How I’m Using ChatGPT

I’ve been writing a lot of posts about my experiences with ChatGPT. It takes time to learn, it takes time to figure out how to refine a series of queries, prompts to explore issues.

While many are reveling in ChatGPT’s ability to paper the world with endless amounts of drivel, I mean content, I find it not that useful. Even with a lot of prompting, it’s content is mediocre. It lacks data, it lacks specifics. The time it takes to refine a story around issues–well, I could write it from scratch more quickly (And I can submit it to GPT for editing). And it’s knowledge base is dated—it hasn’t been updated since 2021.

Since my objectives in customer focused content is to be highly specific and relevant to the issues the customer faces, GPT is, currently, not very useful.

But I’m finding it very useful in thinking about questions–or brainstorming.

For example, “When I am looking at [this issue] what 15 questions should I be asking myself to develop a complete understanding of the risks associated with this issue?”

Or, “What are the 10 most critical things I should be looking at when considering this?”

Or, “What questions should I be posing when trying to make a decision about this?”

Or, “What am I missing in my thinking about this issues?” (This is generally after I’ve cycled through a number of the previous questions).

80% of the time, it gives me questions/issues I have already considered. So, in some way, it’s confirming my thinking. But often, it’s phrasing of the question is better than mine or the phrasing causes me to shift my perspective a little.

20% of the time, it gives me obvious questions/issues, but something I may have overlooked or not considered.

It’s also great as a variant for the “5- Whys” method.

I may ask, “What are the 10 most important questions I should be looking at for this issue…?”

When I get the response, I then take each question and drill down to another level. For example, “What are the questions I might ask to better understand/more deeply understand this question?” Or “What are some of the things I should look for in a response to this question?” Or “What should I be thinking about to make sure I’m understanding this specific issues well?”

And I can, in turn, drill down on each of the responses it gives me on those questions.

I find it useful to ask for specifics, “Give me the 10 questions…”

I take different points of view and ask “What are the 15 things I should be looking for to better understand this?”

So where many are looking for this tool to give them answers or to provide others answers, I’m finding it very powerful in helping me think more deeply. And to be honest, that’s the toughest part. Once you know you are asking the right questions and thinking deeply about issues, it’s relatively easy to find answers.

Try it. I’ve found it very powerful in helping me gain better and deeper understanding. I’m even using it for call prep—less for the specific questions it gives me, but more to help me make sure I’m looking at the right issues.