It’s by far the most common question I’ve been asked over the last 18 months.
Unsurprisingly, I’ve tested a lot. Some tools I stumbled across, others came recommended, and a few were discovered in my search for productivity hacks.
Rather than list every failure, here are my three ride-or-die AI companions that have truly stood the test of (short) time. I pretty much use these every day. They’re accessible, easy to use, affordable, and most importantly effective. These tools have genuinely changed how I work.
1. Claude (for deep work)
Several bloggers I follow mentioned Claude, and they weren’t wrong. Think of it as ChatGPT’s more thoughtful cousin, the one who actually remembers what you’re talking about. I use it primarily for deeper analysis and working through cognitively challenging tasks—especially when I need to break down thorny problems step by step (not my strength, lol). It’s incredible at handling nuance and complexity, which makes it especially useful for longer-form writing.
For example, I’ll draft something and then collaborate with Claude to refine it, keeping my tone intact without slipping into corporate clichés (not my vibe). Unlike ChatGPT, it doesn’t pull data from the web, which actually makes it feel more like working with a really sharp counterpart. In some cases, much sharper than me!
2. Fyxer.ai (for daily productivity)
OK, this one is so good, I actually reached out to the founders in London…and ended up investing in it. My main issue with most AI tools is the endless need to edit and refine. Fyxer solves that problem. Quite simply, it saves me 1–2 hours per day on email alone, by working like a super-smart PA/EA.
It intuitively labels emails and suggests meeting times that sync to your calendar. But what I really love is how it drafts responses – not the bland, generic “canned” responses, but replies that actually sound like me. My Fyxer-generated drafts routinely include my ‘R’ sign-off, a cheeky emoji or two, and even the occasional LOL.
Think about how much time you and your team spend emailing clients and colleagues. With Fyxer, everyone could save 3-4 days a month, freeing them up for more valuable work.
3. ChatGPT-4 (paid)
I know, I know… I can’t leave this one out. It’s like the Taylor Swift of AI – you just can’t deny its brilliance. I’ve been using the paid version for over 18 months, and it just keeps getting better. It helps me refine content, brainstorm ideas, build plans, and dive deeper into topics. And, yes, it’s my go-to for those awkward “sorry I’m late” emails.
In fact, there’s very little I haven’t tried with ChatGPT-4, and it rarely disappoints. It’s even built my workout and rehab routines (including meals!) for the last six months. It gives the family dinner ideas weekly and helps me decode medical terminology when I need it. The paid version is worth it for the speed alone—I use it more than Google. Crazy, but true.
A Few More AI Tools I’m Playing With
Notion AI: Great for organizing and brainstorming in one space. I’m testing it out for structuring projects and keeping track of ideas in a more organized way. It’s especially useful for team collaboration—handy for creating a knowledge base or staying on top of ongoing tasks.
Midjourney / DALL-E: These are fun and surprisingly powerful tools for generating visuals from text prompts. I’ve been using them for things like process graphics and concept visuals when I need to show what I am thinking, visually. Ideal for me when I want a quick, draft image without burning my design team’s time!
Numerous AI: This one’s got some serious potential for data work. It integrates with spreadsheets, so you can automate everything from data analysis to creating quick reports. I’m finding it useful for those times I need numbers crunched fast without manually managing spreadsheets.
The truth is, I’m shocked by how many professionals still aren’t using AI tools. Unless you’ve got a fundamental ethical or data privacy reason holding you back, it’s time to get over it. At the very least, give a few of these tools a test run and see what sticks. Think about how we all look back on our lives before smartphones and wonder how we managed. I suspect we’ll be saying the same thing about AI tools in a year or two.
