Entrepreneurs do too much. Rather than focus on the few things that would make a huge difference to their business, they tackle multiple problems at the same time, juggling more projects than they can handle and ultimately dropping the ball or missing out on truly needle-moving results. Don’t be one of them. Instead, do less, but better. Fewer initiatives, fewer projects, fewer things to keep an eye on. Channel your energy into what you know you do exceptionally well.
These ChatGPT prompts will help you figure out how to do less but better. Copy, paste and edit the square brackets in ChatGPT, and keep the same chat window open so the context carries through. Add as much detail as possible so your plan is perfectly personalized.
Make more impact and be less busy with ChatGPT
Cut out what isn’t working
Holding onto small tasks and meaningless obligations could be holding you back from your big business goals. It makes sense. They take calendar space and headspace. They keep you playing small. The opportunity cost is all those other ways you could be spending your time. Use this prompt to identify the activities that have no place in your current game.
“In my business we are currently working on [describe every initiative you are working on in your business, including product, sales, marketing and any areas you are focused on improving or developing]. As part of this, tasks that I personally do each week are [include what you do in your week]. Given that my company is [describe your company] and our goal is [describe your main business goal], be ruthless in suggesting some things we are doing (the team and me personally) that aren’t contributing towards our goal and therefore should be eliminated. For each one, explain why it might not be contributing.”
Double down on what is working
Declutter your calendar and think carefully about what remains. How will you re-lay the table in a way that will lead to more success? Investigate the things that are already working, and see what happens when you do more of those. Give them a chance to really fly. Get ChatGPT’s help to suggest what they are.
“Now we have cut out [explain which things you plan to cut out] there is more space to double down. Currently working well is [describe the areas that are proving successful]. Suggest ways we could double down in these areas, to achieve compounding benefits that will help us grow.”
Multiply your results
Most projects simply add. They add work, mental energy and time taken to do them. Some projects multiply. Doing one well leads to knock-on benefits. Both grow in tandem. Which areas of your work could be having the same effect? Ask ChatGPT to spot the patterns and connect the dots, for any you might have missed.
“When work across the business is aligned, success is more straightforward because growth in one area means growth in another. Highlight potentially fruitful links between our current areas of work, that mean specific initiatives might work well together? Explain the link and why this might be the case, and how we could strengthen the link further.”
Remove the random
Now you’ve cut out what definitely doesn’t make a difference, and you know what’s connected, assess the random. Of what remains, which initiatives are completely detached from the others, to the point that they’re more hassle than they’re worth? If something is using your time and attention on a regular basis, there has to be a good reason for it. Your biggest assets should not be going to waste.
“When we are doing fragmented things it has the opposite effect to what we want. Random initiatives and projects means our energy is split in different directions which leads to missed opportunities for growth. Suggest what seems random or unconnected in our approach, and explain why it would be better to remove this activity.”
Make regular adjustments
Change happens fast. Even one week of doing less but better can make a difference. Assess your progress at regular intervals. Make sure you’ve adjusted in an optimal way. Ask ChatGPT for your official checklist, by which you take stock, re-analyse and decide how to move forward. Keep refining until you have a robust way of working that makes you unstoppable.
“If I cut out the nonessential to make room for doubling down, I want to make sure it’s working as planned. I plan to assess my actions every [frequency, for example week, month, quarter]. Outline the 5 questions I should ask to make sure my actions are helping us make progress.”
Do less but do it better with these 5 prompts for ChatGPT
Don’t fall into the trap of being a busy fool. Do less but do it better. Cut out what isn’t working to clear space for magic, then double down on specific projects and see what you can achieve. Connect the dots for multiplication of impact, and remove the random objects trying to block your path. Assess your approach on a regular basis, then correct your course as required to get right back to it.
You could be a few prompts away from a business that’s unrecognizable in a few years time. Don’t settle for average, don’t settle for busy. Clear out the noise and do your best work.