Atleast according to me, one of the best way to use AI llm's i figured out recently in such a way that it doesn't mess up your brain's cognitive functions; is not by giving it questions to answer for you, but instead to make it give you questions for you to answer.
I'll provide a basic prompt template I use for myself, I have mastered this prompt for myself after reiterating on it for like 20+ times, I usually don't change anything in it, but feel free to update it according to your need.
The prompt :
# Problem facing
[RANT YOUR PROBLEM HERE]
# Your Objective
Ask me questions based on the problem in a way that it:
- Helps me gain more clarity
- Guides me toward possible solutions
- Reveals any blindspots I may be missing
- Triggers lightbulb moments or fresh insights I hadn’t considered
# Rules
- Frame questions to guide toward solutions based on the problem; if it doesn’t help, don’t ask it .
- Below every question tell *why* it matters, connect it to a possible cause of the problem
- Make sure to maintain spartan tone.
For example lets say, I am doing my workouts regularly but i am still not able to grow muscles and loose belly fat.
Then the prompt becomes
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# Problem facing
I am doing my workouts regularly but i am still not able to grow muscles and loose belly fat.
# Your Objective
Ask me questions based on the problem in a way that it:
- Helps me gain more clarity
- Guides me toward possible solutions
- Reveals any blindspots I may be missing
- Triggers lightbulb moments or fresh insights I hadn’t considered
# Rules
- Frame questions to guide toward solutions based on the problem; if it doesn’t help, don’t ask it .
- Below every question tell *why* it matters, connect it to a possible cause of the problem
- Make sure to maintain spartan tone.
------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the reply i got from gemini 2.5 flash model
- What does your current workout routine look like, including exercises, sets, reps, and frequency?
Why it matters: This helps identify if the routine adequately stimulates muscle growth and fat loss (e.g., progressive overload, compound movements). - Describe your typical daily diet.
Why it matters: Nutrition is crucial for muscle gain and fat loss. Inadequate protein, excessive calories, or poor food choices can hinder progress. - How much sleep do you get on average each night?
Why it matters: Sufficient sleep is essential for muscle recovery, hormone regulation, and fat metabolism. - How consistent are you with both your workouts and diet on a weekly basis?
Why it matters: Inconsistency can undermine efforts, preventing the body from adapting and responding to training and nutritional changes. - Are you tracking your food intake (e.g., calories, macronutrients) or workout progress (e.g., weights lifted, reps performed)?
Why it matters: Tracking provides objective data to identify if you're in a caloric deficit for fat loss or consuming enough for muscle growth, and if you're progressively overloading muscles. - How long have you been consistently following your current workout and diet plan?
Why it matters: Significant body recomposition takes time. Insufficient time on a plan may mean you haven't given it a chance to yield results. - What is your perceived stress level on a typical day?
Why it matters: Chronic stress can elevate cortisol, which can hinder fat loss and muscle gain.
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Now this encourages me to use my brain, whilst making it easier to find out solution for my problem.
If you can figure out ways to improve the propmt please share it with me too lol.
(ps - this is from my post in the fastlane forum <link>)
-Tharv