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AI That Actually Works for You

December 18, 2025β€’10 min read

What Agentic AI Is and Why It Changes Everything...

Joy Nicholson - Agentic AI for Coaches

Imagine this.

It is a Sunday afternoon, and you know you have to eat healthier. You tell your phone: "Help me eat healthier this month."

And instead of spitting out a generic meal plan and calling it a day, it actually:

  • Creates a personalized plan based on what you like

  • Builds your shopping list

  • Adjusts recipes when your week gets crazy

  • Updates the whole thing when your schedule shifts

  • Checks in to see how you're tracking

You didn't ask it to do all that. It just… did.

Welcome to agentic AI.

And if you haven't heard of it yet, don't worry. Most people are still using AI like it's a fancy search engine. Type a question, get an answer, close the tab.

That's not wrong. It's just scratching the surface of what AI can actually do for you now.

There's a new kind of AI that doesn't wait for your next instruction. It works toward your goals, figures out the steps, and takes action without you holding its hand every second.

It's already here. And it's about to change how you get things done.

Let's talk about what it is, how it works, and why you should care right now.

What Is Agentic AI, Really?

Here's the simple version:

Agentic AI is artificial intelligence that can pursue goals on its own by breaking them into tasks, making decisions, taking actions, and adjusting based on what happens.

Regular AI is reactive. You give it a prompt. It gives you an output. One and done.

Agentic AI is proactive. You give it an objective, and it creates a plan, executes the steps, uses tools, learns from feedback, and keeps going until the job is finished.

Think about the difference like this:

Regular AI:A search engine that talks.

Agentic AI:A capable assistant who can actually get things done

Here's what that looks like in real life:

Regular AI:

You: "Write me an email to my team about the project delay."

AI: Writes the email.

You: "Now update the project timeline."

AI:Updates it.

You: "Send a Slack message to notify everyone."

AI: "I can't do that, but here's what you could say..."

You're doing all the thinking. All the connecting. All the follow-through.

Agentic AI:

You:"We need to push the product launch back two weeks. Handle the communication and update everything."

AI:

  • Drafts the email to your team

  • Updates the project timeline in your docs

  • Adjusts calendar events

  • Sends notifications through Slack

  • Updates status in your project tool

  • Asks clarifying questions if needed

  • Confirms when everything's done

You set the goal. AI handles the execution.

That's the shift.

What Makes AI "Agentic"?

For AI to be truly agentic, it needs four key abilities. Let's break them down.

1. It Can Break Goals Into Steps

Give it a big, vague goal, and it figures out the specific actions needed.

You say: "Help me get healthier."

Bad AI gives you generic advice and stops there.

Agentic AI asks clarifying questions, then creates:

  • A personalized meal plan

  • A workout schedule

  • A shopping list

  • Check-in reminders

  • Progress tracking

It turns your goal into a roadmap.

2. It Can Actually Use Your Tools

This is the big one.

Agentic AI doesn't just tell you what to do. It does it.

That means connecting to:

  • Your calendar

  • Your documents

  • Your email

  • Your apps

  • Your databases

  • Your files

If your schedule changes, it reschedules meetings. If a document needs updating, it updates it. If new information conflicts with the plan, it adjusts.

3. It Makes Decisions Without Asking You Every Time

You don't want AI that needs constant permission for every tiny choice.

Agentic AI evaluates options and chooses the best path forward based on the guidelines you've set.

It's like having a team member who knows when to check in and when to just handle it.

4. It Learns and Improves Over Time

The more you use it, the better it gets at understanding your preferences, your style, and your priorities.

It's not static. It adapts.

Why You Should Care About This Right Now

Here's the truth: this isn't futuristic. It's happening today.

Your competition is already using it.

The people who figure this out first are getting 10x more done with the same amount of time. They're not working harder. They're delegating better.

The technology is here.

ChatGPT, Claude, and automation platforms already support agentic workflows. You just need to know how to use them.

The gap is widening fast.

People who learn to work with agentic AI are pulling ahead. People who don't are falling behind. That gap gets bigger every month.

We can pretend it's not happening, or we can learn to use it well. I'd rather do the second.

What Agentic AI Can Actually Do for You

Let's get practical. Here's what this looks like in real life:

Joy Nicholson - Agentic AI for Businesses

For Business Owners:

  • Manage your calendar and reschedule when conflicts pop up

  • Draft and send routine emails and follow-ups

  • Track projects and update stakeholders

  • Generate reports from your data

  • Monitor competitors and summarize findings

For Coaches & Consultants:

  • Build customized coaching programs based on client goals and challenges

  • Review session transcripts and create personalized action plans

  • Send thoughtful check-ins between sessions without manual effort

  • Track client progress and flag when someone needs extra support

  • Generate worksheets, reflection prompts, and resources on the fly

  • Automate scheduling, reminders, and follow-up sequences

  • Spot trends across your client base to refine your methodology

  • Prepare for sessions by summarizing client history and previous commitments

    Joy Nicholson - Agentic AI.

For Content Creators:

  • Plan content calendars and adjust based on performance

  • Research topics and compile sources

  • Draft, edit, and format posts

  • Schedule and publish across platforms

  • Analyze what's working and suggest improvements

For Professionals:

  • Prepare for meetings by summarizing relevant documents

  • Take notes and create action items

  • Follow up on tasks and deadlines

  • Organize files and information

  • Learn new skills with personalized study plans

For Personal Life:

  • Plan meals and generate shopping lists

  • Manage household tasks and reminders

  • Coordinate family schedules

  • Track health and fitness goals

  • Learn languages or hobbies with structured practice

You don't need to use AI for everything. But for the repetitive, time-consuming stuff? It's a game changer.

The Tools That Actually Work

Not all AI is created equal. Here are the tools that support genuinely agentic workflows right now:

ChatGPT (with GPTs, Tasks, and Memory)

Best for:Day-to-day task management and general productivity

What it does well:

  • Remembers your preferences and context

  • Can schedule recurring tasks

  • Works across multiple sessions

  • Integrates with various tools through plugins

What to watch out for:You need to set it up properly and check in regularly. It's not set-it-and-forget-it yet.

Joy Nicholson - ChatGPT

Claude (with Projects)

Best for: Long-term projects and deep work

What it does well:

  • Maintains context over extended conversations

  • Excellent for writing and editing

  • Strong at complex analysis and planning

  • Great for managing documents and research

What to watch out for:Less integrated with external tools than ChatGPT. Better for thinking than doing.

Joy Nicholson - Claude AI

Zapier AI and Make

Best for:Actual automation between apps

What it does well:

  • Connects everything in your tech stack

  • Triggers actions based on conditions

  • Runs 24/7 without your input

  • Handles repetitive workflows perfectly

What to watch out for:Requires setup time. You need to know what you want to automate.

Notion AI and Platform-Specific Tools

Best for:Working within systems you already use

What it does well:

  • Native integration with tools you're already in

  • Seamless workflow without switching contexts

  • Easier to adopt for teams

What to watch out for:Limited to that specific platform. Not as powerful as standalone AI.

How to Actually Use Agentic AI (Step by Step)

Here's how to start working with agentic AI today, without getting overwhelmed.

Step 1: Pick One Goal

Don't try to automate everything at once. Choose one specific outcome you want.

Bad: "Help me be more productive." Good: "Manage my weekly content calendar and remind me of deadlines."

Step 2: Define Your Boundaries

Be clear about what AI can decide and what needs your approval.

Example:

  • Can reschedule meetings? Yes, if there's no conflict.

  • Can send emails? Only drafts for my review.

  • Can access my files? Yes, in this specific folder.

Step 3: Set Up Your Tools

Connect AI to the systems you actually use. If it can't access your calendar or documents, it can't be truly agentic.

Step 4: Create Clear Instructions

Give AI a detailed brief, just like you would a new assistant:

  • What you're trying to achieve

  • How you prefer things done

  • What your priorities are

  • When to check in with you

Step 5: Review and Adjust

Check in regularly at first. See what's working and what isn't. Refine your instructions.

Agentic AI gets better with feedback.

Step 6: Gradually Expand

Once one workflow is running smoothly, add another. Build your agentic system piece by piece.

Joy Nicholson - Rule on Agentic AI Infographic

The Rules for Using Agentic AI Safely

Here's what you need to remember:

Rule 1: You're Always in Charge

AI executes. You decide. Never outsource your judgment.

Rule 2: Start Small

Test on low-stakes tasks first. Don't hand over mission-critical work until you trust the system.

Rule 3: Build in Checkpoints

Have AI check in with you at key moments. Don't let it run completely unsupervised.

Rule 4: Protect Your Data

Be careful what information you give AI access to. Follow your company's policies and common sense.

Rule 5: Stay Involved

Agentic AI isn't "set it and forget it." It's "set it and monitor it." You should always know what it's doing.

What Most People Get Wrong

Let me save you some mistakes I see constantly:

Mistake 1: Expecting Magic

Agentic AI is powerful, but it's not sentient. It needs clear instructions and good setup.

Mistake 2: Giving Up Control

Some people hand over too much too fast. Then they're surprised when things go sideways.

Mistake 3: Treating It Like Regular AI

If you use agentic AI the same way you use ChatGPT for one-off questions, you're wasting its potential.

Mistake 4: Not Providing Feedback

AI learns from correction. If you never tell it what's working and what isn't, it stays mediocre.

Mistake 5: Using It for Everything

Some tasks still need a human. Know the difference.

Final Thoughts

AI isn't going away. In fact, it's only going to get smarter, more convincing, and more present in every part of our lives.

We can pretend it doesn't exist, or we can learn to use it well.

I'd rather do the second.

Because here's the truth: agentic AI isn't magic. It's smart delegation.

You're the CEO. AI is your operations team.

Use it right, and you'll get more done with less effort. Use it wrong, and you're just outsourcing your brain.

The best time to learn this was six months ago. The second best time is right now.

Your Next Steps

If you want to actually start using agentic AI (not just read about it), here's what to do:

  1. Pick one tool from the list above

  2. Choose one specific goal you want to achieve

  3. Spend one hour setting it up properly

  4. Use it every day for two weeks

  5. Evaluate what worked and what didn't

  6. Adjust and expand from there

That's it. No complicated roadmap. Just start.

We've got this.

What's your experience with AI that actually takes action?What's working for you? What isn't? Drop a comment and let's figure this out together.

__________________________________

Don't Let AI Leave You Behind

If you've made it this far, you're already ahead of most people.

You understand that agentic AI isn't just hype. It's a tool that can genuinely change how you work, learn, and live.

But understanding it and using it well are two different things.

The good news? You don't have to figure it out alone.

I've spent years helping families and business owners navigate AI with confidence, creativity, and common sense. And I've packaged that knowledge into resources that actually make sense.

What's waiting for you:

  • Courses that teach you to use AI like a pro (without a tech degree)

  • Family-focused guides to raise AI-savvy kids

  • Business automation tools to free up your time

  • Practical templates and workbooks you can use today

No confusing jargon. No empty promises. Just real help for real people.

πŸ‘‰ See What's Available

The best time to start was yesterday. The second best time is right now.

Joy Nicholson - Mastering Course Creation

β€” it’s available in your region here:

πŸ“˜Australia
πŸ“—United States
πŸ“™United Kingdom
πŸ“•Canada

Hi, I’m Joy Nicholson - AI educator, homeschool mum, coffee drinker, and chaos navigator. I help families and everyday humans explore AI with confidence, creativity, and common sense. 

Around here, you’ll find honest conversations, no fluff, and practical tools to raise curious, future-ready kids in a world that’s changing fast. 
I believe in raising thinkers, not just screen-tappers and I’m so glad you’re here.

Joy Nicholson

Hi, I’m Joy Nicholson - AI educator, homeschool mum, coffee drinker, and chaos navigator. I help families and everyday humans explore AI with confidence, creativity, and common sense. Around here, you’ll find honest conversations, no fluff, and practical tools to raise curious, future-ready kids in a world that’s changing fast. I believe in raising thinkers, not just screen-tappers and I’m so glad you’re here.

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