Have you ever noticed that you can use artificial intelligence at work in a much more strategic way than simply asking for summaries or ready made answers? I am not talking about automating boring tasks. I am talking about working like someone who anticipates, thinks fast, makes confident decisions and still saves a good amount of time.
Some people use AI to look like they spent hours writing an email when they actually solved everything in a few clicks. Others simulate entire meetings before stepping into the room, just to predict objections and walk in already knowing what to say. It feels like a trick, but it is simply smart use of the tools we already have.
I gathered a few ideas that can become part of your workflow and completely change the way you deliver results. Everything here is practical, simple and ready to apply now.
1. Anticipate objections before a meeting
Before presenting an idea, you can simulate a conversation with a skeptical executive. Ask the AI to list the five biggest objections someone might raise. Then ask it to craft a strategic response for each one. You walk into the meeting knowing exactly where the pressure points are and how to answer without hesitation.
Suggested prompt
Act as a skeptical and analytical executive. I will present the following idea or project.
[paste a brief description of your idea here]
List the five main objections someone resistant to this idea would raise. Then write a strategic answer for each objection using strong arguments and professional language.
2. Personalize messages at scale with intelligence
Sending the same email to several people can sound generic. Writing each one manually takes forever. The solution is simple. Create one base text, paste a list of names with short context about each recipient and let the AI adapt the message. The result feels personal even if you created everything in minutes.
Just one detail. Do not copy and send without reading. Always review before hitting send. Make sure the tone is right and that the AI actually used the information you provided. Sometimes it nails it. Sometimes it misses. In the end, you are the one responsible for what goes out.
Suggested prompt
I have a base email that I want to adapt for different people.
Here is the original text.
[paste the original email here]
Here is the list of names with short descriptions.
Name [person 1] — Profile [context, role or relationship with the project]
Name [person 2] — Profile [context, role or relationship with the project]
Create customized versions of the email for each name in the list, adjusting tone and content based on their profile. Keep the message professional and avoid repeating the same structure in all versions.
3. Turn meetings into structured decisions
Every meeting takes time and energy. Instead of letting it disappear into memory, record it with permission, transcribe it with AI and ask for a clear process based on the decisions made. This prevents rework, helps new team members and transforms conversations into action.
Suggested prompt
Below is the transcription of a meeting.
[paste the transcription or a summary here]
Create a practical step by step process with the decisions made, responsibilities assigned and next actions. Make it clear and easy to understand for someone who did not participate in the meeting.
4. Simulate criticism before making an important choice
When you need to make a big decision, it helps to pass your idea through a structured analysis. It can be SWOT, Five Whys, or a risk assessment. Ask the AI to act like a consultant and challenge your reasoning. This forces deeper thinking and reduces impulsive mistakes.
Suggested prompt
I want to make the following decision.
[paste a brief description here]
Use the SWOT framework or Five Whys or a risk analysis to evaluate this decision. Act like an experienced consultant and challenge my logic by pointing out risks, contradictions or consequences I may be missing. Then suggest adjustments that make the decision stronger and more balanced.
5. Translate between different areas of the company
Each team has its own language. What is obvious for someone in tech may be confusing for someone in finance. With AI, you can rewrite any explanation in a way that a salesperson, a CFO or a client can understand without effort. This reduces noise and speeds up decisions.
Suggested prompt
Here is a text I need to adapt.
[paste the original explanation here]
Rewrite it so it becomes clear for the following audience. Choose executives from the commercial area, a CFO, a client, or the support team.
Use simple language without losing the main idea. If any part still sounds confusing, highlight it and suggest alternative explanations.
6. Do a weekly x ray of your workload
If every Friday you list your tasks and ask the AI to show where you spent too much energy for little return, you will quickly see what to cut, delegate or automate. This habit gives you an advantage while many people are stuck repeating the same mistakes.
Suggested prompt
Here is my task list for the week.
[paste your tasks here]
Analyze this list and tell me where I am spending effort with little impact, what seems to generate the best results and what could be delegated or automated. Be direct. I want to use this analysis to improve my productivity next week.
The more context you provide, the better the analysis. If a task took three hours but led to excellent results, say so. This avoids misleading recommendations.
Pair ChatGPT with Claude to go further
There is something worth testing. ChatGPT works extremely well when you need to structure ideas, organize processes, write clearly or evaluate decisions. It is objective and keeps a consistent line of thought.
Claude shines when the goal is creativity. It creates unusual associations, helps you think of names or ideas that feel fresh and expands possibilities in a natural way.
Using both creates a powerful combination. One builds with logic. The other helps you break patterns. Switching between them during a task can transform your output.
Start small, but start
If any idea here makes sense for your reality, do not wait. Pick one and use it this week. You may discover that you can save time, think better and look more prepared without working late.
The more you use AI intelligently, the more it becomes a real ally. What begins as an experiment becomes part of your professional identity.
