How I Use ChatGPT to Work Faster, Smarter, and Keep My Head on Straight
Like most people juggling a few too many things, I’m always looking for ways to get more done without losing my mind—or my voice. That’s where ChatGPT comes in.
What started as curiosity has turned into a full-blown part of my workflow. It’s like having a really fast, always-available collaborator who never gets tired of drafts, rewrites, or random questions at odd hours. Here’s how I use it in real life:
1. Writing Stuff (Without Staring at a Blank Screen)
Whether it’s an email, blog post, board update, or internal doc, I usually start with a few bullet points or a messy brain dump and let ChatGPT help shape it into something that actually makes sense. It’s saved me hours—probably days—over time.
2. Keeping My Voice Consistent (Even When I’m Rushed)
Running both a business and a nonprofit means I’m talking to members, donors, staff, and investors—sometimes all in the same day. ChatGPT helps me keep the tone and message consistent without sounding robotic or like I copied and pasted the same thing to everyone.
3. Brainstorming When I’m Stuck
Sometimes I just need to shake things loose—whether I’m naming a campaign, outlining a project, or trying to make a point more clearly. I’ll toss a few ideas into ChatGPT and see what comes back. A lot of it I don’t use, but almost always, it gets me to a better place faster.
4. Fixing the Boring but Important Stuff
I’ve used ChatGPT to draft or clean up lease language, policy updates, and other operational docs. It’s not flashy, but it’s incredibly helpful for getting something 90% of the way there so I’m not starting from scratch.
5. Helping Me Write a Book (Without Going Crazy)
I’m working on a book called The Tech-Forward Non-Profit, and ChatGPT has been huge for helping me organize my thoughts, draft chapters, and figure out how to say things in plain English. It’s like having a writing buddy who never needs coffee breaks.
Bottom line: ChatGPT doesn’t do the thinking for me—but it helps me think faster, communicate better, and focus on what really matters. It’s not magic, but it’s pretty close.
