Why Most People Are Using AI Backwards (And the Simple Fix)
Over the last year, I’ve noticed a consistent pattern, both in my own business and in conversations with creators, educators, and business owners who actively use AI.
They’re not underusing AI.
They’re using too much of it, without a system.
Custom GPTs.
Prompt libraries.
AI tools bookmarked “for later.”
There are dozens of experiments happening at once, but very few decisions being made.
And when everything feels potentially useful, nothing feels clear.
That’s not an AI problem.
It’s a decision problem.
The Real Issue Isn’t Learning AI — It’s Managing It
Most AI advice assumes the core problem is:
not knowing which tools exist
not writing better prompts
not “keeping up” with new features
But what I see is something different.
People feel overwhelmed because they’ve never been taught how to:
evaluate which AI tools are actually working
retire tools that no longer matter
turn one-off experiments into repeatable workflows
So AI becomes something you test — not something you trust.
What Changed Things for Me
At some point, I stopped asking:
“What else could I try?”
And started asking:
“What am I already using — and is it earning its place?”
That small shift changed everything.
I built a very simple system:
track the custom GPTs I actually use
rate them based on usefulness (not novelty)
notice patterns over time
No fancy dashboards.
No new software.
Just clarity.
The Goal Isn’t More AI — It’s Fewer Decisions
The most effective AI setups I’ve seen all have one thing in common:
They reduce thinking instead of increasing it.
You shouldn’t have to wonder:
which GPT to open
whether a tool is still worth using
if something is saving time or creating friction
When you’re constantly re-deciding, that’s a signal you don’t need another AI recommendation.
You need a system.
The Simple System I Use (And Now Share)
I turned that internal system into a free resource called the Custom GPT Tracker.
It’s a Google Sheets template designed to help you:
track the GPTs and AI tools you use
rate what’s actually helpful
clean up AI clutter
and build workflows you can reuse
No hype.
No “10x” promises.
Just a practical way to use AI like a business owner, not a hobbyist.
👉 You can grab the free Custom GPT Tracker here
Final Thought
AI doesn’t create leverage on its own.
Clear decisions do.
And sometimes the most powerful move isn’t learning something new —
it’s finally organizing what you already have.
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