I’ve been obsessed with AI since the first time I tried ChatGPT. Like most people in the productivity space, I thought I had discovered a secret weapon. Suddenly, everything became easier—writing content, planning tasks, even brainstorming ideas. AI felt like the ultimate life hack. Within days, I had set up automated workflows, replaced half of my to-do list with prompts, and felt like I was operating on another level. Friends asked me how I was doing so much. “It’s the AI,” I told them proudly.
But something strange happened that made me question everything. I didn’t realize it at first. It wasn’t a technical issue or a failed prompt. It was more subtle—almost invisible. And yet, it hit harder than anything I expected. That’s when I realized we’re all using AI the wrong way, and it’s slowly damaging the one thing we rely on the most: our ability to think clearly.
I’ll get to what exactly happened in a moment. But first, let me explain what led me there. I was using AI tools to run my daily routine. I’d feed my goals into them—whether it was writing five blog posts a week, improving focus, or managing my time better—and get back polished schedules, content drafts, and productivity tips. On the surface, everything looked amazing. I was “doing more in less time,” which is what every self-improvement blog seems to preach. But deep down, I started to feel disconnected.
There was no creativity. No challenge. No spark. I’d finish my day and feel… nothing. It was like watching someone else live my life through a very efficient script. And that’s when I realized something was off. I was using AI not to amplify my brain, but to replace it. I had unknowingly given up the process that made my thoughts mine.
The Moment That Shifted Everything
The turning point came on a quiet Tuesday evening. I had asked ChatGPT to map out my entire week, based on my habits, tasks, and goals. The result was perfect. Every minute was accounted for. Every block of time was optimized. I followed it for two days. On the third day, I felt like I was moving through life on autopilot.
I had outsourced my entire decision-making process. I wasn’t thinking anymore—I was just executing. That night, I sat quietly, trying to figure out why I felt so hollow despite being “hyper-productive.” And it hit me. I hadn’t created anything. I hadn’t made a decision on my own. I had handed my mental process to a machine and called it efficiency.
This wasn’t just an AI problem—it was a me problem. I was using a powerful tool in the most mindless way possible.
How I Use AI Now (and What Most People Get Wrong)
Once I saw the trap, I didn’t quit AI—I changed how I used it. I stopped asking for full solutions and started using it for prompts that deepened my thinking. Instead of “What should I do today?” I’d ask, “What am I not considering?” or “Give me 3 perspectives on this decision.” It helped me see beyond my mental blind spots without replacing my judgment.
I started feeding it my thoughts, not just my tasks. I’d say, “Here’s what I believe—argue with me,” or “Here’s my idea—poke holes in it.” That’s when AI became powerful again. It wasn’t replacing my brain; it was sharpening it.
This is the difference between shallow productivity and meaningful progress. AI should be your co-pilot, not your pilot. The people who truly benefit from AI aren’t the ones who use it to do less thinking. They’re the ones who use it to think better.
If you’re using AI to make your life easier, that’s fine. But if you’re using it to avoid the friction that leads to growth, then you’re missing the point. You’ll end up feeling disconnected from your own journey.
AI is a mirror. It reflects the quality of the input you give it. Don’t let it replace your thinking. Let it expand it.
If this post made you rethink how you’re using AI—or if you want to unlock its real power without losing your own mind—drop a comment below and tell me how you’re currently using AI in your life. Is it helping you grow, or just making things easier?
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