The Overwhelm at Different Levels of AI Adoption

The Overwhelm at Different Levels of AI Adoption

You can’t clear the noise people are making about AI, without a sound mind and a deep desire to know yourself.   Did I say that too quickly?   I will slow it down.


You first need a deep desire to know yourself.   I know it sounds counter intuitive, you should be chasing AI tools right?   That’s what they are saying… but what you actually need to do, is deeply DESIRE to know yourself the most.   

Your truest self is likely buried under illusions, false personalities, blurred perceptions, fears and past pains festering deep seated wounds.  Ouch.   It hurts, I know it does.   But you have to do it anyway.   

What does the desire to know yourself deeply feel like?   Well, it comes in different shades.   For me,  I wanted to know what I am really trying to protect from AI?   What about me, did I not want AI to take way?


Surface Fears vs. Deeper Truths

What Are You Really Protecting?

"Your truest self is likely buried under layers..."

Surface Fears

"AI will replace my job. I'll lose money. I'll become irrelevant."
The noise everyone talks about

False Personalities

The version of yourself you think you need to be to survive
Perfectionist, people-pleaser, always-busy persona

Deep Wounds & Fears

Past pains, childhood wounds, fears of not being enough
"Ouch. It hurts, I know it does. But you have to do it anyway."

Your Truest Self

What you've wanted to do since you were young. Your authentic calling.
The thing that would "crush your world" if you lost it
"The deeper you go, the clearer your true relationship with AI becomes. What are you actually trying to protect?"

It feels like a desire beyond money, beyond likes and recognition… It can be a pull to finally try that thing you wanted to do years ago but put off to do another thing that brings in faster, money and gratification.

For me, it was a pull to continue doing what I had set out to do, when I was 15 years old deciding I want to be a business owner who helps other business owners run their businesses. 

Who am I when I am doing this?  Why do I want to do this so badly that it would “crush my world”  if AI replaced me in this.    It was more than I needed to earn and keep a roof over my head.    

The feeling is something that makes you question your existence.  What am I here to do?  Why am I here?   Intense.

Or it can just be, oh I want to try this, it looks fun.   I suggest you go with what feels fun.   I am an intense person and that might not be your style.   You may think oh, I can use AI to make videos of cats cooking.   Do you see it?  

The desire, the trigger, the nudge?     By following the desire, the trigger or the nudge you slowly direct your brain to focusing on those things,  thus creating a sound mind, and silencing the noise. 


Two Paths of Self-Discovery

Two Paths of Self-Discovery

The Intense Path

"What am I here to do? Why am I here?"

  • Questions your entire existence
  • Digs into childhood dreams & purpose
  • Faces deep wounds & fears head-on
  • Feels like world would "crush" if lost
  • Goes beyond money & survival
Example:
"I've wanted to help business owners since I was 15. What would it mean if AI replaced this calling?"

The Fun Path

"Oh, I want to try this, it looks fun!"

  • Follows curiosity & lightness
  • Experiments with playful energy
  • Trusts gentle nudges & desires
  • Embraces creative exploration
  • Makes discovery feel joyful
Example:
"I could use AI to make videos of cats cooking! That sounds delightful."
"Both paths lead to the same destination: knowing yourself deeply. Follow the desire, the trigger, the nudge—whatever feels authentic to you."
Charmaine Mbatha

Charmaine Mbatha

Business Transformation 10+ years | AI Engineer | Software Engineer | Gen AI Specialist
Cape Town, South Africa