The biggest AI productivity gain wasn't better models

For a long time, I thought the key to getting value from AI was finding the smartest model. So I spent months comparing outputs, testing prompts, and constantly switching tools whenever a new release dropped. Ironically, that became its own form of procrastination. The biggest productivity boost came when I stopped optimizing for model quality and started optimizing for workflow. Now my stack is boring: One tool for thinking and writing One tool for execution and organization A few specialized tools only when needed Less tool-hopping. Less context switching. shipping.