Ever used ChatGPT, gotten something great one time, then a complete mess the next?
It’s a common story. One day it nails an email or summary. The next, it gives you five clunky paragraphs that miss the point entirely.
Doctors, business owners, and busy parents have all run into the same thing. Some give up after a few tries. Others keep tweaking prompts, hoping for better results, only to waste more time editing than creating.
That’s where one simple shift makes all the difference.
It’s not a hack or a secret. It’s a basic formula many now call the ChatGPT Cheatsheet (probably started in Reddit?). And this trick just works.
Once you use it, ChatGPT becomes the assistant you hoped it would be from the start. Here’s how you can do it too.
Disclaimer: While these are general suggestions, it’s important to conduct thorough research and due diligence when selecting AI tools. We do not endorse or promote any specific AI tools mentioned here. This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide legal, financial, or clinical advice. Always comply with HIPAA and institutional policies. For any decisions that impact patient care or finances, consult a qualified professional.
TL;DR — The Trick That Makes ChatGPT 10x More Useful
Here’s the cheat code:
Role → Task → Format → Constraints → Example → Quality Bar
That’s it. You give ChatGPT six ingredients. Who to act like, what you want, how it should look, what rules to follow, a tiny sample, and how you’ll judge it.
Do that, and you’ll start getting usable drafts right away. You won’t have to rewrite the whole thing. You won’t wonder what went wrong. And most importantly, you won’t waste your time.
Why This One Trick Actually Works
Let’s be honest. Most bad AI outputs come from vague prompts. “Summarize this,” “Write an email,” or “Make this sound better” usually gets you… something weird. Like a bland soup of words with no salt and way too much fluff.
But this prompt recipe turns fuzzy asks into clear instructions, so ChatGPT actually knows what you want. That means:
- Less fluff
- Fewer rewrites
- Clearer tone
- Paste-ready drafts you can actually use
How does it work? Let’s break it down.
ChatGPT Step-by-Step Prompting Guide
Here’s the starter template:
Universal Template:
Role: [who you want it to act like]
Task: [what you want it to do]
Format: [output type — paragraph, bullets, etc.]
Constraints: [rules — length, tone, style]
Example: [one line that shows what good looks like]
Quality Bar: [how you’ll judge if it’s usable]
Example:
Role: writing coach and editor
Task: rewrite to be shorter and professional, keep the original meaning
Format: two versions: (A) 80–120 word paragraph, (B) 3–5 bullets
Constraints: clear, concrete verbs; no clichés; U.S. English; No filler
Example: “Keep only what’s essential; replace vague phrases”
Quality Bar: scan-friendly in 20 seconds; sounds human, not robotic
Prompt-Refiner (when you’re not sure what to ask)
You are a prompt engineer. I want [goal]. Ask me 5 precise questions to fill Role, Task, Format, Constraints, Example, Quality Bar. Then draft the final prompt.
1. Role
This tells ChatGPT what “voice” or mindset to use.
Avoid anything clinical like “medical writer” or “hospital assistant”. It might accidentally lead to oversharing. For more info on general rules to follow, read What Doctors Should Never Do in ChatGPT.
Stick with safer roles like:
- “professional writing coach”
- “organizer for team projects”
- “editor helping improve LinkedIn bios”
- “health educator writing for the public”
- “email assistant helping busy professionals”
Think of it like choosing a hat for ChatGPT to wear, what kind of helper do you want?
2. Task
Tell it exactly what to do, with a clear action word. One task per prompt works best.
Examples:
- Rewrite
- Summarize
- Create 3 pros and cons
- Convert to checklist
- Draft a short thank-you email
Avoid vague ones like “explore” or “think about.” Be direct.
3. Format
This tells it what shape you want the output in.
Examples:
- 120-word paragraph
- 5 bullets
- 3-column table [Time | Topic | Outcome]
- One-liner + CTA
- Plain-English Do/Don’t list
Bonus: tables are awesome for organizing ideas, notes, or agendas.
4. Constraints
Think of these like guardrails. They prevent fluff, keep the tone tight, and reduce hallucinations.
Examples:
- Elementary reading level
- <100 words
- U.S. English
- No clichés or filler
- No medical terms or abbreviations
- Avoid technical jargon
This is the secret to making ChatGPT sound more human and less like a bad textbook.
5. Example
This part does the heavy lifting in just one line.
Example:
“Start with a hook → 3 bullets → one-line CTA”
Or:
“Clear summary, no jargon. Like a newsletter blurb”
Models are pattern-matchers. If you show it the pattern, it nails the result faster.
6. Quality Bar
This is the final ingredient. How will you know the result is good?
Examples:
- “Scan-friendly in 20 seconds”
- “No fluff, sounds natural”
- “Ready to paste into a newsletter”
- “Sounds like it came from a human”
- “Include 3 practical next steps”
You can even ask it to self-check:
“List 3 ways this meets the quality bar.”
That’s like giving it a mini QA checklist built right into the prompt.
3 Everyday Prompts You Can Start Using Today
1. The “Too Long Didn’t Read” Summary
Perfect for emails, articles, or meeting notes.
Role: professional assistant
Task: summarize the following into 5 clear bullets + 1 action step
Format: bullets only
Constraints: no filler, plain language, ≤5 bullets
Example: “Next step: review item #3 by Monday”
Quality Bar: clear and decision-ready summary
2. The 45-Minute Agenda
Turn messy notes into a real plan.
Role: project coordinator
Task: convert these notes into a 45-minute agenda
Format: table [Time | Topic | Owner | Outcome]
Constraints: <45 min total, each item has owner/outcome
Example: “10 min | Budget review | Chris | Finalize Q3 numbers”
Quality Bar: practical, time-boxed, and clear
3. The “Make This Clearer” Rewrite
For instructions, updates, or explanations.
Role: plain-English writer
Task: rewrite the text for clarity and tone
Format: 1 short paragraph + 3 Do/Don’t bullets
Constraints: grade 5 reading level; no jargon
Example: “Do: finish today; Don’t: delay past Friday”
Quality Bar: easy to scan and understand on a phone
Unlock the Full Power of ChatGPT With This Copy-and-Paste Prompt Formula!
Download the Complete ChatGPT Cheat Sheet! Your go-to guide to writing better, faster prompts in seconds. Whether you’re crafting emails, social posts, or presentations, just follow the formula to get results instantly.
Save time. Get clarity. Create smarter.
Common Questions (Real Quick)
Q: Why does it still sound generic sometimes?
→ Add a 1-line example in your own voice, and tighten the constraints.
Q: Can I put multiple tasks in one prompt?
→ Break it up: Outline → Draft → Edit → Format. That sequence works wonders.
Q: I don’t know what constraints to use.
→ Ask ChatGPT to suggest three for you based on your task. Then pick one and go.
Final Thoughts
Now, again, this isn’t about becoming an AI expert.
It’s about saving time. Cutting fluff. Getting clarity. And spending less of your day wrestling with a blinking cursor and more of it doing things that actually matter.
So next time you fire up ChatGPT, don’t leave it to chance. Use the trick. And if it helps, share it with someone who could use the time back too.
If you want to learn more about AI and other cool AI tools, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter! We also have a free AI resource page where we share the latest tips, tricks, and news to help you make the most of technology.
To go deeper, check out PIMDCON 2025 — The Physician Real Estate & Entrepreneurship Conference. You’ll gain real-world strategies from doctors who are successfully integrating AI and business for massive results.
See you again next time! As always, make it happen.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is based on available public data and may not be entirely accurate or up-to-date. It’s recommended to contact the respective companies/individuals for detailed information on features, pricing, and availability. This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide legal, financial, or clinical advice. Always comply with HIPAA and institutional policies. For any decisions that impact patient care or finances, consult a qualified professional.
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Peter Kim, MD is the founder of Passive Income MD, the creator of Passive Real Estate Academy, and offers weekly education through his Monday podcast, the Passive Income MD Podcast. Join our community at the Passive Income Doc Facebook Group.
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