Growth
3
[The below was was part 2 of a three part series called "Is it me or Chat GPT?"]
About six months into my journey as a budding newsletter writer, I was strongly advised to use ChatGPT to write my email drops so I could save significant time and energy.
At the time, it made sense. I was juggling coaching, business-building and writing these emails as a free resource.
My ChatGPT trial
So I started experimenting a little with ChatGPT. Putting prompts together. Training it to mimic my voice. I was blown away that in less than a minute, I could have a whole email newsletter ready to share with you.
However, here’s what I found after my experiment.
Something didn’t sit right within me.
I somehow felt like I was cheating.
I didn’t feel a sense of accomplishment.
I didn’t grow in my writing craft.
And that really bothered me.
After some reflection, I discovered what was driving the uncomfortable feeling inside.
Using AI/ChatGPT to completely replace the writing process went against my core values.
It was particularly rubbing against two important core values of mine which are: “to communicate thoughtfully” and “to take personal responsibility”.
At the time I wasn't sure exactly what I would do going forwards but there's one thing I knew I couldn't do...ignore the nagging inside of me.
Don't Neglect The Naggings
On a side note, if I were to sum up one of my biggest learnings in my life journey so far, it would sound something like "don't neglect the naggings".
Looking back, I see how tuning into the naggings, led me to make some significant life changing decisions such as:
Stepping away from a high-paying, high-position job;
Relocating to the other side of the world;
Choosing to join a men's addiction recovery group over continuing as a leader in a global youth movement.
The thing about internal "naggings" is that no-one apart from us can feel it. And because of that, no-one else is expecting or requiring us to do anything with it.
It's essentially up to us whether we act on the nagging or not.
(Below: Leaving Sydney in Feb 2022 with 20 bags plus my guitar😁)
My Writing Approach and use of AI
Back to writing, the question I was struggling with was:
"Should I use AI or not and if I do, how should I use it in a way that aligns to my core values?"
After much wrestling, I landed on my own approach to the use of AI in wirting. And to best show you, I thought I'd lift up the curtains so you can see behind the scenes into my writing process.
Here's my typical approach as it currently stands:
Step 1: I spend time thinking through key ideas that primarily come from my own life, reading, observations and work with coaching clients
Step 2: I write down some key points, thoughts and structures in my physical journal and then transfer it to my notes app
Step 3: I type out the full writing piece on a google document
Step 4: I conduct further research as required and do a rewrite or two
Step 5: I may then use Chatgpt for grammar flow and suggestions for improved readability and reflection
Step 6: I do a final write up which often includes reading what I wrote out loud
Step 7: I share it with you!
This entire process can take me anywhere between 3-10 hours depending on the writing piece.
As you can see I may sometimes use AI but it is primarily for the purposes of grammar, formatting and improved flow after I’ve spent the time putting things together on my own.
If I were to put a number on it, I’d estimate that on average anywhere between 0-15% of what you receive from me has been touched or influenced by AI.
Bottom line: what you're getting in my email drops/newsletters is me and not ChatGPT.
On top of that, my hardline commitment when it comes to the use of AI for writing these email newsletters is as follows:
I will not use AI to generate my writing ideas and will not give you a newsletter that was spit out word for word from an AI prompt.
I also generally do my best to give credit for any quotes and ideas that did not come from me. I’m not perfect at it, but I think part of my intended approach to honour originality and proper crediting comes from the challenges I saw in the music industry as an artist and songwriter.
If my above writing approach and use of AI changes in any significant way, I will let you know.
My approach doesn't have to be your approach
I want to be clear that the purpose of this particular newsletter is not to make some moral argument for or against the use of AI.
I know some folks who are completely against the use of it and others who are building AI businesses to encourage the ethical use of it.
Rather my aim is to simply offer insight into my own wrestle with AI as it pertains to my specific scope of writing aswell as share my current go-forward approach that takes into account my values, my shape and my season of life.
I'll be completely honest with you. I sure have moments where I feel I’m missing out or that I’m “not fully using a weapon that is at my disposal.”
Yet what keeps me on my current chosen path with AI, is my personal conviction that the harder and slower path which often requires patience, conscious intentionality and critical thinking, is where I'm going to grow the most as a person.
Said another way, I used to live on the fast, anxious, unconscious path of "fake-it-til-you-make-it" success and found out that the price my sanity, soul and signifcant others paid for it, was not worth it.
Definitely not worth it in light of the legacy I want to leave behind.
So whether you choose to use AI or not, I hope my wrestle with it can encourage you to consider how you want to use it in a way that aligns with your values, retains your humanity and doesn't shortcut what could be your biggest sources of growth.
🤜 Over To You
Here's a few questions for reflection:
What is your current position on the use of AI in your life and/or work?
Where do you sense you might be shortcutting something that’s meant to grow you?
Is there any "internal nagging" that is not going away and you recognise it's time to pay attention and work through it?
Made with love and minimal AI influence,
James
p.s. if you'd like to receive future reflections like this straight to your inbox subscribe here
p.p.s. if you find yourself stuck in the success trap and longing to live out the rest of your days "full out" and with no regrets, it may be time to invest in yourself and redirect your life trajectory. Take a next step to your new life
#Leadership #HolisticSuccess #AI #notAI #ChatGPT #WinsAndWrestles #Coaching #Writing #Human