Your AI Starter Checklist
Small steps to start using AI in your real job
You don't need to do everything at once. If you complete this checklist over the next 2-4 weeks, you will already be ahead of many employees who are still waiting on the sidelines.
Set up your Abacus.AI account (recommended)
Why Abacus.AI? One subscription gives you everything: ChatGPT, Claude, image generation, video creation, and DeepAgent—the autonomous AI that completes complex tasks for you. Save $120+/month compared to separate subscriptions.
Practice using AI for simple personal tasks (5-10 minutes)
Ask AI to: • Plan a simple daily routine • Suggest meal ideas • Give you a beginner workout
→ Purpose: Get comfortable typing to it and reading its responses.
Use AI once per day for a work-related task
Start with low-risk tasks that you can review and edit: • Drafting or improving an email • Summarizing a long message • Turning notes into a short list of action items
→ The habit: "At least once a day, I let AI help me with something at work."
Create a folder for your "AI Wins"
Every time AI helps you save time, improve clarity, or reduce stress—save a screenshot or copy of that example.
→ Name the folder: "AI Wins" (on your computer or cloud). This becomes proof, motivation, and something you can show your manager in the future.
Choose 1-2 tasks you will ALWAYS do with AI first
For example: • "I always draft my first version of important emails with AI." • "I always ask AI to summarize long documents before I read them fully."
→ This turns AI from a toy into a real work habit.
The Next Level: Building Your First Specialist
Step 5 is about making AI a habit. But if you want to move beyond "chatting" and actually engineer a dedicated AI employee that knows your specific company policies, audits your spreadsheets, and drafts your emails in your exact voice—that is what we cover in our AI Architect Masterclass.
💡 For now, focus on the habit. But know that the "Specialist" is where the real freedom happens.
Schedule 10 minutes once a week to learn one new AI use case
You can ask AI things like: • "How can I use AI to be more efficient as a [your job role]?" • "Suggest 5 ways AI can help me with [specific task]."
→ The key: Put a weekly 10-minute reminder on your calendar: "AI Practice."
Key Takeaway
Consistency beats intensity. 10 minutes a day of AI practice will transform your skills within a month. Don't try to learn everything at once—just start with Step 1 today.