Day 8 of 14 · What's Coming
Start Using AI Today
⏱ 6 min
📊 Beginner
Welcome to Week 2. Last week we built the case for why this matters. This week is about what to do about it. And it starts with the single most important step: actually using AI regularly.
Not reading about it. Not watching videos about it. Using it. Today.
The 30-minute rule
Here's the simplest, most effective habit you can build right now: spend 30 minutes a day using AI for real work. Not playing with it. Not asking it trivia questions. Using it for something that matters to your job or business.
Why 30 minutes? Because that's enough to build skill without feeling overwhelmed. In one week of 30-minute sessions, you'll be more capable with AI than 95% of people.
Here's what those 30 minutes might look like:
Monday: Draft three work emails using AI. Compare them to what you'd write yourself.
Tuesday: Ask AI to summarize a long report or article you need to read.
Wednesday: Have AI help you prepare for a meeting — generate an agenda, talking points, and potential questions.
Thursday: Use AI to analyze a spreadsheet or dataset you're working with.
Friday: Ask AI to help you write a plan or proposal for something you've been putting off.
The three tools that matter
You don't need to learn 50 AI tools. You need three — and you need to use them well:
1. ChatGPT (or Claude) — Your thinking partner. Use it for writing, analysis, brainstorming, research, and problem-solving. This is the tool you'll use most. Start with the free version; upgrade when you feel the limits.
2. An AI image tool — Whether it's DALL-E (built into ChatGPT), Midjourney, or another option. Visual content used to require a designer. Now you can describe what you want in plain English.
3. An AI-powered tool in your specific field — This varies by profession. Accountants might use AI bookkeeping tools. Writers might use AI editing tools. Marketers might use AI analytics tools. Find the one most relevant to your work and learn it deeply.
Master these three before exploring anything else. Depth beats breadth with AI tools.
I want to start using AI at work but I'm afraid my boss will think I'm cheating or being lazy. What should I do?
This is a very common concern, and it's worth addressing head-on. Here's the reality:
**Most employers want you to use AI.** A recent Microsoft survey found that 75% of knowledge workers already use AI at work — but over half are afraid to admit it. Your boss probably wants you to be more productive; they just haven't explicitly said "use AI."
**How to approach it:**
1. **Start quietly.** Use AI for drafts and prep work. Polish the output yourself. Nobody needs to know your first draft was AI-assisted.
2. **Show results, not methods.** If you deliver a proposal faster and it's better quality, that's what matters.
3. **Then share openly.** Once you have wins, mention it: "I've been using AI to speed up my research — it's cutting my report prep time in half."
4. **Position yourself as the AI person.** Most teams need someone who understands AI. Be that person.
The risk isn't that your boss thinks you're cheating. The risk is that your coworker figures out AI before you do and becomes the "productive one" on the team.
↻ Replay conversation
Knowledge Check
What's the most effective way to start building AI skills?
A
Spend 30 minutes a day using AI for real work tasks — not just experimenting
B
Wait for your employer to provide formal AI training
C
Sign up for every AI tool available and try them all simultaneously
D
Watch YouTube tutorials about AI for several weeks before trying it
The fastest way to build AI skill is through daily practice on real work. Thirty minutes a day on actual tasks builds more capability than hours of passive learning. Consistency and real-world application matter more than breadth of tools.
Final Check
Which approach to AI tools is most effective for beginners?
A
Sign up for every new AI tool as it launches
B
Only use free tools until AI proves its value
C
Wait for one dominant tool to emerge before investing time
D
Master 2-3 core tools deeply before exploring others
Depth beats breadth with AI tools. Mastering ChatGPT (or Claude), an image tool, and one field-specific tool will give you more practical capability than surface-level familiarity with dozens of tools. Go deep on a few before going wide.
🛠️
Day 8 Complete
"Don't study AI. Use it. 30 minutes a day on real work will put you ahead of 95% of people within a week."
Tomorrow — Day 9
Build Financial Resilience
Tomorrow you'll learn why financial resilience matters more than ever — and practical steps to build your safety net.