Issue # 172 | December 9th, 2025

Hi, it's Pat!

I read an article this week that stopped me in my tracks. It talked about how more and more people are outsourcing not just their work, but their actual thinking — to AI.

Not just for research or brainstorming, but for things like:

• How to have a basic conversation
• What to say in a meeting
• How to make everyday decisions

It made me pause and ask myself: Are we using AI as a tool, or are we letting it become a crutch?

Let’s get unstuck.

Quote of the Week

"The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled."

—Plutarch

Story of the Week

The Double-Edged Sword of AI

I love AI. I use it every day to help me brainstorm, draft content, and even automate parts of my business. It’s an incredible tool for saving time and serving people faster.

But here’s the catch: when we let AI do all the thinking for us, we risk losing the very skills that make us valuable as creators, leaders, and humans.

If you’re using AI to write your emails, plan your conversations, and make your decisions, what happens to your own voice? Your intuition? Your ability to solve problems when the script runs out?

The Hidden Cost of Outsourcing Your Brain

AI can help you get unstuck, but if you never wrestle with a problem yourself, you miss out on:

• Learning: Struggling through a challenge is how you grow.
• Creativity: The best ideas often come from connecting dots in your own unique way.
• Confidence: Solving problems yourself builds trust in your own abilities.
• Resilience: If you always have a crutch, you never learn to walk on your own.

I’m seeing people use AI for everything from writing wedding vows to figuring out how to apologize to a friend. If we’re not careful, we’ll lose the muscle of real, human thinking.

Here’s a question I often ponder nowadays: If AI disappeared tomorrow, would we still know how to create, connect, and lead?

Striking the Balance

Now, I’m not saying to cut off AI completely. It’s an amazing tool — one I’ll keep using. But I’m challenging myself (and you) to use it as a partner, not a replacement.

• Use AI to spark ideas, but finish them yourself.
• Let AI help you research, but draw your own conclusions.
• Ask AI for suggestions, but trust your gut on what feels right.

The Human Advantage

At the end of the day, the things that set us apart (especially as business owners) are the things AI can’t do:

• Human connection
• Storytelling
• Empathy
• Original insight
• Real conversation

These are the skills that build trust, loyalty, and community. They’re the things that make your business (and your life) uniquely yours.

Let’s not lose them.

Your Turn

This week, try this: pick one task you’d normally hand off to AI, and do it yourself. Write the email. Have the conversation. Solve the problem. Notice what you learn, and how it feels.

Let’s keep our minds sharp, our stories real, and our connections human.

Join My 30-Day Video Challenge!

I’m launching a free 30-Day Video Challenge, and I’d love for you to join!

Here's how it works: ⬇️

Starting January 12th, 2026, you’ll post one short-form video every day for 30 days on Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.

You’ll be working alongside hundreds of other motivated creators who are showing up every day just like you.

And of course, I’ll be checking in daily with updates, tips, and shoutouts to keep you supported and inspired.

By the end of the 30 days, you’ll have:

• A repeatable daily video series
• Real data to inform your next 30 days (and beyond)
• A growing, engaged audience excited for what's next
• And much more

We’ll kick things off with a live call on Tuesday, January 6th, and Day One of posting begins Monday, January 12th.

Sign up today, and I'll send everything you need to get ready!

Join the 30-Day Video Challenge!

SPI News and Notes

Check out the newest addition to the SPI Community course library! Inside Short-Form Formula, you’ll learn how to map out a short-form content series that fuels 30+ days of posts. Then, after completing your first 30-day posting streak, you’ll discover how to repurpose your content, streamline your workflow, and ultimately turn casual viewers into superfans. This course follows my exact short-form framework that’s generated over 10 million daily views and built audiences of millions across multiple platforms. Learn more about Short-Form Formula here!​

Where are you right now with short-form video? I’m posting consistently and happy with my results. I’ve posted before, but staying consistent is the challenge. I’m posting consistently but not seeing the results I hoped for. I haven’t started yet, but I want to.

As a content creator, there’s a lot of pressure to “be everywhere,” but how do you show up everywhere without burning out? In this episode of The Smart Passive Income Podcast, I chat with Gideon Shalwick about the most effective strategies for winning big with short-form content. We dive into how to choose your hero platform, debunk common myths about third-party tools and daily posting, and discuss why engaging with your audience at peak times matters. Tune in here!​ Want to get an email from me every time I release a new podcast episode? Click here, and I’ll make sure you never miss out!

Cheers,

Pat Flynn

Founder, SPI

Dad Joke of the Week

How do you know when your clock is still hungry?

It goes back four seconds.