The tools I use in 2026

‍The expensive mistakes first

I made the same mistake most people do. I chased tools that promised to “think strategically”.

They didn’t.

The output sounded artificial, generic, or disconnected from real business context. Clients could tell immediately. So could I. Most of those subscriptions were cancelled within weeks.

The lesson was simple: Tools that claim to replace thinking are the least useful ones.

What actually works

AI is extremely good at execution and scale. It’s terrible at judgment.

It works best when:

• the strategy is already clear,
• the direction is defined by a human,
• and the tool is used to execute, adapt, or accelerate that direction.

Once I stopped looking for AI to decide, and started using it to deliver, the value became obvious.

The tools I use almost every day

ChatGPT

This is my execution engine. I give it business context, positioning, constraints, and goals, and ask for variations, alternatives, or structural support.

It helps me explore options quickly.
It does not define strategy for me.

Used correctly, it saves hours without diluting thinking.

Canva

Once creative direction is set, Canva allows teams to produce on-brand assets without constant oversight.

It’s not a strategy tool.
It’s a scaling tool.

That distinction matters.

Monday.com

This is where AI quietly saves the most time.

Project structure, timelines, dependencies, client visibility, and internal clarity all live here. The automation layer removes friction so strategic work doesn’t get buried under operational noise.

Good strategy dies without good systems. Monday keeps it alive.

Tools I use regularly, not constantly

Whispr

For voice-based content and executive workflows, Whispr removes friction between thinking and output. It’s especially useful when ideas come faster than typing or when tone matters more than polish.

It keeps things human while speeding things up.

What I deliberately avoid

I avoid:

• “AI strategy” tools that promise insight without context
• all-in-one platforms that do everything poorly
• tools that remove creative control

If I can’t explain why we chose a direction to a client, the tool isn’t helping. It’s hiding the problem.

My selection framework

Every tool has to pass four tests:

1. Does this make client work better?
   Efficiency without quality is useless.
2. Do I stay in control of direction?
   If I can’t steer it, it’s automation, not strategy.
3. Does it buy me time to think?
   The goal isn’t speed. It’s more room for judgment.
4. Can I defend the output?
   If I can’t explain the decision, the tool failed.

The real takeaway

You don’t need more tools.
You need fewer tools used intentionally.

Most of the productivity gains come from one or two well-directed systems, not from stacking subscriptions. The advantage isn’t access to AI. Everyone has that now.

The advantage is knowing what to ask, what to ignore, and when to step in as a human.

AI didn’t replace strategic creative work.
It exposed who was doing it in the first place.

Stay great,
Joost