The Forbidden Topic: AI

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Let’s talk about it.

It’s not so much forbidden, but like me, you might have a love/hate relationship with AI.

It’s everywhere now to the point where you can’t deny the effects.

Even in my 9-5, we have it integrated into our systems and are told how to use it when dealing with clients.

My experience over the last few years had me using it to write stuff, plan travels or give me quick and detailed answers that would save me search time if I were to use Google.

Now it’s all about using it to create.

My love for it comes from how much it’s helped me with my multiple interests. Google used to struggle with giving me breakdowns in Levantine Arabic; now I can have accurate back-and-forth conversations with AI.

I’d struggle finding accurate worksheets; now I just drop a list of French words and sentences from a podcast and it gives me a nice worksheet to do.

Research used to take me ages, sifting through top results or different sites, but now AI compiles top-performing threads or writing like the pros.

Hella benefits, but it’s all about how you use it.

The hater in me dislikes it at times because of how easy it’s become and the shortcut it provides.

A lot of fakers who are masked up behind the intricacies of AI posts and words. I’m specifically aiming this at LinkedIn.

If you're one of those, you should understand that it shouldn’t replace your way of thinking; it should supplement your ideas and efforts.

Hating aside, I’m cooking up a free guide on prompts I’ve been using to help make my journey easier and a bit more professional.

It’s something I believe can help you when starting. I guess getting back into something or starting something new can be overwhelming. Let it help lift you up.

I see people not using AI to its full potential. At one point I used to use it for simple searches like Google. It was made for more than that.

But now I still see lazy prompts.

Quick shortcuts for the same results as other users.

Sleeping on the power of what it can create for you.

Just like systems, think of it as an aid.

You can't beat it so let it work for you to streamline your journey and get ahead of the curve.

When I started my journey, AI was barely around. So I use it now while I’m building but as a multi-passionate person, if I started over, this is what I'd do for each of my interests.

These are very short prompts which are to help get you started but also to be specific on what you want.

1. Weightlifting

AI can create personalized workout plans, explain proper form, and track your progress. When I started, it was all about trial and error alongside YouTube videos. Of course I had my boys to work with too but I had to find what worked for me.

It can also suggest variations based on your equipment and experience level. This will save you a lot of time at the beginning.

Beginner prompts:

• "Create a 7-day beginner weightlifting routine for someone with access to basic gym equipment. I want you to target each area of the body by providing workouts that hit multiple areas and can be done without equipment."

• "Explain proper deadlift form and technique step-by-step and common mistakes to avoid."

• "I can only work out at home with dumbbells - design a full-body routine to ensure I'm hitting all body parts."

2. Cardio

AI can design varied cardio programs, suggest activities based on your preferences, and help you build endurance progressively.

Typically, most people want to do cardio for weight loss. I find that it becomes better to combine it with weight training or carry out a mid-high intensity sport for that increase in cardiovascular endurance.

Beginner prompts:

• "Create a 4-week style running program for a complete beginner; break down each running session to start off at 1k and build up to 5k by the end of the 4 weeks."

• "I get bored with cardio easily - suggest 10 different cardio activities I can rotate through. Give me different variations of sports I can do, costs to join clubs and a breakdown of each activity in regards to the effects of the cardio on different parts of my body."

• "Design a 20-minute HIIT workout I can do to meet my calorie deficit targets. For each workout, give me a brief outline of sets to be done, calories that can be burned and a combination of exercises that target multiple parts of the body."

3. Nutrition

AI can analyse your dietary needs, create meal plans, suggest recipes, and help you understand macronutrients and portion sizes.

You could follow the exact plan of a gymfluencer, but no diet is truly the same. It’s also not just about high protein. I learned this when I needed to increase my magnesium intake with leafy greens or fix my gut health.

Beginner prompts:

• "Create a simple meal prep plan for someone trying to eat healthier with a busy schedule; break it down to three meals a day with a light snack in between. Make sure it’s a 7-day plan with a variation of different meals and a short preparation time."

• "Explain macronutrients in simple terms and how to balance them in meals."

• "I want to gain muscle - what should I eat and when around my workouts? Give me a breakdown of the best foods, the nutrients provided and how much to consume after a workout for maximum muscle gain."

4. Language Learning

AI can create structured learning plans, provide conversation practice, explain grammar concepts, and suggest immersion techniques.

Before it used to be all about needing a course or tutor, but the amount of free resources online is mindblowing. There’s an endless library to be discovered but instead of wasting time looking for the ‘best,’ you can filter it down and create a plan quicker than ever.

Beginner prompts:

• "Create a 30-day French learning plan for absolute beginners, focusing on practical conversation. Give me a structure to learn common conversational words, and common linking words I can use and build up on."

• "I'm learning Arabic - can you be my conversation partner and correct my mistakes? Suggest improvements and areas that I need to work on."

• "Explain the most important grammar concepts I need to know first when learning Japanese. Start with basic structures as a beginner then help me work towards "

5. Traveling

AI can help with trip planning, cultural research, budget optimization, and personalized itineraries based on your interests and constraints.

Again, another aspect where I used to waste so much time on little things or tweaking freshly made itineraries. My recent trip to Hungary and Austria was made easy with quick searches on Reddit forums and TikTok, which I then filtered with AI to see what would be the best use of my time based on my timings and where I’d be staying.

Beginner prompts:

• "Plan a 7-day budget itinerary for Japan, focusing on culture and food experiences. My budget is X so make sure each day is broken down so I can go to a mix of different places and maximise my time between eating and sightseeing."

• "I'm nervous about traveling solo for the first time - give me practical safety tips and confidence-building advice, including the do's and don'ts."

• "Create a packing checklist for a 2-week backpacking trip through Southeast Asia. Include essentials that I need but I want to maximise space so exclude big items or expensive things that I can buy cheaper there."

6. Writing

AI can help with brainstorming, structure guidance, editing feedback and developing a consistent writing habit.

While I don’t often plan my posts, I find that random ideas manifest while I’m working, playing football or just out and about. I tend to write down my thoughts on a note taking app and type it up later. I hate how AI can sound with some concepts so with input, I usually ask it to tweak it in my style and tone.

Beginner prompts:

• "Help me brainstorm 10 short post ideas in the science fiction genre. Make them engaging and targeting a young audience that’s into reading and futuristic concepts. "

• "I want to start journaling - give me 30 days of interesting topics to get started and talk about. I’m into X and Y so I want topics around these and give me a brief structure that I can implement."

• "Review this paragraph and suggest improvements for clarity and flow: [paste your writing] Mimic the style of X and remove any jargon.”

AI works best when you provide specific details about your goals, constraints, and preferences, so don't hesitate to be detailed in your prompts.

While I still work messily, I understand that it shouldn't be used as the brains for your journey but as the proverbial lifting straps.

I don’t use AI to be perfect.

I use it to stay consistent with everything I enjoy, even after a full-time job.

It’s about doing the right things faster.

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The bottom line

I wanted to keep the prompts as simple as possible because if I had these for the start of my journey, it would be less overwhelming.

I’m now dealing with essay-like prompts that are tailored to be very specific for what I’m building, but when you start, it’s all about building a foundation for what works for you.

Your challenge for this week: There are numerous AI platforms now.

• Run your daily routine through and see if there are ways that can be suggested to improve fitting your interests in.

• Want to refine your method in something? Run one of the prompts above and see if it can help you improve.

• Instead of asking basic questions, see if you can get specific with something e.g you want ideas for a crocheting pattern, so dive into methods, materials and time duration.

There’s never been a better time to learn and refine.

As long as you’re not relying on it too much, let it do the small tasks or heavy lifting so you can put your focus and time into actually building something meaningful.

Hit me up with how you use AI; you might teach me a thing or two.

If you want to discuss this further, feel free to reach out on Instagram @liftlangleon.

Till next time, peace.