Stop Chasing AI Tools: Simple Framework for What Fits
The two-question filter that saves you from wasting time on tools you'll never use.
Seventeen years ago, I began my career as a virtual assistant.
Back then, that role was the rising trend in online business—a way to meet the needs of entrepreneurs trying to make digital work for them. But as my skills and the market evolved, I leaned into coding, stepping into web development and support long before drag-and-drop websites made things simple.
Eventually, I landed on WordPress and built my agency.
The sweet spot where customization and usability meet.
That willingness to pivot wasn’t about chasing fads. It was about meeting the intersection of my strengths, the tools available, and what my clients needed most. Each shift was less a leap and more a compass point, directing me toward the next chapter.
Recently, I launched the DigiNav Compass™ to help others find that same “next best move.” Tech keeps reshaping how we work and live, but the question isn’t “What’s the newest thing?”
It’s “What actually works for you, and where are you headed?”
Here’s what I’ve learned the hard way: technology shifts aren’t about chasing the newest thing—they’re about context fit.
The Real Problem With “Shiny Object Syndrome”
Here’s what I realized was actually happening when people asked if I’m abandoning WordPress now that AI and vibe coding are emerging.
The question itself reveals the deeper issue.
We’ve been conditioned to think that new automatically means better, and staying put means falling behind. But that’s not how sustainable businesses work.
“The real problem isn’t that people are slow to adopt new technology. It’s that they’re making adoption decisions based on fear instead of fit.”
When people approach tech decisions from anxiety, they end up with these issues:
Digital Swiss Army knives — tools that do everything but excel at nothing
Patchwork workflows — half-integrated solutions that create friction
Decision paralysis — too many options, no clear framework for choosing
Constant rebuilding — starting over every six months with new tools
Their workflows become a collection of solutions searching for problems instead of tools serving specific needs.
The same pattern shows up everywhere. ChatGPT Projects vs Custom GPTs. WordPress vs AI builders. Email platforms vs all-in-one solutions.
We’re asking “which is better?” instead of “which fits my actual workflow?”
From Trend Follower to Strategic Adopter
I considered abandoning WordPress for a moment when AI coding tools emerged, but WordPress continues to serve me and my clients well.
That pause made me realize something crucial.
I had already developed an unconscious framework for tech decisions. I just hadn’t articulated it yet.
Here’s my actual decision-making process:
I grew up analog. Even with the internet, smartphones, and constant connectivity, there are days I crave the simplicity of a landline.
Nostalgia aside, it’s grounding.
“Just because something new arrives, the old isn’t automatically obsolete. Sometimes it just needs an update, a tweak, or a new role.”
That’s why I created the DigiNav SHIFT System™. It’s about adjusting, not abandoning.
AI is now part of my toolkit — not as a replacement, but as a way to adapt to what’s ahead, because technology will continue to evolve.
The key is choosing what supports your work, your clients, and your lifestyle without losing the roots that still hold value.
What I tried first: Jumping on every new AI tool that promised to revolutionize my workflow. I spent more time learning new interfaces than actually working.
The mindset shift that changed everything: Realizing I needed a filter, not more options. I started asking, “Does this organize my work or automate my work?” instead of “Is this the latest thing?”
My breakthrough moment: Understanding that ChatGPT Projects and Custom GPTs serve completely different purposes. Projects are like digital filing cabinets for ongoing work. Custom GPTs are like specialized tools you build once and reuse.
Specific results: Instead of trying 15 different AI configurations, I now use Projects for client work organization and Custom GPTs for repeatable tasks. My decision time went from weeks to minutes.
Tools That Actually Cut Through the Noise
Here’s the exact framework I use before adopting any new technology:
The Two-Question Test:
Does it save time? Not just promise to save time — actually demonstrate time savings in a real scenario
Does it fit my workflow? Can I integrate it without rebuilding everything else I do
According to a recent study by McKinsey, 87% of businesses struggle with tool proliferation, which explains why this simple filter matters more than ever.
Here’s the exact decision matrix I use for AI tools:
ChatGPT Projects vs Custom GPTs:
- Exploring questions or keeping research organized? → Projects
- Need repeatable, consistent answers? → Custom GPTs
- Working with clients on ongoing projects? → Projects
- Building tools others will use? → Custom GPTsWatch me walk through real examples of when to use Projects for organization versus when to build Custom GPTs for automation
For your situation, try this variation:
Before choosing between similar tools, map your actual use case:
If you’re still exploring and need conversation history → Choose the organizing tool
If you have a repeatable process that needs consistency → Choose the automation tool
If you need to collaborate or share context → Choose the tool that handles external access better
The tool categories that actually matter:
Organizing tools: Projects, Notion databases, file systems — for when you’re still figuring things out
Automation tools: Custom GPTs, Zapier workflows, templates — for when you know exactly what you need
Integration tools: APIs, connectors, webhooks — for when you need tools to talk to each other
The breakthrough that changed my client work:
Instead of debating which AI tool is “better,” I started asking clients: “Are you organizing information to make decisions, or are you automating decisions you’ve already made?”
Organizing needs: Use Projects with uploaded context documents and memory settings
Automating needs: Build Custom GPTs with specific instructions and knowledge bases
This clarity eliminated the decision fatigue that comes with having too many similar options.
Why Context Beats Trend-Chasing Every Time
This isn’t just about WordPress versus new coding tools or projects versus custom GPTs.
It’s about sustainable decision-making in a world where the next big thing arrives weekly.
The people building the most resilient businesses aren’t the early adopters or the late adopters. They’re the strategic adopters — people who evaluate tools based on context, not hype.
Consider this supporting example:
Basecamp still uses its own custom-built project management tool, rather than switching to newer alternatives. Not because they’re stuck in the past, but because it serves their specific workflow better than any other available option.
“The broader principle: The question isn’t whether something is new or old — it’s whether it serves your specific goals better than what you currently have.”
This same approach applies to:
• Hiring decisions — do you need a specialist or generalist?
• Partnership choices — do you need access to their network or their expertise?
• Business model pivots — are you solving a new problem or solving an old problem better?
• Content strategy changes — are you reaching new people or serving existing people better?
• Client onboarding processes — do you need more personal touch or more efficiency?
Every successful business you admire probably uses a mix of cutting-edge and “outdated” tools. They’re focused on what works for their specific situation right now.
What You Can Try Today
One specific, 30-minute experiment:
Pick one tool decision you’ve been debating (AI-related or otherwise)
Instead of researching features, spend 30 minutes mapping your actual workflow
Ask these specific questions:
Am I organizing information or automating processes?
Do I need conversation history or consistent outputs?
Will I use this weekly or just when I remember it exists?
Does this replace something I already use, or add a new step?
Test with the simplest option first — regular ChatGPT before Custom GPTs, basic tools before all-in-one platforms.
Notice whether your energy goes toward learning the tool or solving your actual problem.
After 30 minutes, apply the two-question test. If it saves time and fits your workflow, schedule time to implement properly.
If it fails either question, move on without guilt.
The Real Shift That Matters
When people ask if I’m abandoning the tools that built my business, I think about that landline analogy.
Sometimes the most strategic move isn’t adopting the newest technology.
It’s being intentional about what you keep, what you adapt, and what you actually need to replace.
The shift from trend-chasing to strategic adoption changed everything for me. Instead of constantly learning new tools, I got better at the ones I already had.
Instead of rebuilding my systems every six months, I refined them.
What’s your current approach to new technology? Are you choosing tools based on what everyone else is doing, or are you choosing tools based on what actually moves your work forward?
Ready to build your strategic foundation? I’m launching a workshop on creating your personal context library — the decision-making foundation that helps you evaluate tools, partnerships, and business direction based on what actually fits your situation. Keep an eye out for the