5 Underrated ChatGPT Prompts That Work Like Magic

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As someone who spends a lot of time experimenting with AI tools like ChatGPT, I’ve discovered that the real power often lies in the prompts you use. Most people scratch the surface with basic queries, but with the right phrasing, ChatGPT can feel like your smartest, most creative teammate. In this post, I’m sharing five underrated prompts that consistently surprise me with how effective they are.

1. “Explain this like I’m five, then like I’m an expert.”

This one’s gold when I’m trying to understand something complex. First, ChatGPT gives me a super simplified explanation (perfect for grasping the core idea), and then it dives deep with the expert-level version. I use it for topics like machine learning algorithms, blockchain, or even physics. It’s like a crash course that grows with me.

2. “Be my brainstorming partner for [topic] and challenge my ideas.”

Too often, we treat ChatGPT like a passive tool. But this prompt turns it into an active collaborator. I’ll toss out a few ideas, and it will not only expand on them but also push back or suggest stronger angles. It helps me sharpen my thinking and get out of creative ruts.

3. “Pretend you’re a niche expert in [role or industry]. What would you recommend in this situation?”

Whether I need marketing advice from a luxury brand strategist or coding tips from a senior backend developer, this prompt works wonders. The specificity unlocks surprisingly nuanced answers, often better than a Google search rabbit hole.

4. “What are 3 questions I should be asking about this—but I’m not?”

This is a meta-prompt I love using when I feel like I’m missing something. Instead of feeding in more input, I let ChatGPT highlight blind spots. It’s especially useful for research, planning, or decision-making tasks where unknown unknowns can trip me up.

5. “Act like a productivity coach and audit my day.”

Sometimes I’ll drop in my daily routine and ask ChatGPT to point out inefficiencies or offer hacks. It gives me perspective I might not notice on my own—and yes, it has helped me reclaim hours of lost time.

Small Prompts, Big Impact

These prompts may not go viral, but they’ve changed how I work and think. The magic of ChatGPT isn’t just in the tech—it’s in how we talk to it. Give these a try, and you might be surprised at what opens up for you.

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