Why Your Mindset Matters Even More in the AI Era
If you’ve felt an increasing urgency and pressure to act fast, do more, and you're feeling out of your depth with AI - you’re in good company. It's changing at a rate of knots and if you're not involved in some way already with AI it can feel overwhelming.
You’re Not Late
One of the most common mindset traps I’m seeing is the feeling that you’re falling behind.
The fear of being outpaced by technology (or by others) seems to be everywhere. It can push leaders and entrepreneurs toward reacting out of urgency rather than responding with calm clarity. This is challenging and tricky, as the parameters where we could stay ahead of the curve are no longer the same.
When we react, it’s often from that primal part of the brain designed to keep us safe but not necessarily the strategic part. Responding, on the other hand, opens up space to pause, think, lead, and make intentional choices.
Recent studies suggest many leaders are implementing AI tools or shifting direction simply to “keep up” rather than because it truly fits their business. That’s reacting. Real confidence, though, often comes from creating room to respond: with focus, alignment, and clarity.
Reacting vs. Responding: What’s the Difference?
Reacting tends to be driven by fear: the fear of missing out, falling behind, or appearing out of touch. Responding usually comes from a place of calm, clarity, and confidence. One taps into survival mode. The other invites strategy.
And there’s data to back this up:
A McKinsey report found that around 70% of leaders feel unprepared for how AI is reshaping their industries and many respond by making short-term, reactive decisions to ease discomfort. (McKinsey Global Survey on AI, 2023)
Research from LinkedIn and Microsoft shows that over 60% of companies are adopting AI tools without clear use cases, often reacting to pressure rather than real need. (Microsoft & LinkedIn Work Trend Index, 2024)
Harvard Business Review describes this as a “reactivity loop”, where leaders rush to take action to feel better rather than stepping back to think clearly.
With tools evolving faster than attention spans, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Coaching Lens: Managing Reactivity
Clients I work with and the conversations I am having, whether they are solopreneurs or managing teams, are often wondering:
“Am I doing enough?” “Should I be learning more, trying more, adapting faster?”
This kind of thought process can add to the pressure.
Here are some mindset shifts I’ve noticed help clients step out of that cloud of pressure:
“If I’m not first, I’m behind.” → “Is this the right move for me right now?” Trying to be first doesn’t always help the bigger picture. Responding often means focusing on what truly matters to you, not just following the latest trend.
“Everyone else is moving faster.” → “It’s okay to take a thoughtful pause.” Comparing yourself tends to ramp up the pressure and can be a dangerous path rather than focusing on what makes you and/or your business unique. Taking time to think strategically isn’t procrastination - it’s leadership.
“I have to figure it all out.” → “I can choose what to focus on.” There is so much information that is new that it pays to be selective. Not every new tool or update needs attention. Our focus is limited, so where you put it matters.
“I need to have the right answers.” → “I can move forward without perfect clarity.” Confidence often comes from trusting your process: one decision, one filter, one step at a time. That won’t change. Trusting yourself, your instincts, and your knowledge of what you do will help you steer through this.
It’s About More Than Just AI
Where we find ourselves now isn’t only about keeping up with technology.
It’s about how we lead, how we think, and how we decide what really serves us, personally and professionally.
Creating space to respond thoughtfully, rather than reacting out of fear, can shape the quality of your leadership, your work, and your peace of mind.
Reframing the Opportunity
Daniel Priestly recently shared a powerful reframe (and I’m paraphrasing here) that we should all be thinking about how we would start our businesses again, but with an AI lens.
This isn’t just a challenge; it’s an exciting opportunity.
How might you reframe the situation so that you believe in this possibility? And how can you make that work for you and your business?
Here to Help
If you’d like support to keep your direction clear while riding the wave of this rapidly changing landscape, feel free to DM me or email contact@katherineashmore.com - I’m always happy to have a no-pressure chat about what coaching might look like or whether it’s the right fit for you right now.
I’ve also created a quick 3-minute scorecard to help you check in with your mindset and leadership readiness as you face AI-driven change. There are no right or wrong answers: just honest reflections to show where coaching could offer extra clarity, confidence, or support (or where you’re already in a good place).
You can find it here: https://katherine-ashmore-ai-overwhelm-quiz.scoreapp.com
Thanks for reading and I look forward to hearing your thoughts below,
Best wishes,
Katherine
