The 1,200th 'Let us teach you AI' email finally broke me — here’s the no-BS way to actually learn it (free)

Let’s start here:
you don’t need a course, a coach, or a credit card.
You can go straight to the source:

👉 chat.openai.com (ChatGPT)
👉 claude.ai (Claude)
👉 gemini.google.com (Google Gemini)

Then tell it — yes, talk to it — like you would a new tool you’re curious about.

“I’d like to learn how to use AI to make my day-to-day work easier.”

That’s all it takes to get started.
Now, here’s how to actually make that conversation useful.

🗝 Step 1: Talk to AI like someone who’s good with tools

You don’t need to sound techy — just describe your world.

“I manage several commercial properties and I’m not sure where to start. What questions would you ask me, and what tools should I try first?”

That’s what I told my wife to type.
AI came back with questions about what eats her time, what software she already uses, and what parts of her week are repetitive.

That’s the real starting point — not a login for some $39.99 “Masterclass.”

🧭 Step 2: Keep it from overloading you

AI wants to help — sometimes too much.
Give it guardrails.

“Give me three practical ways AI could save time in property management — one for communication, one for maintenance, one for reporting. Keep it short and concrete.”

That “three ways” trick keeps the firehose manageable.
You’ll get three clear, actionable ideas instead of a 1,000-word dissertation on “digital transformation.”

✍️ Step 3: Make it sound like you

AI writes like it’s still wearing a tie.
Fix that fast:

“Write this like I normally would — clear, direct, no fluff or buzzwords.”

If it sounds off, tell it so:

“More natural.” “Shorter sentences.” “Less corporate.”
It adjusts instantly — better than most interns.

⚙️ Step 4: Use it on something real

Learning by doing beats learning by watching someone’s PowerPoint.

Say you’ve got a few board meetings this week and need to produce minutes and action items.

“Show me a simple, step-by-step way to use AI to make this faster. Assume I’m new to this — keep it under five steps.”

You’ll get a clean workflow: record → transcribe → summarize → format.
Boom. Minutes done before the next coffee refill.

🔁 Step 5: Build a small routine

One success is cute. Two is a habit.

“I just used AI to create meeting minutes and it saved me time. What’s one other task I could try next week that’s small, free, and useful for my job?”

That’s how you stack small wins instead of trying to “learn AI.”
You’re building muscle memory — not another login.

💼 Step 6: The reality

Free versions are perfect while you’re experimenting.
When you start using AI daily, you’ll hit limits — slower responses, file-size caps, shorter memory.

That’s when the $20/month plans earn their keep.
You’re not paying for “more AI.”
You’re paying for flow — faster answers, fewer friction points, and zero waiting for the spinning dots of doom.

🗣 Final thought

Try all three — ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.
They each have their own tone and quirks.
You’ll click with one more than the others — like coworkers, but less likely to schedule unnecessary meetings.
(Unless it’s DeepSeek, of course. That one doesn’t let its hair down. Ever.)

And when you start finding your groove, then you can ask it to sound like you.
That’s when it goes from “neat toy” to “quiet superpower.”

Written by Dan at Enuclea — a small IT & network firm in Stafford, VA. Inspired by my wife, who’s still ignoring my advice to just talk to the AI directly. This post might finally get her to listen. 😉