Let AI Boost You, Not Replace You
Stay sharp in the AI era with smarter habits, creative thinking, and real growth
As part of self-development, I’ve found myself lucky to be starting work at an AI-led company right now. It feels like I’m standing in the future, every day. Since joining, I’ve learned how to orchestrate AI tools, not just to get things done faster, but to open up new possibilities and stretch my creativity in ways I never imagined.
But let’s be real: not everyone is ready to jump on the AI train. Some people are hesitant, maybe it’s naivety, maybe stubbornness, maybe just a fear of change. I get it. Adjusting to something this big isn’t easy, but it’s inevitable.
Mark Cuban put it bluntly:
“Artificial Intelligence, deep learning, machine learning-whatever you’re doing, if you don’t understand it - learn it. Because otherwise you’re going to be a dinosaur within 3 years.”
I set myself a challenge: use AI first before doing anything else, at least five times a day. Here are four tools I’m loving right now:
Perplexity: for deep research
Whimsical: for user flow mapping, turning complex ideas into simple clear maps that guide designs
Lovable: for quick prototyping to present to stakeholders and users and rest ideas early and make changes before final designs
Simtheory: a platform built by the guys behind the This Day In AI podcast, mixing models like Claude, Gemini 2.5, and ChatGPT, with memory and an assistant to help deepen understanding
There’s something called the “effort paradox.” Basically, trying new things or tackling challenges is hard, and it’s often easier to stick with what we know. But effort itself can bring satisfaction and meaning. Think about assembling IKEA furniture, the more work you put in, the more you value the end result. This applies to everything from running marathons to building relationships and now, learning how to use AI. The struggle only makes the experience richer.
The trick is to reframe effort as an opportunity for satisfaction, not just a burden. Our mindset and self-talk during tough tasks can make a huge difference. If you see effort as meaningful, it can boost your resilience and well-being, even if it doesn’t make the task itself any easier.
Recently, we had a hackathon at work where we had to build something using only AI. It was a game-changer. People who were on the fence saw firsthand how AI can be a true copilot. That one experience broke down a lot of resistance and opened up new ways of thinking. Although, one hackathon, one time will not completely change the way people work… so I plan to keep advocating this way of working to keep the company ahead of the game.
Did you know: A 2009 study by Phillippa Lally and colleagues found that, on average, it takes about 66 days to form a new habit, but it can range from 18 to 254 days depending on the person and the habit.
Of course, we need to remember that balance matters. AI is a powerful partner, but don’t lose your own creative voice along the way. If we rely on AI for everything, it can actually dull our creativity. There’s even research suggesting a possible link between frequent GPS use and a smaller hippocampus (the part of the brain tied to memory and navigation). While it’s not direct proof, it’s enough for me to be mindful and use tools thoughtfully.
This does apply to AI as well: I want to use it as a tool to amplify my abilities, not as a crutch that replaces them. Finding that sweet spot, where AI helps us go further without letting our own skills wither, is key to staying sharp, creative, and resilient.
And now, before I go, I have a little game… knowing I wanted to do an article about AI in the future, I’ve hidden an Easter egg in my posts. One of them is entirely written by AI (with only a few tweaks from me). Can you guess which one isn’t my voice? Let me know your thoughts. No, it’s not this one…
I know that by the time you read this, the AI world will have already moved forward. So, stay curious and keep exploring new tools that help you be your best self.
If you found this helpful, subscribe to stay on this journey with me. I’d love to hear your stories and what’s working for you.
In a while, crocodile. 🐊