The AI Bullshit Detection Kit

The AI Bullshit Detection Kit

Your Defense Against Productivity Grifters

🚨 The Red Flag Checklist

15 Warning Signs That Scream "Course Seller, Not Problem Solver"

The Numbers Game

• Suspiciously round productivity claims (10x, 50x, 100x improvements)

• No measurement methodology explained for their miraculous results

• Identical promises across different consultants (everyone's offering the same 10x gains)

• Testimonials with exact dollar amounts but no verifiable business details

The Credibility Charade

• Recent LinkedIn profile creation (check when they started posting about AI)

• Vague credentials ("Former tech executive" without naming companies)

• Generic headshots that look suspiciously like stock photos

• Follower count that doesn't match engagement (bought followers)

The Sales Funnel Signals

• Ultra-low entry prices followed by aggressive upsells ($9 → $5,000)

• Artificial scarcity ("Only 50 spots available" but the timer resets daily)

• Fear-based marketing ("AI will replace you unless you learn this")

• No refund policy despite "guaranteed results"

The Expertise Evaluation

• More courses than case studies in their background

• Can't explain basic AI limitations when pressed for details

• Focus on selling rather than solving (check their content ratio)

• No failed projects mentioned (everyone fails sometimes; liars don't admit it)

🔍 The 5-Question Framework

Cut Through Marketing Claims to Find Real Solutions

Question 1: What specific problem does this solve?

Red Flag Response: "Increases productivity" or "Makes you more efficient" Green Flag Response: "Automates invoice follow-ups for overdue accounts over $500"

Question 2: How do you measure success?

Red Flag Response: "You'll just feel more productive" or vague percentages Green Flag Response: "Reduces time spent on task X from 2 hours to 30 minutes weekly"

Question 3: What are the failure conditions?

Red Flag Response: "It works for everyone" or "No downsides" Green Flag Response: "Won't work if your data is inconsistent or you have fewer than 50 transactions monthly"

Question 4: What's the learning curve?

Red Flag Response: "You'll see results immediately" or "It's completely automated" Green Flag Response: "Takes 2-3 weeks to set up properly, requires 4 hours of initial training"

Question 5: What happens when it breaks?

Red Flag Response: "It doesn't break" or "AI handles everything" Green Flag Response: "Here's the troubleshooting process and fallback procedures"

💸 The ROI Reality Check

Actual Math for Actual Productivity Gains

The Simple Formula

Real ROI = (Time Saved × Your Hourly Rate - Total Cost) ÷ Total Cost × 100

Hidden Costs Calculator

• Initial tool cost: $___

• Setup time: ___ hours × $__ hourly rate = $___

• Learning curve: ___ hours × $__ hourly rate = $___

• Monthly subscription: $__ × 12 months = $___

• Integration issues: ___ hours × $__ hourly rate = $___

• Error correction time: ___ hours × $__ hourly rate = $___

Total Real Cost: $___

Time Saved Reality Check

Most AI tools save 5-15 minutes per task, not hours.

If a tool saves you 10 minutes on a task you do 5 times per week:

• Weekly savings: 50 minutes

• Annual savings: 43 hours

• At $100/hour: $4,300 in value

Is your total cost above or below $4,300?

The Break-Even Timeline

Conservative estimate: Expect 3-6 months to see meaningful productivity gains Optimistic estimate: Some benefits in 4-6 weeks Consultant promise: "Immediate 10x results"

Guess which one is bullshit.

🛠 The Simple Automation Cheat Sheet

10 Boring Tools That Actually Work

Email & Communication

1. Canned responses in Gmail (saves 2-3 minutes per common email)

2. Email scheduling (write when you think of it, send when appropriate)

3. Auto-forwarding rules (stop manually sorting emails)

Invoicing & Money

1. Recurring invoices in your accounting software (saves 10 minutes monthly per client)

2. Bank transaction categorization rules (saves 1 hour monthly on bookkeeping)

3. Automated payment reminders (saves awkward follow-up conversations)

Calendar & Scheduling

1. Calendar blocking for deep work (protects 2-3 hours of actual productivity)

2. Meeting templates with agendas (saves 15 minutes prep per meeting)

Basic Data

1. Spreadsheet formulas instead of manual calculations (saves hours on monthly reports)

2. File naming conventions with auto-sorting (saves 10 minutes daily searching for stuff)

Reality Check: These "boring" automations often save more time than AI chatbots.

🎯 The Quick Sniff Test

60-Second Evaluation for Any AI Productivity Claim

Check Their Content History

• Go to their LinkedIn or blog

• Scroll back 2 years

• Red Flag: They were selling crypto/NFTs/dropshipping before AI

• Green Flag: Consistent focus on process improvement or automation

Google Their Success Stories

• Search for their case study companies

• Red Flag: Can't find independent verification

• Green Flag: Multiple sources confirm the results

Ask for a Demo

• Request to see the tool in action on YOUR data

• Red Flag: "It's proprietary" or "Sign up first"

• Green Flag: Willing to show real-world application

Check the Fine Print

• Look for guarantees and refund policies

• Red Flag: No refunds, complex cancellation

• Green Flag: Clear terms, reasonable trial period

🧠 The Psychology Protection Guide

Don't Let FOMO Make You Stupid

Common Manipulation Tactics

• Authority bias: "As seen on Forbes" (anyone can get quoted in Forbes)

• Social proof: "Join 10,000 successful entrepreneurs" (success not defined)

• Scarcity: "Limited time offer" (offer runs permanently)

• Loss aversion: "Don't get left behind by AI" (implies you're already behind)

Mental Defenses

1. Sleep on it: No legitimate tool requires immediate purchase

2. Talk to a skeptical friend: They'll ask uncomfortable questions

3. Calculate worst-case scenario: What if you lose 100% of your investment?

4. Remember the goal: You want to work less, not learn more tools

The Pause Questions

• "What problem am I actually trying to solve?"

• "Have I tried simpler solutions first?"

• "Am I buying a solution or buying hope?"

• "Would I recommend this to my worst enemy?" (If no, why are you considering it?)

📋 The Implementation Reality Check

For When You Find Something That Might Actually Work

Start Small Test

• Pick ONE specific task

• Set a 30-day trial period

• Define success metrics in advance

• Have a rollback plan

Success Criteria

• Saves at least 30 minutes per week

• Works without constant troubleshooting

• Integrates with existing workflow

• Doesn't create new problems

Failure Criteria

• Requires more time to manage than it saves

• Needs constant human oversight

• Creates quality control issues

• Adds complexity without clear benefits

The Two-Week Rule

If you're not seeing measurable improvements in two weeks, it's probably not the miracle solution you were promised.

🎭 The Final Reality Check

Remember What Actually Matters

The Truth About Productivity

• Real productivity: Doing the right things efficiently

• Fake productivity: Doing more things faster

• Your goal: Work less while maintaining income

• Their goal: Sell you more courses

The Solo Operator Advantage

You don't need revolutionary transformation. You need:

• Clear priorities

• Simple systems

• Good boundaries

• Sustainable practices

Most AI productivity tools solve problems you don't have while creating problems you didn't need.

The Bottom Line

Your business needs actual intelligence (yours), not artificial intelligence (theirs).

Trust your instincts. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

And if someone's making more money selling courses about productivity than using their own productivity methods... well, that tells you everything you need to know.

Remember: Switch off sooner, live larger, and don't let LinkedIn influencers make your decisions for you.