Don’t Burn Out: Use AI to Protect Your Time & Energy
Boundaries, automation, and space to breathe — AI can help.
By Carla J McNeil | Butterfly Networking
🍽️ Local Insight of the Week
We often talk about using AI to do more, but what about using it to do less? A local nutrition coach in Coquitlam was replying to every inquiry manually — even when it wasn’t a fit. She started using ChatGPT to write “kind no” templates and saved over 5 hours in just one month.
AI can be your boundary buddy — helping you protect your time without guilt or burnout.
📌 Quick Action: Prompt: “Write a kind but firm email turning down a potential client who isn’t a good fit.”
🔍 Your AI Edge
Use AI to Guard Your Time & Energy
Set Boundaries With Templates — Prewrite “no” responses for things like collab requests, discounts, or low-budget gigs.
Block Time With Automation — Use AI tools to batch schedule content or auto-reply with FAQs so you’re not always on-call.
Create Space for You — Use ChatGPT to plan a digital detox week — auto-messages, reschedules, and pre-loaded posts.
📌 Try This: Prompt: “Create a friendly auto-reply for when I’m taking a self-care day, including when I’ll respond.” 🔗 https://chat.openai.com
🧪 Tool of the Week
Name: TextExpander — Save and Reuse AI-Powered Snippets
What it Does: Lets you store, personalize, and reuse snippets (like email responses or DMs) so you’re not typing the same things over and over.
Best For: Business owners who respond to similar messages constantly.
💰 Free trial; Plans from $4.16/month
🔗 https://textexpander.com
📣 Real Talk: Local Wins
Andre, a bike shop owner in New Westminster, set up AI-written replies to common repair request emails. “Now I only step in when it’s actually a unique situation. My brain gets to rest — and I’m not cranky at 3 PM anymore.”
📌 Bonus Tip: Prompt: “Write a calm reply to someone who’s upset we can’t rush their order, and offer a future discount.”
📦 Takeaway Checklist
✅ Use AI to set firm, kind boundaries
✅ Create reusable templates with tools like TextExpander
✅ Auto-reply and batch schedule to reclaim time
✅ Let AI help you do less, not just more
📬 Forward this issue to a friend or teammate.
🌟 Need help implementing? Reply with “AI Boost” to get resources.