How I use AI to improve my mental health and business skills
My best uses for ChatGPT
AI has the potential to reduce the strain on an overwhelmed mental health care system.
I believe this because last year I used ChatGPT to talk about stuff while my psychologist was on holiday, and felt great after it.
This experience left me wondering what other roles AI can do, and last week I started using it as an executive coach to improve my decision-making and leadership skills.
And while it’s still early days, I think it has and now every Monday morning, I use the following prompt to get me ready for the week ahead:
Act like an executive coach. Ask me a series of questions that get me to reflect on how I'm feeling, and questions that get me to prioritise and focus on what I need to do this week to make great progress. Ask one question at a time, ask follow-up questions if an answer is unclear, and only move on to the next question once I’ve answered the previous question clearly and compellingly.
I’ve been using the GPT-4 model, and below is a transcript of our conversation from last Monday, which took just 15 mins to have and saved me $$$:
ChatGPT: Question 1: On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your overall mood today, with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest?
Me: 9
ChatGPT: I'm glad to hear that you're feeling good today! Now, let's move on to the next question.
Question 2: Can you identify any specific events or thoughts that have contributed to your current mood?
Me: Being on easter long weekend and not having much KPMG work to do feels great! But basically, I feel on top of everything and hopeful that future KPMG work I do will be interesting. Plus we’re getting lots of help over school holidays from my in-laws, and my girls are enrolled in holiday care so I can make good progress with Alfred.
ChatGPT: It's wonderful to hear that you're feeling on top of things and optimistic about your work situation. Having support during the school holidays is also a great relief. Now let's move on to the next question.
Question 3: What are some emotions you have experienced over the past few days, and how have they influenced your thoughts and actions?
Me: I have my energy back, which makes me feel optimistic about my future. But this morning I laid in, and didn't feel great that I wasn't writing and being productive. This hung over my head for most of the day, and at times, made me not present with my kids.
ChatGPT: It's great that you have your energy back and feeling optimistic. However, it's also important to recognise that taking some time for yourself is necessary and can help recharge your batteries. It's essential to find a balance between productivity and relaxation.
Moving on to the next question:
Question 4: Are there any recurring thoughts or concerns that have been on your mind lately?
Me: The main one is how I'm going to get the whole Alfred team aligned and believing that we might be able to achieve our mission at an upcoming team workshop.
ChatGPT: It's natural to be concerned about team alignment and getting everyone on board with the mission. It shows that you care about the team's success and the overall goal.
Now let's focus on the week ahead:
Question 5: What are your top three priorities or goals for this week?
Me: 1. Get my thoughts organised for the team workshop about getting the whole team on the same page. 2. Finalise an agenda for the workshop. 3. Prepare the team for an open and candid conversation about the current state of the app, areas it needs improving, and any concerns they have that’s preventing them from pursuing the mission.
ChatGPT: Those sound like excellent priorities for the week. It's important to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and opinions.
Next question:
Question 6: What specific actions or steps can you take to accomplish these goals?
Me: 1. Spend time alone and writing my thoughts about Alfred's mission, the problem we are trying to solve, and how I think could go about solving it. 2. Send a proposed agenda and ask for feedback. 3. Send an email to the team asking them to come prepared to be open and honest about what needs to improve.
ChatGPT: These are well-thought-out steps that will help you accomplish your goals for the week. Having a clear plan and open communication will be key in preparing for the team workshop.
Moving on to the next question:
Question 7: How can you allocate your time and energy effectively to ensure that you're able to complete these tasks?
Me: My in-laws are having the girls on Monday, so I will go to bed early Sunday night, get up early and go to Running for Resilience in the morning, then make my favourite scrambled eggs with avocado breakfast, grab a coffee, and head to the office which will be dead because it's a public holiday, so I won't be interrupted. Then I will spend 5 hours thinking and completing the above tasks before deciding what else to do with the week.
ChatGPT: It sounds like you have a solid plan in place to allocate your time and energy effectively. Ensuring that you have a dedicated, uninterrupted block of time for these tasks will help you stay focused and efficient.
Next question:
Question 8: Are there any potential obstacles or distractions that might come up during the week, and how can you prepare for or address them?
Me: No. If the in-laws get sick and can't watch the girls, Jen has said she'll have them for the day and take them bike riding.
ChatGPT: It's great that you have a backup plan in place to ensure that you can focus on your tasks even if unforeseen circumstances arise. Having a supportive network is invaluable.
Last question:
Question 9: Finally, how can you practice self-care and maintain a healthy work-life balance while working on your priorities this week?
Me: The main thing is to go to bed at the same time to consistently get a good night's sleep. If I'm struggling to switch my brain off, I'll leave a notepad by my bed and write down anything that's on my mind, which will allow me to forget those thoughts and deal with them in the morning.
ChatGPT: Prioritising sleep is an excellent self-care practice and will contribute to your overall well-being and productivity. Having a notepad nearby to jot down any thoughts before bed is a great strategy to clear your mind and help you relax.
Remember to also take breaks when needed, and don't hesitate to reach out for support if you feel overwhelmed at any point during the week. Good luck with your priorities, and I hope you have a productive and balanced week ahead!
Me: Thanks!
Thanks for reading. What do you think about the questions ChatGPT asked? And are there ways you're benefitting from using AI now, or could you see yourself using AI for in the future?
I haven't used it for this purpose, but can see how useful it has been for you (and potentially others). I have however used it as a study buddy to bounce ideas off as I've mentioned previously. I'm missing the engagement of class mates for assignments and class content. The online discussion boards are just not the same.