Life can get hectic, and it often feels like there’s never enough time to complete everything on our plates. That’s why I rely on ChatGPT as my personal productivity helper. It assists me in planning and structuring my day so that I can concentrate on what truly matters.
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Time Management and Scheduling
I strongly believe in the value of using a to-do list; however, one of its drawbacks is that it doesn’t clearly indicate which tasks are the most urgent. A straightforward list might contain tasks that are important but not urgent, or vice versa.
Rather than figuring out the priority of each task on my own, I let ChatGPT handle it for me. I simply prompt it to create a daily schedule from my to-do list.
This is my to-do list for today: write a blog post, work out, do laundry, visit Grandma, and go grocery shopping. Can you create a structured schedule for me?
I’ve found that this prompt works exceptionally well; ChatGPT intuitively creates balanced schedules with minimal context. Notably, it also includes breaks to help avert burnout and allocates time for meals.
The more ChatGPT understands me, thanks to its memory feature, the better its recommendations become. These memories update automatically as I share more personal details with ChatGPT. For example, I could mention my profession and preferred time management techniques to refine the suggestions it gives me. Here’s a prompt I used:
I work as a freelance writer, so writing is always my top priority. I also prefer to tackle tasks in batches.
Moreover, ChatGPT can assist with setting up calendar events. While it can’t create events in your calendar automatically like Google Gemini, it can generate individual links for each task if you provide your time zone or location. Here’s an example prompt:
Please create Google Calendar event links for each item. My time zone is GMT+1.
You can provide ChatGPT with examples of your usual daily routine so it can formulate a plan tailored to your working habits. Additionally, if you subscribe to Plus, you can use ChatGPT Tasks to establish reminders for specific events.
Be aware that clickable hyperlinks in ChatGPT can be inconsistent. If the links don’t work on your desktop browser, try using the mobile app instead.
3
Meal Planning
Figuring out what to eat each day can be a hassle, so I let ChatGPT take care of that. I share my dietary preferences and the ingredients I have on hand, and it crafts a daily or weekly meal plan based on my input.
The request can be as broad or as specific as I like:
Create a meal plan consisting of 2,500 calories and 50g of protein, featuring traditional Yoruba cuisine.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that ChatGPT is knowledgeable about traditional Nigerian dishes.
The meal plan suggested is well-rounded, considering all my specified preferences. Additionally, ChatGPT can generate a complete grocery list and recipes for each dish.
I can also indicate what ingredients I have at home and the cooking methods I prefer. If I’m pressed for time, I can request quick recipes or meals suitable for pressure cooking, and I can ask for budget-friendly options if needed.
Another handy feature is ChatGPT’s custom instructions, allowing me to outline my preferences and dietary restrictions just once, so I don’t have to repeat them in each request.
2
Workout Planning
ChatGPT helps me choose which muscle groups to focus on and what exercises to do on any given day.
I start by giving it a memory prompt to save me from repeating myself:
I practice calisthenics and prefer working out three times a week. Each session should last about 45 minutes (including rest) and cover all major muscle groups.
Now, I can use a separate prompt to generate a fresh workout plan each week.
Create an intermediate bodyweight workout plan for the upcoming week.
You can easily include your fitness objectives, whether it’s weight loss, muscle building, or improving strength. If you’re using weights, you can describe the equipment at your disposal and ask ChatGPT to devise a workout plan that accommodates that. While I typically generate my plans weekly, it’s entirely possible to plan training sessions for an entire month or even a year using ChatGPT.
Of course, it’s essential to remember that ChatGPT is not a replacement for professional training guidance. It cannot offer personalized advice, correct your form, or hold you accountable. Its limitations are significant, and it lacks a fundamental understanding of the advice it dispenses.
1
Journal Prompts
I strive to maintain a daily journal for self-improvement and personal reflection, but sometimes it’s challenging to know where to begin. That’s where ChatGPT proves helpful. I use custom instructions, providing a broad range of topics for ChatGPT to select from at random. For instance:
Journal prompts should promote personal introspection and pose questions related to gratitude, relationships, wellness, growth, or challenges.
At the end of each day, I simply ask:
What’s today’s journal prompt?
Keep in mind that ChatGPT uses information from past interactions by default, so it’s wise to avoid sharing private or identifying details. You can opt out of this data collection feature if you prefer.
I’ve noticed that ChatGPT can sometimes repeat answers, so don’t hesitate to rephrase your request to receive a unique journal prompt!
Overall, I’ve discovered that ChatGPT excels at low-level, repetitive tasks ideal for delegation. Experimenting with various methods will help you find the best way to work smarter instead of harder.
