In our journey towards more effective leadership, we often face planning challenges that can shake our confidence. Whether you're a corporate executive without peers to consult, a business owner in a niche industry, or simply someone who struggles with time estimation (like me!), the planning process can sometimes leave us feeling uncertain and shaky.

Although this is a newsletter about the power of embodiment and the nervous system, I believe in taking advantage of all the tools we have at our fingertips. When used correctly, even big tech can help us live with more clarity and peace. Thus, enter AI chat platforms – a powerful resource for confident planning.

Before we dive into how to use AI effectively, let's talk about why this matters for your nervous system, because I get that at first glance, it may seem like a stretch. When we're unsure about our plans, our nervous system can shift into a state of low-grade stress or anxiety. This not only affects our decision-making abilities but also our capacity to be fully present and engaged. By gaining clarity and confidence in our planning, we support our nervous system's regulation, allowing us to operate from a place of calm presence rather than anxious uncertainty.

While leaning on other people is ideal, because we are designed to be social and in relationship, the truth is that our world offers less and less opportunities to connect deeply on a regular basis. And some of us may not be in a space where we have reliable peers to consult, or the financial bandwidth to hire an expert coach. AI can fill in those gaps.

Here's a three-step framework for using AI to boost your planning confidence.

How to Use AI for Confident Planning

Step One: Articulate Your Plan

Start by clearly outlining your plan or idea to the AI. My favorite platform is Claude (I’m not promoting, just sharing my experience), but take your pick – there are many. Be as specific as possible, including your goals, timeline, and any concerns you have. This step alone can help clarify your thoughts and identify areas where you're less certain.

Action step: Write out your plan as if you're explaining it to a colleague who's unfamiliar with your work.

Step Two: Ask Targeted Questions

Use the AI to probe potential blind spots or areas of uncertainty. Some useful questions might include:

• "What potential challenges or roadblocks might I be overlooking?"

• "Based on industry standards, is my timeline realistic?"

• "Are there any crucial steps missing from my plan?"

• "What additional resources might I need to consider?"

Be careful not to try to lean on it for opinions – it doesn’t know what’s best for you. It should be generating questions that you will answer, and then you will form an opinion of your own based on those answers.

Action step: Generate a list of at least five specific questions about your plan.

Step Three: Synthesize and Reflect

Review the AI's responses and integrate them with your own knowledge and experience. Remember, AI is a tool to enhance your decision-making, not replace it.

• Identify new insights or perspectives you hadn't considered

• Assess which suggestions align with your goals and values

• Determine if you need to adjust your plan based on this new information

Action step: Revise your plan, incorporating the most valuable insights from the AI consultation.

With increased clarity and confidence, you're more likely to remain calm, present, and effective as you execute your plans. Sometimes just knowing we were as thorough as we could be is all we need.

One thing to ask yourself:

"Where in my current planning process do I feel the most uncertainty or anxiety?"

One thing to try:

Choose one upcoming project or decision and run it through this three-step AI consultation process. Notice how it affects your confidence and sense of clarity.

Confident leadership isn't about having all the answers – it's about knowing how to find them.

Lead with confidence,

Lauren

P.S. Want to reshape your nervous system for confident decision-making and planning? Our Rooted in Confidence program offers a 30-day free trial. In just 10 minutes a day, you'll learn powerful techniques to regulate your nervous system and boost your leadership confidence. Click here to start your transformative journey today!