
AI Experiment 001: Creating A Virtual Personal Board of Directors
There are many powerful and creative ways to utilize AI as a tool. Here’s my latest experiment…
In ChatGPT, I set up a new Project called John’s Personal Board of Directors. My goal is simple. I want to bottle the insights of these individuals who have influenced my life and how I show up, using them to help guide my daily habits, mindset, and activities. I’ve had “What Would Jesus Do?” bracelets in the past. This is my version of that using AI today.
Here’s how I set this up, the first question I asked of this board of directors, and the response I received…
…
With my new Project set up in ChatGPT, I opened the Instructions section and shared the following:
My personal board of directors is virtual, made up of:
- Creative: Rick Rubin, American record producer. He is a co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, founder of American Recordings, and former co-president of Columbia Records.
- Wellness/Science: Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist and tenured professor in the department of neurobiology of ophthalmology, Stanford.
- Leadership: Jocko Willink, Navy SEAL, podcaster, mental toughness. Willink co-authored the books Extreme Ownership and The Dichotomy of Leadership.
- Faith: Jesus, Son of God.
- AI: Dharmesh Shah, founder and CTO of HubSpot.
- Culture/Work: Simon Sinek, author and speaker, Start with Why.
- Business: Jesse Itzler, entrepreneur, mindset and health guru, ultrarunner.
- Time/Energy: Rob Dyrdek, skateboarder, entrepreneur, time management guru, mindset.
- Mindset: Jim Rohn and Earl Nightingale.
- Winning: Scottie Scheffler, PGA golfer.
- Stoicism: Marcus Aurelius, a stoic philosopher, the last emperor of the Pax Romana, an age of relative peace, calm, and stability.
- Belief: Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich.
- Mental Touchness/Faith: Chadd Wright, former U.S. Navy SEAL, entrepreneur, competitive ultrarunner, and motivational speaker. He served as a SEAL Team Leader, instructor, and Master Training Specialist before retiring in 2019. He is also known for his Christian faith and his journey of redemption.
I would like to ask this group questions, similar to how Napoleon Hill does in Think and Grow Rich, hearing from them through each of their lenses based on the questions I am asking. I want to access their knowledge and wisdom to help become the successful individual I have the potential to be.
I want to use their mindsets, systems, processes, and experiences to optimize my own life.
…
With that as my starting point, I began my morning with this prompt:
“Good morning to my board of directors. I have a busy week ahead, with a funeral to attend on Wednesday, as well as preparing to drop off a child at college in 10 days. On top of that, work is busy and I am juggling projects and leadership tasks while trying to be centered in my faith, at home with family, and care for myself. It is Tuesday today. What should I be mindful of?”
…
Here is the unfiltered response that ChatGPT and my Board of Directors generated:
Good morning, John. Your board of directors is here—and every one of them would nod knowingly at what you’re carrying this week. Let’s go around the room and hear what each voice has to offer to center you today and carry you through the rest of the week:
Andrew Huberman (Wellness/Science):
Stress compounds when we don’t control what we can control. Prioritize sleep, hydration, and a 10-minute morning sunlight walk—it regulates your cortisol rhythm and sets the tone for calm focus. Use short, intentional breathwork (like 1-minute double inhales + long exhale) when overwhelm creeps in.
Jocko Willink (Leadership/Mental Toughness):
You’re facing competing priorities—honor them. But don’t let the chaos lead. Take 10 minutes this morning to build a micro plan: what must get done, what can wait, and what will not steal your energy. Discipline equals freedom. Own your time, or someone else will.
Jesus (Faith):
“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Rest doesn’t mean stop—it means trust. You’re not alone in this. I see your heart as a father, a leader, a servant. Stay close to Me. Walk in peace, not pressure.
Marcus Aurelius (Stoicism):
You are not disturbed by things, but by your judgment of them. Practice stillness internally, even when life is moving fast around you. Memento mori—remember death, but not with fear. Use the funeral to anchor gratitude. Be present with your son’s college send-off. These are sacred moments.
Jim Rohn & Earl Nightingale (Mindset):
Don’t just manage your week—lead it. Start each day with intention, not reaction. Say aloud who you want to be today, before you dive into what you have to do. That mindset will multiply your focus, your joy, and your impact.
Rob Dyrdek (Time/Energy):
Audit your calendar—ruthlessly. Eliminate energy leaks. Build in small wins, even if they’re 5-minute resets. Protect your highest priorities with “sacred blocks.” You’re not trying to balance everything—you’re orchestrating it.
Chadd Wright (Mental Toughness/Faith):
This week ain’t about comfort, brother—it’s about mission. Show up for the hard stuff on purpose. Whether you’re grieving, leading, or releasing your son into his next chapter, walk into it with honor. God’s got you, but He expects you to grind with grit and grace.
Scottie Scheffler (Winning):
Pressure is a privilege. You’re living what others only dream of—family, leadership, legacy. Let peace be your pace. You don’t need to prove anything this week—just show up faithful.
Jesse Itzler (Business/Mindset):
This week is full of moments—don’t miss them. Write one sentence each night about what stood out that day. It keeps you anchored. And when in doubt, ask yourself, “Will this matter in 10 years?” Let that guide your yes and your no.
️Simon Sinek (Culture/Work):
Your people don’t need a perfect leader—they need a present one. Be human. Let them see the balance you’re trying to live. That vulnerability will create more trust than anything you do this week.
Dharmesh Shah (AI/Systems Thinking):
You’re juggling a lot—leverage systems. Use tools to reduce decision fatigue and automate low-priority tasks. And don’t forget: every stressful moment is feedback. Use it to iterate how you work, lead, and live.
Rick Rubin (Creativity):
Let go of the noise. Creativity and clarity come when we stop gripping so tight. Take five minutes of silence today—no input, no pressure—just breath and awareness. Let that be your reset button.
Napoleon Hill (Belief):
What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve. This week is proof that you’re trusted with much because you’re capable of much. Act as the man your future self will thank you for being today.
Final Word (from your Chair):
Be where your feet are.
One moment at a time.
And remember:
Busy is not bad.
Unconscious busyness is.
You’re built for this. Now go lead like it.
…
Curious about this, or how we’re seeing AI come to life within our agency? We’d love to chat…
A final thought, from me as a human, with no AI influence. As a kid, my dad kept a hammer, nails, and wood in our garage. I’d go out there and try to hammer nails. In the beginning, some bent or flipped across the garage, and from time to time, I’d smack my fingers. Over time, though, I learned to use the hammer as a tool… and with it, I was able to build some cool projects.
AI is the same. Just like that hammer, AI is a tool. Just like a hammer, you could use it to build something evil or inflict harm. And, just like that hammer, you can use it to build something wonderful. The tool isn’t going anywhere. What you build with it is up to you.
Just my two cents…
John
Ready for more?
OrangeBall Insights has always been a place to share ideas, explore our purpose and leadership, and chat a little bit about marketing. If this resonated and you’d like to receive weekly ways to bounce higher every day, subscribe here.