Stop Saying “Um” — And Start Treating AI Like Strategy

📊 Stats don’t lie.

• 93% of communication is non-verbal.

• People decide if you’re credible in just 7 seconds.

• Your brain processes visuals 60,000x faster than text.

That’s why great communicators train their muscle memory. The fewer distractions (like filler words), the faster your message lands.

Michael Chad Hoeppner explains this brilliantly in his book Don’t Say Um. It’s not about sounding polished — it’s about building trust so you don’t lose people before the idea even registers.

What This Has to Do With AI (Everything)

Here’s the trap most people fall into:
They treat AI like a gadget, not a strategy.

• Toy users → burn hours playing with prompts that go nowhere.

• Toolbox users → save some time, automate a few tasks.

• Strategists → use AI to fact-check contracts, spot bias, stress-test investments, and see what’s hiding in plain sight.

Just like avoiding “um” in speech, using AI strategically builds trust and influence. It makes your decisions sharper and your time more valuable.

The Human Psychology Behind It

We trust people who:

• Speak with clarity (no ums).

• Decide with confidence (no hesitation).

• Learn faster than everyone else (no excuses).

That last one is the kicker: faster learning is the moat.

The winners in business, real estate, investing — even leadership — won’t be the ones who know the most today. They’ll be the ones who adapt the fastest tomorrow.

Why This Matters Now

If you’re still asking, “Should I use AI?” — you’re already behind.

The better question is:
👉 Am I training my brain to use AI as strategy, not a crutch?

Because the opportunities in 2025 aren’t going to wait.

Read the book. Build the muscle. Train the strategy.
Plain sight opportunities are rarely plain.