The 10-Minute AI "Sanity Check": How to Win at Career, Love, and Business

We all have those moments where our finger hovers over the "Send" button and our heart starts beating a little faster.

Maybe you are asking your boss for a raise. Maybe you are sending a risky text to a partner after a fight. Maybe you are about to sign a contract for your new business.

You think you are ready. But a tiny voice in your head asks: What if I’m missing something? What if this goes wrong?

Usually, we ignore that voice and hope for the best. But in the age of AI, "hoping for the best" is the old way of doing things. You now have access to a supercomputer that can help you see the future—or at least, prevent a disaster.

Most people use AI to create (write this email, write this code). The smartest people use AI to critique. They use it to stress-test their lives.

We call this "The AI Sanity Check." Here is how to use it to save yourself from embarrassment and win in every area of your life.

1. The Career Protocol: The "Resume Roaster" & Interview Simulator

In your career, the biggest enemy is usually your own blind spots. You think you sound confident; the recruiter thinks you sound arrogant. You think you sound polite; your boss thinks you sound weak.

Don't ask the AI: "Is this resume good?" (It will just be nice to you). Instead, ask the AI to reject you.

The "Roast My Resume" Prompt:

"Act as a cynical, tired corporate recruiter who has reviewed 500 resumes today. I am applying for a job as a [Job Title]. Review my attached CV. Give me 3 brutal reasons why you would toss this in the 'No' pile immediately. Be harsh."

The Salary Negotiation Simulator: Before you walk into your boss's office, roleplay the fight.

"I am asking for a 20% raise. My boss is budget-conscious and skeptical. Act as my boss. When I make my pitch, push back with objections like 'It’s not in the budget.' Help me practice my responses so I don't freeze up."

2. The Relationship Protocol: The "Toxic Text" Filter

Emotions make us stupid. When we are angry or hurt, we type things we don't mean. We forget that text messages don't have a "tone of voice," so sarcasm often looks like cruelty.

Before you send that long, emotional paragraph to your partner or friend, run it through the "Sanity Check."

The "Am I The Jerk?" Prompt:

"I am in an argument with my partner about [Topic]. I wrote this draft response: [Paste Text]. Read this from their perspective. Does this sound defensive, passive-aggressive, or manipulative? How would the worst-faith interpreter read this? Rewrite it to be firm but kind and de-escalating."

This simple step can save relationships from unnecessary damage caused by a poor choice of words.

3. The Business Protocol: The "Red Team" Audit

If you run a business or a side hustle, you are naturally optimistic. You want the deal to work. This optimism can blind you to risks.

In the military, "Red Teaming" is when you hire experts to attack your own defenses to find weak spots. You can use AI to "Red Team" your business deals.

The Contract Auditor Prompt:

"I am a freelancer/business owner about to sign this contract with a client. Act as a ruthless lawyer who wants to protect me. Read this scope of work. What is missing? What happens if the client pays late? What happens if the project scope expands? List 5 clauses I need to add to protect myself."

The "Angry Customer" Drill:

"I am launching a new product. Simulate a worst-case scenario where the product breaks and a customer is furious. Act as the angry customer. I will try to reply. Grade my responses on empathy and problem-solving."

The Golden Rule: Anonymize Everything!

This system is powerful, but you must be careful. AI companies may use your data to train their models.

Never paste real names, passwords, or private addresses into a public AI.

• Change "John Smith" to "The Manager."
• Change "Apple Inc" to "The Client."
• Change "$100,000" to "The Budget."

Conclusion

Anxiety comes from the unknown. We worry because we don't know how the other person will react.

The "AI Sanity Check" removes the unknown. It allows you to simulate the conversation, audit the contract, and filter the text message before it happens.

So the next time you face a high-stakes moment, take 10 minutes. Don't just ask the AI to write for you. Ask it to challenge you. It might be the best advice you get all day.