One True Prompt — Issue 189
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 confusing article into a clear summary you can trust
Copy and paste this:
You are my personal research assistant. I’m a 58-year-old project manager who wants to understand this topic clearly without jargon.
1. First, carefully read the article text below.
2. Then:
- Write a plain-English summary in 5 bullet points.
- Explain the main idea as if I were 15 years old.
- List 3 things the author is clearly sure about.
- List 3 things that seem uncertain, debated, or not fully proven.
- Suggest 3 follow-up questions I should ask or research next.
Here is the article text to analyze (between the lines):
Prompt: Build a realistic 30-day learning plan for a new skill
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You are my learning coach. I’m 63, work full-time in accounting, and have about 30 - 40 minutes per day to learn basic data analysis with Excel and AI tools.
Create a **30-day learning plan** to help me:
- Understand basic data analysis concepts.
- Use Excel to clean and analyze small datasets.
- Use an AI assistant to help with analysis and explanations.
Constraints and preferences:
- Time: 30 - 40 minutes per day.
- Schedule: I can learn Monday to Friday; weekends are optional but light.
- Starting point: I’m comfortable with basic Excel (sums, simple charts) but have never used PivotTables or AI for analysis.
- Tools available: Excel, an AI chatbot, and free online resources.
Structure the plan like this:
- For each of the 30 days, list:
- Day number
- Goal for that day
- Specific activity (what I should do step-by-step)
- A small “real life” example using a simple dataset, such as monthly household expenses for 6 months (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, entertainment)
- One way to use the AI assistant that day (e.g., “Ask AI to explain PivotTables in plain English”)
Make sure the plan gradually gets more advanced, starting from basic concepts and ending with me being able to:
1) Analyze 6 months of household expenses in Excel,
2) Ask AI smart questions about the patterns I find,
3) Use AI to suggest ways to present the findings to my family.
Use case: David, 63, wants to use data to understand his household spending and feel more comfortable with AI. He uses this prompt to get a concrete, day-by-day plan he can follow before and after work.
Expected result: A detailed 30-day schedule with specific tasks, example datasets, and suggested AI questions, all tailored to limited daily time and a real household expenses scenario.
Pro tip: Change the “household expenses” example to something you care about - like sales numbers from your small business, step count from your fitness tracker, or donations to your local charity - to make the practice more meaningful.
Prompt: Compare sources and spot bias in a hot-button topic
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Act as a neutral research analyst helping me evaluate bias and reliability across multiple sources. I’m 55 and trying to understand the debate about AI replacing jobs.
1. Carefully read and compare these three short source summaries:
Source A (business magazine):
“AI is poised to dramatically boost productivity by automating routine tasks. While some roles will be eliminated, particularly in data entry and basic customer service, new opportunities will emerge in AI oversight, data analysis, and strategic planning. Workers who adapt and upskill will benefit most. Governments should focus on retraining programs rather than trying to slow AI adoption.”
Source B (labor union newsletter):
“AI tools are being introduced without proper worker input, threatening job security for millions in administrative and support roles. Employers emphasize ‘productivity’ but rarely share the gains fairly with employees. Without strong regulation and union negotiation, AI may widen inequality and undermine stable, middle-class jobs.”
Source C (technology think tank blog):
“Historical evidence suggests that new technologies both destroy and create jobs. The net effect of AI on employment is still unclear, and depends on policy choices, education systems, and corporate behavior. Early data show displacement in some sectors but also increased demand for workers who can collaborate effectively with AI systems.”
2. Based on these three sources, please:
- Explain where they **agree** and where they **disagree**, in plain English.
- Identify at least 3 examples of **potential bias or perspective** in each source.
- Rate each source for **balance and reliability** on a simple scale: “low / medium / high,” and explain your reasoning.
- Write a short, neutral 6 - 8 sentence overview for a 55-year-old office worker who wants to understand the issue without scare tactics or hype.
Use case: Linda, 55, keeps hearing conflicting messages about AI and jobs - from management, from her union, and from the news. She uses this prompt to have AI compare the perspectives, show biases, and create one balanced summary she can trust more.
Expected result: A side-by-side comparison of the three sources, specific examples of bias or slant, reliability ratings with explanations, and a calm, balanced overview she can share with colleagues or family.
Pro tip: Replace the three source summaries with snippets from real emails, articles, or statements (e.g., a CEO memo, a union bulletin, a government press release) to get a customized bias and reliability check for information you actually receive.
Prompt: Turn a complex book into a practical reading companion
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You are my reading companion for a nonfiction book. I’m 49 and reading “Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman, but I struggle to remember key ideas and how to apply them.
Using your existing knowledge of the book, create a **reading guide** structured as follows:
1. A simple overview of the book in 8 - 10 bullet points.
2. For each of these chapters or major sections:
- Part 1: Two Systems
- Part 2: Heuristics and Biases
- Part 3: Overconfidence
- Part 4: Choices
- Part 5: Two Selves
For each part, provide:
- A short, plain-English summary.
- One everyday example relevant to a middle-aged professional making decisions at work (e.g., approving a project, hiring someone, or judging performance).
- One personal-life example (e.g., health decisions, financial choices, relationships).
- Three discussion questions I can ask myself after reading that part.
- One “apply tomorrow” action I can try at work or at home that uses the ideas from that part.
Write everything as if you’re speaking to a 49-year-old who has limited time and wants practical takeaways more than academic detail.
Use case: Raj, 49, bought “Thinking, Fast and Slow” to improve his decision-making but finds it dense. He uses this prompt to turn the book into a practical guide with everyday examples and actions he can use at work and at home.
Expected result: A structured reading companion: clear summaries for each section, work and home examples, reflection questions, and simple actions to test the ideas in real life, making the book much easier to digest and apply.
Pro tip: Swap “Thinking, Fast and Slow” for any nonfiction title you’re reading - health, economics, psychology, leadership - and you’ll get a customized guide to make that book more actionable for your life.
Prompt: Create a tailored research plan for a big life decision
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You are my decision research planner. I’m 61 and seriously considering moving from a large city (Chicago) to a smaller city (Madison, Wisconsin) within the next 2 - 3 years. I feel overwhelmed by all the factors to consider.
Please design a **research plan** that helps me make a thoughtful decision.
1. Start with a short overview (5 - 7 sentences) of the main factors people my age typically consider when moving cities:
- Cost of living
- Healthcare access
- Social life and community
- Work/retirement opportunities
- Climate and environment
- Travel and family proximity
2. Then create a step-by-step research plan, organized by weeks, for **4 weeks**:
- Week 1: Online research tasks (what exactly to look up about Chicago vs. Madison)
- Week 2: Conversations to have (e.g., with friends, family, current residents, financial advisor) and sample questions to ask each group.
- Week 3: Personal “trial runs” (e.g., weekend visit to Madison, tracking current expenses in Chicago) and how to record observations.
- Week 4: Reflection and decision framework (questions and criteria to weigh pros and cons; how to involve spouse or family in the discussion).
3. End with:
- A simple decision grid template (in text) I can fill in later, with 6 - 8 criteria and 1 - 5 rating scales.
- 5 questions I can ask an AI assistant later to dig deeper into specific areas (e.g., healthcare comparisons, cost of living estimates).
Use case: Maria, 61, is thinking of relocating for retirement but doesn’t want to rush or rely on just one article or a friend’s opinion. She uses this prompt to get a clear, structured research plan and conversation guide.
Expected result: A four-week, concrete plan that tells her what to research online, who to talk to and what to ask, how to test the move with small experiments, and a simple framework to compare options and make a decision with her family.
Pro tip: Change “Chicago” and “Madison, Wisconsin” to your current and potential new town, or replace the move scenario entirely with another big decision (e.g., downsizing your home, changing careers at 55, starting a small business) and reuse the structure.
Prompt: Turn your own notes into a clean, reliable summary
Copy and paste this:
You are an expert note-cleaner and summarizer. I’m 47 and just finished an online webinar about “healthy aging after 50.” My notes are messy and incomplete.
Here are my raw notes (between the lines):
Prompt: Practice “critical reading” with AI as your tutor
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Act as my critical reading tutor. I’m 57 and want to get better at spotting weak arguments and missing evidence in articles about health and finance.
Here is a short opinion piece I read (between the lines):
Prompt: Generate practice questions that match how you’ll be tested
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You are my exam practice designer. I’m 44 and preparing for a professional certification: the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam. I learn best by practicing realistic questions.
Using your knowledge of modern PMP exam style, please:
1. Create 20 multiple-choice practice questions that:
- Focus on situational judgment (short scenario then question).
- Cover a mix of topics: scope, schedule, risk, stakeholders, communication, and ethics.
- Reflect updated PMI approaches (emphasis on agile/hybrid as well as traditional).
2. For each question, provide:
- The question and 4 answer options (A - D).
- The correct answer letter.
- A 2 - 4 sentence explanation in plain English, explaining *why* that option is correct and why the others are weaker.
3. Aim the difficulty at a mid-level PMP candidate who has studied but still makes mistakes under pressure.
4. Write everything as if you’re explaining to a 44-year-old with 15+ years of project experience who is nervous about taking a formal exam.
Use case: Monica, 44, has her PMP exam in two months. She uses this prompt to get fresh, realistic practice questions that look and feel like the real thing, with explanations that reinforce concepts instead of just giving the right answer.
Expected result: A set of 20 scenario-based PMP-style questions, each with answers and clear explanations, allowing her to practice, identify weak areas, and grow more confident before the exam.
Pro tip: Replace “PMP exam” with any test you face: real estate license, nursing boards, IT certifications, language tests, or even a workplace assessment, and ask for questions tailored to your experience level and anxieties.
Prompt: Turn scattered web research into a concise decision brief
Copy and paste this:
You are my research synthesizer. I’m 60 and trying to decide whether to buy an electric car within the next year. I’ve done some web research and have mixed notes like these:
Prompt: Design a learning plan to stay informed without getting overwhelmed
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You are my “information diet” coach. I’m 53 and want to stay informed about AI and workplace changes without spending hours online or feeling anxious.
Please create a **sustainable weekly learning routine** tailored to me:
Background:
- Age: 53
- Job: mid-level manager in a manufacturing company
- Time available: about 45 - 60 minutes per day, 5 days per week
- Goals:
- Understand, in plain language, how AI is changing work.
- Know enough to spot unrealistic claims.
- Be able to talk to my team and my boss about AI without jargon.
- Preferences:
- I don’t want social media as my main source.
- I prefer articles, short videos, and AI-assisted summaries.
Structure the answer as:
1. A short overview (6 - 8 sentences) explaining why an “information diet” matters, especially for people in their 50s facing workplace change.
2. A detailed **weekly schedule** (Monday - Friday) that includes:
- What to read or watch (types of sources, like “a mainstream newspaper tech section,” “a short explainer video,” “a company report”).
- How to use an AI assistant each day (e.g., summarizing an article, generating questions, translating jargon).
- A 5 - 10 minute reflection activity (e.g., “write down one thing you learned and one thing you’re unsure about”).
3. Advice on how to:
- Avoid doom-scrolling and sensationalism.
- Check if a claim about AI at work is likely exaggerated.
- Turn worrying headlines into constructive questions for your manager or HR.
4. End with 10 “evergreen questions” I can periodically ask an AI assistant to keep my understanding up to date (e.g., “What has changed in AI and workplace automation in the last 6 months that matters for manufacturing managers?”).
Use case: Susan, 53, feels bombarded by AI news and worries about her job but doesn’t want to bury her head in the sand. She uses this prompt to build a steady, manageable routine that keeps her informed and calm.
Expected result: A realistic weekly plan showing exactly what to do, how to use AI wisely, and how to filter noise, plus reusable questions she can ask every few months to stay current without constant worry.
Pro tip: Adjust the time per day (e.g., 20 minutes instead of 60) and swap “manufacturing” for your own sector - healthcare, education, government, retail - to get a tailored, lower-stress learning routine about changes that affect you.
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