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Build a 4-week habit plan that fixes the costliest problem first

  • For Freelancers and creators
  • You practice Asking for a format you can use
  • Time about 5 minutes

About this exercise

You're a freelance photographer whose admin keeps slipping. Build a 4-week habit plan: exactly 4 numbered lines, one new habit per week, each as 'Week N: habit - cue - minutes', at most 15 minutes a day. Start with the problem that cost you the most money last month and go in order of cost. Plain text, under 90 words.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Starting with the easy habit. The AI orders habits by what seems simple, not by what costs you most. Try: Add: "Order by last month's cost: emails, invoices, receipts, backups."
  • No cue or time. The AI says 'do invoices regularly' with no trigger or time limit. Try: Show it: "Week 1: habit - cue - minutes", at most 15 minutes.
  • Following the Sunday advice. The coach's tip is in your notes, and the AI uses it. Try: Add: "I shoot most Sundays, so no Sunday habits."
  • A productivity essay. The AI adds tools, apps and motivation in markdown. Try: Add: "Exactly 4 numbered lines, plain text."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting words, so a total word cap usually lands over. Try: Cap each line: "each line under 15 words."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Orders by cost
  • Gives each habit a cue
  • Caps the time
  • Avoids Sundays
  • Caps the length

Practice this now ↑

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