Making ChatGPT Work for Me

ChatGPT is an incredible tool, but its value lies in how you use it. Many assume it’s a one-and-done solution—generate a draft, accept it, and move on. In reality, ChatGPT works best as a collaborator, but only when you push it beyond surface-level suggestions. Here’s how I use ChatGPT to make it a more effective tool in my work.

First, I consistently push it to refine its responses. ChatGPT’s initial drafts often include generic phrasing or overly polished language, which doesn’t always hit the mark. By questioning its output, asking for alternative suggestions, or giving specific feedback, I can guide it to produce something that’s much closer to what I need. The back-and-forth process ensures that the tone, clarity, and intent align with the audience I’m trying to reach.

Second, I leverage past successes to guide its output. If I have an email or proposal that worked particularly well, I include it in my prompt and ask ChatGPT to adapt it for a new situation. This helps maintain a consistent tone and style while tailoring the message to a new audience or purpose. The tool becomes even more effective over time as it learns from these examples.

Finally, I make sure it becomes familiar with my voice, the terminology I use, and the types of projects I work on. By consistently incorporating the language and phrases I rely on, ChatGPT starts to produce drafts that feel more aligned with how I communicate. Over time, this helps build a sort of history with ChatGPT, making it easier for me to get results that fit my needs without extensive rework.

For me, ChatGPT is a tool that’s helpful when I use it deliberately. It’s not perfect, and it doesn’t always get things right on the first try, but that’s part of the process. By refining its output, building a history with it, and teaching it the language I use every day, I’ve found ways to make it work better for me.