Therapy-Adjacent AI: Becoming an Optimized Human

The other day, a few coworkers confessed that they'd sooner juggle live ferrets than let anyone look at their ChatGPT history.

Don't worry, we're not talking about x-rated web searches here. OpenAI wouldn't allow that.

But isn't this interesting? AI chatbots, like ChatGPT, have become trusted confidants for our deepest musings. Or at least questions we wouldn't share with friends, family, or coworkers.

The range of questions we ask about our inner life is interesting.

One of my coworkers uses ChatGPT when he has an existential crisis.

Another recommended an AI called Pi for venting, because it has a nice empathetic tone. He added carefully: "you know, if you happen to be looking for therapy." [I vote for terming it "therapy-adjacent AI."]

I'm not the exception either. The other day, I uploaded a week's worth of dreams to ChatGPT. I told it to be a Jungian analyst and do its best unpacking my unconscious. [Results were actually impressive].

The Optimized Human Era

I believe we are entering the era of the Optimized Human. No longer will we disappoint ourselves with our human weaknesses (if we so choose).?

If we set clear goals, prioritize our tasks, and repeatedly execute, we can become who we always wanted to be. Well, as long as we have our trusty 800 petaflops of AI to unclutter our minds along the way.

Whether this is a good thing or not will be a topic for a future post. But for now, if you're curious about how to dabble in being an Optimized Human, read on.

The Logic to Our Chaos

AI - with its exceptionally organized way of communicating - seems like it could be a soothing balm to our frenzied inner worlds. We wonder as we query: can it compute a new way of being for us? One that is less messy, less uncertain, and more in our control?

But as computer scientists will tell you: garbage in, garbage out (i.e., crappy data fed into a model will give crappy results). The question is not whether AI can solve the problem.

The real question is: what problem are we trying to solve?

From redefining their career narrative to preparing for hard conversations to finding dates, here are some real world examples of ways people have been using AI to optimize themselves.

I’ve included sample ChatGPT prompts so you can try it out yourself. Names have been changed to protect their privacy [only I (and ChatGPT) know the truth.]

Re-Defining your Narrative

For Sarah, the grass was always greener. She's on her fourth career - freelancing, then events, then marketing, then project management, and now she's feeling the pull to freelance again.?

If you want to join a new industry or are flirting with being your own boss, you're not alone. In 2022, nearly 60 million Americans danced the freelance hustle.?

The hard part is trying to explain a non-traditional path to others. AI can help you close the gap between where you are, where you've been, and where you want to be - at least in narrative form.

Sample ChatGPT Prompt for New Narrative:

You are an expert career coach. I am [age, gender, location, training, degree, if relevant] who works in Y and wants to transition to Z. I need your help crafting my elevator pitch and a new LinkedIn bio that helps me tell my story in a way that builds my credibility for this new venture. Here is my resume for more context. Make sure you identify any assumptions you make and ask me about them so I can help clarify them for you.

Prioritizing the Mess that is Your Brain

In our modern day, sometimes our minds can feel like a blender set to "turbo." Too much to do, too little time...to even think about what to do.

This story is about me (names preserved). Juggling work, hobbies, friends, family, exercise, self-improvement, that infuriating insurance claim from March. I sometimes feel insane when I realize I have put the remote in the fridge. I have to imagine I am not alone (right??).

Good news is you can brain dump on ChatGPT and ask it to help you prioritize.

By using the handy Eisenhower matrix (which prioritizes based on urgency and importance), it can bring its vast computing power to sorting out your brain. You can even instruct it to ask you questions to get to the root of what's crucial.

Sample Prompt for Prioritizing:

You are my personal assistant and I need help prioritizing my life. You will leverage the Eisenhower matrix for this assignment. Here are the things that I have to do: [free flow enter in tasks]. Ask me questions about each task one by one so you can understand relative urgency and importance. When we are done, generate the matrix for me.

Preparing for Hard Conversations

Steve has been thinking about popping the question to his boss. No, not that question, but one just as terrifying: "May I be promoted please?"

He also wants to discuss with his significant other that quirk that used to be cute and now makes him contemplate homicide (he was joking!).

These types of conversations can have significant cognitive load. We agonize over what we will say and how the conversations will go for days beforehand.

An unbiased AI-generated plan can help you calm your nerves. You can even role play the conversation to get more comfortable.?

Sample Prompt for Hard Conversations:

I need to have a conversation with my boss about expectations for next year as I want to be promoted. My boss is [define their personality]. You are an expert on difficult conversations in this context. Let’s come up with a plan on how to approach and start the conversation and then let’s role play it together (you will be my boss).

Getting Unstuck

I'm surprised more people don't answer "how are you doing" with "just hanging out on the Hamster-wheel of Stuck."

Eva is an energetic woman in her 70's who is completely frustrated by her dating life. She's finally got the hang of dating apps only to realize they are churning out frogs. She is stumped on what to do differently.

Coaching programs and retreats and books a plenty have been created about "getting unstuck." But sometimes you just need a fresh infusion of ideas. ChatGPT can be an excellent thought partner in ideation, just make sure you give it direction on how creative it should be.

Sample Prompt for Problem Solving:

You are an expert dating coach. I am a [age, gender, location, dating circumstance, if relevant]. Here is my problem: I have been trying to find dates through dating apps, but haven’t met anyone who is right. I am looking for X. Help me generate ideas on what to do differently. I want [novel, silly, untraditional, easy] ideas only.

The End is Just the Beginning

This is just a sample to provoke some ideas and give you a sense of how to get the most out of ChatGPT for your optimized self. But the sky is the limit.

How have you been using AI to sort out your follies?