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Write a next-year focus memo with Focus, Not doing and Numbers

  • For Small business owners
  • You practice Asking for a format you can use
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Intermediate

About this exercise

You own a 9-person electrical contracting company. Write a one-page memo to your team in plain text, under 150 words, with exactly three headings on their own lines: Focus, Not doing, Numbers. Focus has one sentence, Not doing has two items you will stop or say no to, and Numbers has the two figures from the notes that define success. Use only the notes.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Different headings. The AI writes its own section titles. Try: Say: "Exactly these headings: Focus, Not doing, Numbers."
  • Vague 'not doing'. The AI writes 'avoid distractions'. Try: Say: "Name two specific things to stop: long-payment bids and free small estimates."
  • Mentioning undecided items. The AI includes the van or the rumor. Try: Say: "Leave out the van and the competitor rumor."
  • Markdown. The AI bolds headings. Try: Say: "Plain text."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total word limit and it often lands over it. Try: Cap each section: "each section under 40 words."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total word limit and it often lands over it. Try: Cap each part instead, for example: "each line under 12 words."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Lists headings
  • Specifies counts
  • Uses notes
  • Leaves out
  • Plain text

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