How I’m Training ChatGPT to Help Me Get More Done (And How You Can Too)
Lately, I’ve noticed a shift.
Less people are asking, “What’s ChatGPT?” and more are asking me “How do I actually use it to make my life better?”
I’ve wondered the same thing. So I’ve been experimenting with positive results that I’d like to pass on.
Over the past few months, I stopped looking at ChatGPT as a neat trick and started using it like a real assistant. One that helps me organize my week, stay focused on what matters, and even gives me a nudge when I start to drift.
If you’ve been feeling stuck or overwhelmed trying to make ChatGPT part of your day-to-day life, you’re not alone. And you’re not the problem.
Today, I’m going to show you exactly how I trained ChatGPT to become a real partner – and how you can start doing the same.
Why ChatGPT Feels Overwhelming (You’re Not Alone If You Feel This Way)
If you’ve ever opened ChatGPT, stared at the blinking cursor, and thought, “Now what?” you’re in good company.
It’s not a question of being smart enough. It’s that the tool is so wide open it’s like standing on an empty stage with no script. Should you use it for emails? Brainstorming? Planning your meals? Organizing your day?
The reality is, ChatGPT knows a little bit about almost everything. Without clear direction, it tries to help in every direction at once — and that only leaves you feeling more scattered.
If you’ve been frustrated, it’s not because you’re doing anything wrong. It’s because no one has shown you how to give it the kind of focus it needs to actually be useful.
That’s where everything changes.
The Shift: From Chatbot to Assistant
The breakthrough came when I stopped treating ChatGPT like a party trick , and started treating it like an intern. Someone willing and eager to help, but waiting for some direction.
Think about it: if you hired an intern and said, “Go do something,” they’d flounder. But if you sat them down and said, “Here’s what I’m working on. Here’s where I need help. Here’s how we’ll measure success,” you’d start seeing real results.
ChatGPT isn’t any different. It doesn’t need fancy prompts or secret tricks. It just needs a clear role.
Once you stop trying to “figure out the tool” and start working with it like you would a smart, willing teammate, the whole experience shifts.
Training Your Assistant: How to Make ChatGPT Useful
If you want ChatGPT to work like an assistant, you have to treat it like one.
Start by giving it context. What are your biggest goals? Where do you feel stuck? What does a good week look like?
The more background you share up front, the smarter it becomes.
One change that made a real difference for me was setting a standing agenda. Now, every Monday when I open ChatGPT, it already knows what to ask about:
- Big priorities
- Deadlines
- Personal habits I’m trying to build
- Loose ends from last week
Another simple, powerful move: I trained it to ask clarifying questions before jumping in. I just said, “Before you start helping, ask me if there’s anything else you should know to do your best work.” That one sentence made ChatGPT go from reactive to proactive.
The goal here isn’t perfection. It’s momentum.
Get moving in the right direction — and watch how fast the results stack up.
How Memory Changes the Game
One of the most important upgrades to ChatGPT recently has been the addition of memory.
If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re leaving a lot of potential on the table.
Memory means ChatGPT can now remember things across conversations:
- Your goals
- Your struggles
- Your progress
- Your habits
When I realized this, I gave it a real download: my priorities, my challenges, the habits I kept slipping on when life got busy.
We built a standing agenda together. Now, when I open ChatGPT on Monday, it starts the conversation. It brings up what matters. It checks in. It holds me accountable — without me having to dig around for old notes.
Memory moves ChatGPT from “tool” to “partner.” It shows up ready to work.
And the kind of support that used to cost a fortune? It’s now at your fingertips.
Real Ways I’m Using ChatGPT as an Assistant (And You Can Too)
Here’s how I’m using it right now:
- Weekly Planning: Every Monday, ChatGPT checks in with me. We review goals, look at the week ahead, and map out priorities.
- Brain Dumping Ideas: When my mind gets cluttered, I dump everything into ChatGPT. It organizes my thoughts and suggests next steps.
- Drafting Newsletters and Emails: Instead of facing a blank page, I ask ChatGPT to draft outlines based on what we’ve been talking about.
- Coaching Myself: When I’m feeling stuck, it reminds me of wins, helps me refocus, and encourages momentum.
None of this is flashy. It’s just simple, practical help — making life easier and keeping me on track.
That’s where the real value is.
Try This: Your First Step Toward Building Your Own Assistant
If you want to get started, here’s the simplest first move:
Step 1: Open a new chat. Tell it your biggest goal for the week.
Step 2: Ask it to help you set a standing agenda: priorities, blockers, wins.
Step 3: Say, “When ask for a check-in, start by with our agenda.”
Step 4 (Bonus): Ask, “What else would help you be a better assistant for me?”
That one question flips the relationship from you doing all the thinking to ChatGPT becoming a real collaborator.
You Don’t Need to Master AI. You Just Need a Good Assistant.
You don’t need perfect prompts. You don’t need to be an AI expert.
You just need to stop thinking of ChatGPT as a gadget — and start treating it like a real teammate.
Set one goal. Create one agenda. Build the habit.
From there, it grows. Momentum builds. And suddenly, the feeling of being overwhelmed starts to lift.
Stay practical.
Stay focused.
Let ChatGPT take a little weight off your shoulders.
And as always, stay curious!
Cary