I’ve gotten advice (from people who know what they’re talking about) that I knew right away I was never going to follow. I said something like, “that makes sense,” or “sure” even though I was thinking, there’s no way I’m going to do that.
I was ashamed of not being confident enough, not knowing enough, or just not being willing to do what they suggested. And I felt particularly embarrassed when the person was a recognized expert or someone I paid for their advice. <hides under desk>
When I started using generative AI, I realized you don’t need to nod and smile if it gives you a suggestion that doesn’t work for you. You can tell it straight out, “There’s no way I’m going to do that.” Its feelings won’t be hurt. It won’t judge you or try to talk you into it.
You can say things like:
- “Ugh, I think personal branding is gross. How else can I build credibility?”
- “I know I won’t post every day. Give me a plan that’s more flexible.”
- “That feels kind of sleazy. I want to feel more like a helper and less like a marketer.”
- “I know I won’t follow through on cold outreach. What are alternatives?”
- “I hate talking on the phone. What else could I try?”
It has taken me some time to be this direct — even with a machine! I’m used to nodding and saying nothing. But the answers I get from ChatGPT are WAY more helpful when I’m honest. I get suggestions I’ll actually try, not just “best practices” I know I’ll never follow through on.
This has been a wildly helpful discovery. And pretty freeing, too.