One thing we all need to know about AI in our businesses

While AI can really take our productivity to new levels, not every shiny tool deserves a spot in our arsenal.

Diving into the world of AI tools and news can be exhilarating yet overwhelming.

I've been there – having bought more AppSumo LTDs than I can effectively implement or use 😅

After sifting through hundreds of tools for an AI newsletter I write, each promising to revolutionize workflows and productivity — I know how real the overwhelm can be with it.

It's thrilling but can also lead to decision fatigue and a bloated tech stack, detracting from what truly matters.

After testing countless tools and curating AI news for our newsletters, I've learned to distinguish the useful from the shiny distractions.

This journey taught me the importance of aligning tools with actual needs, not just potential uses.

I like to borrow from the world of minimalism (or manufacturing/supply chain logistics) as it comes to evolving my tech stack.

Just like with a new piece of clothing or item you’re looking at bringing into your physical space, the minimalist framework to evaluate such a decision is with which of these two buckets it falls into:

1. Just in case — these are the new gadgets that are on sale and you see could being really cool to use for a hypothetical time in the future that may or may not even exist

2. Just in time — this is where it’s about buying what you need when the need actually arises, knowing it’ll go to good use, rather than build up clutter and potential waste in a landfill.

I’ve succumbed to “just in case” shopping for software, gadgets and whatever else too many times, and can personally speak to how liberating it’s been to embrace the just-in-time philosophy.

Luckily, I forced this upon myself by deciding to live out of a suitcase 😅

So the decision to go nomadic definitely helped — and through learning the lesson with physical goods, I’ve been able to better embrace it when it comes to not bloating my tech stack too.

Putting “Just-in-time” Into Practice

Aimlessly adopting new tools can clutter more than clarify, leading us down the endless path of experimentation without ever reaching any substantial outcomes with them.

The essence, then, is in what I’m calling intentional integration.

This means critically evaluating each tool to ensure it fits snugly within our objectives.

It's not about dismissing innovation but a call to embrace it with purpose and precision.

Our aim? To ensure each new tool not only fits our current workflow but propels us toward our larger goals without leading us astray.

As we continue to explore and integrate AI into our workflows, I’m curious to get your insights and challenges on this topic too.

That's why I'm dedicating the coming months to diving deeper, testing more tools, and of course — sharing the best finds with you, for real-life biz applications, avoiding all unnecessary complexity.

Let me know what you’re most curious about and I’ll keep exploring the tools that can make a difference in building out a more aligned, efficient and enjoyable remote scaling lifestyle. 🤖

Have a great week ahead,
Trevor

While we’re intentionally integrating new tools into or tech stack to increase our efficiency and effectiveness… let’s make sure we’re not endlessly spending more time on busy work and instead getting more done with less input so we can enjoy the lives we’re building.

Plus it never hurts to get a good (blunt) reminder on productivity foundations from the all-too-relatable Mark Manson too.

Do you have rules and routines for yourself to dial in your productivity, tech stack and business systems? How can you evolve them this week?

Curious how you can level up your business with AI? 

Hit reply and let me know what you’re working on integrating. Happy to share what’s worked for me and my clients and any additional helpful resources :)