GenAI: Your Personal Productivity Booster

Introduction

Curious about how AI tools like ChatGPT can transform your productivity and creativity? This article explores how Generative AI Assistants—such as ChatGPT, Anthropic Claude, and Google Gemini—can improve the way you work and live.?

Originally, I planned to dive straight into building GenAI applications. However, I realized that many people are still unfamiliar with how to use Generative AI Assistants. By starting this series with personal use, I aim to make this series more valuable to everyone, regardless of where they are in their AI journey.

Getting Started with Generative AI Assistants

1. Start today!!: Invest in a month-long subscription to access the latest data and models—this really matters! ChatGPT is an excellent starting point, though Anthropic Claude is also a strong choice. Don’t worry too much about which one you choose; the key is to start. As you become more familiar with these tools, you will want to explore other GenAI Assistants. Each has strengths and weaknesses that produce very different results from the exact same prompt. I use and pay for both ChatGPT and Claude, and as we dive deeper into this series, I’ll share my strategy for leveraging both to maximize results.
2. Commit to daily use: Dedicate 30 minutes each day to working with the tool for a month. This consistent practice will increasingly yield time savings in your day.
3. Start simple: Begin with tasks like summarizing a long article, outlining content, or brainstorming ideas. If you can't think of anything, ask ChatGPT for some suggestions!
4. Stay current on evolving features: Each of the Generative AI Assistants offers a wide range of functionality, so it's important to stay informed. There are many YouTube content creators who can help you stay current as new functionality is released.

Crafting Effective Prompts

Your prompt is your instruction to GenAI—be clear, detailed, and specific. Instead of 'Write an email,' try, 'Draft an email to a colleague about an upcoming meeting, highlighting these (your input here) key points to discuss.' The more context you provide, the better the AI's output.

Start with a persona: Begin by creating a persona for yourself, and if relevant, also for your company. This helps the AI tailor its responses to your needs. For example: "You are an AI assistant for a marketing professional with 10 years of experience. Your tone is inventive yet approachable, and you often use industry-specific terms. You prefer concise, actionable advice." Adjust the persona as needed to align with your goals.?

??Tip: Don’t know your writing style? I’ve asked ChatGPT to analyze my past work, and it’s helped me refine my persona. This is a simple way to ensure consistency across your content. ‘Review these documents for tone, voice and style’

Structure your prompts: Copy your persona into the prompt window, and then type a few sentences about what you want and maybe an example. You will only need to copy your persona once into each conversation.? Each time you start a new conversation, add a persona based on the purpose of that conversation, for example you had a previous conversation about creating marketing content, then decide to start a new conversation about planning a family trip to Europe. Make sure to create a new persona for that conversation about planning a family vacation.

Be verbose, state the goal: GenAI operates on detailed prompts. I am suggesting multiple sentences and sometimes multiple paragraphs.? This is the opposite of using Google Search. Provide clear context and specify the desired outcome.

Iterate and refine: If the AI's first response doesn't meet your expectations, don't hesitate to iterate. Provide feedback, clarify your intent, and try again. Iteration is key to getting the best results.

Build a prompt library: Keep a collection of your most effective prompts, including personal and work personas, where you can easily access them. Tools like browser plugins, Notes, or Word can help you quickly retrieve and reuse these prompts.

?? A word of caution: Some companies sell boilerplate pre-made personas & prompts.? There is no magic prompt you can buy. Instead, develop your own personas and prompts that are tailored to your specific needs.?

??TIp: If you're unsure or stuck, ask ChatGPT to review your work, ‘highlight the pros and cons, and suggest improvements’. This iterative approach will be a recurring theme throughout this series of articles.?

Maintaining Authenticity and Responsible Use

As you begin to integrate GenAI into your daily routine, it's essential to maintain your unique voice and uphold your standards while being mindful about protecting proprietary information.

• Enhance, Don’t Replace Your Voice: GenAI can generate volumes of high-level content, but it will lack the depth that comes from real-world experience. This is where your expertise shines—use AI-generated content as a foundation, then infuse it with your unique insights and experience. Your value as a domain expert lies in adding the nuance that only hands-on experience can provide.
• Review and Refine: Always treat AI-generated content as a first draft. It’s your responsibility to review and refine the output, ensuring it meets your standards and aligns with your voice and values.
• ??Protect Intellectual Property: Always be mindful of what you share with public GenAI models. Avoid inputting proprietary or sensitive data. Review the data usage policies of your chosen Generative AI Assistant. Know what features may improve security, for example, with ChatGPT, you can opt out of data sharing by disabling the ‘Improve the Model for Everyone’ feature.

Personal Insight

When I first began using GenAI tools, I made the mistake of treating them like search engines. My prompts were too short, vague, and lacked the specificity needed to generate valuable results. The outputs I received were generic and didn't have the depth that I was seeking. ? Sure, I had fun making it talk like a pirate or mimic Yoda, but that novelty led me to view the technology as little more than a gimmick. I decided to wait for the models to improve before fully diving in.

Looking back, I realize how wrong I was. I didn’t use the paid service at first, limiting myself to a model that relied on information more than two years old. I didn't see its full potential. Little did I know, the main issue wasn’t the technology—it was how I was using it. Learn from my experience to maximize the value of these tools right from the start.

It wasn’t until I faced a tight deadline to create content that I finally decided to invest in the $20 per month subscription and truly learn how to use the tool. The difference was night and day! The paid Generative AI Assistant offered more current data and better capabilities, and I quickly realized that the key to success lay in how I interacted with the AI. I’m still learning, and will continue to learn for the foreseeable future.

Conclusion

Generative AI Assistants are more than a novelty—they’re powerful tools for boosting productivity. Start experimenting today with thoughtful prompts, clear personas, and a commitment to learning. Stay authentic and responsible in your approach, and you’ll unlock the full potential of these technologies.

Coming Next: Finding Your GenAI Sweet Spot

In the next article, we'll help you find tangible, scalable opportunities where GenAI can deliver real value. Stay tuned!

GenAI articles from this series:

• GenAI: From Personal Assistant to Enterprise Powerhouse
• GenAI: Your Personal Productivity Booster
• Finding Your GenAI Sweet Spot
• The Art of GenAI: Prompt Crafting

About the Author

Lance Rifenburg is a seasoned technology leader with over 20 years of experience working across mid-sized businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Specializing in the integration of advanced technologies with business strategies, Lance harnesses the transformative potential of Generative AI applications. His combined expertise in technical solution architecture and business strategy ensures that AI-driven solutions deliver impactful business results while being secure, scalable, and ethical.

With a proven track record in building innovative AI-driven solutions that streamline product-to-market processes and enhance decision-making, Lance places a strong emphasis on security, innovation, and responsible AI practices. Whether you're exploring technical questions about GenAI architecture, security challenges, or how AI can enhance your business strategy, Lance offers valuable insights to help organizations navigate AI adoption with confidence.

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