We drop a lot of tools every week — and trust us, we know how overwhelming that can get.
A few readers recently asked how we decide which ones make the cut — so here it is: a quick guide to picking tools that actually earn their keep (and don’t just charge rent on your credit card).
Because you already know the drill:
There’s a new AI launch on Monday, a “must-try” Chrome extension by Wednesday, and by Friday, a $29 monthly fee accumulated.
Individually, they all sound useful. But stacked together? It’s chaos.
Your bank account starts sweating, your workflow slows down, and half of those tools end up collecting dust in some forgotten browser tab.
That’s not progress — that’s subscription creep dressed up as productivity.
Here’s the unglamorous truth: the more tools you add, the messier your workflow gets. Every new app means another login, another learning curve, another tiny tax on your attention.
Eventually, you’re spending more time managing your stack than actually working.
So when you feel that “ooh, new AI toy” itch — pause. Ask yourself what problem it’s really solving.
Before you add anything new, run through these five quick checks:
Is this solving a real, painful problem — or just a cool demo?
Do I already have something that does this well enough?
Does it fit naturally into my existing workflow?
Is the company behind it solid, or just chasing hype?
Does it save me time — or just make me feel productive?
If it doesn’t clear most of those, skip it. No guilt.
And to keep it simple:
Keep 70% of your workflow on trusted, everyday tools.
Use 20% for specialized stuff that solves specific tasks.
And the other 10% ? That’s your sandbox — where you experiment, explore, and play.
Because trying new things is part of the fun…
But always — and I repeat, always — audit constantly. Cancel ruthlessly. Keep what earns its place.
The Takeaway:
You don’t need to chase every shiny launch. You just need a small, steady stack that helps you do more — not manage more.
Because the smartest move in AI right now isn’t using every tool — it’s knowing which ones to ignore.
You can find out more here.
