Make ChatGPT Work for Your Daily Tasks

Learning Objectives

• Set up ChatGPT to handle your routine workplace tasks quickly and accurately
• Write clear prompts that get you exactly what you need from ChatGPT
• Check and improve AI-generated content before you use it

Introduction

Your workday is packed with writing tasks that eat up time you'd rather spend on bigger projects. ChatGPT can handle the routine stuff – emails, meeting notes, project briefs – so you can focus on what matters most. This chapter shows you how to put ChatGPT to work on your daily tasks without the usual trial and error.

Lessons

Getting Started with ChatGPT for Work Tasks

ChatGPT works best on tasks that involve writing or organising information. Here's how to identify which of your tasks it can handle:

Step 1: List your daily writing tasks – emails, reports, meeting summaries, project updates, or content drafts.

Step 2: Start with simple, repetitive tasks first. These give you quick wins while you learn how ChatGPT responds.

Step 3: Open ChatGPT and test it with one straightforward request.

Example: "Write an email asking our supplier about the status of our order placed on 15th March."

The key is starting small. Once you see how ChatGPT handles basic requests, you'll spot more opportunities to use it.

Writing Prompts That Get Results

Good prompts make all the difference. Vague requests give you vague results. Specific prompts get you content you can actually use.

Step 1: State exactly what you want ChatGPT to create.

Step 2: Include the context ChatGPT needs – who you're writing to, what tone to use, key details to mention.

Step 3: Specify the format if it matters – email, bullet points, formal report style.

Example of a weak prompt: "Write something about our meeting."

Example of a strong prompt: "Write a follow-up email to the marketing team summarising today's campaign review meeting. Mention the three action points we agreed on and ask for updates by Friday."

This is the bit most people miss – ChatGPT can't read your mind, but it's brilliant at following clear instructions.

Checking and Improving AI Output

ChatGPT gives you a solid first draft, but you'll always need to review and tweak the results.

Step 1: Read through the output completely before making changes.

Step 2: Check for accuracy – does it include the right details and get the facts straight?

Step 3: Adjust the tone if needed. ChatGPT sometimes sounds too formal or too casual.

Step 4: Add your personal touch – specific examples, company terminology, or your usual sign-off style.

Example: If ChatGPT writes "I hope this email finds you well," you might change it to "Hope you're having a good week" to match how you actually talk to colleagues.

Remember, ChatGPT is your writing assistant, not your replacement. The best results come when you use it as a starting point.

Practice

Try this exercise: Pick a work email you need to write this week. Create a prompt for ChatGPT that includes who you're writing to, what you want to say, and what response you need. Use the output as your first draft, then edit it to sound like you.

FAQs

Can ChatGPT handle confidential work information?
Don't input sensitive data, client details, or confidential information into ChatGPT. Use placeholder names and general descriptions instead.

What happens if ChatGPT gets something wrong?
Always fact-check important details. ChatGPT can make mistakes with dates, names, or specific information you haven't provided clearly.

How do I make ChatGPT sound more like me?
Include tone instructions in your prompts like "write in a friendly, direct style" or "keep it brief and professional." You can also ask it to revise output that doesn't sound right.

Jargon Buster

AI (Artificial Intelligence): Computer systems that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence, like understanding and generating text.

ChatGPT: An AI tool that specialises in understanding and creating written content based on your instructions.

Prompts: The instructions or questions you give to ChatGPT to tell it what you want it to create.

Wrap-up

ChatGPT can take over your routine writing tasks when you know how to use it properly. Start with clear, specific prompts and always review the output before you use it. The time you save on emails and reports adds up quickly, giving you more space for the work that needs your full attention.

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