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Using AI to Simplify Work and Life

 

In today’s fast-changing workplace, being AI literate isn’t a bonus—it’s becoming a necessity. AI literacy means more than mastering fancy tools. It’s about knowing how to use AI well — understanding its strengths, limits, and ethical side. It’s also about staying curious, thinking critically, and adapting.

Not knowing AI can mean falling behind: missed promotions, lost opportunities, or having someone else step in who does understand. But it’s never too late to start. I’m leaning into it: exploring tools, using them for everyday work tasks, and building my skills more intentionally.

How I’m Using AI at Work

At work, Microsoft Copilot recently became available. Not knowing much about AI, I started using it in place of Google. What a game changer! Instead of being bombarded with dozens of links, I get precise responses—and sometimes even follow-up prompts to dig deeper. It cuts down the chatter and lets me focus on what matters.

One of my favorite uses is the “better word” prompt. I’ll draft what I want to say in an email, then let AI rework it into a clearer, more concise version. The time that saves me is unbelievable. What’s been most helpful is using AI when I need to point out inaccuracies to the field—a task that can be hard to phrase politely. My predecessor actually left the job because she struggled with this. With AI’s help, I’ve been able to soften the tone, communicate respectfully, and build stronger relationships with the field.

I’ve also expanded how I use AI:

  • PowerPoint help — cleaner slide titles and condensed bullet points.
  • Leadership tour planning — it drafted an itinerary, created a to-do list, and even mapped the most logical route between site visits.

⚠️ A quick word of caution: My company provided us with AI access in a safe, secure way. If you’re using AI at work, I highly recommend only using it for things you’d be comfortable saying in public. Don’t put sensitive or private company information into any AI tool.

How I’m Using AI at Home

Outside of work, I’ve found AI just as valuable. I use it for goal setting and tracking progress, which keeps me accountable in a way that feels less overwhelming. It’s also become my personal assistant for book recommendations and even helps me draft blurbs for LinkedIn posts so I can share ideas more effectively. These are small things, but they add up to more clarity and consistency in my personal life.

My Next Step

So far, I’ve used AI mainly as a productivity helper. My next step is to go deeper with it— I plan to use AI by asking it specific questions to learn more about the tool, while also letting it prompt me with questions to explore the topic even more deeply. I want to explore other use cases and see how it can stretch my thinking in ways I haven’t yet tapped into.

For me, AI has become less about the technology itself and more about how it frees up energy for the work and life that matter most.


Image by Peter Olexa from Pixabay

#life #lifethoughts #momblogger #journaling #journal #journals #selfcare #journalcommunity #dailyjournal #journalpage #selfimprovement #selfdevelopment #personaldevelopment #selfhelp #personalgrowth #CurateYourLife  #InspiredAndGrowing #WorkSmarter #AlwaysLearning #AIatWork #BalanceAndGrowth

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