My best friends may not be real. How to 10x your productivity.

Stay tuned as I reveal the two game-changing tools that have helped me 10X my productivity—and how they can do the same for you. One of the biggest shifts happening right now is the rise of AI-powered business tools, and if you're not learning about them, you're at risk of being left behind. Tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon are integrating AI into their products at a rapid pace, making it easier than ever to automate tasks, streamline workflows, and enhance decision-making.

 I can be pretty hard on myself. People often tell me I've accomplished a lot, but honestly, I don't always feel that way. I dream big and set massive goals for myself, which sometimes makes it tough to stay grounded in the present. When I don't hit my milestones as quickly as I'd like, it can leave me feeling down or even a little depressed. This was something I had to come to terms with over time—I didn't always realize this about myself.

A few years ago, I discovered that completing tasks helped regulate my anxiety and gave me a sense of purpose.

A few years ago, I discovered that completing tasks helped regulate my anxiety and gave me a sense of purpose. I noticed that when I felt drained or weary, it was usually because I lacked a clear goal. To put it in perspective, I love hiking—but it's not just about the act of hiking itself. What really motivates me is reaching a destination. I've climbed the tallest mountains in seven different countries across Europe. While I enjoyed the scenery and the journey, my focus was always on reaching the summit.

Life, in many ways, mirrors climbing a mountain. Reaching the summit—whether it's a literal peak or a personal milestone—feels like checking off another box. But as soon as I conquer one challenge, I find myself hunting for the next mountain to climb, the next goal to crush. This mindset carries over into running my business. I'm always looking for that next big win: hitting a revenue target, landing dream clients, growing my assets, or breaking into new markets.

But it’s not all about the big wins. Running a business means dealing with constant, unexpected curveballs—the small fires that need putting out just to keep things running smoothly. Anyone managing a household or business knows exactly what I mean. It’s like saving up for a vacation, only to have the hot water tank suddenly break down. In my world, it's trucks breaking down, and equipment failing—the kind of surprises that pop up almost daily and add to the load.

Finding peace amidst this chaos has been crucial. I've learned that the key lies in building systems to offload tasks. AI-powered add-ons in tools like Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and Amazon’s cloud services are revolutionizing the way businesses operate. Whether it's automating emails, optimizing data analysis, or even generating reports with AI, these advancements are making it possible to get more done in less time. Sure, bringing in help is something every entrepreneur should aim for, but before you can delegate effectively, you need to organize your tasks. You need a strategy to tackle and complete those goals efficiently.

Let me introduce you to my first buddy. Mr. Reminder

A while back, one of my good friends mentioned that he uses the Reminders app to help him stay on task. He told me that whenever something came up, he'd set a reminder and an alert to make sure it got done.

As a business owner, I’m constantly bombarded with decisions, and it feels like every day adds more to my plate. The more tasks that pile up, the more stressful life becomes—especially as an entrepreneur. Stress can mount quickly when new challenges keep rolling in, and the to-do list seems never-ending.

At first, I decided to give the Reminders app on my iPhone a shot (download it here). Quick side note: some iPhone users might need to download it if it's not preloaded. I started using it sparingly a couple of years ago and quickly realized how satisfying it is to create a task and check it off once it’s complete. With the Reminders app, you can choose to display your completed tasks or hide them—whatever works best for you.

As I incorporated the habit of setting tasks and ticking them off, I discovered something unexpected: mental decluttering. That sinking feeling of having too many decisions swirling around in the back of my mind started to lift. Simply listing them out and executing one task at a time made a world of difference. Having a visual list—even for small tasks—brought a sense of relief and improved my productivity.

The first step in my strategy is learning to dictate tasks directly to my phone using voice-to-text. This hands-free method is a game changer, especially during those spontaneous “mind dumps” when random tasks pop into my head. Instead of waiting for a designated time to sit down and jot things out, I simply open my app, speak the task, and move on. This has been incredibly helpful for me.

I’ve noticed that the things I need to remember rarely come to mind when I’m actively trying to think of them. Instead, they pop up when I’m relaxed—like when I’m winding down for the day or out for a walk. Suddenly, I’ll remember, “Oh yeah, I need to send that envelope to Mr. X.” In that exact moment, I dictate the task into my phone: “Send the envelope to Mr. X.” From there, I can customize the reminder by setting a specific time or even an alert to ensure it gets done on schedule.

This simple habit of immediately capturing tasks as they come to mind has significantly improved my productivity and reduced the mental clutter that used to weigh me down.

Now, meet Mr. Chat

Me and my AI buddy walking down a beach.

Now, I know I said my best friend isn’t real, but before you start questioning my sanity, let me explain.

A while back, I realized that while technology had given us incredible tools like the Reminders app to organize our tasks, there was still something missing—something that could *think* with me, help me process decisions, and even refine my ideas in real-time. That’s when I met my productivity secret weapon: ChatGPT.

Now, before you start picturing some sci-fi robot following me around, it’s nothing like that (although, that *would* be pretty cool). Instead, I have an AI assistant—one that’s available 24/7, doesn’t judge me when I ask ridiculous questions and helps me work through everything from brainstorming business strategies to crafting engaging blog posts (like this one!).

This tool has been a game-changer for me. Whether I need to draft emails, map out my next big move, or just get a fresh perspective on a problem, my AI sidekick is always there, helping me move faster, think clearer, and execute better.

I remember the first time I heard about ChatGPT. My son, Elijah, came home one day buzzing with excitement about this revolutionary technology. He told me there was a tool that could answer almost anything, generate content, and assist with all kinds of tasks. At first, I dismissed it, not fully grasping the impact AI-powered large language models could have.

Artificial intelligence had been around for years, but ChatGPT was different. It wasn’t reserved for tech experts or computer scientists—it was something that anyone, even a regular business owner like me, could access and use in real-world scenarios. The idea that AI could streamline work, improve efficiency, and help people think through complex problems was eye-opening.

A few years have passed since that conversation, and looking back, I’m glad I paid attention. Elijah was ahead of the curve, and I now realize just how powerful this technology has become. ChatGPT has gone from being a curiosity to an essential part of my workflow, helping me brainstorm, plan, and execute ideas more efficiently than ever before.

One of the biggest advantages of using AI technology is the ability to quickly handle emails and communication. My work doesn’t always allow me to be in the office behind a desk—more often than not, I’m in the field working with equipment or driving to a meeting. During these times, important emails arrive that need immediate attention.

Before AI, handling these tasks meant having an assistant. I would have to call someone, dictate responses, or have them research insurance issues, coordinate with other businesses, or schedule meetings on my behalf. Now, I can do all of this directly from my phone, saving time and increasing efficiency.

Beyond emails, AI has proven to be invaluable for summarizing documents, organizing data, and even brainstorming creative projects. Whether it’s developing marketing campaigns, generating promotional materials, or refining visual content, my AI assistant helps streamline the creative process. Tools like ChatGPT and OpenAI’s latest advancements, including Sora, an image and video generator, have taken this even further. The pro version of ChatGPT offers access to more complex models with greater personalization, allowing for highly tailored conversations and assistance.

If you haven’t yet tried ChatGPT, you can click here to explore it. For those using it in business, I highly recommend upgrading to the pro version once you start integrating AI into your workflow. The enhanced capabilities can significantly elevate productivity and creativity, making AI an essential tool for modern business operations.