From ChatGPT AI Novice to Whiz: A 30-Day Challenge
Introduction: The Power of Curiosity
Recently, I embarked on a mission to create a workshop series aimed at empowering small businesses. The challenge was daunting: to design a program that would not only spur growth and efficiency but also return precious time to the lives of business owners. I had the outline—a five-part series targeting sales, marketing, operations, and finance—but the magic happened when I introduced ChatGPT into the mix. It was through our dynamic exchange with this conversational AI that a bespoke workshop curriculum was crafted, illustrating the untapped potential of such technology in the realm of business development. What would have take me 25-30 hours has taken me less than 8!!! Hurray!!!
The Pitfalls of Prescriptive Prompts
Now for many learning about ChatGPT is a daunting task; And so they rely on the Top 10 ChatGPT “Clickbait” articles”. These prescriptive prompts can be a double-edged sword in the realm of learning. "Explain [topic] to me as if I’m a beginner in [field]" is a common starting point, and while ChatGPT responds with a comprehensive explanation, it often ends there. Real learning happens when you dig deeper, asking follow-up questions and engaging in a back-and-forth dialogue. This iterative process resembles a child's inquisitive exploration of the world, where each answer begets another question, fostering a richer learning experience. But if you follow prescriptive prompts you’ll just be stuck searching the internet for the next prompt.
Beyond the Notebook: A Purposeful Collection
Once you used a prescriptive prompt, its easy to understand why any gravitate towards neatly organized "top ten" prompt lists; And while these can provide direction, they often lack personal relevance. The true utility of a notebook filled with prompts is found in the significance of each entry to the individual. Rather than accumulating prompts as one might collect stamps, we should engage with each one thoughtfully, ensuring that what we record sparks genuine curiosity and encourages further investigation.
Master ChatGPT with the “Consume, Digest, Reflect, Share” Method
Consume:
Start with Curiosity, Not Templates: Consume content by engaging with ChatGPT based on your innate curiosity rather than relying solely on pre-made prompts.
Integrate with Daily Tasks: Consume the tool's capabilities by integrating ChatGPT into your daily tasks to see how it can assist and enhance your routine activities.
Digest:
Iterate and Evolve: Digest the information by not just taking the first answer but by asking further questions, pushing deeper into the topic.
Personalize the Experience: Digest the content meaningfully by customizing prompts to align with your personal and professional interests, which makes the interaction more relevant to you.
Reflect:
Reflect on the Responses: Take time to reflect on the answers ChatGPT provides. Contemplate what you’ve learned and how it aligns with or challenges your understanding.
Expand Beyond the Obvious: Reflect by challenging the AI with creative and lateral thinking questions, which can lead to broader and more nuanced understanding.
Share:
Teach Them to Teach: Solidify your understanding and share your knowledge by using ChatGPT to help explain concepts to others or to create educational content.
Share and Collaborate: Share your discoveries from ChatGPT with peers or in group settings, which can foster collaborative learning and may provide new perspectives.
Promote Ethical Use: Share the importance of responsible AI use with others, emphasizing the significance of ethical considerations and human supervision.
Integrated throughout all phases:
Develop your Learning Mindset: Throughout the Consume, Digest, Reflect, and Share cycle, maintain an open mindset for learning. Be ready to adapt and explore based on the new information and insights gained from each interaction with ChatGPT.
The 30-Day Consume, Digest, Reflect, and Share Challenge
I challenge you to a transformative 30-day journey with ChatGPT. Engage with the AI each day, immerse yourself in the content, and spend time reflecting on the insights gained. Each week, share your discoveries with someone—a partner, a friend, or the broader community. This challenge is not just about learning but about enhancing how we communicate, think, and interact with generative AI as we approach 2024 and beyond. And be sure to share with me your results (just post a comment below or message me if you need help)