AI might be making me an overthinker.
I’ve always been someone who likes to explore ideas, ask questions and consider different possibilities. And now, I have access to technology that will happily entertain every single one of those thoughts for as long as I want.
I’m starting to realize that might actually be a problem… Maybe all the times my husband has told me to stop re-explaining something that’s going on at work were actually helpful? Don’t tell him that!
AI Doesn’t Know When I’m Done
I use AI constantly to build companies, develop products, challenge ideas and solve problems. It’s become a natural part of how I work, but I’ve noticed lately how easy it is to get carried away. I’ll ask a question, get a useful answer and immediately think of something else I want to explore.
Then another question comes up, and another and another, until I’ve spent an hour analyzing something I probably could’ve decided 45 minutes ago.
Before AI, we had natural limits on how much time we could spend thinking through a problem. Eventually, you ran out of people to ask, got tired of searching Google, or your husband reminded you it’s time to go to bed.
There was friction in the process, and I think some of that friction is good for us. Just because AI never runs out of information doesn’t mean it’s actually productive to spend your time exploring unlimited possibilities.
Would Another Scenario Change Your Advice
Think about an accountant advising a client who’s considering expanding their business. You can use AI to analyze the financial implications, compare scenarios and identify risks. That’s valuable information to bring into the conversation.
But how many scenarios do you really need to explore before you can make a recommendation? At what point are you spending more time analyzing possibilities that probably won’t change your advice?
Put Some Boundaries Back
I think we need to start recreating some of the boundaries that AI has taken away. Here are a few things I’m trying that help me be more intentional about when I use it.
Set a goal before you start. Decide what you’re trying to figure out and what information you need to move forward. Ask AI to identify the three most important questions you should answer, then focus on those.
Ask if another answer would change your decision. Before going deeper, consider whether more information would actually affect your recommendation or next step. If the answer is no, you’re probably ready to move on.
Give yourself a deadline. Set a time limit for exploring a problem. When it’s up, close the chat, sleep on it, or talk to another person before making your decision.
AI will always have another answer. I’m learning that I don’t always need to hear it. At some point, you have to trust your judgment enough to stop asking and make the call.
