It’s safe to say that AI stole the show during the Super Bowl commercials this year. As a die-hard football lover (and Vikings fan, but that’s another complicated love story), I always gear up – anticipating the game and the advertisements. But instead of a welcome distraction from work, I found myself faced with a barrage of work-related commercials. I couldn’t help but feel unsettled—was I alone in this?
AI is now a pressing topic that leaders across sectors must address, often pushing aside other goals, projects, and initiatives as they scramble to adapt to this new reality. If you had plans for 2026 that didn’t involve AI, chances are you’re now reconsidering their relevance, as roles and responsibilities rapidly shift focus. It feels akin to that high-achieving know-it-all elbowing their way to the front of the line. While we recognize that some AI innovations can be beneficial, it can also lead to the unsettling feeling of being overwhelmed.
AI can organize and streamline our tasks. It can ease communication. It can help us create, prioritize, strategize, even heal. But while its potential for improving our lives is undeniable, the current reality sometimes feels more like overproductivity than liberation.
Embracing AI Without Overwhelm: Insights from Oliver Burkeman
In his thought-provoking talk titled “Against Good Habits,” Oliver Burkeman points out that the quest for good habits, though noble, can create mental barriers that prevent us from taking meaningful action. We often fall into the trap of overthinking and meticulously planning, which detracts from simply engaging in what we want to accomplish.
If you’ve started making small changes to integrate AI into your life and work, that’s fantastic. These incremental steps can lead to significant, long-term impacts. Yet, the pressure of building new habits can feel daunting, especially as we wait for that magical moment of “more time.” The reality is, that time may never come.
And true progress requires a willingness to surrender control and embrace unpredictability. It’s okay if you show up one day and not the next; that’s part of the process.
Burkeman’s challenge:
“What is one thing that you could do today that you know would be a good way to use one small portion of your finite time on earth? And are you willing to actually do it?”
Instead of being overwhelmed by grand plans (especially those thrust upon us), focus on what you can genuinely accomplish in this moment. Think of these small actions as steps toward making AI a new habit in both your life and work:
Commit to One Change: Pick one AI tool or habit to implement for the next week. It could be as simple as using AI for scheduling meetings or exploring writing assistants.
Identify a Task: Choose one task in your daily routine where AI could lend a hand. It could be automating an email response or using a tool for data organization.
Set a Timer: Give yourself 15–20 minutes to explore an AI tool that you’ve heard about. Don’t aim for mastery; just familiarize yourself with its functions.
Start a Dialogue: Share your AI experiences with colleagues or friends. Discuss what works, what challenges you face, and brainstorm solutions together.
By incorporating these small actions into your routine, you can not only navigate the evolving landscape of AI but also create new, productive habits that enhance both your work and personal life.
Burkeman concludes,
“The grandest life changes are worth absolutely nothing if they continue to exist only on the level of fantasy. Whereas a single meaningful action, however small, if you actually take it in reality…that action just on its own was a real instance of showing up fully for your life.”
Every action reflects our intention to live fully and authentically. Let’s carry forward Burkeman’s insightful message: meaningful change arises not from grand gestures but from deliberate, compassionate actions taken one step at a time.
So today, I challenge you: Identify that one teeny tiny action you can take to integrate AI into your work and/or life. Embrace it fully for a short time, and watch how it unfolds. Let it be messy. Let it be unfinished. Let it be imperfect. It’s all good.
