Many of us share a common shortcoming: we rush to find solutions before we've sufficiently clarified our questions. With the advanced capabilities of modern AI tools, this issue becomes all the more tempting to fall into.
Consider ChatGPT, for example. Its user-friendly interactive mode and rapid response time tempt us to input any query at a moment's notice. Sometimes, the mere spark of an idea is all it takes for us to present a prompt to ChatGPT. The AI, especially if you're using GPT-3.5, responds swiftly, feeding into a rapid cycle of question and answer.
This quickfire exchange encourages our brains to operate in a "greedy" mode, bypassing logical thought processes in favor of chasing an end goal that, more often than not, we haven't even fully defined. We're driven by the strong compulsion to reach this elusive objective without fully digesting the information provided by ChatGPT. Before we know it, we're already typing out the next prompt.
Yet, if our questions are vague and our goals undefined, the pursuit of a solution becomes fruitless; no true resolution arises from this repetitive cycle. Such aimless interactions can easily consume 20 to 30 minutes—or even longer—leaving us feeling exhausted and deflated.
In the aftermath, some might hastily conclude that AI is simply spouting nonsense. However, the real issue lies not with the AI, but with our approach. Suppose we allocate the initial five minutes to deliberate over our question, refining it to gain a clearer understanding of what we require and an insight into the ultimate objective. In this way, we're less likely to lose ourselves in the futile pursuit of an undefined goal.
Armed with this clarity, our interactions with AI become thoughtful with each exchange, reducing the overall number of cycles needed and transforming a potentially frustrating half-hour of aimlessness into an efficient five-minute dialogue.
The impetus for this post stems from my own experiences. Despite being aware of this pitfall, I occasionally find myself succumbing to it. Thus, I'm writing this to serve as a reminder to myself and to offer a piece of advice to my readers.
I hope this post proves helpful and encourages you to take a moment to refine your questions before engaging with AI. It's a simple step that can significantly enhance the quality and productivity of your interactions.
