AI is a hot topic across all industries; it has everyone’s attention. At conferences, sessions on AI are overflowing with attendees. I’m often asked how it’s impacting our industry, and I’ve even been asked if it will shut down my company. People are still learning about AI and its impact. Many believe it will save them money by eliminating the need to hire an executive assistant, some are even referring to AI as their VEA (virtual executive assistant).
Where It Works Well
AI does have its place, and it has enhanced the way we work. It can help draft and summarize emails so you don’t have to read them in their entirety. It can help organize your inbox, create a time-blocking schedule, and complete research much faster. In many ways, it has significantly increased the efficiency of getting tasks done. However, as I shared in Why Being More Productive Won’t Solve Your Overload, working faster doesn’t remove the work from your plate.
Where It Falls Short
While AI can help reduce the time it takes to complete tasks, it can’t carry them out on its own. There still needs to be a human element to move the work forward. It can’t prioritize tasks without direction from you. You have to guide it, manage it, and tell it what to do; it’s not proactive.
The Real Issue
Yes, you have a tool that can help you complete tasks faster; however, you’re still the one managing the work. You’re deciding what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and how it should be handled. That keeps you in the middle of everything.
Taking the time to guide AI still requires your attention, which can continue to create a bottleneck in your business.
AI is powerful, but it doesn’t replace the need to protect your time. Don’t get caught up in the hype. Stay focused on what matters most, having real support that can manage work, make decisions, and move things forward without relying on you for every step.
If you’re using tools like AI but still feel like everything depends on you, it may be time to look at support differently. The goal isn’t just to work faster; it’s to remove responsibility from your plate. If you’re unsure what that could look like in your business, let’s have a conversation. We can help you identify where you’re still too involved and what can be handed off so you can focus on leading, not managing tasks.
