How to use ChatGPT more effectively for brainstorming and self-coaching.
When it comes to brainstorming—an essential vehicle for idea generation—it’s my strong opinion that the new AI tools, especially OpenAI’s ChatGPT, are among the most astounding services the world has ever seen.
But here’s the problem: Most people don’t know how to use them effectively.
They treat AI like a one-way advice machine. Ask a question, get an answer. But the real power?
Prompting it to ask you questions.
A Real Example
Here’s a prompt I used just last night for something personal:
“I want you to be my coach on quitting smoking. I’ve read Allen Carr’s book *The Easy Way to Quit Smoking*, and it works every time I read it—to the point that I’m scared to even read the book again, because I know I’ll quit. I want you to ask me as many questions as possible and use every technique in the universe to help me quit smoking cigarettes. Can you do that?”
Notice what I added: “I want you to ask me as many questions as possible… to help me…” That one line changes everything.
The Simple Shift
One of my favorite go-to prompts is:
“Ask me as many questions as you need to help me figure this out.”
That gives the AI permission to think with you. To gather context. To help you uncover insights—not just deliver surface-level answers.
This turns brainstorming into a dialogue, not a dump of bullet points. It becomes coaching. Reflection. Problem-solving.
Try it next time you feel stuck.
Don’t just ask for answers—ask it to ask you questions.
You’ll be surprised by what you discover.
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