ChatGPT is a game-changing tool for small business owners. I use it daily and genuinely love it. But here’s the truth most people won’t admit: how ChatGPT hurt my business isn’t something I realized overnight.
As a mom of two toddlers with a deployed husband, my time is beyond limited. I need smart systems and streamlined workflows. So when ChatGPT came into my life, I thought I had struck gold. I leaned in hard—letting it help with everything from content planning to sales strategies.
But slowly, something shifted.
The Red Flags That Piled Up
At first, I couldn’t pinpoint the problem. I just knew business suddenly felt heavier.
I started second-guessing myself constantly. I stopped trusting my gut and began relying on AI for decisions I was perfectly capable of making.
It became routine to ask ChatGPT things like:
- What should I post today?
- Should I pick this offer or that one?
- Does this sound okay?
And no matter what it answered, I didn’t like it.
My writing lost its spark. My marketing felt robotic. I was spending hours trying to make decisions that used to take minutes. The emotional connection and creative intuition that once fueled my business were gone.
ChatGPT hadn’t just taken over my tasks—it had taken over my thinking.
How I Brought the Personal Touch Back
I didn’t quit using ChatGPT entirely. Instead, I redefined the role it plays in my business.
Here’s how:
1. I Write the Foundation, Then Let ChatGPT Polish
I no longer let ChatGPT write my content from scratch. I draft the idea and the story, and then use AI to clean it up, enhance the clarity, or improve structure.
This keeps my voice and passion front and center.
2. I Stopped Asking “This or That” Questions
I don’t treat ChatGPT like a decision-maker anymore. Instead, I give it data (like email open rates, sales numbers, or audience behavior) and ask it to help analyze and summarize.
It’s a support tool, not the CEO of my business.
3. I Give It Tight Parameters
On days when I’m low on time or energy, I still use ChatGPT to help with content. But I don’t just ask, “What should I post today?”
Instead, I tell it:
- The purpose of the content
- The audience
- The format
- My current offers or promotions
Clear inputs = way better outputs.
4. I Keep a Running List of My Own Content Ideas
To avoid decision fatigue, I now keep a living document of content ideas in my phone. That way, when creativity is low, I have a bank of ideas that are fully aligned with me.
No guessing. No generic ideas. Just real, from-the-heart content.
I’m grateful for ChatGPT, but I learned the hard way that convenience can sometimes dull creativity.
If you’re feeling disconnected, uninspired, or like your content has lost its heart—you might be relying on AI too much.
You don’t have to stop using it. Just be intentional.
Let ChatGPT support you. But don’t let it replace you.
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