When I was accepted into the Perplexity Business Fellowship program, I was honestly torn. On one hand, I was excited to join this exclusive cohort of business strategists exploring advanced AI applications. On the other hand, it meant giving up every other of my sacred Friday afternoons – my cherished content creation time with tea, my LazyBoy, and uninterrupted focus – for six whole months.
But alas, I’ve learned that often the most valuable growth happens when we step outside our comfort zones.
Here’s my summation of the kickoff session and what Dmitry Shevelenko, Chief Business Officer at Perplexity, said during his interview with Aravind Srinivas (co-founder & CEO):
“Develop muscle memory for evaluating new technologies. Build intuition through repetition. Aim for good judgment faster than others. Use storytelling: make abstract AI concepts concrete. Share personal experiences and specific examples. Ground narratives in practical applications.”
Dmitry was touching on something profound here – first principles thinking. It’s about stripping away assumptions and getting to the core truth of how something works. Rather than following conventional wisdom or mimicking what others do, first principles thinking means starting with fundamental truths and reasoning up from there. It’s the difference between copying a workflow versus truly understanding why each step matters.
For us as solopreneurs, this approach can change the game. Instead of blindly adopting AI tools because “that’s what successful businesses do,” we can evaluate each technology based on how it addresses our specific challenges. Combined with muscle memory – making these tools second nature through consistent practice – we develop an intuition that helps us make better technology decisions faster than our competition.
While first principles thinking is more about cognitive problem-solving, and muscle memory is about physical skill acquisition, both concepts share a common thread – repetition and practice.
That concept of “muscle memory” struck a chord with me, especially working with solopreneurs who want to scale their businesses while juggling so many responsibilities. By applying first principles thinking to understand the fundamental aspects of a new skill and using repetition to build muscle memory, plus the courage to unlearn – solopreneurs can efficiently conquer learning something new.
Why “Muscle Memory” Matters for AI Adoption
We’ve all done it. You learn a new tech tool, get excited about the possibilities, implement it once or twice… and then revert to your old ways of doing things. Not because the new way isn’t better, but because the old way is automatic. It doesn’t require thinking.
This is exactly what happens with AI tools like Gemini or Perplexity. The tools themselves are incredibly powerful, but without consistent use, they remain underutilized—just another “someday” tool in your digital arsenal.
As business owners who have built successful enterprises, you already know that success isn’t about knowing what to do – it’s about consistently doing what you know (staying in your zone of genius). Building muscle memory for AI tools follows the same principle.
The Science Behind Muscle Memory
Yes. Muscle memory works with physical activities too like typing or playing an instrument. The neurological principles apply equally to cognitive processes like using AI tools effectively.
When we repeatedly perform an action, our brains create neural pathways that make those actions require less conscious effort over time. The action becomes automatic – freeing up mental bandwidth for higher-level strategic thinking.
For solopreneurs, this matters. When basic tasks become automatic, you have more cognitive space for the work that moves the needle.
Building Your AI Muscle Memory: Practical Steps
So how do we develop this muscle memory, especially when we’re already juggling so many responsibilities? Here are some practical strategies:
1. Start with a “Sacred 20”
Choose a 20-minute block each day dedicated solely to practicing with your AI tool of choice. During this time, resist the urge to multitask or switch between tools.
For my clients who use Gemini AI, I recommend starting with these simple daily exercises:
- Summarize yesterday’s meeting notes
- Draft responses to three standard client inquiries
- Generate three content ideas around your primary content pillars
- Analyze a competitor’s recent content for strategic insights
2. Create Trigger-Based Habits
Link your AI tool usage to specific triggers in your workday. For example:
- Trigger: Opening your inbox in the morning
- Response: Use Gemini to draft responses to three emails before handling any manually
- Trigger: Client onboarding paperwork
- Response: Use Gemini to customize your welcome templates based on the client’s specific goals
These trigger-based habits help embed AI usage into your existing workflow rather than treating it as a separate activity.
3. Build Progressive Complexity
One mistake I see solopreneurs make is trying to use advanced AI features before mastering the basics. Just like you wouldn’t start a fitness journey with complicated exercises, start with simple AI applications and gradually increase complexity.
Week 1: Basic email drafting and content idea generation Week 2: Document summarization and formatting Week 3: Workflow automation sequences Week 4: Integrated systems with multiple tools
4. Practice Deliberately, Not Passively
As Dmitry emphasized during the Perplexity session, storytelling and concrete examples are key. Don’t just read about AI applications – implement them with specific business problems in mind.
Instead of: “I’ll learn about Gemini’s capabilities” Try: “I’ll use Gemini to analyze my last five client onboarding experiences and identify common friction points”
5. Leverage the Consistency Cascade
I’ve noticed an interesting pattern among clients in my Automation Genius program. Once they build muscle memory in one area (like email management), the adoption of other AI tools accelerates dramatically.
Start with just one workflow you perform daily. Master it completely before moving to weekly tasks, then monthly processes.
Real-Life Examples: Before and After AI Muscle Memory
Example 1: Email Management Transformation
Before: Lisa, a real estate agent, would spend 2-3 hours each morning sorting through emails, manually responding to property inquiries, and forwarding messages to team members.
The Muscle Memory Process:
- Day 1-5: Set up basic Gemini email templates for common inquiries
- Day 6-10: Created Gmail filters and labels with smart response system
- Day 11-15: Added conditional logic to responses based on property type
- Day 16-20: Integrated the system with CRM auto-updates
After: Email management now takes 30 minutes. The time investment to build this muscle memory? Just 20 minutes per day for three weeks. The system now saves her 10+ hours weekly.
Example 2: Content Creation System
Before: Patricia, an executive coach, would block full days for content creation, often feeling overwhelmed by the blank page and spending hours crafting posts.
The Muscle Memory Process:
- Week 1: Daily practice using Gemini to generate content ideas from her content pillars
- Week 2: Added hooks and custom prompt frameworks to her creation system
- Week 3: Incorporated her brand voice and ICP considerations
- Week 4: Built a complete Content OS with scheduled automation
After: Patricia now creates a month of content in a single afternoon, with much higher engagement rates and clearer strategic alignment.
The Aftercare Factor: Why I Include Extended Support
This emphasis on muscle memory is exactly why my Automation Genius program includes aftercare support. After our intensive 4-week program, I provide continued check-ins to ensure these new AI habits stick.
Because I’ve seen it too many times, the difference between temporary improvement and transformative change isn’t in knowing what to do—it’s in continuing to do it until it becomes second nature.
When the Student Becomes the Teacher
While I’m excited to learn more advanced Perplexity applications through the Business Fellowship program, I’m equally committed to grounding everything I learn in practical applications for solopreneurs like you.
As Dmitry advised, I’m ditching the deck. No more 20+ page presentations on AI capabilities. Instead, I’ll be showing rather than telling – demonstrating specific queries, real-life applications, and practical workflows that solve actual business problems.
Your Next Steps: Minimal Viable Muscle Memory
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the AI tools and possibilities, remember this: muscle memory starts with a single repetition.
Choose ONE area where AI could save you significant time. Commit to just 20 minutes daily for the next week, focusing solely on that application. Document your progress and celebrate the small wins.
By the time we meet again on this blog, you’ll have completed your first week of AI muscle memory development. I can’t wait to hear how it’s transforming your workflow!
What area of your business would benefit most from building AI muscle memory? Are you struggling with email overwhelm, content creation, client onboarding, or something else? Share in the comments below—I’d love to offer specific suggestions for your unique situation.
