One True Prompt — Issue 154
Here are 10 prompts you can use today. Each one is ready to copy and paste into ChatGPT or Claude. Try at least one.
Prompt: Turn a long YouTube interview into a simple “what I learned” guide
Copy and paste this:
You are my personal research assistant. I just watched this interview and want to turn it into clear, practical notes I can learn from:
VIDEO: A 55-minute interview with Dr. Peter Attia on “How to Live Longer and Stay Healthier” on a health podcast.
MAIN TOPICS COVERED:
- Importance of strength training after age 40
- Zone 2 cardio and what it means
- Sleep and its connection to long-term health
- Blood tests he thinks matter most
- Common health myths he disagrees with
Task:
1. Create a clear, skimmable summary in plain language for a non-medical reader age 50.
2. Organize it under these headings:
- Big ideas (5 - 7 bullet points)
- What this means for someone age 50 who works at a desk
- 5 practical changes I could make this month
- Things that sound promising but still have limited evidence
3. Highlight any advice that someone should definitely discuss with their doctor before changing anything.
4. At the end, give me 5 reflection questions to help me decide what (if anything) I want to change in my own habits.
Write in a friendly, non-alarmist tone. Avoid scare tactics and avoid technical jargon unless you immediately explain it in simple terms.
Use case: Carlos, 54, wants to understand health advice from a long interview without getting lost in jargon, and he wants concrete actions, not vague “optimize your life” advice.
Expected result: A clear, structured summary of the interview, a short list of realistic health changes for someone in their 50s, and some reflection questions to help decide what to try.
Pro tip: Swap the expert and topic (for example, “Brené Brown on vulnerability,” “Cal Newport on deep work”) while keeping the same structure of “Big ideas / What this means for me / Practical changes / Reflection questions.”
Prompt: Learn a new topic using “explain it to a 12-year-old” levels
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Act as a patient teacher. I am 62 years old and new to this topic:
TOPIC I WANT TO LEARN: “How inflation works and why prices keep going up.”
1. First, explain inflation to me like I’m 12 years old, using everyday examples (grocery shopping, rent, gas).
2. Then explain it again at a “high school student” level, adding a bit more detail (interest rates, central banks, supply and demand).
3. Then explain it a third time at an “adult who reads the news” level, including:
- Why central banks raise or lower interest rates
- How inflation is measured (CPI, “basket of goods”)
- Why some people are hurt more by inflation than others
4. After each level, give me:
- 3 quick questions so I can test myself (with answers hidden under “Answer:” so I can check)
- 2 short, concrete examples connecting this to daily life for a retired person on a fixed income
5. End by giving me a one-paragraph “key takeaways” summary in plain English.
Use case: Maria, 62, is retired and hearing constant news about inflation but doesn’t really understand what it means for her savings and daily life; she wants layered explanations to build understanding step by step.
Expected result: Three versions of the explanation (simple → medium → detailed), short self-quiz questions with answers, practical examples tied to real life, and a final “here’s what matters” summary.
Pro tip: Reuse this exact structure for any topic you’re curious about (“how electric cars work,” “what 5G is,” “how vaccines work”) and compare how your understanding improves across the three levels.
Prompt: Turn a messy Google search into a clear research brief
Copy and paste this:
Act as my research organizer. I’ve been searching the web about this question:
RESEARCH QUESTION: “Is intermittent fasting safe and useful for people over 50 who don’t have major health issues?”
Here are the kinds of things I’ve been seeing online (summarize what these mean in plain language, don’t just repeat them):
- Articles saying intermittent fasting can help with weight, blood sugar, and longevity
- Concerns about hormones, sleep, and stress in older adults
- Advice to eat enough protein and not undereat
- Warnings for people with diabetes, eating disorders, or on certain medications
Tasks:
1. Create a one-page research brief for a non-medical person age 55, with these sections:
- What intermittent fasting is (in simple terms, with 2 - 3 common schedules)
- Potential benefits for people over 50 (based on current evidence)
- Potential risks or downsides for people over 50
- Who should definitely talk to a doctor before trying it
- Questions a person over 50 should ask their doctor about it
2. For each claim (benefit or risk), mark it as:
- “Strong evidence”
- “Some early evidence”
- or “Mostly speculation / expert opinion”
3. At the end, write a short script (5 - 8 sentences) someone could use to talk with their doctor about whether intermittent fasting is right for them.
Write in calm, balanced, non-sensational language. Focus on safety and informed decision-making.
Use case: Janet, 57, keeps seeing enthusiastic videos about intermittent fasting on YouTube and more cautious articles from clinics; she wants a balanced overview that clearly separates well-supported evidence from hype.
Expected result: A structured, easy-to-read research brief that summarizes the topic, clarifies levels of evidence, and includes a practical conversation script for a doctor’s visit.
Pro tip: Replace the topic (for example, “semaglutide weight-loss drugs,” “cold plunges,” “blue light and sleep”) and reuse the same structure of benefits, risks, evidence levels, and doctor questions.
Prompt: Build a 4-week learning plan for a new skill
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Act as a learning coach. I am 48 years old, work full-time in an office, and want to learn this skill:
SKILL: “Basic spreadsheet skills in Microsoft Excel so I can track household expenses and analyze simple data at work.”
Constraints:
- I can study 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week
- I learn best from concrete examples, not theory
- I often feel intimidated by “techy” explanations
Tasks:
1. Create a 4-week learning plan with:
- Week 1: Absolute basics (interface, entering data, simple formatting)
- Week 2: Formulas (SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX) using household budget examples
- Week 3: Sorting, filtering, and basic charts (using example of tracking monthly expenses)
- Week 4: Putting it together in a simple “family budget dashboard”
2. For each week, give:
- 5 specific, small daily tasks (for 30 minutes each), described in plain language
- A practical mini-project at the end of the week (e.g., “Create a simple grocery cost tracker for 4 weeks”)
3. Include 5 common mistakes beginners make in Excel and how to avoid them.
4. End with a checklist titled “By the end of 4 weeks, I will be able to…” with 8 - 10 clear abilities.
Assume I have Excel installed but no prior experience. Use encouraging, non-judgmental language.
Use case: David, 48, was promoted into a job where colleagues use spreadsheets daily; he wants a gentle, structured plan that fits around his existing job and family responsibilities.
Expected result: A realistic four-week plan with daily tasks, small projects using relatable household examples, a list of pitfalls to avoid, and a concrete “I can now do X” checklist.
Pro tip: Swap the skill and context (for example, “basic PowerPoint for church presentations,” “Canva for flyers,” “Zoom hosting basics for community meetings”) while keeping the 4-week / daily tasks / mini-project structure.
Prompt: Compare two conflicting sources and decide who to trust
Copy and paste this:
You are a critical thinking coach. I am 59 and trying to make sense of conflicting information about this topic:
TOPIC: “Are high-protein diets (like 120g per day) safe for people in their late 50s without kidney disease?”
Imagine I read:
- Source A: A fitness influencer on social media strongly promoting high protein for everyone over 40
- Source B: An article from a major medical clinic that is more cautious about very high protein
Tasks:
1. Explain, in plain language:
- What a “high-protein diet” usually means in grams and in typical meals
- Why some experts recommend higher protein as we age (muscle, bone, appetite)
- Why some doctors are cautious (kidney function, existing health conditions)
2. Then, walk me through how to evaluate sources A and B using these criteria:
- Who is writing this and what are their incentives?
- Do they cite actual studies or just opinions?
- Are they talking about people like me (age, health, activity level)?
- Do they acknowledge uncertainty and nuance?
3. Create a simple 2-column table: “Red flags in health advice” vs “Good signs in health advice” with 6 - 8 items per column.
4. Based on this, write a 10 - 12 sentence explanation of how a reasonably healthy 59-year-old might approach protein intake cautiously and safely, including:
- Why it’s important to get labs checked (like kidney function)
- Why gradual changes might be better than sudden big changes
- What to ask a doctor or dietitian
Use neutral, non-alarmist language and do not give personal medical advice; focus on how to think, not what to do.
Use case: Ellen, 59, keeps hearing “eat more protein!” but also sees comments warning about kidneys; she wants help evaluating sources and forming sane, cautious questions for her doctor.
Expected result: A simple explanation of the issue, a practical mini-guide to evaluating health information quality, a table of red flags/green flags, and a cautious, balanced overview of how to think about protein.
Pro tip: Reuse this for any controversial topic (“vitamin D supplements,” “statins,” “keto diet”) by swapping the topic and the two hypothetical sources (e.g., YouTube video vs. medical organization article).
Prompt: Turn a book you read into a personal action plan
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Act as a book-to-action translator. I recently read the book “Atomic Habits” by James Clear and I want to turn what I learned into a simple plan for my life.
My situation:
- I am 52 years old
- I work in middle management
- My two biggest frustrations are: not exercising regularly and constantly checking email in the evenings
Tasks:
1. In 2 - 3 short paragraphs, remind me of the core ideas from “Atomic Habits” in plain language, especially:
- Focus on systems, not goals
- Make habits obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying
2. Using those ideas, help me design:
- ONE new exercise habit I can realistically stick to (3 - 4 days a week, 20 - 30 minutes)
- ONE “better email boundary” habit for evenings
3. For each habit, provide:
- The cue (when/where it will happen)
- The exact behavior (what I do, in specific terms)
- How I’ll make it easier to start
- How I’ll reward myself in a healthy way
4. Create a simple 7-day “trial week” schedule that shows exactly what I’ll do each day and where these two new habits fit.
5. End with a short “troubleshooting” section: 5 common reasons new habits fail for people in their 50s and what to do instead.
Write in a practical, encouraging tone and avoid jargon.
Use case: Mark, 52, has read several self-help books but rarely changes his habits; he wants help turning one book’s ideas into two small but concrete behavior changes.
Expected result: A short refresher on the book’s key points, two clearly defined habits tailored to his life, a 7-day test schedule, and a small troubleshooting guide.
Pro tip: Swap the book and the life area (e.g., “Deep Work” for focus, “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” for busyness, “Your Money or Your Life” for finances) and use the same structure: recap → 1 - 2 habits → trial schedule → troubleshooting.
Prompt: Build a “learning from my own career” reflection
Copy and paste this:
You are a career reflection coach. I am 61 years old and have worked 35+ years in accounting and finance roles. I want to learn from my own career before I retire.
Tasks:
1. Ask yourself these questions about my career and answer them as if you interviewed me:
- What kinds of work energized me the most?
- What kinds of work drained me?
- When did I feel most proud of my work, and why?
- What skills did I gradually get very good at over the decades?
- Where did I resist change at first but later adapt?
2. Using those answers, create:
- A one-page “Career Lessons” summary with 8 - 12 bullet points of what I’ve learned about work, people, and myself
- A short section titled “Advice I would give to my 30-year-old self in accounting” with 6 - 8 specific pieces of advice
3. Then suggest 3 - 4 ways I could use this experience in the next 5 - 10 years, such as:
- Mentoring younger colleagues
- Teaching a class
- Helping a small business with finances
- Volunteering my skills in the community
4. End with 5 reflection questions to help me decide what I want the “next chapter” of my work life to look like.
Write for a thoughtful 61-year-old who is not burned out but is ready for a slower, more meaningful pace.
Use case: Anita, 61, is thinking about retirement but wants to understand what she’s learned over the years and how she might still use her skills without working full-time.
Expected result: A structured personal “career lessons” document, advice to a younger self, ideas for future use of her skills, and reflection questions for her next chapter.
Pro tip: Adjust the profession and age (“nurse in her late 50s,” “teacher in his early 60s,” “small business owner in his 50s”) to create a customized career reflection and future-planning exercise.
Prompt: Turn a confusing medical visit into clear notes and next steps
Copy and paste this:
Act as a medical information organizer. I am 67 years old and recently had a doctor’s appointment about knee pain. I left with a lot of information and I’m feeling overwhelmed.
Here is the situation (reconstruct it plausibly even though you don’t have the actual notes):
- Age: 67
- Issue: Ongoing pain in the right knee when walking and going up stairs
- Doctor mentioned: “mild to moderate osteoarthritis,” physical therapy, weight management, anti-inflammatory medication, and possibly an injection in the future
- I was told to do some exercises at home but I don’t remember them clearly
- I was told to follow up in 3 months or sooner if it gets worse
Tasks:
1. Create a clear visit summary in plain language with these headings:
- What the doctor thinks is going on (in simple terms)
- What the doctor recommended (short-term and long-term)
- What I should watch out for
- When I should call the office sooner than 3 months
2. Suggest 5 - 7 specific questions I could ask at my next appointment (for example: “What specific exercises should I do and how often?”).
3. Give 6 - 8 examples of questions I can ask any specialist or therapist I’m referred to (physical therapist, orthopedic surgeon, etc.).
4. At the end, create a simple one-page “Knee Pain Tracker” template described in words (not a table I have to build) with:
- Pain level (0 - 10)
- Activities that made it better or worse
- Medications taken
- Any new symptoms
Do NOT give me medical advice or tell me what treatment to choose; just organize information and questions in a clear, supportive way.
Use case: Robert, 67, often leaves appointments unsure what was said; he wants help turning a vague recollection into a clearer summary and a list of good follow-up questions.
Expected result: A structured summary of the hypothetical visit, a list of precise questions for future appointments, and a verbal description of a simple tracking system he can keep in a notebook.
Pro tip: Change the issue (e.g., “new diagnosis of high blood pressure,” “sleep apnea evaluation,” “back pain”) and reuse this to organize and clarify other confusing medical visits.
Prompt: Build a personalized news “learning digest” on one topic
Copy and paste this:
You are my personal news and learning curator. I am 45 years old and want to stay informed about this topic without getting overwhelmed:
TOPIC: “Artificial intelligence in the workplace and what it might mean for office jobs over the next 5 - 10 years.”
Tasks:
1. Create a one-page “AI & Office Work - Learning Digest” aimed at a non-technical 45-year-old who works in HR, with these sections:
- What’s actually happening now (realistic changes already visible in offices)
- What might change over the next 5 - 10 years (best guesses, not science fiction)
- Jobs and tasks that are most likely to change for HR staff
- Skills that will probably become more valuable for HR (e.g., people skills, judgment, ethics)
2. For each section, give:
- 3 - 5 bullet points in plain English
- 1 short example from a realistic office situation (e.g., using AI to screen resumes, draft job descriptions, or summarize employee surveys)
3. Create a “calm checklist” of 8 - 10 items titled “How to stay prepared without panicking,” including:
- Learning and upskilling ideas
- Questions to ask your employer
- Ways to experiment with AI tools in safe, low-risk ways
4. End with 5 discussion questions someone could use in a team meeting about AI and work (focused on curiosity, not fear).
Use a neutral, grounded tone - no hype, no doom.
Use case: Leah, 45, works in HR and keeps seeing big headlines about AI; she wants a calm, practical overview of how it might affect her work and what she can do now.
Expected result: A structured digest explaining current and near-future changes, realistic HR use cases, a preparation checklist, and thoughtful discussion questions.
Pro tip: Change the role and industry (“AI and teaching,” “AI and healthcare administration,” “AI and small business accounting”) to generate a tailored digest for your field.
Prompt: Turn family stories into a short “mini-memoir” chapter
Copy and paste this:
Act as a family story editor. I am 70 years old and want to turn a few memories into one short “chapter” I can share with my children and grandchildren.
Here are three memories from my life (reconstruct them realistically within your answer, even though I’m not providing full details):
- Growing up in a small Midwestern town in the 1960s and riding my bike everywhere
- My first job at age 16 in a local grocery store, learning to show up on time and deal with customers
- The day I left home at 18 to attend community college in a nearby city, feeling both scared and excited
Tasks:
1. Write a 1,000 - 1,500 word “mini-memoir chapter” that weaves these three memories into one coherent story with:
- A clear beginning, middle, and end
- Concrete details (sounds, smells, weather, objects)
- A warm but honest tone (not overly sentimental)
2. Make sure the story shows:
- What everyday life was like in that time and place
- How those experiences shaped my sense of responsibility and independence
3. At the end, add a short “Author’s Note” (200 - 300 words) in my voice, speaking directly to my grandchildren about:
- What I hope they take away from these stories
- How life is different now, but some lessons are the same
4. After the story and Author’s Note, include 10 thoughtful questions I could ask my grandchildren about *their* early memories, so we can compare experiences.
Write in clear, simple language suitable for family members of all ages.
Use case: George, 70, wants to capture a slice of his life in a way his grandkids will actually read and enjoy, and he wants help making the stories flow together instead of feeling random.
Expected result: A polished, readable mini-memoir chapter tying together three specific memories, a heartfelt note to grandchildren, and a list of questions to spark cross-generational conversations.
Pro tip: Swap the memories (for example, “immigrating to a new country,” “military service,” “raising young children in a small apartment”) and reuse this to build a collection of chapters that gradually becomes a family history.
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