๐Ÿš€ Most People Use AI Like a Vending Machine. The Top 10% Use It Like a Teammate.

Most People Use AI Like a Vending Machine. The Top 10% Use It Like a Teammate.

Flip your AI productivity with one mindset shift.

๐Ÿ“Œ TL;DR

  • 77% of AI users say it increases workload (Upwork, 2024)
  • The top 10% brief AI like a co-founder
  • Frameworks + templates included to level up your workflow

๐Ÿ‘ค About the Author

Joshua Jackai is a Meta-certified strategist and award-winning product marketer. He helps digital creators and service providers unlock exponential results by working with AI as a creative partner, not just a tool.

๐Ÿ”ฅ Teachable Moment #1: Is AI Actually Making You Better?

Bad Way: Using AI to do more, faster.
Good Way: Using AI to clarify complexity and reduce decision fatigue.

Template: โ€œI’m currently working on [TASK]. I want AI to help me [OUTCOME], not just [BUSY TASK].โ€

Example: โ€œI’m working on a welcome email. I want AI to help me build trust and reduce bounce rateโ€”not just write copy.โ€

๐Ÿง  Teachable Moment #2: Tool vs. Teammate

Bad Way: โ€œWrite me a blog post about productivity.โ€
Good Way: โ€œAct like a strategist. Interview me to learn my process, team, and goals. Then give tailored content ideas.โ€

Prompt Template: โ€œYouโ€™re an AI strategist. Ask me questions about my [BUSINESS], [TASKS], and [OBSTACLES] so you can recommend your most valuable role in my process.โ€

โœจ Teachable Moment #3: Prompting vs Briefing

Bad Way: โ€œWrite me a product page.โ€
Good Way: โ€œCreate 3 product page openings for a 3-in-1 vitamin for new moms: one emotional, one benefit-focused, and one scientific.โ€

Briefing Template: โ€œMy product is [PRODUCT]. My audience is [AUDIENCE]. They feel [PAIN] and want to [DESIRE]. Create [FORMAT] with [STYLE].โ€

โš ๏ธ Teachable Moment #4: Avoid the Optimization Trap

Bad Way: Rewriting the same prompt for 30 minutes.
Good Way: Starting every AI session with a mission.

Goal Framework: โ€œMy goal is to [CREATE] for [AUDIENCE] in [TIMEFRAME].โ€

Example: โ€œCreate 5 hooks for a landing page targeting burnt-out SaaS foundersโ€”in 20 minutes.โ€

๐Ÿค Teachable Moment #5: The 5-Point AI Brief

  1. What are you creating or selling?
  2. Who is it for?
  3. What problem does it solve?
  4. What mindset is your audience in?
  5. Whatโ€™s the specific format or output?

Example: โ€œI help mid-career tech freelancers build authority. I need a 5-part email funnel that positions them as trusted consultants.โ€

๐ŸŒ Teachable Moment #6: The Only Wrong Way to Use AI

โ€œI donโ€™t use AI. I work with it.โ€ โ€” Jeremy Utley

Bad Way: Asking for answers.
Good Way: Asking better questions that guide the work.

Shift Prompt: โ€œInstead of solving [TASK], help me explore options for [STRATEGY], test assumptions, and simulate outcomes.โ€

๐Ÿš€ Final CTA: What To Do Next

  • Try the 5-question brief with your next project
  • Use the fill-in-the-blank frameworks in this article
  • Share this post with someone still using AI like a search engine

Remember: Productivity isnโ€™t about doing more. Itโ€™s about working with clarity, strategy, and context.

Side-by-side visual comparing the mindset of using AI like a search engine versus working with AI like a coach.

Letโ€™s build like that.
โ€” Joshua Jackai