How do you use AI (artificial intelligence)?

It is such a powerful tool that I use almost daily. Here are just a few ways I’ve used it recently:

• Brainstorming valuable content ideas

• Reviewing mortgage options with multiple variables to identify the best one

• Financial freedom planning

• Building keynote speeches

• Writing a funny poem for a friend who was having a bad day

The limits really are endless.

I find I can go deep where I need to, but also uncover my blind spots.

Recently, I was speaking with someone interested in advancing their career but unsure how to start. They’re a brilliant professional with years of experience but had started to feel unsure where to focus their energy next. They said, “I’ve got all this experience, but I’m not sure where it leads.”

So, I encouraged them to try something different...

“Have you considered using AI to have a brainstorming session with yourself?”

And like so many others, the answer was no.

You can start easily with a free account such as ChatGPT. Open a new chat and enter some information about yourself. For example:

“I’m a [enter your job title] in a [industry/sector] organisation with [number of] employees, and I have [enter number] years of experience. Can you create a skills and competency matrix for my role so I can see my strengths and gaps?”

Within seconds, it will map out not just skills - like leadership, communication, stakeholder management, risk analysis, strategy, and delivery - but also the core competencies that underpin what you do.

The model highlights both the technical aspects (such as risk and issue management, scheduling, and resource allocation depending on your role) and the behavioural ones (such as decision-making, influence, and resilience).

This provides the basis of a gap analysis - refelct on each section adn identify where you have depth of experience and where there’s room to grow. It can become the starting point for a deeper conversation about where to focus your energy next.

And this works whatever your role, background, or experience level - the principles are universal. If you’ve had a varied career, include that too.

If you want to take it further, you can input your reflections and ask:

“Based on my reflections, what do I need to focus on in the next six months?”
or
“If I wanted to reach the next level of expertise or promotion, what should I prioritise?”

The result? Clear ideas on how you can focus your energy in a set period - a simple plan of action.

Or, if you’re exploring a change altogether:

“Based on my strengths, what other roles or industries could they transfer to?”

The result? Dozens of ideas - some familiar, others unexpected - for you to reflect on.

AI isn’t here to tell you who you are. It’s a mirror that reflects what you might not have noticed and a mentor that helps you explore possibilities you might not have considered.

Many people assume that making a career change means starting again - new qualifications, lower pay, or huge risk. In reality, most of your skills and experience are transferable. You probably already have the foundations for your next chapter - you may just need help to see them clearly.

That’s where AI becomes powerful. It speeds up the reflection process - helping you recognise your strengths, highlight your development areas, and test new ideas quickly.

It’s not a replacement for coaching, mentorship, or introspection, but it is a powerful (and free!) starting point - a structured way to make sense of your career story and spot new opportunities within it.

Curiosity creates clarity. And clarity builds the confidence to move forward.

If you’ve been curious about how AI could help you, why not ask it something today? You might be surprised by what you discover.

Let me know how you get on.

Always with love,
Elsa x