Let’s talk about something that has genuinely changed my life—ChatGPT. I know, I know, everyone’s talking about AI these days. But hear me out. For me, ChatGPT isn’t just a trendy tool; it’s like having a personal assistant that’s always ready to help, 24/7, and doesn’t cost a dime.
And here’s the kicker: I’m not using it for anything crazy or high-tech. I use it to solve real, everyday problems—like helping my 7-year-old son, Jason, manage his ADHD. Trust me, it’s been a game changer.
Let me walk you through how I do it, step by step, with a little framework I’ve developed along the way.
Step 1: Clearly Describe Your Problem
When you’re asking ChatGPT for help, the first thing you need to do is be specific. Think of it like this: if you go to a doctor and say, “I feel bad,” you’re not going to get much help, right? You need to give them details.
So instead of saying something vague like, “How do I help my son with ADHD?” I asked ChatGPT:
"Can you create a plan to help my son Jason, who has ADHD, improve his focus and manage impulsivity?"
See how that’s more specific? It gives GPT a clear direction to work with.
Step 2: Provide Background Information
Now, this is where the magic happens. The more context you give, the better the response. For Jason, I shared some details:
- He’s 7 years old.
- He struggles to focus in class and gets easily distracted during homework.
- He’s constantly moving around—can’t sit still for long.
- He gets frustrated quickly when things don’t go his way.
By painting a picture of Jason’s daily life, ChatGPT was able to give me advice tailored to him.
Step 3: Mention Any Personal Preferences
Here’s a pro tip: let ChatGPT know what kind of response works for you. I told it:
"Keep it simple. I need practical advice in everyday language that’s easy to explain to a 7-year-old. Also, focus on low-cost activities we can do at home."
The result? GPT gave me advice I could actually use—nothing too fancy, nothing that required spending a fortune.
Step 4: State the Purpose of Your Question
Why does this matter? Because it helps GPT give you the right tone and format. For example, I told it:
"I’m looking for parenting advice I can use right away to help Jason, not something theoretical or for a research paper."
If you’re writing a speech, preparing a blog, or doing something more formal, let GPT know. It’ll shape its response to fit your needs.
Step 5: Set Clear Expectations
Be upfront about what you want. For example, I said:
"Give me 3–5 actionable tips backed by research, and explain them in detail with examples."
This way, I got practical steps to follow, not just a list of ideas I didn’t know what to do with.
Step 6: Specify the Depth of the Answer
How deep do you want GPT to go? I wanted something thorough, so I said:
"Please provide detailed explanations, not just bullet points."
But if you’re short on time, you can always ask for a summary.
Step 7: Ask for Multiple Options (If Needed)
Sometimes, it’s nice to have choices. For example, I asked:
"Can you suggest 3 different ADHD-friendly activities to improve focus?"
This gave me a variety of options to try with Jason, so I wasn’t stuck with just one idea.
Step 8: Clarify Limitations or Unwanted Content
If there’s something you don’t want, say it upfront. For me, I said:
"Avoid advice that involves expensive tools or paid services. I want free or low-cost solutions."
And GPT delivered exactly what I asked for.
Full Prompt
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Why This Matters
Here’s what I love about using ChatGPT: it’s not just about getting answers—it’s about creating a system that works for you. By following this 8-step framework, I can make sure the advice I get is practical, relevant, and actionable.
And it’s not just about parenting. You can use this framework for anything—work, health, hobbies, you name it.
My Biggest Takeaway
Honestly, helping Jason with his ADHD has been tough. There were moments when I felt overwhelmed and frustrated. But ChatGPT has made the journey a little easier. It’s like having a partner that’s always there to brainstorm ideas, provide support, and help me figure things out.
And here’s something I’ve realized: AI isn’t here to replace us; it’s here to work with us. The people who learn how to use it will thrive.
So, give this framework a try. Whether you’re parenting, starting a new project, or just trying to solve a tricky problem, I promise it’ll make your life a whole lot easier.