When you've tussled with as many decisions as I have, someone will eventually tell you to flip a coin. "It’s not what it tells you—it’s how you feel when it’s in the air," they’ll say.
What I feel when it's in the air? Panicked agony.
I get the idea—it's supposed to tap into your intuition. But my mind is fast. It knows a trick when it sees one, and it jumps right in to mess with that coin flip.
Point being, there’s no oracle or magic 8-ball that actually makes decision-making easier. Not even AI.
Used the wrong way, AI is just another noisy tool, making us think we’re getting clarity when we’re really just spinning our wheels. But used well, it can be a powerful thought partner for decision-making. I know, because I logged the hours with my friends ChatGPT and Claude—both getting lost in the spin and leaving with deep clarity—so you don't have to.
How to make AI your decision-making friend (not your overthinking enabler)
The key? Treat AI as your thought partner to get clarity on what matters most—not as a purveyor of endless options. Filter everything through this lens, and AI becomes a tool for focus, not overwhelm.
For example, let’s say you’re deciding between moving to New York or San Francisco. Instead of asking AI which city is better, use it to get clear on your core needs.
➡️ Instead of: “Should I move to New York or San Francisco?”, try:
“I’m debating between two cities. Can you ask me three questions to help me understand what matters most in my decision?”
By shifting your approach, AI can help you clarify what’s important, rather than drown you in more possibilities.
Do this by:
- Framing AI’s role as helping you clarify, not decide. Instead of asking for answers, ask AI to surface what actually matters to you. The goal is insight, not outsourcing.
- Giving AI strong constraints. The clearer your request, the better the results. Instead of “What should I do?” try “Ask me three questions to help me clarify what matters most.” AI does best when you guide its focus.
- Keeping the focus internal, not external. Avoid prompts that compare choices directly (e.g., “Which city/job/etc is better?”). Instead, ask AI to help you reflect on what you truly value. The right choice becomes clearer when you start with yourself.
- Refining. If AI’s first response isn’t quite right, tweak your prompt. Be specific about what’s off—“Too broad, make it more about my values” or “Can you focus on my immediate needs?” The better your input, the better AI’s output.
Try this AI Hack in 5 minutes
As always, let's practice on small things... pick one decision and use AI to uncover what actually matters to you:
✅ Figuring out what to do this weekend? Ask AI: “I have a free Saturday. Can you ask me three questions to help me uncover what kind of experience would feel most fulfilling right now?”
✅ Deciding what book to read next? Ask AI: “I have a few books I’m considering. Can you ask me three questions to help me understand what I actually want from my next read?”
✅ Choosing a restaurant for dinner? Ask AI: “I’m trying to pick a restaurant. Can you ask me three questions to help me clarify what kind of dining experience would be most satisfying today?”
Let me know how it goes—hit reply or share your best “AI clarity” moment! Better yet, do it with a friend and notice the different responses each of you get... what helps you most?
Want a kick-start for the bigger stuff? I've crafted 5 AI prompts for the meatier things, from new job to planning a big summer vacation:
Next week: What if the thing you’re avoiding is exactly what you need?
If this was forwarded to you, don’t let AI decide for you 😊—subscribe here so you don’t miss next week!
Experimenting alongside you,
Amy
P.S. Part of my own experimentation is getting clearer on my brand messaging... and I'm looking for a couple more people to chat about what resonates and doesn't. If you've got thoughts, hit reply and I'll connect you to the lovely Chloe, who is conducting these conversations so that you can be totally honest about what lands. They're 30 minute conversations over the next week.
(Opening photo credit ZSun Fu on Unsplash)
