Skip to main content Tom's Guide Tom's Guide Search Tom's Guide View Profile Newsletters Best Picks Entertainment Switch 2 Pre-Orders Best laptops Best Mattress Wordle Today Recommended reading I use ChatGPT every day — here's 10 prompts I can't live without I’ve tested every major AI chatbot in 2025 — these 5 prompts never fail me I use ChatGPT every day to boost my productivity — and these 5 prompts always deliver 10 ChatGPT prompts I love that’ll turn you into a power user These 9 AI prompts work like magic — no matter which chatbot you use I've tested nearly 200+ DeepSeek prompts — these 7 are the ones I always come back to I wasn’t sold on ChatGPT — until I tried these 5 prompts These 5 ChatGPT prompts are scary smart — and I can’t stop using them Amanda Caswell 4 June 2025 Simple, yet so helpful When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Shutterstock) After testing hundreds of AI prompts, there are a handful that offer results that feel like ChatGPT has read my mind mid-sentence. These types of prompts aren’t your typical “write a poem for my grandmother” or “summarize this document before my meeting” prompts. They’re weirdly insightful, sometimes unsettling (especially #3) and freakishly effective. I now use them daily to think clearer, work faster and even manage my mood. Whether I’m stuck on choosing the right tone for a professional email, spiraling over a to-do list or just trying to get out of my own head, these prompts help. You may like I use ChatGPT every day — here's 10 prompts I can't live without I’ve tested every major AI chatbot in 2025 — these 5 prompts never fail me I use ChatGPT every day to boost my productivity — and these 5 prompts always deliver Here are the 5 ChatGPT prompts that feel almost too smart, and how I implement them into my daily life. 1. Changing perspective (Image credit: fizkes / Shutterstock) Prompt: “If you had to challenge my thinking on this, where would you start?” This prompt helps you get out of your own head. Whether you’re struggling to come up with more ideas for a project or stressed about an argument with a good friend, this prompt instantly flips your thinking. By asking this question, you challenge ChatGPT to look for more than what you're currently seeing. Perhaps, you've skipped steps or made assumptions you didn’t realize you were making. Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. A real-life scenario for this (one I’ve recently used) is uploading screenshots of text messages — removing any personal info — and asking the chatbot to help you see what you’re overlooking in a conversation with a friend. If they just aren'te getting what you're saying, maybe it's you that needs to see something differently. I’ve also used it to double-check articles, spot gaps in planning and even sanity-check a tough decision. 2. Compassion filter (Image credit: Getty Images) Prompt: “Now rewrite that for someone who’s completely burned out.” ChatGPT is getting better at offering empathy, but this prompt encourages it to add some serious understanding. Whether you're writing an email, giving advice or crafting a DM, this forces ChatGPT to soften the language, reduce pressure and acknowledge how the reader might feel, especially when the topic is a senstive one. I’ve used this when I simply don’t know what to say, but want to say something while showing sincerity. If someone is going through a situation you have never experienced and you’re nervous about saying the wrong thing, this prompt is like a compassion filter. Recently I used this on myself when I read an article about a CEO’s insane schedule. I gave the productivity tip to ChatGPT and prompted it: “Now rewrite that for someone who’s exhausted.” Me. It’s me. 3. Poke holes in it (Image credit: Getty Images) Prompt: “Give me 3 unpopular but useful opinions on this.” Fresh thinking means looking beyond the obvious. Similar to the first prompt, yet different in that this one pushes ChatGPT to surface contrarian ideas to the point where you stop and reconsider your own beliefs. This is an excellent way to improve critical thinking skills and encourage creativity. Try this prompt when you’re brainstorming and want to gain insight outside of your current views. This even works when you want to understand your own side of things better. Once you have a full view, you’ll be unstoppable when it comes to explaining your ideas. I use this all the time with many aspects of parenting. 4. Checklist upgrade (Image credit: Shutterstock) Prompt: “Turn this into a checklist I can actually follow.” A few times when I’ve asked for a checklist, the AI doesn’t consider all aspects of life that might keep me from getting everything done. From kids and pets to unforeseen circumstances, I need flexibility. This prompt reassures me that the chatbot will break ideas into clear, actionable steps and allow room for things to not go as planned. It’s especially helpful when I'm overwhelmed and just need a path forward. I’ve used it to turn vague goals into bite-sized tasks. I’ve also used it when I have so much on my plate that I don’t even know where to start. Bonus: it even formats things like a productivity coach would. 5. Everyday advice (Image credit: Shutterstock) Prompt: “If you were me, what would you do right now — and why?” This one feels a little like therapy, minus the copay. It gives ChatGPT the green light to think like you, based on your situation, and offer input without emotional bias. This is helpful when you really want an honest opinion outside of a friend or family member. I’ve used it when I’m stuck between two choices or procrastinating on a weekend project. It doesn’t always give the perfect answer, but it almost always helps me clarify my own thinking. Try it with: “It’s 10pm and I’m stuck between finishing this project or going to bed. If you were me, what would you do?” ChatGPT will give you the pros and cons to help offer clarity when you need it most. Bonus tip: Use memory to make these even smarter (Image credit: Future) If you’ve activated ChatGPT’s memory feature, prompts like these get even better over time. The more context it has about your habits, goals, or tone preferences, the more tailored (and eerily accurate) its responses become. You can even say: “You know how I like short checklists and empathetic tone? Please keep doing that.” And it will. Final thoughts These prompts are simple, but when used well, they create a feedback loop that’s less “robot assistant” and more like a thoughtful thinking partner. Try one the next time you're stuck and see just how weirdly intuitive the AI gets. I now use them daily to spot mistakes, hack burnout and make decisions faster. More from Tom's Guide Google’s NotebookLM just got a huge upgrade — here’s why it beats ChatGPT for team projects I just tested the newest versions of ChatGPT vs Gemini vs DeepSeek vs Claude — and the winner completely surprised me Claude's free voice mode has landed — here's how to access it Back to Laptops Intel Core i5 Intel Core i7 Storage Size Screen Size Refurbished Showing 10 of 91 deals Apple 13" MacBook Air M4 (2025) $837.19Preorder Apple 15" MacBook Air M4 (2025) $1,599View Dell XPS 13 (2016) Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 9) $858.11View Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i ChromeBook Plus Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) $2,199.99View Apple 13" MacBook Air M4 (2025) Apple 15" MacBook Air M4 (2025) $1,035View Dell XPS 13 Plus (13.4-inch) $1,049.99View Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 9) $1,289.99View Amanda Caswell Social Links Navigation Amanda Caswell is an award-winning journalist, bestselling YA author, and one of today’s leading voices in AI and technology. A celebrated contributor to various news outlets, her sharp insights and relatable storytelling have earned her a loyal readership. Amanda’s work has been recognized with prestigious honors, including outstanding contribution to media. Known for her ability to bring clarity to even the most complex topics, Amanda seamlessly blends innovation and creativity, inspiring readers to embrace the power of AI and emerging technologies. As a certified prompt engineer, she continues to push the boundaries of how humans and AI can work together. Beyond her journalism career, Amanda is a bestselling author of science fiction books for young readers, where she channels her passion for storytelling into inspiring the next generation. A long-distance runner and mom of three, Amanda’s writing reflects her authenticity, natural curiosity, and heartfelt connection to everyday life — making her not just a journalist, but a trusted guide in the ever-evolving world of technology. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. I use ChatGPT every day — here's 10 prompts I can't live without I’ve tested every major AI chatbot in 2025 — these 5 prompts never fail me I use ChatGPT every day to boost my productivity — and these 5 prompts always deliver 10 ChatGPT prompts I love that’ll turn you into a power user These 9 AI prompts work like magic — no matter which chatbot you use I've tested nearly 200+ DeepSeek prompts — these 7 are the ones I always come back to Latest in AI Google’s NotebookLM just got a huge upgrade — here’s why it beats ChatGPT for team projects I test AI every day — the best AI voice generator I’ve ever used just dropped Microsoft just gave you access to OpenAI's incredible Sora video generator for free — here's how to find it I just tested the newest versions of ChatGPT vs Gemini vs DeepSeek vs Claude — and the winner completely surprised me Claude's free voice mode has landed — here's how to access it Apple's WWDC could be a flop for AI — but 4 major Apple Intelligence updates are on the horizon Latest in Features I test AI every day — the best AI voice generator I’ve ever used just dropped Can you use a VPN with the Nintendo Switch 2? I drove the 2025 Ford F-150 for days without filling up — this hybrid truck’s range is unreal This 30-minute ‘Japanese walking’ workout strengthens your entire body and boosts your metabolism Boost your metabolism and cardiovascular health with this 5,000-step walking workout Sony QLEDs vs OLEDs: What do you get when you pay more? LATEST ARTICLES Samsung Galaxy Fold Ultra is officially coming this summer — what we know so far iOS 26: All the new features coming to your iPhone Project Moohan specs just leaked — what we’ve learned about Samsung’s Android XR headset Apple Design Award 2025 winners announced — apps and games recognized for innovation and ingenuity Not a typo! You can already get the Motorola Razr (2025) for free — here's how Tom's Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. Terms and conditions Contact Future's experts Privacy policy Cookies policy Accessibility Statement Advertise with us Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Please login or signup to comment Please wait...