Using AI to Your Advantage

Over the past six months, I’ve been on an exciting and sometimes overwhelming journey—diving headfirst into the world of artificial intelligence (AI). As someone with over two decades of experience in healthcare operations, project management, and consulting, I’ve always been a big believer in working smarter, not harder. Yet, when it came to AI, I quickly realized just how much there was to learn and how transformative it could be if approached the right way.

It all started with my decision to enroll in a Stanford executive program on AI. My initial thought was, “How hard can this be?” I assumed I’d walk out of that program as an AI expert, ready to deploy it seamlessly in both my personal and professional life. But the reality was far from that.

AI in Personal Life: Small Changes, Big Impacts

• Health and Wellness: I asked an AI tool to create a five-day workout plan tailored to my goals, schedule, and preferences. The result? A plan that was not only precise but also motivating and easy to follow.
• Meal Planning: With three kids in my household, finding meals everyone will eat is always a challenge. AI has helped me generate recipes tailored to our family’s preferences, along with a detailed grocery list to streamline shopping. This has saved me hours of planning each week.
• Educational Help: Like many parents, I’ve struggled to help my kids with homework—especially with the way subjects are taught today. AI has stepped in as an ally, creating flashcards and study aids that make learning engaging for my kids while saving me time and frustration.

AI in Professional Life: Maximizing Efficiency and Creativity

• Daily Planning and Email Writing: Whether I need help drafting a professional email or structuring my day, AI provides quick, polished solutions that keep me on track.
• Strategic Planning and Data Analysis: I’ve used AI tools to generate sales forecasts, analyze data, and even simulate scenarios for better decision-making. What used to take hours of manual research can now be accomplished in minutes.
• Meeting Preparation: One of my favorite hacks is using AI to prep for board meetings. By uploading reports and providing context, I can ask the AI to simulate questions or feedback from specific board members, helping me feel more confident and prepared.

AI in Education: Empowering the Next Generation

As a parent, I’m passionate about helping my kids learn how to use AI effectively. This isn’t about replacing learning but enhancing it. By teaching them how to ask the right questions and use AI as a tool, they’re developing skills that will be essential for their futures.

For example, AI has helped my daughter with vocabulary exercises, and my younger kids use it to create fun, interactive flashcards for studying. By reframing AI as a learning partner rather than a shortcut, I’m helping them build confidence and critical thinking skills.

Building an AI Toolbox

• ChatGPT: A versatile tool for brainstorming, writing, and answering questions.
• Claude and Gemini: Great for more personalized interactions and deeper insights.
• Perplexity and Elicit: Perfect for academic research or content creation.
• Otter and Fireflies: Fantastic for transcribing and organizing meeting notes.

Lessons Learned Along the Way

1. Don’t Be Intimidated: When I first started learning about AI, I felt out of my depth—especially when most of the experts teaching it seemed half my age. But I quickly realized that persistence and curiosity go a long way.
2. Ask Better Questions: In the world of AI, prompting is everything. The more detailed and specific your questions, the better the answers you’ll get. And don’t stop at the first response—keep refining and digging deeper.
3. Start Small: You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight. Begin with simple tasks like email drafting or meal planning and build from there.

Looking Ahead

AI is not just a tool; it’s a mindset shift. It’s about asking, “How can this help me?” in every situation, and then using that help to work more efficiently, stay creative, and focus on what truly matters. Yes, there are challenges. Yes, it can be intimidating. But the benefits far outweigh the initial discomfort. Learning AI is not about replacing human creativity or expertise—it’s about amplifying it.

How are you using AI in your personal or professional life? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences—let’s keep the conversation going!