I recently found these prompt tricks by accident, and they work so well it feels like cheating.
For a while, I’d been trying to get better answers from AI. But it often felt like I was getting back the same generic, cookie-cutter responses. It was like the AI was in Google-retrieval mode instead of thinking creatively.
So, I started experimenting. What I found were a few simple phrases that completely changed how the AI responds. They’re easy to use, but they immediately make the AI smarter.
Here are the six prompt tricks I’ve been using:
Start with "Let's think about this differently": This immediately stops it from giving predictable responses and encourages it to be more creative. It's like flipping a switch.
Use "What am I not seeing here?": This is incredibly useful. It forces the AI to find blind spots and flawed assumptions you didn't even know you had.
Say "Break this down for me": Even for simple stuff. "Break down how to make coffee" gets you the science, the technique, and the history, not just a list of steps.
Ask "What would you do in my shoes?": It stops being a neutral helper and starts giving you actual opinions. This is far more useful than generic advice.
Use "Here's what I'm really asking": Follow any question with this. "How do I get promoted? Here's what I'm really asking: how do I stand out without being annoying?" It helps clarify your true intent.
End with "What else should I know?": This is the secret sauce. It adds context, warnings, and other valuable information you never thought to ask for in the first place.
The craziest part is these work because they make the AI think like a human instead of just retrieving information. It’s the difference between a search engine and a consultant.
I've also found that stacking them together is a game-changer. For example: "Let's think about this differently. What would you do in my shoes to get promoted? What am I not seeing here?"
What tricks have you found that make AI actually think instead of just answering?
Hit reply and let me know!
Until next time,
Long Live AI