. AI amplifies this tendency exponentially.

The reality is that AI has democratized access to expertise. Need a social media manager? AI can help. Looking for a research partner? AI's got your back. Want to explore different business models? AI can generate dozens of variations.

But therein lies the paradox: When everything is possible, nothing gets done.

As someone with ADHD and a naturally obsessive nature, I've learned that AI can be both a blessing and a curse. Its ability to generate endless possibilities feeds directly into our natural tendency to seek the perfect solution. But perfect is the enemy of progress, and in today's fast-moving business landscape, progress is what matters most.

The key to leveraging AI effectively isn't about limiting its capabilities – it's about limiting my response to them. Here's what I'm learning along the way:

Being a generalist who loves learning about many things isn't a weakness – it's a superpower in the AI age. The key is channeling this curiosity strategically. Instead of trying to become an expert in everything AI suggests, I'm learning to appreciate the breadth of knowledge while focusing on depth only where it truly matters for my business.

The traditional productivity equation was simple: Time + Effort = Results. The AI-enhanced version is more complex: Time + Effort + AI - Distraction = Exponential Results. The subtraction of distraction is crucial – it's what transforms AI from a time-sink into a force multiplier.

As I continue building my business and documenting the journey, I'm approaching AI with a new perspective. It's not about using every capability or exploring every possibility. It's about finding the right balance between leveraging AI's vast potential and maintaining focused execution.

For those just starting their AI journey, remember this: The goal isn't to do everything AI makes possible. The goal is to do the right things better.

I'm sharing my journey, challenges and all, because I believe this is one of the fundamental skills I need to develop in the AI age. The ability to navigate abundance without getting lost in it might just be the most valuable skill I can cultivate.

The world of AI is infinite. Our time and energy are not. Learning to bridge that gap is where the real magic happens.