Are You Using AI as a Calculator When It Could Be Your Powerhouse?
"'How much progress shall you make?' you ask. Just as much as you try to make. Why do you wait? Wisdom comes haphazard to no man." — Seneca
Are you waiting to see what AI can do for you, or are you actively engaging with it to unlock its potential? Much like the introduction of computers decades ago, AI is standing on the brink of becoming a transformative force—yet many still treat it like a basic tool, barely scratching the surface of what it could be. Just as computers transformed business in the 80s, AI is now at that same pivotal point.
The First Computer in My Hometown: A Family’s Tech Journey
In the mid-80s, a company called “Servicio Agrícola Gurdián” introduced the first personal computer to León, my hometown. For a moment, let’s place ourselves in that time: Nicaragua was amid a civil war, under a communist regime, and goods were rationed. Access to resources and technology was rare.
My father, who managed a nearby property, saw this machine’s potential. Having been exposed to massive mainframes in university, he took on the challenge of learning LOTUS 123 and digitized the payroll for the farms. Previously, payrolls were manual, requiring ledgers that filled entire desks. His innovation saved time, reduced errors, and introduced an efficiency that had been unthinkable.
Inspired by this success, my father, his employer, and his cousin invested in three more personal computers. One even made it to our home when I was five. I still remember my dad arranging for us to take classes on how to use it, which, looking back, must have been pretty basic. Windows existed, but our PC didn’t have it; everything was run through MSDOS, and we learned to navigate that black screen with white text.
When we moved to Managua in 1991, we were ahead of the curve again. By 1995, we had internet at home, making us early adopters. I didn’t think much of it then, but those experiences shaped how I viewed technology. By the time I got to university in 2000, I was surprised to see my engineering classmates using Excel like a typewriter. They’d add up cells one by one, without using the powerful formulas available, and I remember thinking they were missing out on so much potential.
Later, in my first job, I realized just how crucial these skills were. Knowing how to use Excel beyond the basics—things like pivot tables—opened doors. It was a world of difference. Just like those early days of PCs, where mastering tools like Excel opened new doors, we’re now at a new frontier with AI. And, once again, many are missing out on its full potential.
AI: The Jet Engine for the Brain
Steve Jobs famously said the personal computer was like a bicycle for the mind, a tool that made us more efficient. Today, AI is more like a jet engine for the brain, with the potential to accelerate our productivity to levels once unimaginable. And yet, many people are still using it as if it were a simple search engine, missing out on what it truly has to offer.
Imagine having a super-smart friend who speaks multiple languages, has vast knowledge, and is always ready to help you tackle complex tasks. That’s what today’s AI tools, like ChatGPT, can offer. But much like a computer that’s only used for typing, AI can do so much more than most realize. I’ve personally been working with ChatGPT to unlock this kind of potential, and it’s the tool I’ll focus on as I share practical ways to maximize AI’s role in business.
AI is on the path to becoming as essential as Excel or email, especially in the U.S., where many already rely on it daily. But here’s the catch: if you don’t take time to personalize it—by creating custom GPTs that suit your needs—you’re missing out on the power AI can bring to your specific workflow. It’s not just about what AI can do; it’s about configuring it to enhance what you do.
Recognizing this, we recently invested in training with Ethan King at Stoic Mind to dive deeper into AI’s possibilities. His sessions opened our eyes to how we could tailor AI’s capabilities to our unique needs, making AI work for us meaningfully. With Ethan’s practical approach, we began to see just how transformative this technology can be. Now, we’re more confident than ever in using AI to work smarter and achieve better results.
The Hesitation to Adopt: History Repeats Itself
Within the Bloom Growth™ System, there’s a technology component, and we facilitate a conversation about how we can use technology to streamline and optimize your operations. Often, businesses end up with multiple software subscriptions doing the same thing, leading to unnecessary costs. Instead of just cutting back, we shift the conversation to how AI can boost productivity across the team, enabling each executive to work smarter.
We also guide discussions on how to use technology to enhance the customer experience—everything from what hardware or software you use to engage with clients, to how AI can be leveraged to provide a better customer experience.
In my recent sessions with clients, I’ve been pushing them to embrace AI into their daily operations. They see the potential, they agree, but the action is slow. In my company, DelaIsla, a seafood supply chain company, we’ve made it a priority that all leadership staff start using AI, and as a matter of fact, my only quarterly priority this quarter is finding tailored training sessions designed to meet our specific needs.
This hesitation reminds me of the early days of personal computers or even the introduction of email in Nicaragua. Many were reluctant, and some resisted digitalization. I see the same pattern with AI today. People fear job loss, or they believe they still have time to adapt, but the truth is, AI isn’t here to replace jobs; it’s here to optimize them, freeing your team from operational tasks so they can focus on strategic goals.
Imagine shifting from spending 80% of your time on operations and 20% on strategy, to the opposite. That shift will allow your business to hit your annual targets, your three-year goals, and even achieve those big, hairy, audacious goals (BHAGs) faster.
Two Keys to Using ChatGPT Effectively
1. Your GPTs Must Sound Genuine: If you’re going to use AI, make sure it reflects your voice. Authenticity matters. I’ve seen too many people on social media copy-pasting what ChatGPT gives them, and it shows.
The tone feels off, and it doesn’t sound like them. I experienced this firsthand with my daughter, Marcela. One day, we were driving back from my son’s football game, and Marcela said:
Marcela: Dad, want to hear a summary I wrote in Spanish about a book?
Me: Marcela, this was written by ChatGPT.
Marcela: No, Dad. I wrote this.
Me: No, Marcela, ChatGPT wrote this. Don’t lie to me. Look at me.
She laughed, and I explained, “It doesn’t sound like you. You don’t talk like that, and you don’t write like that. It’s not that you can’t write well, but that’s not your voice or your essence.” This is the same thing I see more and more with friends on social media; they write, and it’s easy to tell it’s not them. It’s not their voice.
Authenticity matters, and it’s something you need to work on when setting up your GPTs.
2. AI is More Than Marketing: At Stoic Mind, we’ve created our own GPT called “Aurelio the coach,” which handles client queries automatically. This is just one example. AI can do so much more than marketing or managing social media. Think about how it can streamline your processes, automate data entry, and handle repetitive tasks, freeing your team to focus on more valuable, strategic work.
Actionable Insight: Try creating a personalized GPT that responds in your own tone. Start small: ask it to summarize emails in your style. This simple step can build confidence in using AI while maintaining your voice.
Adopt or Fall Behind
AI has become as essential as Excel, Email, and your smartphone. If you’re not already using it, you’re likely falling behind. Early adopters always have the advantage—so be proactive in your industry’s AI landscape. Dedicate time and creativity to discovering how it can 10X your productivity. While many focus on marketing or social media, the real question is: how can AI transform your business operations? That’s where the real value lies.
The future of work isn’t about how fast you can type; it’s about how well you can connect, lead, and innovate. Everything else? AI can handle that.