You Don’t Have to “Get” AI to Start Using It

(You just have to be a little curious and keep going when it gets uncomfortable.)

Most people treat learning AI like prepping for a certification they didn’t sign up for.

They think they need to:

• Read all the newsletters
• Learn how prompting works
• Understand how LLMs function
• Pick “the best” tool before they ever open ChatGPT or Claude.

The result? They wait. They stress. They bookmark articles.

But they don’t start.

The Real Reason You're Not Using AI

It’s not about the tools. Maybe about the psychology.

Here’s what’s actually getting in the way:

• Fear of looking foolish (even privately)
• Perfectionism (“I’ll do it once I have time to really dive in…”)
• Ego (we don’t want to feel like beginners again)
• Overwhelm (too many tools, too much jargon)

But this isn’t like other workplace disruptions. AI won’t wait for you to feel ready. You have to meet the moment while it’s happening, and the only way to do that is to just get started.

The Reframe: AI Is the Tool That Teaches You While You Use It

What if you didn’t need to understand AI first?

What if you could learn it by using it?

That’s the unlock.

You now have 24/7 access to the most patient, intelligent, non-judgmental assistant in the world.

It doesn’t care how often you ask the same question. It won’t judge your typos or confusion. It won’t roll its eyes if you forget the difference between summarizing and synthesizing.

It just helps. Every time. Nauseatingly, endlessly.

20+ Ways to Use AI to Learn AI (Even If You're Just Starting)

→ Get unstuck instantly. Use the camera in ChatGPT (or other chatbot of your choice) to scan your screen and ask: “Why isn’t this working?”

→ Build a study guide. Ask: “Turn this question into a 5-part learning plan.”

→ Generate flashcards. Paste your notes and prompt: “Turn this into a set of flashcards.”

→ Summarize dense docs. Drop in PDFs and ask: “Summarize in plain English and quiz me on it.”

→ Explain it like I’m five. Prompt: “Explain this like I’m 5. Then, like I’m a CEO.”

→ Create practice tests. Ask: “Give me 10 multiple-choice questions about this concept.”

→ Practice aloud. Use voice mode to explain a concept, then ask: “Where did I go wrong?”

→ Find metaphors. Prompt: “Give me a metaphor that explains this to a non-technical exec.”

→ Track your learning. Ask: “Help me log my learning and suggest my next steps.”

→ Use NotebookLM as a tutor. Upload your whatever parts of AI that you want to learn and ask questions based on your context.

→ Listen smarter. Use Podwise or Summarize.tech to get short summaries of podcasts and videos.

→ Make visuals. Prompt: “Create a diagram showing how large language models (LLMs) work. Pro tip: you can now make a mindmap on Notebook LLM”

→ Create content from learning. Ask: “Turn what I just learned into a short LinkedIn post.”

→ Translate jargon. Prompt: “What does [insert term] mean in plain English?”

→ Weekly skill boost. Create a daily task on ChatGPT: “What are the top 1 (or 3) things I need to know about AI this week?”

→ Use spaced repetition. Use ChatGPT + Anki to generate smart review cards that reinforce your learning.

→ Compare perspectives. Prompt: “Give me technical, ethical, and business views on this topic.”

→ Rehearse for real life. Ask: “If I were asked this in a meeting, how should I explain it clearly?”

→ Journal your learning. Prompt: “Summarize what I learned today and why it matters.”

→ Most importantly...Make it fun. Ask: “Ask ChatGPT to gamify my AI learning. Create points, badges, or a simple streak system.

I’m Thinking About Creating a Class on This…

I’ve heard from a few readers and clients that they want a no-BS, real-time way to learn how to use AI:

• Without needing a tech background
• Without wasting time on hype
• With space to ask “dumb” questions (which aren’t dumb at all)

So I’m exploring a short, guided class: AI for Smart People Who Feel a Little Behind.

If that sounds like something you’d want early access to, or just want to stay in the loop, reply to this email or DM me with “AI class” and I’ll add you to the early interest list.

No pressure. No waitlist drama. Just exploring.

Final Thought

The winners in this era won’t be the ones with the most expensive tools. They’ll be the ones who start asking better questions, sooner, and don’t stop when it gets (really) uncomfortable.

So here’s your permission slip: You’re allowed to start messy.

Let AI help you figure it out as you go.

Because that’s exactly what it was built for.

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