Introduction:

I am not so far removed from being introduced to AI and feeling overwhelmed by the head start people had with it that I don’t empathize this the struggle.
- I get it. Use this prompt it’s simple
- Here’s another use case
- I found this new method you should try this
- Have you tried projects it’s easier and it remembers where you left off…
It’s a lot… It’s overwhelming and confusing when you’re just trying to find a way to stay true to yourself in a world of people showing how to follow and force the herd mentality upon you.

Real Story (one person, one action, one result)

I tried to follow people’s AI tips and prompts
I blended in ideas from friends with their persona ICP’s (Ideal Customer Profile)
I watched YouTube for what’s amounted to months since the wave started listening to strangers tell me how they made 7-figures with it and ridiculously short amounts of time.
Before long, what I realized was the more I listened, the less the results sounded like me. I was getting further and further away from something useful and closer and closer to being one of the many instead of myself. 

The Truth (why it matters)

AI isn’t the problem
Chasing numbers and the overwhelming opinions on how to be everything but ourselves is…
At the end of the day people buy from the person not the lines on the page. They invest because they believe in who we are not simply what we say that may or may not be true or may or may or not be AI generated.
These days we can’t even tell if the videos we’re seeing are real without stopping what we’re doing to count fingers or look for the things that defy logic.
Here’s the truth
- AI works best when you stay in the lead
- AI works best when you drown out the outside noise
- AI works best when you use it to help you figure out what you’re trying to say. Not how to say it.

AI is a helper
You’re the cook
You choose the meal and the seasoning
Is a pinch, a dash or a healthy portion of you
You choose the dish
You choose what gets thrown out.
Let’s be honest. Show of hands, how many people don’t like leftovers…? Now, let me ask you, what’s the difference between recycled opinions and options for content creation and creativity?
The moment you stop leading, and forget it’s a tool to be used to help you name the thing and not completely create the thing for you. Is the moment you’re just one person in a crowd offering leftovers…

What To Do (one clear everyday action)

Start with telling the chat/AI who you are, your principles, your boundaries, your motivations. Give it the parameters to start thinking from your perspective.
“Here’s how I talk.
Here’s what I care about.
Here’s how I make choices.
Here’s what I never want you to add without asking.”

I will not lie to you. My natural distrust and repeated viewings of the Terminator movies had me hesitant to share how I think. As a person, I don’t like the thought of being predictable or a foregone conclusion.
But… If you’re trying to hold on to who you are and what you’re about and have AI help you become more efficient with it. It’s kind of worth the risk. And I say this as a guy who would periodically switch up the way he took home just on principle.

Conclusion

AI is here and not going anywhere, anytime soon. A person commented on a YouTube clip in this series; it’s like when Texas Instruments handheld calculators were introduced in schools.
It felt wrong to the teachers, but if you look at things now, it’s not even a thought unless you’re in a math class and it’s a test.
We have to make the adjustments, but it doesn’t mean we have to lose ourselves in the process…
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About the Guest

Melody Ann helps people write non-fiction books that readers actually want to read, give good reviews to, and recommend to their friends—using AI as a tool, not a crutch.
Connect: authornationtube.com | LinkedIn: Melody Owen | Instagram: @authornationtube

What's Your Biggest AI Fear?

This is the third in a series exploring AI for creatives. Drop your questions in the comments—we'll address them in upcoming episodes.
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