Mama, Let AI Do the Busy Work: How to Use AI in Your Business and Life

A new year brings new strategies, so let’s get into it.

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One of those strategies is AI. Mama, it’s here. And let’s be honest, it’s been here for a long time. What’s changed is how visible and accessible it’s become. At this point, choosing not to learn how to use it isn’t a neutral decision. It’s a decision to fall behind. That’s the reality.

I’m not going to pretend I don’t use AI. I do.

But for a long time, I hesitated to talk about it. I was worried I’d be “found out,” like somehow using AI meant I wasn’t doing real work. What a joke! Looking back, that mindset feels almost funny. Once I started paying closer attention, especially on social media, I saw it everywhere. It became very clear who was using AI (specifically ChatGPT) and who wasn’t.

And let me be clear: I’m not here to shame anyone for using it. I use it too. What I do want is for you to understand the biggest misconceptions around AI and how to use it properly in your life and business. So if you’ve been wondering how to use AI in your business and your life, I’ve got a little behind-the-scenes scoop for you.

Let’s go…

Wake up! It’s time to change your mindset.

For awhile, I felt like a fraud

When I first learned about ChatGPT (and yes, it was less than a year ago), I felt two things at once: excited and ashamed. Excited by what it could do, but ashamed that I was using it. I told myself I was cheating. I worried I’d lose my intelligence, or that I’d stop thinking for myself because a tool was helping me think faster.

And I sat in that mindset for months.

Eventually, I started listening to people who were having more honest conversations about AI and how powerful it can be if it’s used intentionally AND responsibly. And that part matters. AI is only helpful when you’re still the one in the driver’s seat.

What I noticed next was eye-opening.

A lot of people become complacent when using AI. That’s why AI-generated copy can be so easy to spot. And I don’t say that from a place of judgment. I say it because I’ve been there. When prompts are vague, the output is generic. Then people copy and paste those responses straight into captions, podcast descriptions, or emails without refining them.

And it shows.

When AI isn’t used with intention, the result feels hollow. You can hear it. You can feel it. That’s the difference between using AI as a tool and letting it replace your voice altogether.

And I’ll be honest, it’s like nails on a chalkboard for me when I see it.

Then I became hesitant to use it

After the “fraud” phase, I swung in the opposite direction and became skeptical, especially about privacy. I noticed that when my prompts were vague, the responses felt vague too. Once I started being more specific, the results changed dramatically. The more context I provided, the more useful and relevant the responses became.

For a long time, I avoided creating a ChatGPT account because I didn’t want my information tracked. That hesitation was real. I was careful about what I shared and kept my prompts general.

What I can say truthfully is this: AI doesn’t magically know who you are, but it does improve when it has more context. When you choose to use an account, the tool can reference past conversations and preferences to give more consistent responses over time. That’s why so many businesses are training custom AI tools, it’s essentially teaching a system how your brand thinks and speaks.

Think of it like onboarding a virtual assistant. More on that later.

Even better, it’s completely FREE!

And then came the fear of being “found out”

Once I got past feeling like a fraud and worked through my hesitation, a new fear popped up:
What if people can tell?

I worried someone would read my content and think, “She’s obviously using AI. She’s a fraud.” And I know I’m not alone in that fear.

But then I asked myself a better question:

Who am I not to use it?

I’m intentional about HOW I use AI. That means being intentional with my prompts, not just asking questions, but giving context about my brand voice, my personality, and how I communicate. The result is responses that sound like me. They reflect things I would actually say.

AI doesn’t replace my voice. It refines it. It helps me move faster, cleaner, and more efficiently.

And that’s the point.

When used appropriately, AI is a tool. Nothing more. For me, it’s also a financially smart decision. Having AI help edit and refine my copy makes far more sense than outsourcing every small task, especially in this season of life and business.

And that’s the mindset shift I want you to make too.

How I Use AI In My Business + Life

Now that I’ve gotten over my initial fears and hesitations of using AI, I’m fully immersed into it and use it every single day. Not just in my business, but in my life as well. Since AI is becoming more common, I want to be open about how I use it giving you a realistic look and helping to normalize it for you too.

There’s nothing to be ashamed about in using AI (if using it appropriately and responsibly) and you certainly shouldn’t be embarrassed. I called her my free Virtual Assistant. I really should name her. To be announced…

Using AI has saved me anywhere from 10–20 hours a week. Think about how much time that gives you back, time you can reinvest elsewhere in your life and business. It’s astronomical.

Beyond time, the financial savings are significant. I’m saving roughly $30,000 a year by consolidating tools and eliminating the need for multiple subscriptions and platforms. AI has become my central hub. I haven’t needed to hire a virtual assistant or an editor, and the savings don’t stop there. The list truly goes on.

Here’s how I’ve incorporated AI into my life and business.

Let’s talk how to use AI in BUSINESS first.

Here’s how I’ve utilized AI in my DAY-TO-DAY LIFE.

• Communication & Writing Support
• Planning & Organization
• Decision Support (no decision-making)
• Learning & Information Processing
• Emotional load reduction (organizing thoughts, articulating feelings, etc.)
• Creativity & Expression
• Parenting & Household Logistics
• Personal Growth & Reflection

If you’re thinking, “Ashley, I’d love to know how to leverage AI in each of these areas of life and business,” reach out! I’d be more than happy to share how I use it and help come up with ideas for your own business and everyday life.

Enter your information below and I’ll reach out!

AI isn’t here to replace your creativity, your intelligence, or your intuition. It’s here to support you, to help you move faster, think clearer, and free up time for what truly matters: your kids, your family, your health, and the life you’re building outside of your business.

When used intentionally, AI can become one of the most powerful tools in your life and business, not because it does the work for you, but because it helps you show up more present, more energized, and more available where it counts most.

Here’s to all the incredible Moms juggling a million things—keep shining bright, cheering each other on, and building the life you love!

Ashley

Friendly Note: I’m simply sharing my journey, experiences, and lessons learned as a Mom in business. This isn’t legal, financial, or professional advice. Always check with a qualified pro for guidance tailored to you.