Are you making the most of GenAI to work more efficiently? If not, now’s the time to learn, experiment, and adapt. New tools, insights and expectations are rapidly developing. It has never been more important to invest in your own growth.
When it comes to using GenAI to optimise workflow, your prompts matter! The quality of your questions shapes the quality of your results.
Here are four prompts you can experiment with to help with your to-dos and prioritising.
1. Prompt to estimate how long tasks will take
– Here’s my to-do list for today:
– [Insert your tasks here. Also include the number of emails to clear.]
– Estimate how long each task will realistically take.
– Present the answer as a simple list with time estimates.
2. Prompt to prioritise and sequence daily tasks
– Here’s my to-do list for today:
– [Insert tasks.]
– Prioritise and sequence these tasks in a logical order for maximum efficiency and focus.
– Briefly explain why you’ve chosen this order.
3. Prompt to break a big task into small, actionable steps
– Here’s the task I’m avoiding:
– [Insert task.]
– Break it down into small, clear, actionable steps to help me build momentum.
– The first step must take less than 3 minutes.
– Keep the tone practical, encouraging, and focused on quick wins.
4. Prompt to overcome avoidance (self-coaching script)
– I am avoiding [insert task/project] because [insert reasons and feelings*].
– Write me a warm, encouraging, practical self-talk script to help me move forward.
– Also suggest 3 simple, actionable tips to help me take the first small step.
– Keep the tone supportive, like a wise mentor who believes in me.
* When writing your reasons, include the feelings you’re associating with the task. For example, boredom, fear, self-criticism… whatever’s there.
Confession: the coach in me feels a bit sheepish admitting how well this prompt works. But it really does.
Of course, the prompts only help if you take action.
Doing what needs to be done, even when you don’t feel like it, is how you build inner confidence and deep self-worth. I find it useful to reframe self-discipline as a form of self-care.
And as Steven Barlett reminds us:
“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments.”
Check out this post for 9 Mantras that Make Self-Discipline Easier. These are grounded in psychology, identity, and habit science. #9 is my favourite, the one I come back to most.
