If you’ve been hearing a lot about AI lately and feeling both curious and unsure, I want you to know you’re not alone.

On a recent episode of The Gloria Show, I had a powerful conversation with my guest, Doreen DeJesus-Harper, about how artificial intelligence can support personal growth. Not replace it. Not override it. But support it.

What kept coming up again and again in our conversation was this truth:
AI is not here to take away your humanity. It’s here to help you clear the noise so you can focus on becoming the best version of yourself.

AI Is More Than a Productivity Tool

Most people think of AI as something that helps you work faster. And yes, it absolutely does that. But what really excites me is how AI can be used as a personal development tool.

AI can support you with:

• Journaling prompts when you do not know where to begin
• Self-reflection questions that help you get unstuck
• Goal setting that feels meaningful instead of overwhelming
• Habit formation and consistency
• Confidence-building through clearer communication

When you stop thinking of AI as a machine and start thinking of it as a conversation tool, everything shifts.

The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

One of the first things Doreen and I talked about was mindset. Fear around AI is real, and I hear it all the time.

So I want to invite you into a different way of thinking:

• Instead of saying “AI is taking over,” try saying “AI helps me do more of what matters.”

That one shift alone can open the door to curiosity, learning, and growth.

Let’s Clear Up a Few AI Myths

There are a lot of misconceptions that keep people from even trying AI. Let’s talk about the big ones.

• AI is not replacing people. It removes busy work so your brilliance has room to shine.
• AI is not unethical when used responsibly and transparently.
• AI is not only for tech-savvy people. If you can have a conversation, you can use AI.
• AI is accessible. Tools like ChatGPT have free versions you can explore today.

You do not need to be an expert to get started.

Simple Ways I’ve Seen AI Support Personal Growth

During the episode, Doreen shared some very practical ways AI can be used for personal development. These are things I know many of you can relate to.

You can use AI to:

• Create affirmations that actually feel like you
• Generate journaling prompts based on what you are working through
• Clarify one personal goal for the month
• Identify emotional patterns, fears, or limiting beliefs
• Learn a new skill without spending hours searching online

One example I especially loved was using AI to help rewrite emails. If you’ve ever stared at a message wondering how to sound professional, kind, and clear all at once, AI can help reduce that stress.

Why the Way You Ask Matters

One of the most important points Doreen made is this: AI only works well when you give it clarity.

If you ask a vague question, you’ll get a vague answer. AI does not know you unless you tell it about you.

Instead of asking:

• “What should I focus on this month?”

Try asking:

• “Help me clarify one personal development goal to focus on this month. Ask me questions to narrow it down and make it meaningful.”

That’s when AI becomes a real support tool.

AI and Coaching Can Work Together

As a life coach, I want to be very clear about this. AI does not replace coaching. It complements it.

AI can help you:

• Reflect before a coaching session
• Organize your thoughts and emotions
• Gain awareness between sessions

It can also help coaches think more creatively and prepare more intentionally. But the human connection, empathy, and relationships are still the foundation of growth.

Will AI Take Away Creativity?

This is a concern I hear often, and I understand it. But what I’ve seen, and what Doreen shared, is the opposite.

AI can actually spark creativity by:

• Offering new perspectives
• Helping you see things differently
• Getting you out of your own mental loop

The key is this. AI is a starting point, not the final draft. Your voice still matters.

How AI Can Help Build Confidence

Confidence grows from clarity and competence. When you feel clearer and more capable, you naturally show up differently.

AI can support confidence by:

• Improving communication skills
• Helping you express your thoughts clearly
• Supporting small, consistent wins over time

This can be especially powerful for young people and professionals who are learning how to communicate more effectively in the workplace.

AI Is a Starting Point, Not the Finish Line

I want to be very intentional here. AI should never be the final authority in your personal growth.

It is:

• A tool
• A support system
• A place to begin reflection and learning

Your growth still requires awareness, intention, and human connection.

A Prompt I Encourage You to Try

Doreen shared a powerful prompt during the episode, and I want to pass it along to you. You can copy and paste this directly into ChatGPT.

You are an expert in personal development strategies with over 30 years of experience. Create me a plan, but before offering any advice or creating a plan, ask me 7–10 clarifying questions to understand my specific personal development goal, why it matters to me, my emotional patterns, any limiting beliefs or fears involved, my lifestyle, current habits, preferred type of support, and anything else you need to fully understand my situation. If any of my answers are vague, incomplete, or unclear, ask follow-up questions like a coach would. Once you have a complete picture, summarize what you learned about me in a clear, supportive way. Then help me identify ONE meaningful goal to focus on this month and explain why this goal is important and aligned with my values. Next, outline:

1. Three daily actions I can take to build momentum
2. One weekly habit to reinforce progress
3. One monthly milestone to measure growth
4. A mindset shift or affirmation that supports this goal
5. One reflective question I should revisit each week
6. A gentle accountability structure I can follow

Make the entire plan personalized, practical, emotionally supportive, and easy to follow.

Why This Master Prompt Works

It includes ALL the elements you need for transformational guidance:

• Deep clarity
• Emotional insight
• Personalized reflection
• Coaching-style questioning
• Structured action steps
• Built-in accountability
• A clear growth roadmap

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If this conversation resonated with you, I invite you to explore AI gently and intentionally. Start small. Ask thoughtful questions. Use it as a support, not a replacement.

And if you’re looking for more guidance on your personal development journey, download my free ebook, Everything I Want and Nothing That I Don’t. It’s designed to help you create clarity, freedom, and alignment in your life.

I’ll close today’s post with a truth that is especially relevant to this conversation and defines everything I stand for and teach: ultra successful people never stop learning, never stop growing, and never stop reaching for new heights.

Watch the Interview on YouTube

Learn more about Doreen DeJesus-Harper:

Website: www.ambicionz.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ambicionz2022 
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ambicionz
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ambicionz

On The Gloria Show, we often discuss growth, mindset, and creating a meaningful life. In this episode, I sat down with Sue Burke-Lydon, Senior Manager of Product at Spectrum Reach, performance coach, and lifelong learner, to explore what lifelong learning really looks like in a rapidly changing world shaped by AI and constant change.

Sue has lived many reinventions. She is a girl mom, MBA, product strategist, roller derby alum, yoga teacher, and entrepreneur. Instead of staying in one lane, she brings all of these parts of herself into everything she does. Her message is simple:

When you stop compartmentalizing who you are and start leading with your whole self, you build the resilience, adaptability, and courage needed to thrive today.

In this blog, we will walk through the key insights from our conversation and how you can apply them in your own life and career.

Why Lifelong Learning Is No Longer Optional

If you have been following The Gloria Show for any length of time, you are already familiar with my strong belief in lifelong learning. It is not a hobby or a nice-to-have. It is a way of living.

Sue sees it the same way. She has spent more than two decades exploring human development, reading, studying, and experimenting with new ideas. For her, lifelong learning is what allows you to:

• Stay relevant in a fast-changing world
• Respond to new challenges with curiosity instead of fear
• Reimagine your identity when life or work suddenly shifts
• Build confidence from experience rather than titles

In a world shaped by AI, automation, and constant disruption, your most valuable skills are no longer only technical ones. They are what Sue calls the real power skills:

• Curiosity
• A growth mindset
• Emotional awareness
• Adaptability

These are the skills that help you pivot, experiment, and reinvent, even when the future feels uncertain.

The Myth of Work Life Balance

One of the most powerful parts of our conversation was Sue’s perspective on work-life balance.

She hears that phrase a lot in corporate spaces, and it always makes her smile. Not because balance is unimportant, but because the way we talk about it often creates more stress instead of less.

Work-life balance can become:

• Another impossible standard
• Another way to feel like we are failing
• Another reason to divide who we are into separate boxes

Sue believes that traditional work-life balance is a myth. Instead of separating work and life into opposite sides of a scale, she invites us to think about integration.

You are not just an employee.
You are not just a parent.
You are not just a business owner or a creative.

You are all of it.

When you stop trying to keep every part of your life in separate containers and begin to integrate who you are, you:

• Bring more value to your work
• Show up as a fuller human being
• Feel less like you are “rushing” from role to role
• Experience more ease, even in a busy season

Her roles as a leadership coach, product manager, yoga teacher, and roller derby player all inform one another. Coaching makes her a better leader at Spectrum Reach, and her corporate experience gives her a richer context when working with coaching clients.

Instead of asking, “How do I balance it all?” she asks, “How do these parts of me work together?”

Roller Derby, Yoga, and the Power of Nonlinear Success

On paper, Sue’s life does not look linear. She has:

• Lived in three countries and about 25 cities
• Played roller derby for seven years with the Savannah Derby Devils
• Become a yoga teacher
• Built a career in product leadership
• Raised daughters as a girl mom

Roller derby and yoga might sound like opposites, yet both have shaped who she is as a leader and coach.

What Roller Derby Taught Her About Leadership

Roller derby is fast, physical, and intense. It is also grassroots and community-driven. The league runs everything, from:

• Events
• Merchandise
• Public relations
• Training
• Logistics

In other words, it works much like a small business.

On the track, Sue had to face her fears, especially around physical contact and competition. She learned how to:

• Push past self doubt
• Get back up after being knocked down
• Work with strong personalities
• See the opposing team as people, not enemies

That experience translated into the workplace as resilience, confidence, and the ability to collaborate in high pressure environments.

What Yoga Taught Her About Self Awareness

On the other side of the spectrum, yoga gave her a quieter kind of power. Through breathwork, discipline, and body awareness, she learned to:

• Notice how she reacts emotionally and physically
• Create a pause before responding
• Stay present instead of mentally jumping to her to-do list
• Bring more calm into parenting and leadership

Practices like ujjayi breathing helped her handle the intensity of roller derby and the stress of corporate life. Yoga made her a more patient parent, a more grounded coach, and a more self-aware leader.

These paths may seem unrelated. Together, they show that success does not have to be linear. Your “side paths” often give you the exact skills and insights you later need for your main work.

Stop “Shoulding” on Yourself

In our conversation, we talked about one of the biggest traps that holds people back: the world of “should.”

• I should be further along.
• I should stick to one lane.
• I should have a stable, linear career.
• I should not talk about my hobbies at work.

In yoga, there is a playful phrase: “Stop shoulding on yourself.”

A “should” is usually either:

• Someone else’s expectation, or
• What you think someone else expects of you

Coaching often begins by helping people sort through:

• What do you truly value?
• What feels meaningful and alive for you?
• Which goals are actually yours and which belong to someone else?

When you stop living by other people’s “shoulds,” you reconnect with your own definition of success. That opens the door to more authentic choices, more creative risks, and new ways of learning.

Pivot Star Labs: Becoming a Star at Pivoting

Sue’s coaching platform, Pivot Star Labs, is deeply rooted in her roller derby experience. In derby, one of the key positions is called the pivot. The pivot:

• Leads the pack
• Reads the movement of the group
• Shifts direction quickly when needed
• Can even take on the scoring role when required

That image inspired Pivot Star Labs. Today, agility is a vital skill. We do not just need to be independent. We need to become skilled at pivoting.

In her coaching work, Sue helps clients:

• Understand who they are at a deep level
• Clarify what needs to change
• Identify the gap between where they are and where they want to go
• Experiment with new paths in a safe, structured way

The process is practical and also personal. It is about being willing to be vulnerable, honest, and open to new possibilities, then taking action from that place.

How Sue Uses AI in Coaching and Personal Branding

Since we were talking about lifelong learning in an AI-driven world, I asked Sue how she is using AI in her coaching.

One of her favorite applications is in personal branding workshops, especially around LinkedIn. Here is how she approaches it:

1. She works with clients to uncover their values, experiences, and stories.
2. Together they explore not only work history, but also “hidden” parts of their lives that reveal discipline, creativity, or resilience.
3. She feeds those details into an AI tool like ChatGPT with a clear prompt, such as: “You are a branding expert. Help us craft a LinkedIn About section for this person.”
4. They review the draft, refine it, and shape it into a voice that feels authentic to the client.

AI does not replace the human process. It supports it. Many people struggle to write about themselves. AI gives them a starting point, a language for their story, and a way to see their experiences through a fresh lens.

At the same time, Sue is very clear about what AI cannot do:

• It does not read body language or micro expressions.
• It does not feel the energy in the room.
• It does not build deep trust.

This is where human coaching remains essential. The accountability, empathy, collaboration, and presence that a coach brings are irreplaceable.

In an AI-driven world, the invitation is not to compete with AI, but to partner with it. Let the tool handle structure and drafts while you supply self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and integrity.

Why Lifelong Learning Protects You From Burnout

There is a growing body of research that shows how hobbies and passion projects can help prevent burnout. Sue has seen this firsthand.

When you stay connected to what lights you up:

• Work stress feels more manageable
• You have something energizing to look forward to
• You stay more open to new ideas
• You interact with others from a fuller, more grounded place

Lifelong learning is not only about professional development. It is also about:

• Trying a new sport or discipline
• Learning a creative skill
• Joining a community or league
• Attending workshops that stretch your thinking

These experiences give you more stories, more perspective, and more resilience when life shifts unexpectedly.

Practical Tips To Embrace Lifelong Learning

If you are feeling the impact of constant change, here are a few simple ways to step into lifelong learning in an AI-driven world:

1. Get Curious About Yourself

Start by learning you.

• List your values.
• Notice how you react under stress.
• Pay attention to what makes your eyes light up.

This is the foundation of authentic leadership and meaningful growth.

2. Stop Hiding Your “Nonlinear” Story

Think about experiences you might be dismissing as “not relevant” such as:

• Sports
• Art or performance
• Volunteer work
• Travel
• Parenting

Ask yourself: What did this teach me about discipline, communication, or resilience? Those lessons are often the heart of your personal brand.

3. Use AI as a Learning Partner

Instead of fearing AI, explore how it can support your growth:

• Ask it to help you brainstorm new career paths.
• Use it to draft a LinkedIn summary that you then refine.
• Let it suggest interview questions, reflection prompts, or learning plans.

You stay in charge. AI becomes a tool, not a replacement.

4. Replace “Should” With “What Matters To Me”

When you catch yourself thinking, “I should be doing X,” pause and ask:

• Who does this “should” belong to?
• What do I actually want?
• What feels aligned for this season of my life?

This shift alone can free up a huge amount of energy.

5. Keep One Small Learning Habit

Lifelong learning does not have to be overwhelming. You might:

• Listen to a podcast on your commute
• Read ten pages of a book each night
• Attend one webinar a month
• Learn a small feature of a new tool each week

Small, consistent actions create momentum.

Bringing Your Whole Self To the Game

As Sue likes to say, growth is a lifelong sport. You are not here to play small, hide parts of yourself, or squeeze into someone else’s version of success.

You are here to:

• Learn
• Evolve
• Reinvent
• Bring every part of yourself to the table

In a world that is shifting faster than ever, lifelong learning is how you keep moving, stay grounded, and create a life that fits who you truly are.

Watch the Interview on YouTube

Learn more about Sue Burke-Lydon:

Website: www.pivotstarlabs.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sue.burkelydon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaking.your.asana
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suebl

Mental fitness is no longer a luxury for today’s leaders. It is a requirement. Whether you are running a corporate team, building your own business, or navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, the ability to stay calm, focused, and emotionally balanced directly impacts your performance and the success of those you lead.

On a recent episode of The Gloria Show, host Gloria Sloan sat down with wellness expert, international best selling author, and Positive Intelligence PQ Coach Lisa Hammett to explore strategies that help leaders develop strong mental fitness. The conversation revealed powerful insights on how burnout happens, how to prevent it, and how small daily habits can transform your mindset.

This blog highlights the strongest takeaways from that episode and gives you actionable steps you can use right away.

Why Mental Fitness Matters for Every Leader

Gloria opened the conversation with a powerful truth.

Leadership happens wherever you work.

Your workplace may be a corner office, a home office, or a kitchen table full of sticky notes and project deadlines. Regardless of the setting, you are responsible for decisions, direction, and influence. Mental fitness gives you the strength to:

• Manage stress without losing clarity
• Adapt to change with confidence
• Support your team with empathy
• Maintain high performance
• Avoid burnout before it hits

Stress has become so common that many leaders ignore the warning signs until the damage is already done. Lisa knows this experience firsthand.

Lisa’s Burnout Story: “I Hit a Cement Wall”

Before becoming a wellness and mental fitness expert, Lisa spent 26 years as a corporate leader. Eventually the constant pressure, workload, and emotional strain became too much.

She described it as “slamming into a cement wall.”

She was mentally drained, physically exhausted, 65 pounds overweight, and struggling with chronic migraines and digestive issues. Even her marriage was affected. One day she woke up and felt that everything around her looked gray and empty.

In desperation, she walked away from her job with no exit plan. Although she later faced financial consequences, she rebuilt her life through wellness coaching, mindset training, and ultimately Positive Intelligence.

Her journey out of burnout is what fuels her passion to prevent others from reaching that breaking point.

What Is Mental Fitness and Why Is It a Skill?

Mental fitness is the ability to stay calm, focused, and intentional even when life gets messy. It is a skill that grows with consistent practice.

Lisa teaches her clients how to quiet mental chaos so they can focus on what they can control instead of spiraling into fear or overwhelm. These simple techniques retrain the brain to stay steady in stressful moments.

Techniques to Stay Calm Under Pressure

Lisa shared practical mental fitness exercises that leaders and entrepreneurs can use anytime. These techniques help interrupt negative thought patterns and restore clarity.

1. Engage Your Senses

This simple but powerful practice keeps you grounded in the present moment.

Try these:

• Look at an object as if you are seeing it for the first time. Notice color, texture, reflections.
• Pause and identify all the sounds around you.
• Rub your fingertips together and feel the ridges, temperature, or texture.
• Savor a sip of tea or coffee and focus fully on the taste and warmth.

These micro moments pull your brain away from stress and back into calm awareness.

2. Use the “Fascinated Anthropologist” Approach

When tension rises, ask yourself three questions:

1. What am I feeling in this moment
2. What might others be feeling
3. What part of this situation can I influence

These questions help leaders respond with empathy instead of reacting emotionally.

3. The “Activate Power” for Procrastination and Overwhelm

When you are avoiding a project or drowning in tasks, ask:

What is needed right now?

Then take a tiny first step. Not the whole project. Not a large milestone. Something small.

Examples:

• Draft an outline
• Write two sentences
• Make a list of people who can help
• Send one email

Small steps build momentum and reduce overwhelm.

4. The “Older Wiser Self” Method

If your mind is spiraling with worry, imagine your older wiser self guiding you. What would they tell you about this situation?

Most of the time the answer is simple. Let it go. Focus on what you can control. Stop wasting energy on what has not even happened.

Why Morning Habits Shape Your Entire Day

Gloria emphasized something many successful leaders already know. Your morning routine sets the tone for your day.

The first 30 to 60 minutes after waking influence your mindset more than most people realize. Lisa recommends beginning each day with:

• Gratitude
• Sensory mindfulness
• Calm reflection
• A positive mental charge before touching your phone

This early mental alignment strengthens resilience and helps you make better decisions throughout the day.

Mental Fitness for Entrepreneurs Working Alone

Entrepreneurs carry multiple roles and endless responsibilities. You might be the CEO, the marketing team, the administrative assistant, and the accountant all in one. Mental fitness keeps you steady in the chaos.

If your desk is cluttered with deadlines, projects, and unanswered messages:

• Pause
• Breathe
• Refocus
• Identify one small step
• Choose to direct your energy instead of letting stress direct you

You do not need to do everything at once. You just need to start.

Why Your Mindset Determines Your Success

Lisa reminded us that even the most talented professionals fail when their mindset is not aligned. Olympians and elite performers work with mindset coaches because achieving big goals starts inside the mind.

If you cannot see yourself succeeding, you will never take the steps to get there.

Mental fitness helps you believe, visualize, and take aligned action.

Explore Positive Intelligence and Mental Fitness Resources

Lisa Hammett offers several powerful tools for anyone who wants to strengthen their mental fitness:

Her Books:

From Burnout to Best Life (Book 1) – Focuses on holistic well-being
From Burnout to Best Life (Book 2) – A deeper focus on mental fitness, leadership, and navigating burnout

Each chapter includes reflection questions to help you identify patterns and build healthier habits.

You can explore her books and coaching at LisaHammett.com.

Final Thoughts: You Can Strengthen Your Mental Fitness Starting Today

Mental fitness is just like physical fitness. You do not get stronger without practice.

Your leadership, your business, and your wellbeing depend on your ability to stay calm, clear, and resilient. Whether you lead a large team or run a one person operation, you deserve the tools and support that help you thrive.

Watch the Interview on YouTube

Learn more about Lisa Hammett:

Website: https://lisahammett.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healthylivinglisahammett
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisa.hammett
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisahammett

Free Gift:

Saboteur Assessment: www.positiveintelligence.com/assessments

Books:

From Burnout to Best Life: Sustainable Strategies for a Healthy Mind and Body – https://amzn.to/4r0Gzrq

From Burnout to Best Life: How to Take Charge of Your Health and Happiness – https://amzn.to/49l6ofB

Fighting Breast Cancer with Strength and Self-Advocacy

Watch the Interview on YouTube

Learn more about Dorchelle Spence:

Website: www.dorchellespence.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dorchelle.spence
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dorchellespence/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorchelle-spence-8418a85/

Books:

Into the Gathering Clouds: https://www.dorchellespence.com/into-the-gathering-clouds

No Less Worthy: https://amzn.to/49AgWr8

Watch the Interview on YouTube

Learn more about Eva Simone:

Website: www.embodimentiseverything.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/embodimentiseverythingbyevasimone
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evasimonecoaching/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eva-simone-eie/
Her Book: Honey in Her Bones: The Pathway to a Delicious Life: https://amzn.to/4qfrmCB

Watch the Interview on: YouTube

Learn more about Niobis Queiro: https://nioqueiro.com