Plan | That Helpful Dad

In this article, I’ll explain how you can use AI tools to not only save time, but also produce results faster – whether that be at work or at home.

Listen, I’ve spent a lot of my life looking for answers. Whether it was scouring the library for history lessons back in the day, or more recently, wading through countless pages of “sponsored results” on Google just to find a good recipe for ribs, the hunt for knowledge has always been a passion of mine. And that extends now to AI.

I’ve been using AI tools for a couple years now and lately I’ve noticed a shift. It’s clear to me that we’ve moved past the era of the “Search Bar” and into the era of the “AI Digital Advisor.” Tools like Gemini, ChatGPT, and CoPilot aren’t feeding uncurated search results that we have to wade to, instead these AI tools are becoming something else – perhaps even a bit like a friendly neighbor you can glean wisdom from?

Beyond the Search Bar: The Death of the “Blue Link”

We’ve all been there. You type a question into a search engine, and you’re met with a wall of ads, SEO-optimized articles that take five paragraphs to get to the point, and cookie pop-ups that make you want to toss your laptop out the window.

Traditional search is like a librarian who points to a massive pile of books and says, “It’s in there somewhere. Good luck.”

New AI tools, on the other hand, are like the librarian who has actually read the books. When you ask a question, AI doesn’t just give you a list; it synthesizes the answer. AI filters out the noise. In the long run, the time saved isn’t just about “productivity”—it’s about reclaiming the minutes of your life for what matters most. Instead of thirty minutes researching the best hiking boots for a trip to the Smokies, you spend thirty seconds getting a curated recommendation and twenty-nine minutes actually planning the trail with your kids.

The Evolution: From “What” to “How” and “Why”

The real magic, the hard-won realization I’ve had while using these tools, is that they’ve evolved from simple Large Language Models (LLMs) into conversational partners.

When I was reviewing my journals from years past—looking at my 2021 goals or my 2023 reflections—I noticed a pattern. I spent a lot of time “planning to plan.” I was stuck in the “what.”

What exercise should I do?
What should I cook for the boys?
What is the best way to handle a work dilemma?

AI has shifted that burden. Now, I can bounce an idea off Gemini. I can say, “Hey, I’m feeling a bit burnt out on my fitness routine, and I want something that focuses on longevity rather than bulk. Here’s what I’ve done in the past. What do you think?”

It’s not just a search result. It’s a sounding board. It’s a way to get a “second opinion” on your own thoughts before you commit to a path. This speed of decision-making is a game-changer for those of us trying to build a legacy while juggling a career and a family.

The “Trust but Verify” Rule (The Dad Disclaimer)

Now, let’s get one thing straight. Just because your neighbor is wise doesn’t mean he’s always right. He might misremember a date or give you a “shortcut” that actually leads to a dead end.

The same goes for AI.

Think of AI as a friendly advisor, not an infallible deity.

You wouldn’t take 100% of what a buddy says at the bar as absolute gospel without checking it yourself, right?

Verify the Big Stuff: If it’s medical advice or financial strategy, use the AI to narrow down your options, then talk with your trusted humans advisors.
Check the “Hallucinations”: Sometimes AI still gets a bit too confident and makes things up. But I guess that happens to the best of us after a long day too, right?
Maintain Your Agency: The goal of these tools is to help you make more informed decisions, not to make the decisions for you! Your life, your legacy, and your character are still your responsibility.

Practical Wisdom: How to “Talk” to Your AI Advisor

If you want to start using AI to improve your daily life, don’t just ask it one-off questions. Use it for “Iterative Thinking.”

The Brain Dump: Tell the AI everything you’re thinking about a project. Don’t worry about grammar. Just get it out. Then ask for AI to organize things and create your project template. Decide what you like. Iterate again. Repeat until you get what you want. Congrats you just saved 90% of the time you would have spend creating the project on your own.
The Critique: Have an idea in mind? Ask, “What am I missing here?” or “What are the potential downsides of this plan?” This works great for investing ideas, workout plans, work dilemmas, and more.
The Synthesis: Ask it to summarize the best path forward based on your specific values (e.g., “Keep it simple and low-cost”). This is a great way to get from a ‘dream’ to a ‘goal’.

This isn’t about “maximizing your hustle.” It’s about using modern tools to get results so you have more time to live your life—that space where you’re prepared, present, and purposeful.

The Corporate Force Multiplier: Why Microsoft 365 Copilot is a Game-Changer

If your org uses MSFT apps and you have access to use CoPilot 365 this section is for you!

Does this sound familiar – you spend half your morning hunting for that one specific SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) or digging through a mountain of emails to find a client’s feedback from three weeks ago. It’s “busy work” that eats the soul and kills the clock.

But let’s talk about a real course correction for the modern office: Microsoft 365 Copilot.

This isn’t just another “chat” tool. Because it lives inside the Microsoft ecosystem—Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook—it has what we call “contextual intelligence.” It’s like having a Chief of Staff who has read every file in your company’s SharePoint and attended every meeting you missed.

The real power here is the integration. Within a controlled company ecosystem, Copilot can securely access your internal work files.

Instant Recall: Instead of searching keywords and hoping for the best, you ask, “Summarize the last three emails from the project lead regarding the budget.” Boom. Done.
The “Blank Page” Killer: Need to draft a project proposal based on a rough set of notes in OneNote and a spreadsheet in Excel? Copilot can synthesize those separate pieces into a formal draft in seconds.
Org-Specific Accuracy: Because it’s pulling from your company’s SOPs and data, the output isn’t generic—it’s tailored to your organization’s specific voice and rules.

In the long run, this is a massive force multiplier. It allows you to move from “searching” to “executing” at a speed that was simply impossible a few years ago. It’s about working smarter so you can protect your time for what matters most.

The Legacy Takeaway

At the end of the day, technology is still just a tool. A hammer can build a house or break a window. AI can be a distraction that sucks you into a screen, or it can be the engine that clears your “To-Do” list so you can go outside and play catch with your son or take your wife to a nice dinner.

We’re living through a massive shift in human history. We have access to a mentor in our pockets 24/7. Don’t fear it, and don’t worship it. Use it to find more time for your Life’s Path.

The Legacy CTA

Start that “one thing” you’ve been putting off. Whether it’s writing a book, cooking a brisket, or finally getting in shape. Open up an AI tool tonight, tell it your goal, and ask: “Give me a simple, three-step plan to start this tomorrow that won’t overwhelm me.” Then—and this is the important part—put the phone down and go tell your family you love them.

Be the rock they can soar from.

— That Helpful Dad