Using AI as My Thinking Partner: A Down-to-Earth Guide to Getting Unstuck

I recently stumbled into a surprising way to use AI—not for coding or writing, but for something much simpler: thinking. I’ve started using it as a sounding board to sort through my messy thoughts, make decisions, and find clarity. It’s not about AI being a genius oracle. It’s about helping me hear myself more clearly. Here’s how it works, why it feels so human, and how you can try it too.

Why AI Feels Like a Friend 

When you’re stuck—whether it’s picking your next big project, sorting out a budget, or figuring out what to focus on—you don’t always need someone to hand you the answer. Sometimes, you just need someone to ask the right questions. That’s where AI shines.

I’ll toss in a jumble of half-baked thoughts, and AI does something simple but powerful: it organizes them or hits me with a question that makes me go, “Huh, that’s the real issue, isn’t it?” It’s like chatting with a patient friend who never gets annoyed, doesn’t interrupt, and keeps you on track. It’s not perfect—it’s just a tool pulling from internet patterns—but it feels weirdly human because it creates space for me to work through my own head.

What I Use It For

I’ve been using AI to think through stuff I’d normally stew over alone. Here are a few examples:

• Budget planning: I list out what’s coming up—bills, goals, maybe a vacation—and AI asks stuff like, “What’s non-negotiable?” or “What can wait a month?” It helps me see trade-offs clearly.

• Setting goals: I’ll say, “I’ve got 12 weeks, and here’s what I’m thinking.” AI might ask, “Which one moves the needle most?” or “What’s the smallest step to test this?” Suddenly, I’m prioritizing without overthinking.

• Big decisions: Like choosing between a safe bet and a risky but exciting idea. I’ll write, “I’m torn between X and Y,” and AI nudges me with, “What’s the worst-case scenario for each?” It’s like a mental nudge to get unstuck.

How I Do It

There’s no complicated system here. It’s dead simple:

1. Set the scene: I start with something like, “I’m trying to plan my next three months. I’m stuck on what to prioritize.”

2. Dump my thoughts: I write whatever’s swirling in my head, no matter how messy. “I’ve got a project backlog, team morale’s shaky, and this new idea sounds cool but risky.”

3. Let AI ask questions: It might come back with, “What does success look like here?” or “What’s draining the team’s energy?” I answer, and it asks more.

4. Keep going: After a few rounds of back-and-forth, things start to click. It’s not AI solving it—it’s me, but with a clearer head.

Usually, 10 minutes of this does more than an hour of pacing or staring at a blank page.

A Real-Life Example

Here’s a recent one. I was stuck choosing between two paths for the next quarter: stepwise back to map out our current data flows and products (important but time-intensive) or jumping in to build a fun new add-on that could excite users (flashy but less foundational). I typed:

“I’m torn. Option 1 is taking time to map out our data flows and products to get a clear picture of where we’re at. Option 2 is building this cool new add-on that could grab attention. Both feel important.”

AI responded with:

• “What does success look like if you map out the data flows and products?”

• “What are the risks of delaying the add-on? Could you do a smaller version of either?”

I hadn’t framed it like that. So I answered: “Mapping our data flows would give us a solid foundation—better decisions, fewer surprises down the road. But it’s not exciting, and it might not show immediate results. The add-on could energize users and maybe boost engagement, but if it’s rushed, it might not integrate well and could create more chaos.”

Then AI asked: “Which is harder to recover from—operating without a clear map of your systems or launching an add-on that doesn’t quite land?”

That was the question. I realized not having a clear map of our data flows was already causing small fires, and adding a new feature without that clarity could make things worse. I decided to prioritize mapping our systems but allocate 15% of our time to sketch out a lightweight version of the add-on to keep the momentum. Done. Plan made, confidence restored—all in 15 minutes.

Why This Feels So Good

Using AI like this works because it’s like talking to a coach or a good friend, but without the scheduling hassle. Here’s why it clicks:

• It gets“D you out of your head: Writing your thoughts and seeing them reflected back gives instant perspective.

• It’s judgment-free: No eye-rolls or “ugh, you’re overthinking again.” Just a safe space to brainstorm.

• It’s fast: A quick chat cuts through mental fog way quicker than solo overthinking.

Plus, it’s always there. No waiting for a meeting or a friend to be free. Just open it up and start typing.

Give It a Try

I’m not saying AI is your new life coach or therapist. It’s not. But it’s a surprisingly handy tool when you need to think through something and don’t have someone to bounce ideas off. It doesn’t solve your problems—it gives you the space to solve them yourself. 

If you’re curious, try this:

1. Start with, “Hey, I’m trying to figure out [whatever’s on your mind].”

2. Write what’s bugging you, even if it’s messy.

3. Let the questions guide you.

You might be surprised how much clearer things get. It’s not magic—it’s just a tool that helps you hear your own voice. And sometimes, that’s all you need to move forward.