Human Element Vs. Artificial Intelligence: Developing a Resilient Mindset

I was not too fond of manual Excel data gathering when working in corporate finance. I spend most of my time hard at work creating efficiency and automation. I spent even more time applying critical thinking skills and the wisdom from my 28 years in finance to tell the whole story to the board of directors in a PowerPoint presentation. 

Now, Artificial Intelligence (AI) can do this for us. AI is not just a tool; it's a game-changer. It can help us recognize patterns, has fewer biases than humans, and can provide us with options to make more informed decisions. It's a step towards a more efficient and effective future. 

So, why all of the anxiety around AI? 

Managing Anxiety Around AI

Most people fear the unknown and the long-term impact AI could have on us. Additionally, there has been much hype around AI taking over people’s jobs. 

Of course, people are scared for their lives!

In this emotional tug-o-war, people find themselves struggling to manage their reactionary response toward AI, often unaware of their trigger. 

Is it fear of the unknown? 

Is fear or being replaced? 

Is it just because it’s new?

There are practical steps you can take to ease this anxiety, regain control of reactionary behaviors, and take on a new perspective toward the integration of AI with our human elements. 

Taking a Step: Toward Self-Awareness

The first step in all this is self-awareness, recognizing the ruminating and catastrophizing thoughts around losing your job and all the other uncertainties AI may have on your life. When we can get into our bodies and feel where this threat response of “fight-flight-freeze” is showing up for us, we can get out of our heads. 

Then, we can distance ourselves from our thoughts and not get hooked on the stories we create. When we acknowledge that fear and anxiety are present and trying to protect us from “death,” merely labeling this emotion can help us break free from it. Learning to move through these emotions and allowing yourself to feel them in the body can help you “through” them instead of suppressing them by going into the doing and fixing mode. 

Question: “Why would I do that? It does not sound fun or easy…isn’t it going to just make me even more reactive?”

Answer: Not if you move through these emotions from a practice of self-compassion. 

Think of it this way: if a friend or loved one had these same fears, what would you say to them? Maybe something like, “It’s okay; it is normal to be scared,” or” You’ll be okay; I know this is scary.” 

Learning how to apply self-awareness and self-compassion practices to how you’re experiencing this moment will allow you to step into a new perspective and approach yourself from a kind and nurturing place. 

Take Another Step: Toward Mindfulness 

The second step is applying a beginner's mindset to AI. This means being curious and open to AI, asking yourself questions such as: 

“How can I see this another way?” AND “Are my assumptions accurate?” 

Research shows that when we practice daily mindfulness, we can cultivate more of a beginner’s mindset. Mindfulness also cultivates a cognitively flexible mind, where we can see things differently instead of just sticking to our habitual thinking, which is called cognitive rigidity. 

Cognitive flexibility takes consistent practice; this is where we need to tap into our fierce compassion. Alongside the caring side of compassion, fierce self-compassion encourages us to take action because we care for and love ourselves. 

This quote from Cheryl Goodman’s book, How to Win Friends and Influence Robots, is truly reflective of how important these two steps are: 

“If you do not become activated and assume a posture of action over fear of AI, the rest of the book is useless.” 

If we choose the caring side of self-compassion, we may become victims of AI, but when we encourage change with our compassionate voice (instead of our inner critic), we have choice and agency over change and uncertainty. 

Mind Over AI

With consistent practice of mindfulness and self-compassion, you can develop a resilient mindset and see challenges as opportunities for growth. 

Developing these habits is difficult. Practice is the only way to do it. For example, when creating a new habit of going to the gym, playing the piano, or writing, you need a coach who can support you by asking questions and helping you see your patterns and coping styles. When you learn to pause with self-compassion in a moment of difficult thoughts and emotions, you take back the power to choose your response instead of reacting on autopilot.

Take the next step to building a resilient mindset with The Pause & Prosper Program.