Happy Tuesday, and thanks for reading this week’s blog. I hope there will be something valuable here for you since it’s my obsession to help you get more done!
Current musings:
My husband has to attend lots of conferences for the business development and networking part of his work, and since there are more conferences than one could ever attend, he decided that the best conferences were the ones where he could give a keynote or a training session. And so began his speaking circuit! He’s a natural: funny, smart, and technologically savvy.
On a few occasions I have been able to attend one of his talks; it’s fun to get a peek behind the curtain of one’s spouse’s talents!
Lately, one of the most requested talks in his repertoire is on ChatGPT/Generative Ai, not surprising! And hey, as a ChatGPT newbie, even a reluctant one, I learned so much!! I’m ready to “get paint on my hands” as suggested by the speaker!
He empowered the audience with several easy-to-get-started steps, so ChatGPT, here I come!
And to show you I mean it, here goes…my first foray, live, just for you!
Using the offered guidelines for creating an effective prompt, I posed this scenario in the “chat box”:
“you are an online productivity coach who is sending a weekly newsletter email to your email list. in a friendly tone create an email to share the best tips out there as to how to get more done in your life. give 3 bullet points” (PS ChatGPT doesn’t care about spelling or punctuation!)
Are you curious what ChatGPT had to share? I sure was, so let’s see!
(copying and pasting…)
ChatGPT’s version of Ryan’s Tuesday email:
Boost Your Productivity with These Top Tips!
Hey there, productivity enthusiasts!
Welcome back to another edition of our weekly newsletter. This week, let’s dive into some fantastic tips to supercharge your productivity and make the most out of your time. Let’s get right into it:
Prioritize Your Tasks: It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you have a laundry list of things to do. Take a moment to prioritize your tasks based on urgency and importance. Use techniques like Eisenhower’s Urgent/Important Principle or the ABC method to categorize your tasks. By focusing on what truly matters, you’ll find yourself accomplishing more in less time.
Set SMART Goals: Setting goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound can significantly enhance your productivity. Break down your larger objectives into smaller, manageable tasks, and assign deadlines to each one. This not only provides clarity but also helps you track your progress effectively, keeping you motivated along the way.
Master the Art of Time Blocking: Time blocking involves dedicating specific time slots to particular tasks or activities. By allocating uninterrupted blocks of time to focus on one task at a time, you minimize distractions and maximize productivity. Experiment with different time-blocking techniques, such as the Pomodoro Technique or the 52/17 Rule, to find what works best for you.
Remember, productivity is not about working harder but working smarter. Incorporate these tips into your routine, and watch your productivity soar!
Until next time, keep crushing those goals!
Best regards, Your Productivity Coach
Continued musings:
What did you think?
Upon first read, it’s not bad! It’s informative, friendly, and enthusiastic. It absolutely covered what I asked for. It even referenced some tools I typically endorse, like the Pomodoro Technique and the Eisenhower Framework!
And it took only 3 seconds. OMG.
For me to write, produce and publish this email, it takes anywhere from 2-3ish hours, and that’s the truth!
Have I found a way to reduce that? Is this the fast-track answer to save me 2-3 hours??
Hold on.
Let me answer that from the lens of what I considered to be the most important slide in my hubby’s presentation:
DO NOT LOSE YOUR VOICE.
While ChapGPT is certainly the “fast-pass” to writing, it’s still a computer-produced piece of content with no flavor. It has no actual personality, even though it included the “friendly tone” that I requested.
Trust me, as tempting as it is to plug-and-play, I refuse to lose MY VOICE in these lovingly crafted weekly emails.
One of the biggest and most meaningful compliments I get from you, my readers, is that you “hear my voice” when you read my writing. That warms my heart way beyond any 3-second ChatGPT-produced sentiments!
So I will continue to produce these Ryan-y emails in MY VOICE and in MY OWN TIME, don’t worry. (I’ve blocked off that time every week anyway.)
Where am I going with this???
Back to the TOOLS.
Shocker!
We have a million productivity tools, programs, tips lists, and gurus to choose from and that is awesome! How great is that?
It’s so great.
However, we are tempted to think the tool is the whole answer. Sorry to report the bad news. The tool is just a tool. Actually…
YOU ARE THE SECRET INGREDIENT.
When gathering data and tips and systems from the wild world of the Internet, the biggest mistake we tend to make is we lose our own voice in the process!
We give away our own instincts in favor of advice.
You are the toolbox. You get to select the tools that work for you and keep you YOU. Don’t trade tools for your special skills: use the tool to enhance YOUR special YOU.
BE the toolbox.
(And don’t get lost in space while crushing those goals!)
Current offerings (AKA tools):
Register for one (or both!) of our next Friday Binderpaloozas coming up fast – (3/29 and 4/26 from 9a-12p CST for $55 each) ***BONUS: sign up for BOTH by 3/27 and get a complimentary 40-minute coaching session on Zoom with me to get set up for success before the workshop!
