One True Prompt — Issue 161
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 YouTube Video into Clear Notes (For Curious Learners)
Copy and paste this:
You are my personal learning assistant. I’m a 57-year-old sales manager named David who wants to deeply understand a topic from a YouTube video without watching it multiple times.
Here is the video topic and link:
- Topic: How solar panels work and whether they are worth it for homeowners
- Video: “How Do Solar Panels Work?” by minutephysics (YouTube, ~5 minutes)
Tasks:
1. Give me a clear, plain-English summary of the KEY IDEAS in this video in 10 bullet points, written for a smart non-engineer.
2. Explain ANY technical terms in simple language (for example: photovoltaic cell, DC vs AC power, efficiency, inverter).
3. List 5 practical takeaways specifically for a suburban homeowner in New Jersey with:
- 4-bedroom detached house
- Asphalt shingle roof, mostly south-facing
- Average electric bill: $180/month
4. Suggest 5 follow-up questions I should ask a local solar installer so I don’t get lost in jargon.
5. Recommend 3 other beginner-friendly resources (types, not links) to learn more, like:
- “A short explainer video about home solar economics”
- “A beginner article comparing rooftop vs community solar”
- “A calculator-style tool to estimate payback period”
Write everything in a friendly, non-technical tone as if you’re explaining it to a neighbor over coffee.
Use case: David, 57, is interested in solar but feels overwhelmed by technical explanations and sales pitches. He wants to learn enough from one short video to have an intelligent conversation with an installer.
Expected result: A set of simple, organized notes that explain how solar panels work, what matters for a homeowner like David, and what to ask next - without requiring him to rewatch the video.
Pro tip: Swap the video topic and details for anything you’re learning about (e.g., “intermittent fasting,” “index fund investing,” “arthritis exercises”) and update the personal details (age, location, situation) so the advice is tailored to your life.
Prompt: Compare Three Articles Like a Research Librarian
Copy and paste this:
Act as a research librarian helping me compare different viewpoints. I’m Linda, 63, semi-retired teacher trying to understand the health effects of intermittent fasting.
Here are three real article descriptions:
1) A Mayo Clinic overview on intermittent fasting (neutral, medical perspective).
2) A Harvard Health blog post explaining pros and cons for older adults.
3) A popular fitness blog that strongly promotes intermittent fasting for weight loss.
Tasks:
1. Create a clear comparison table with columns:
- Source (Mayo Clinic, Harvard Health, Fitness Blog)
- Overall stance (e.g., cautious, enthusiastic, neutral)
- Claimed benefits
- Mentioned risks/downsides
- Who they say it is MOST appropriate for
- Who they say should be cautious or avoid it
2. In 2 - 3 short paragraphs, explain where the sources AGREE and where they DISAGREE.
3. Highlight 5 key points specifically relevant to:
- A 63-year-old woman
- Slightly overweight
- On blood pressure medication
- Walks 30 minutes most days
4. List 5 precise questions I should ask my doctor before trying intermittent fasting, based on the differences between the sources.
5. Warn me about common red flags in online health articles (e.g., “promises rapid weight loss without lifestyle changes”) and tell me which of the three sources is probably safest to trust and why.
Use case: Linda wants to try intermittent fasting but doesn’t know which article to trust. This helps her see the patterns and contradictions without needing to do academic-level research.
Expected result: A side-by-side comparison that makes it obvious what the consensus is, what’s controversial, and what Linda should discuss with her doctor.
Pro tip: Change the topic and sources (e.g., “statins for cholesterol,” “vitamin D supplements,” “standing desks for back pain”) and keep the same structure to quickly compare different viewpoints.
Prompt: Turn a Non-Fiction Book into a Personal Learning Plan
Copy and paste this:
You are my personal book-to-action coach. I’m Mark, 49, and I want to actually USE what I read instead of forgetting it.
Book: “Atomic Habits” by James Clear
Goal: Use this book to improve my exercise habit and reduce evening snacking.
Tasks:
1. In 10 bullet points, summarize the most important ideas from Atomic Habits that relate to:
- Building a new exercise habit
- Breaking an evening snacking habit
2. Translate those ideas into a 30-day action plan for me:
- Week 1: Tiny first steps and environment changes
- Week 2: Making it obvious and easy to exercise
- Week 3: Making snacking harder and less automatic
- Week 4: Tracking, adjusting, and making it stick
3. Use my real situation:
- 49-year-old office worker
- Sits most of the day
- Evenings: watches TV from 8 - 10 pm and snacks on chips
- Wants to walk 20 minutes per day and lose 10 pounds over 6 months
4. Create:
- A simple daily checklist I can print and put on the fridge
- 3 “if-then” rules (e.g., “If I turn on the TV, then I pour myself a glass of water first.”)
5. Suggest a quick weekly review ritual (10 - 15 minutes) using 5 questions based on the book to help me reflect and adjust.
Write everything in practical, step-by-step language, no jargon.
Use case: Mark reads popular self-improvement books but rarely applies them. This prompt turns one book into a concrete, customized 30-day action plan.
Expected result: A book summary plus a specific habit plan, daily checklist, and weekly questions that are tied to Mark’s real evening routine and health goals.
Pro tip: Swap in any non-fiction book you’re reading (“The Body Keeps the Score,” “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” “Thinking, Fast and Slow”) and update the goal and personal details.
Prompt: Learn a Tough Concept at Two Levels (Simple + Deeper)
Copy and paste this:
You are my explainer-in-chief. I’m Sandra, 61, and I’m trying to understand inflation so I can make better retirement decisions.
Topic: Inflation and how it affects retirees’ savings
Tasks:
1. Explain inflation to me like I’m 12 years old, in no more than 200 words, using everyday examples (like grocery prices and electricity bills).
2. Then explain it again at a “smart newspaper reader” level:
- What causes inflation
- How central banks try to control it
- Why it matters for retirees
3. Apply it directly to my situation:
- 61 years old
- Planning to retire at 67
- $420,000 in retirement savings (mostly in index funds)
- Own home, paid off
- Monthly expenses: about $3,200 today
4. Show me, with simple rounded numbers (not complicated formulas), how my $3,200 monthly expenses could change over 10 and 20 years with:
- 2% inflation
- 4% inflation
5. Give me 5 practical, non-alarmist ideas to prepare for inflation as I approach retirement (for example: types of investments to learn about, budgeting habits, questions to ask a financial planner).
Use plain language, no fancy math, and avoid recommending specific brands or financial products.
Use case: Sandra hears about inflation constantly on the news but wants to understand what it really means in numbers for her future budget.
Expected result: Two explanations (simple and deeper), plus concrete examples using Sandra’s actual expense level and time horizon, along with practical questions to bring to a financial advisor.
Pro tip: Swap “inflation” for any confusing topic (like “index funds,” “AI in the workplace,” “long-term care insurance”) and keep the two-level explanation structure plus the “apply it to my numbers” section.
Prompt: Turn a Podcast Episode into an Actionable Summary
Copy and paste this:
Act as my podcast note-taker and practical translator. I’m Eric, 52, small business owner running a 6-person home remodeling company in Ohio.
Podcast episode:
- Show: “The Tim Ferriss Show”
- Guest/topic: An expert talking about time management and avoiding burnout for entrepreneurs (any episode with that theme)
Tasks:
1. Give me a 10-bullet summary of the most important ideas for a small business owner.
2. Translate those ideas into my world:
- 52-year-old owner
- 6 employees (2 office, 4 on-site)
- Working 55 - 60 hours a week
- Constantly juggling client calls, estimates, and site issues
3. Propose a 2-week experiment to reduce my working hours from ~60 to ~50 WITHOUT losing income:
- Daily routines (morning, workday, evening)
- What I can delegate to my office staff
- Simple scheduling changes
4. Create:
- A one-page “rules for my time” list (e.g., no email after 8 pm)
- A short script I can use to tell my team about the changes so they understand and support it
5. Suggest 5 reflection questions to answer at the end of the 2 weeks to see what worked and what didn’t.
Write everything in straightforward, practical language, focusing on realistic changes (not ideal fantasy schedules).
Use case: Eric listens to podcasts while driving between job sites but doesn’t have a system for turning inspiration into real changes.
Expected result: A concise summary plus a practical 2-week experiment, clear rules, and communication script tailored to a small local business.
Pro tip: Replace the show and topic with any podcast you’re listening to (health, money, relationships) and update the personal situation so the advice fits your life.
Prompt: Understand a Medical Diagnosis Before Your Appointment
Copy and paste this:
You are my medical explainer (NOT a replacement for a doctor). I’m Janet, 68, recently told I might have osteoarthritis in my knees and I have a specialist appointment next week.
Tasks:
1. In simple terms, explain:
- What osteoarthritis in the knee is
- What typically causes it
- Common symptoms people my age experience
2. List typical tests and exams a specialist might order or perform at the appointment (e.g., X-ray, physical exam, questions about daily activities).
3. Create a list of 12 specific questions I, Janet (68, retired, walks with some discomfort, lives alone), should bring to my appointment, including:
- Questions about pain management options
- Questions about exercise and movement (what’s safe, what to avoid)
- Questions about joint injections, surgery, or other treatments
4. Explain in plain language the usual range of treatment options, from lifestyle changes to medications to surgery, and what each is generally trying to achieve.
5. Give me 5 practical suggestions for how to track my symptoms for the next 7 days so I can give my doctor helpful information (for example: simple daily log items).
Keep the tone calm and reassuring, avoid frightening language, and remind me clearly that you are not giving personal medical advice - just helping me prepare to talk to my doctor.
Use case: Janet got a preliminary diagnosis from her primary doctor and wants to walk into her specialist appointment informed and ready, not scared and confused.
Expected result: A plain-English overview of osteoarthritis, expected tests, a well-structured question list, and a simple symptom-tracking plan Janet can start today.
Pro tip: Change the condition (e.g., “type 2 diabetes,” “sleep apnea,” “atrial fibrillation”) and adjust age and lifestyle details to prepare for different medical appointments.
Prompt: Learn a New Tech Skill with a 7-Day Plan
Copy and paste this:
Act as my gentle tech coach. I’m Robert, 64, former accountant, fairly comfortable with email and web browsing, but I feel behind on using spreadsheets.
Skill I want to learn: Basic Excel skills to track household expenses and simple investments
Tasks:
1. In plain language, list the 10 most important Excel skills for my goals:
- Tracking monthly household expenses (groceries, utilities, healthcare, etc.)
- Tracking simple investments (2 index funds and a savings account)
2. Design a 7-day learning plan, no more than 30 minutes per day, that includes:
- What I should do each day in Excel
- What to type or click (step-by-step)
- A simple practice exercise using realistic numbers (for example: pretend monthly expenses like $600 groceries, $220 electricity, $145 phone & internet).
3. Create:
- A simple table layout for my monthly budget
- A simple table layout for my investments, including: date, amount invested, current value
4. Explain 5 common beginner mistakes (like accidentally overwriting a formula) and how to avoid them.
5. End with a short “confidence checklist” so I can see, in plain bullet points, what I can now do after these 7 days.
Use very clear instructions, avoid jargon, and assume this is my first real hands-on time with Excel.
Use case: Robert wants to feel more in control of his finances and less dependent on others for basic spreadsheet tasks.
Expected result: A simple 7-day micro-course with concrete exercises and table structures, using believable dollar amounts and categories, so Robert can follow along and build confidence.
Pro tip: Change the skill (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Docs, Zoom, basic photo editing) and keep the 7-day / 30-min-per-day structure to learn new tech skills safely and gradually.
Prompt: Turn Life Experience into a Short Talk or Family Lesson
Copy and paste this:
You are my story and teaching coach. I’m Maria, 58, and I want to turn one life experience into a short talk I can share with my adult children and maybe at my church group.
Story topic: What I learned about resilience from being laid off at age 50
Real details:
- Worked 25 years as an office manager at a manufacturing company
- Laid off at 50 due to downsizing
- Spent 9 months unemployed
- Took evening courses to update computer skills
- Now working in a new role at a local nonprofit, earning slightly less but feeling more fulfilled
Tasks:
1. Help me outline a 10 - 12 minute talk using this structure:
- Opening: A 1 - 2 minute story moment that grabs attention (the day I was laid off)
- Middle: 3 key lessons about resilience I learned
- Ending: A hopeful, practical message for people facing unexpected change in their 40s, 50s, or 60s
2. Turn each of the 3 resilience lessons into:
- A short real example from my story
- One concrete takeaway (e.g., “ask for help sooner,” “update one skill at a time”)
3. Suggest simple, natural phrases I can use instead of sounding “too polished” or like a motivational speaker.
4. Give me a one-page version of the talk in bullet points so I can use it as notes, not a script.
5. Suggest 5 reflection questions I can email to my kids or small group after sharing the story, to start a real conversation.
Use warm, human language that sounds like a real person in her late 50s, not a corporate presenter.
Use case: Maria has valuable life experience but doesn’t know how to turn it into a clear, helpful talk that teaches something, not just tells a story.
Expected result: A structured outline, clear lessons tied to real events, and natural wording she can use to speak confidently to family or community members.
Pro tip: Swap the core story (e.g., “caring for my aging parents,” “recovering from a business failure,” “moving to a new country in midlife”) and keep the same structure to turn any life event into a teachable story.
Prompt: Build a Personal Learning Curriculum on a New Topic
Copy and paste this:
Act as my curriculum designer. I’m Thomas, 55, engineer by training but new to climate topics. I want to spend the next 3 months learning about climate change in a balanced, science-based way.
Goals:
- Understand the basic science of climate change
- Learn about realistic solutions (individual, community, policy, technology)
- Be able to discuss it calmly with friends and family without fearmongering
Constraints:
- 3 months total
- About 3 hours per week
- I prefer a mix of reading, videos, and podcasts
Tasks:
1. Design a 12-week learning plan broken into:
- Week 1 - 4: Basic science and terminology
- Week 5 - 8: Impacts and solutions
- Week 9 - 12: Policy, trade-offs, and constructive conversations
2. For each week, suggest:
- 1 type of resource to read (e.g., “a beginner-friendly article from a major university or science organization”)
- 1 type of video to watch (e.g., “a short explainer from a reputable science channel”)
- 1 type of podcast episode or interview to listen to
Describe the kind of source, not the exact link.
3. Include at least 5 “reflection and conversation” questions I can use each week to check my understanding and discuss with others.
4. Add 5 simple actions I can take in my daily life that are connected to what I’m learning (e.g., tracking my own energy use, attending a local meeting).
5. Keep the tone rational and non-political; focus on understanding and problem-solving, not blame.
Use case: Thomas feels overwhelmed by the volume and tone of climate news and wants a slow, structured path to understanding, not panic.
Expected result: A clear 12-week “curriculum” with weekly themes, types of resources, reflection questions, and related actions, sized for about 3 hours per week.
Pro tip: Replace climate change with any complex topic (e.g., “artificial intelligence at work,” “estate planning,” “modern nutrition science”) and keep the 12-week, 3-hours-per-week structure.
Prompt: Research a Big Purchase Like a Pro
Copy and paste this:
You are my research assistant for big purchases. I’m Helen, 66, widowed, living in a small house in Arizona. I’m researching buying a new mid-sized hybrid SUV within the next 6 months.
Real situation:
- Current car: 2011 Honda CR-V, 165,000 miles
- Budget: up to $38,000 total
- Priorities: reliability, good visibility, comfortable seats, easy-to-use controls (not too many complicated screens), good gas mileage
- Driving: mostly local errands, occasional 300 - 400 mile trips to visit grandkids
Tasks:
1. Create a comparison table for 4 specific vehicle “profiles” (do NOT list brand names, just describe the types), with columns:
- Type (e.g., “well-known Japanese hybrid SUV from a brand known for reliability”)
- Estimated price range new
- Strengths for someone like me
- Potential downsides or trade-offs
2. List 12 questions I should ask at the dealership, including:
- Questions about safety features
- Questions about technology (screens, buttons, driver-assist)
- Questions about maintenance and long-term reliability
3. Suggest a test-drive checklist geared to my age and needs:
- What to pay attention to in terms of visibility, seat comfort, noise, getting in and out, using the controls
4. Explain in plain language:
- The difference between a regular hybrid and a plug-in hybrid
- Why I might prefer one or the other given my mostly-local driving
5. Provide a simple 3-step decision process I can follow AFTER test drives to choose calmly, not pressured by salespeople.
Avoid recommending specific makes or models; focus on how to think and what to look for as a careful buyer in her mid-60s.
Use case: Helen wants to feel confident and informed when she goes car shopping and avoid being overwhelmed by jargon or pressured into the wrong choice.
Expected result: A structured research framework, dealership question list, test-drive checklist, and decision process all tailored to a cautious, detail-oriented buyer in her 60s.
Pro tip: Reuse this exact structure for other big purchases (e.g., “hearing aids,” “a new laptop,” “a mattress,” “a used car for a teenager”) - just swap the product, budget, and personal context.
Love these prompts?
Forward One True Prompt to three people who subscribe and I will send you my free AI Prompt Starter Pack: 20 ready-to-use prompts for everyday life.