GOLDER RULE
The rule that makes AI actually save you time
AI productivity isn’t about more outputs. It’s about shortening cycles:
fewer blank pages
fewer “where do I start?” moments
fewer context-switches
fewer “I’ll rewrite this later” loops
A simple way to measure the value:
Copy/paste prompt:
You are my planning assistant.
Here are my commitments for next week (calendar + deadlines):
[paste]
Here are my projects and tasks:
[paste]
Constraints: I can work about [X] hours/day. I need [Y] hours for deep work.
Produce:
Top 3 outcomes for the week
A daily plan (Mon–Sun) with time blocks
The next 3 actions for each outcome
Risks + how to reduce them
Format it as a checklist.
MORE TO READ
Your AI Flywheel (use this for everything)
When AI feels messy, it’s usually because you’re skipping steps. Here’s a clean loop:
Capture → dump raw inputs (notes, emails, transcripts, links)
Clarify → summarize, extract actions, highlight unknowns
Create → draft, structure, outline, propose options
Commit → final decision, checklist, calendar-ready plan
You’ll see this pattern in every workflow below.
Workflow 1) The 10-minute “Weekly AI Planning Session”
Do this once a week and you’ll feel the difference immediately.
Inputs: your calendar, task list, and any ongoing projects
Output: a realistic plan with priorities, time blocks, and “next actions”Work should fit into your life, not the other way around.
Quality control (30 seconds):
Ask AI: “What assumptions did you make? What info would change the plan most?”
Workflow 2) Meetings → Action Plan (so meetings stop breeding more meetings)
The hidden time sink isn’t the meeting - it’s the messy aftermath: “Who owns what?”
Inputs: meeting notes or transcript
Outputs: decisions, action items, owners, due dates, follow-up email
Turn these notes into:
Decisions made (bullet list)
Action items (Owner / Task / Due date / Dependencies)
Open questions
A short follow-up email summarizing next steps
Notes: [paste]
Workflow 3) Email and DM Triage Without Losing Your Voice
You don’t need AI to “write emails.” You need AI to reduce mental load while keeping your tone.
Use AI for:
summarizing long threads
drafting 2–3 response options
extracting what the person is actually asking
suggesting next steps
Copy/paste prompt (fast triage):
Summarize this email thread in 3 lines.
Then tell me:
What they want
What I should decide
A recommended reply in my tone: clear, respectful, concise
Thread: [paste]
Tone lock (do this once):
Give AI 2–3 samples of your past messages and say:
“Learn my style. Mirror it. Avoid corporate filler.”