How I Use AI to Plan My Day (Without Being a Techie)
Introduction
Let’s be real: planning your day sounds easy—but doing it consistently? That’s a whole different story. Between a never-ending to-do list, distractions, and decision fatigue, I often felt like my days were running me, not the other way around.
Then I started using AI.
No, I’m not a programmer or tech whiz. I just wanted a way to stay focused, remember what matters, and stop wasting time. In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how I use AI tools to plan my day—step by step. You don’t need to be a techie; just bring curiosity and maybe a cup of coffee.
Step-by-Step: How I Use AI to Plan My Day
1. Start the morning with ChatGPT
Tool: ChatGPT
Every morning, I open ChatGPT and type a quick prompt to kickstart my day. It helps me organize my thoughts, set goals, and get a rough structure in place.
My prompt looks like this:
“Help me create a focused daily plan. I want to work from 9am to 5pm, include a 1-hour break, 3 deep work sessions, and some time to check email.”
ChatGPT responds with a super clear schedule, often with time blocks like:
- 9:00–10:30: Deep Work #1 (writing)
- 10:30–10:45: Short break
- 10:45–12:00: Admin tasks + email
- 12:00–1:00: Lunch
- 1:00–2:30: Deep Work #2 (coding or studying)
- 2:30–3:00: Errands or physical break
- 3:00–4:30: Deep Work #3
- 4:30–5:00: Review, wrap-up
Sometimes I ask it to include a motivational quote or a “3 wins of the day” reflection prompt at the end.
Why it works: It’s like having a productivity coach that never gets tired—and it only takes 1 minute to set up.
2. Organize everything in Notion AI
Tool: Notion AI
Once I have the structure from ChatGPT, I paste it into my Notion Daily Planner template. But the real power? Notion AI helps me break tasks down, generate reminders, and even draft journal entries if I feel stuck.
Example prompt inside Notion:
“Break this task down into smaller steps: Finish presentation for Friday’s meeting.”
Notion gives me something like:
- Choose a presentation template
- Write key points (1 hour)
- Design slides (1–2 hours)
- Review and rehearse (30 min)
I can check off each one as I go. It makes big tasks feel way more doable.
I also ask it to:
- Rewrite goals in simpler words
- Generate quick summaries of long meeting notes
- Create templates for habits (e.g., morning routine, evening reflection)
Why it works: Notion AI keeps everything in one place—my calendar, goals, notes, even random thoughts. And with AI, I don’t waste time organizing or formatting.
3. Use Goblin Tools for the chaotic days
Tool: Goblin Tools
This tool is a hidden gem, especially when my brain is fried or I’m feeling overwhelmed. It has a “Magic To-Do” feature that turns vague tasks into step-by-step checklists—instantly.
Example: I type:
“Clean my apartment and prep for next week.”
It turns that into:
- Pick up clothes
- Wash dishes
- Take out trash
- Sweep floors
- Check groceries
- Plan meals
- Write short shopping list
Plus, I can adjust the “spiciness” (aka detail level) depending on how much brainpower I have that day.
Why it works: It helps when I can’t even think about where to start. It removes the mental clutter and gives me instant clarity.
Tips for Staying Consistent
AI tools are great—but only if you actually use them. Here’s what’s helped me stay on track:
✅ Keep prompts saved
I keep a list of my favorite ChatGPT and Notion prompts in a Google Doc so I’m never starting from scratch.
✅ Use templates
I have a Notion Daily Planner template with checkboxes, time blocks, and space for AI-generated insights. It takes less than 5 minutes to fill out.
✅ Don’t overthink it
Some days, I only ask ChatGPT one thing: “What should I focus on today?” That alone keeps me grounded.
✅ Set reminders
AI won’t help if you forget to use it. I set a phone reminder each morning that says: “Plan with AI – 5 mins max.”
Conclusion
You don’t need to be a tech expert to use AI. You just need the right tools and a little curiosity.
AI won’t magically fix your entire routine—but it can make planning easier, your goals clearer, and your day feel more intentional. Even just 5 minutes with ChatGPT or Notion AI can shift your mindset from scattered to focused.
So go ahead—try starting your day with a simple AI prompt. You might be surprised how much smoother everything feels.
Start small. Stay curious. You’ve got this.