Imagination: Envisioning the New

The ability to form new ideas and images in the mind.

• • Brainstorming Sessions
• • Limit Constraints
• • Diverse Perspectives

Innovation: Bringing Ideas to Life

The implementation of new ideas, devices, or methods.

• • Experimentation
• • Collaborative Effort
• • Continuous Learning

The roadmap to your next breakthrough could be lurking in your bad ideas. These ideas often feel like failures, but they’re actually the starting point for inversion thinking: a practical method for approaching problems backwards. 

Atomic Habits author James Clear calls inversion “the crucial thinking skill nobody ever taught you.” It’s free, proven and available to everyone. Yet despite its power, it remains an untapped resource for many professionals. With this one easy technique, you can pivot dead-end ideas into actionable ones in just three steps. 

The power of inversion 

When normal thinking fails, inverted thinking is a welcome form of mental intervention because it uncovers insights you already have, removes internal censorship and breaks habitual thinking patterns. 

Uncovering insights 

While good ideas can feel elusive, the brain has an endless supply of bad ideas. This is tied to our hard-wired disposition toward negativity, known as negativity bias. 

You’ve likely already thought of many bad ideas for any given project subconsciously, but not captured them or explored their potential to pivot into actionable insights. 

Removing internal censorship

Self-imposed mental filtering dilutes creative thinking. Bad ideas shouldn’t be avoided in the creative process: they’re important stepping stones. They might even be responsible for some of your favorite songs. 

“The hundreds or thousands of dumb ideas that I’ve had are what led me to my good ideas,” shared Taylor Swift while accepting the Innovator Award at the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards. “You have to give yourself permission to fail.” 

Breaking habitual thinking patterns

The human mind is programmed for routine and automation. We benefit greatly from this, but mental autopilot is a double-edged sword. Workplace trainer Bob Sager, founder of SpearPoint Solutions, LLC, equates normal thinking with driving on a mental race track. 

“You think you’re thinking hard about it, and you are, but you end up right back in the exact same place because your subconscious process rules your thoughts and activity,” Sager shared. His technique, “the ABCs of bad ideas,” helps you exit the racetrack and go off-road to places you never expected. 

The ABCs of bad ideas

The ABCs of bad ideas is an inversion exercise that Sager invented, though he doesn’t use the term “inversion thinking” himself. Instead, he champions its simplicity: “There’s often elegance in simplicity…. The simpler an idea or strategy is, the more likely it is to actually be implemented.” Try this simple approach yourself the next time you’re stuck in a creative rut. 

Step 1: Make your A-to-Z ideas list 

Articulate the problem that you’re tackling. Then, come up with a deliberately bad idea for solving the problem for each letter of the alphabet, from A to Z. 

For example, say that you’re organizing a free company event and want professionals in your industry to RSVP. Some bad ideas for incentivizing attendance could be: 

• A: Abandoning invitations and opting for word-of-mouth awareness instead. 
• B: Being mysterious or obscure about what the event actually is. 
• C: Charging a fee, even though the event is free. 

The result is 26 bad ideas, some of which Sager says won’t be bad at all—just different. “Different is better than better,” Sager shared, quoting Sally Hogshead. Don’t censor yourself as you write this list. Push past the habitual guardrails that keep you on the same mental race track. 

After your list is finished, ask one specific question to find which bad ideas can be pivoted into good ones. 

Step 2: Ask the magic question 

Look at each bad idea individually and ask: In what ways might I tweak this to make it a good idea? Sager said that this specific question “directs your brain” to find opportunities. 

Looking critically at the corporate event example, opportunities to tweak the bad ideas quickly emerge. Abandoning invitations is risky, but generating word-of-mouth awareness is a strong idea that deserves further exploration. As for charging a fee, this contradicts the fact that the event is free. But you could charge a small fee for guests to RSVP, and then convert that amount into a free drink credit at the event. 

Sometimes, specific ideas on your list jump out immediately as pivot points. Other times, you need to move on to step three to find your breakthrough. 

Step 3: Revisit days later 

After finishing your list, schedule time on your calendar to revisit your bad ideas in three days. Sager said this incubation period will give some ideas new “luster,” thanks to the background processing of your subconscious mind. 

Scheduling this time on the calendar is key, or your odds of revisiting plummet. 

Bad ideas thriving in the wild 

Sager has taught the ABCs of bad ideas to teams, executives and entrepreneurs for years. He also recently did this exercise himself and came up with an idea that sounded really bad at first glance: a 24-hour video livestream. 

At face value, it wasn’t a good idea—but it surely was different. Sager realized it was strange enough to attract the attention of dozens of guests, potential sponsors and hopefully many curious attendees. 

No one will watch the entire livestream, but Sager expects attendees to jump in and out, all asking the same question: What does Bob look like after six, 12 and 23 hours of livestreaming? 

Another ABCs of bad ideas success story comes from a business owner who supplies snacks for corporate breakrooms. The bad idea? Don’t throw away your trash—build something out of it in the breakroom. It turned out that this idea didn’t need any pivoting at all: it was implemented, and it was different enough to engage and entertain people after they ate the last granola bar in the box. 

Invert everything 

As business icon Charlie Munger once said, “Many problems can’t be solved forward.” 

Project managers perform premortems to anticipate where a project can fail, instead of focusing exclusively on how it can succeed. Musicians practice musical licks backward to learn a difficult series of notes. Language teachers have students pronounce words or sentences in reverse order. 

Inversion is everywhere. I hope that inversion thinking has helped you see value in your bad ideas. At a time when so many people are turning to ChatGPT for the same instant answers, your bad ideas have never had more creative power. 

Photo by Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock

Today, Dr. Deepak Chopra announced the launch of the Official Membership Platform for Conscious Living, a new digital initiative designed to help people reconnect with themselves and others in meaningful ways. Positioned as a unifying space for reflection, growth and connection, the platform arrives at a time when professionals everywhere are facing historic levels of stress and burnout.

For decades, Chopra has been a trusted voice in integrative medicine and personal development, offering practical wisdom and spiritual insight that encourage resilience and clarity. With this membership, he is building on his mission to provide a global sanctuary for personal renewal and a movement dedicated to collective well-being.

“At a moment when so many people are searching for clarity, connection, and purpose, I wanted to create a home for awakening,” Chopra said in an interview. “This membership is not simply a collection of tools—it is a pathway to belonging, healing, and transformation, both individually and together as a community.”

The New Membership Advantage

The new Deepak Chopra Membership at DeepakChopra.com offers a transformative platform for those seeking professional development, integrating personal growth with practical tools for life and leadership. 

By providing daily access to guided meditations, immersive learning experiences, direct engagement with Deepak, and a supportive global community, this membership empowers individuals to deepen their self-awareness, clarify intentions, and cultivate skills essential for authentic success in any field.

How It Supports Professional Development

Members have access to live sessions with Deepak Chopra, monthly challenges, and reflective exercises that reinforce conscious living and leadership qualities.

The platform provides personalized guidance through DeepakChopra.ai, offering instant support on life’s biggest questions and decision-making. Community features, such as group engagement and shared growth, foster valuable connections, mentorship, and accountability—key elements for professional advancement.

For the SUCCESS® community—entrepreneurs, professionals, and lifelong learners—his teachings reinforce the importance of mindfulness and conscious leadership in both business and life.

Unique Benefits for ‘Professional Development Seekers’

Chopra’s curated library continually expands with new practices, tools and masterclasses to keep members at the forefront of personal and professional growth. Not to mention, his focus on balance, clarity and well-being supports resilience and adaptive thinking, qualities necessary for thriving in today’s dynamic workplace.

“This membership paves the way for leaders, entrepreneurs and all professional development seekers to build inner resources, expand networks, and integrate conscious principles that elevate both their work and personal fulfillment,” Chopra adds.

Professionals will also receive direct access to Deepak Chopra’s guidance, and an international network of like-minded professionals ensures ongoing inspiration and opportunities for collaborative development.

A Legacy of Influence

Chopra has authored more than 95 books in 43 languages, helping shape the global conversation on mind-body health and conscious leadership. He currently serves as Clinical Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of California, San Diego; Senior Scientist with the Gallup Organization; and Founder of several pioneering ventures.

The launch also comes ahead of his forthcoming book, Awakening: The Path to Freedom and Enlightenment (Harmony/Rodale, January 6, 2026). The book explores ways to move beyond ego-driven patterns toward a life rooted in peace, purpose, and possibility—themes closely tied to the membership platform.

Why It Matters

As Editor-in-Chief of SUCCESS® magazine, I see every day how essential personal development is for leaders and professionals managing today’s challenges. Dr. Chopra’s membership provides more than information; it offers connection, guidance and community at a moment when they are needed most.

The Deepak Chopra Membership is now available worldwide, with special access for members of the SUCCESS® family. Use code DCMSUCCESS for a $9.99 discount, which is the monthly cost of the Membership. Subscribe via the website using this link.

More than a subscription, it is an invitation to live and work with greater awareness, strength and compassion.

Learn more at deepakchopra.com/membership.

Photo courtesy Deepak Chopra

Are you always day dreaming about a perfect career with your fingers crossed that it will happen some day?

London is packed with almost endless opportunities, so you can decide….are you a dreamer or a someone who will ultimately turn that dream into a reality?

 

Give your career a quick MOT check!

Try answering the following questions to check if your current profession is right for you.

1. Would you describe your current role as your dream job

2. Are you motivated at work?

3. Do you feel energised most of the time?

If you answered no to the three questions above, this is a first step in admitting that something is not quite right and that you will either have to change your attitude or change your profession. There are many reasons why you may feel disengaged in the workplace. Perhaps you are feeling undervalued, have an unrealistic workload or have concerns over a lack of career opportunities. Or it might be time for a complete career change.

Mai Tai understands the diverse needs of driven city professionals and we have listed five tips to help you design a life which goes against the grain.

Tap into your passion

When you are completely changing your career path, you need to make sure you are swapping for something that you really want to do. Think about the passions you have outside of work and how they could be included in a potential career. List your desires and then assess your options. If you work so much that you are struggling to find out what your passions are. 

Ask an expert

You are not the first person to decide a career change is in order and there is help and advice available. Do some research online and offline. Alternatively, why not seek the help of a career change consultant or a life coach?

Mind the gap!

When you have identified the career, you would like to have, don’t get overwhelmed by gaps in your experiences. Acquiring an entirely new skill set takes time, but step by step, you can achieve your goals. Think about the knowledge and qualifications you need and formulate a long-term plan to acquire them. And it is not all about qualifications, sometimes work shadowing for a day or a few weeks is necessary and many companies would be willing to help out.

Getting the correct qualifications and/or skills for a career change is essential, but gaining knowledge about the wider industry is also important as it will allow you to converse with people already working in your desired sector. Try to gain a deeper understanding of challenges faced by that industry or new opportunities that might be arising, and your eagerness to become part of that industry will seem more credible.

Your CV Makeover

Once you find yourself applying for a job in the industry you would like to work in, it is time to accentuate the positive. Start with your CV. It should focus on the skills you have which are relevant to the industry, your career history should come second.

At the interview, employers can be a little nervous about someone who has decided to opt for a career change. They may question how committed you would be to your new role. It is your job to reassure them. Get prepared to tell them how your previous career enabled you to recognise that you would be suitable for the new role and tell them about your transferable skills.

Insiders tip! Shake up your entire CV by getting an experienced freelancer to re-write it for you. Check out the People Per Hour website for some of the best in town.

Get some experience

You’re probably already familiar with the phrase, “Experience in a Similar Role Required”! It can prove to be a bit of a chicken and egg situation, so be prepared to gain experience on a voluntary basis. For example, if you are looking to get into marketing, look at local organisations or charities who might be looking for someone to help them out, but cannot afford to pay. The experience will prove to be beneficial.

Our mindset towards career change is a funny old thing. Other big life decisions such as marriage or moving house, can be changed when something is not right. Yet when it comes to our career, by the age of 30, we are expected to be on the right path.

There are so many reasons why not to change career. Financial commitments, relationships, bad timing or perhaps a lack of confidence. Going against the grain takes guts and ambition, so focus on the action steps necessary for the change to take place.

Whilst some people might be prepared to take the leap, others may be motivated by the security of staying exactly where they are just to pay their mortgage. So, if you are on the fence, consider this. A recent report suggested that by 2050, up to 40% of current jobs, will no longer exist. Consequently, widening your experiences and expertise can only be a positive move in the long run.

I couldn’t find any recent stats about the number of careers someone would have in a lifetime but it doesn’t matter. Your happiness is a positive thing for everyone, especially the people that work with you!

Shar Fuller © Mai Tai Group 2018

Many mid-career professionals hit a plateau. You have big personal and career goals, but busy schedules and dwindling motivation can stall progress. Traditionally, hiring a human life coach was the go-to solution for getting back on track. But today, an AI life coach might actually be a better fit. An AI life coach is essentially an intelligent coaching system that can guide you through goal setting, habit building, and mindset shifts – all powered by artificial intelligence. And unlike a human coach, it’s available on-demand, around the clock.

Why consider an AI life coach over a human one? For starters, AI coaches come with distinct advantages in cost, availability, consistency, and data-driven guidance. They offer the kind of support that busy professionals need: immediate, always-accessible, and tailored to your behavior patterns. Let’s explore how an AI life coach can address your needs more effectively than a traditional coach.

AI Life Coach vs. Human Coach: Key Advantages of Going Digital

• 24/7 Availability at Lower Cost: An AI life coach never sleeps. Unlike a human coach who might charge $100+ per hour and work only by appointment, an AI doesn’t need “ongoing remuneration and can operate 24 hours a day without breaks… or holidays”. This makes coaching far more affordable and convenient. You can get guidance whenever you need it, whether it’s late at night before a big presentation or over the weekend when inspiration strikes.
• Consistent, Unbiased Guidance: Human coaches have good days and bad days, and their personal biases can subtly influence advice. In contrast, an AI coach provides consistent and objective feedback unencumbered by emotional states. It won’t get annoyed if you slip up, and it won’t coddle you either – the advice remains steady and impartial. This consistency means you hear the truth (and the tough questions) every single time, which is crucial for honest self-improvement.
• Data-Driven Insights: A great coach draws from experience; an AI life coach draws from millions of data points. AI systems can leverage vast amounts of data to give evidence-based suggestions, effectively making them “1,000 or 10,000 times more experienced than the most practiced coaching psychologist”. In practical terms, an AI can instantly recall relevant strategies, studies, or techniques that have worked for others in similar situations. It might notice patterns in your behavior that you don’t see, and then coach you with proven tactics. This breadth of knowledge can spark creative solutions that a single human might not think of.
• Always-on Accountability: Staying accountable between weekly coaching sessions is a common struggle. AI coaches shine here by keeping you engaged every day. Through apps and reminders, an AI coach can check in daily, track your progress, and nudge you to stay on course. There’s no embarrassment in telling an AI you didn’t go to the gym – it will simply remind you of your goals and suggest how to get back on track. This constant gentle pressure helps turn intentions into habits.

Of course, AI isn’t perfect. It may lack the deep empathy or the personal touch of a human coach. However, for many busy professionals, the trade-off is worth it. The consistency, low cost, and round-the-clock support of an AI life coach solve the very problems that often make traditional coaching impractical (like scheduling conflicts or high fees). And as it turns out, AI coaching isn’t just convenient – it’s effective.

 

What the Research Says About AI Coaching Effectiveness

Is an AI life coach truly effective in helping people achieve their goals? Recent research answers with a resounding yes. In a 10-month controlled study comparing human coaches to an AI coaching system, both approaches led to significant improvements in participants’ goal attainment. In fact, “a surprising result is that the AI coach rivaled the human coaches” in helping participants reach their goals – the AI was as effective as human coaches at the end of the trials.

This study suggests that an AI coach can hold its own against experienced professionals. How did the AI manage to perform so well despite lacking human nuance? The researchers pointed to the AI’s strict adherence to proven goal-setting theory and its greater availability to users. Essentially, the AI coach was always there and always focused on the plan. Participants could consult the AI coach more frequently than they would a human, which meant more consistent reinforcement of good habits and strategies. The AI never deviated from the coaching framework, compensating for its lack of human creativity by being a tireless cheerleader for best practices.

Other industry reviews echo these findings. According to one report, AI coaching apps are highly effective in helping people set goals and improve productivity, often matching human coaches in outcome while being easier to access. In short, the evidence is mounting that an AI life coach isn’t a gimmick – it’s a legitimate way to make real progress on your personal and professional goals.

 

Why Not Just Use ChatGPT as Your Coach?

At this point you might wonder: Can’t I just use a general AI like ChatGPT as a life coach? It’s true that modern AI chatbots are very smart and conversational. You can ask ChatGPT for productivity tips or motivation. However, there’s a big difference between a general-purpose AI and a dedicated AI life coach system.

General AI models lack the built-in structure needed for effective coaching. They don’t automatically track your goals or hold you accountable. As one experimenter noted, “there isn’t really a mechanism for ChatGPT to provide accountability. It can’t send me push notifications or meet at scheduled times… You have to prompt ChatGPT… ChatGPT doesn’t care.” In other words, ChatGPT won’t check in on you – it responds only when you ask it something, and it has no memory of your progress outside a single chat thread. You won’t get a scolding for skipping a workout or a reminder of the goal you set last month, unless you remember to bring it up.

A dedicated AI life coach, on the other hand, is built around ongoing engagement. It remembers your objectives, monitors your milestones, and follows up proactively. Whereas ChatGPT might give great advice in the moment, it’s not going to organize that advice into a coherent long-term plan for you. It also won’t customize its approach over time unless you manually feed it updates constantly. Essentially, using ChatGPT as a coach is like having a library of knowledge without a librarian – you have to do all the organizing and reminding. A purpose-built AI coach handles that management aspect for you, so you can focus on taking action rather than fiddling with prompts and trying to make the AI remember context.

Moreover, generic AI models might not adhere to coaching best practices by default. They’ll answer questions, but they might not ask you the probing questions a coach would, unless you explicitly instruct them to. In contrast, a specialized AI coach is programmed with coaching methodologies (for example, an “ask-don’t-tell” approach to guide your own thinking). This means the AI coach will consistently challenge you, inspire reflection, and encourage growth – not just spit out answers. Ultimately, while ChatGPT is a powerful tool, it takes a lot of manual effort to use it as a life coach, and it still won’t match the tailored experience of an AI system designed specifically for coaching.

 

Introducing LifeHack AI Life Coach – Purpose-Built for Your Success

If you’re excited by the potential of AI coaching, LifeHack AI Life Coach is a product you should know about. LifeHack’s system is engineered for professionals who need regular guidance, habit tracking, and accountability to reach their next level. It’s not a generic chatbot; it’s a comprehensive coaching program that combines AI technology with insights from human coaching experts. In practice, that means you get the best of both worlds: the always-on support of AI plus the wisdom and proven strategies curated by real coaching professionals.

Here’s what LifeHack AI Life Coach offers that sets it apart from both traditional coaches and one-size-fits-all AI tools:

• Regular Guidance, Every Day: Instead of weekly sessions, LifeHack’s AI coach checks in with you daily. It creates custom strategies and focused action plans tailored to your goals and schedule. You wake up to personalized to-do lists and bite-sized tasks that fit even the busiest day. This way, you’re not just setting goals – you’re working on them every single day, with an AI nudging you forward in small, consistent steps. 
• Habit Tracking and Data-Backed Feedback: LifeHack AI Life Coach doesn’t just dish out tasks and forget about them. It tracks your progress and habits over time. Did you stick to your new morning routine? How many days this week did you hit your targets? The system knows, and it uses that data to adjust your plan and celebrate your wins. By analyzing your patterns, it provides insights into where you’re improving and where you might be slipping, so you can course-correct quickly. This data-driven approach means your coaching journey is personalized and adaptive. You’ll see charts of your progress and get evidence-based tips that make growth feel tangible. 
• Built-In Accountability and Support: Perhaps most importantly, the LifeHack AI coach keeps you accountable in a way generic tools can’t. It will send you friendly reminders and even nudge you back on track if life gets chaotic. Unlike a human coach, it’s never judgmental – but it is persistent. Skip a planned task, and the AI will politely ask what happened and how you can overcome the obstacle. The platform also lets you tap into human expertise when needed, through an option to get feedback from a human coach on tougher challenges. This hybrid model ensures that you get empathy and encouragement when you need a more human touch, and no excuses the rest of the time. The result is a system that adapts to real-life changes while keeping you focused on what truly matters. 

In short, LifeHack AI Life Coach is purpose-built to turn your goals into daily actions. It’s like having a personal trainer for your life ambitions, one that’s always in your corner. Busy mid-career professionals often juggle dozens of responsibilities – this AI coach is the steady partner ensuring that amidst all the chaos, you continue making progress on your priorities.

 

Conclusion: Embrace the AI Life Coach Advantage

We are entering a new era of personal development. Just as we use AI to navigate our cars or manage our calendars, AI can now help navigate our lives and careers. An AI life coach offers a unique blend of qualities: the consistency and availability of a machine, the broad knowledge of the internet, and (when designed well) the supportive persistence of a great human coach. Research is demonstrating that AI coaches can match human coaches in effectiveness for achieving goals, and in some ways even outshine them in availability and cost-efficiency. For mid-career professionals who crave growth but are short on time, an AI life coach might just be the breakthrough tool you’ve been waiting for.

It’s important to remember that personal growth still fundamentally depends on you – your effort, honesty, and commitment. What an AI life coach does is act as a catalyst, making it easier to stay committed and on track. Instead of going it alone or waiting weeks between pep talks, you have a constant mentor guiding you step by step.

So, are you ready to take your growth to the next level? Consider giving LifeHack AI Life Coach a try. It could be the edge that transforms your routine and rekindles momentum toward your biggest goals. In the end, the best coach is one that is there when you need it and pushes you to be your best — and for many of us, that coach might just be an AI.

Embrace the future of coaching, and let an AI life coach help unlock your full potential.

Ready to experience the benefits of an AI life coach firsthand? Take the leap and see how an AI Life Coach can accelerate your journey to success. Your future self will thank you for it.