Don Finley: How Can AI Make Work Feel Like Play?

Imagine a world where your daily grind transforms into a playground of creativity and purpose. Don Finley, founder of FINdustries and a seasoned AI innovator, believes this isn’t a distant dream—it’s a reality we can shape today. With over a decade of experience crafting AI solutions, Finley sees artificial intelligence not as a job-stealing menace but as a wave we can ride to redefine work. In a recent podcast, he shared how businesses and individuals can harness AI to amplify productivity, nurture relationships, and infuse joy into their professional lives. So, how can AI make work feel like play? Let’s explore Finley’s vision and practical strategies.

The AI Wave: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity

Finley likens the rise of AI to historic tech revolutions—the dot-com boom and the social media surge. “You can either get crushed by the wave of AI or you can learn to ride it,” he says, framing it as a pivotal choice for today’s entrepreneurs and professionals. Since founding FINdustries in 2013, he’s witnessed AI evolve from a theoretical playground—think robots playing soccer in the early 2000s—to a powerhouse reshaping industries. What started with robotics and self-driving cars has now shifted toward large language models (LLMs), impacting white-collar fields like copywriting and customer service.

Take Klarna, the payment company that replaced 700 staff with AI-driven customer service bots. While Finley doesn’t advocate mass layoffs, he sees AI’s potential to handle mundane tasks, freeing humans to focus on what matters. For him, the real magic lies in using AI to enhance—not replace—the human experience.

Crawl, Walk, Run: A Playful Approach to AI Integration

Finley’s philosophy hinges on a three-phase strategy—crawl, walk, run—to integrate AI seamlessly into businesses. It’s a journey from cautious exploration to confident automation, all while keeping work engaging.

• Crawl: Treat AI like a teammate. Finley’s team at FINdustries uses shared prompts and resources, making tools like ChatGPT feel collaborative. Picture a virtual colleague who never sleeps, ready to brainstorm or research at a moment’s notice.

• Walk: Here, AI gets smarter. It pulls from your CRM, understands your brand, and delivers tailored insights. Finley recounts a time his AI team produced a 20-page market analysis for his real estate business in 30 minutes—a task that once took weeks. “That would have taken drafts, back-and-forth, feedback,” he notes, marveling at the speed and accuracy.

• Run: The future is agentic AI, where you set outcomes, not tasks. “You’ll say, ‘Here’s what I want,’ and the AI figures out the steps,” Finley explains. In his sales process, AI agents research prospects, update CRMs, and draft reports—shaving hours off prep time and letting him focus on relationships.

  
  

This phased approach isn’t just efficient; it’s liberating. By automating the tedious, AI clears space for strategy and creativity—key ingredients for making work feel like play.

Where AI Shines (and Where It Shouldn’t)

Finley’s no blind optimist. He’s clear about AI’s limits. “There’s three things AI really shouldn’t be playing in today: relationships, strategy, and creativity,” he asserts. While AI can draft a report or answer customer queries, it can’t replace a heartfelt conversation or a bold vision. His goal? Help companies “fulfill their unique promise to the market” by leveraging AI as a tool, not a crutch.

Consider his commercial real estate venture. AI delivered a detailed SWOT analysis in record time, but the real work—building partnerships and acting on insights—remained human-driven. This balance is what keeps work meaningful and fun.

From Kilimanjaro to Purpose: A Personal Wake-Up Call

Finley’s insights aren’t just technical—they’re deeply personal. Standing atop Kilimanjaro after a grueling climb, he watched a breathtaking sunrise with friends. Their awe contrasted sharply with his own indifference. “I’m the reason for my own dissatisfaction,” he realized. This epiphany, followed by a soul-searching trip to Peru’s Sacred Valley, reshaped his approach to life and business.

Entrepreneurship, he discovered, mirrors our inner state. “When the business is going well, it’s going well. When it’s not, it’s not,” he reflects. AI, in his view, amplifies this by stripping away busywork, forcing us to confront what truly drives us. For Finley, it’s about aligning with purpose—helping clients live the lives they envision while his team at FINdustries plays the role of trusted friends, not distant consultants.

Making Work Playful: Practical Tips for Everyone

So, how can you ride the AI wave? Finley’s advice is accessible to all:

1. Start Small: Experiment with free tools like ChatGPT. Draft emails, brainstorm ideas, or summarize reports. It’s low-risk and builds confidence.

2. Automate the Mundane: Identify repetitive tasks—data entry, research, scheduling—and let AI handle them. Use the time saved for creative pursuits.

3. Stay Human: Focus on relationships and strategy. AI can’t replicate your unique voice or vision—lean into that.

4. Reflect: Like Finley on Kilimanjaro, ask yourself: Am I enjoying this? If not, tweak your path. AI can help, but purpose is yours to define.

   
   

Riding the Wave Forward

Don Finley’s message is clear: AI isn’t here to drown us—it’s a wave we can surf into a future where work feels like play. By automating the dull, enhancing the human, and aligning with purpose, we can transform our professional lives. Whether you’re a solopreneur or a corporate leader, his crawl-walk-run framework offers a roadmap to get started. The question isn’t if AI will change your work—it’s how you’ll use it to make your days more joyful and impactful.

Ready to ride the wave? Experiment with an AI tool today, reflect on what lights you up, and take one step toward a workday that feels less like labor and more like play. What’s your first move?