Here are a few ChatGPT “cheat codes” you should be using.

Most people use ChatGPT like a search engine:

They type a vague question, receive a generic answer, and assume that is the best AI can do.

But better results don’t always require a 500-word prompt.

Sometimes, one short instruction can completely change the response.

Try these:

ELI10

Ask ChatGPT to explain a complicated subject as if you were 10 years old.

You’ll get a clear, understandable explanation without stripping away all the important details.

Example:

“ELI10: Explain how Google decides which websites appear first.”

TL;DR

Paste in a long email, article, proposal, report, or transcript and ask ChatGPT to extract what actually matters.

Make it even more useful by adding:

“Identify the key decision, important risks, and next steps.”

HUMANIZE

Use this when ChatGPT gives you something that sounds stiff, generic, overly polished, or obviously AI-generated.

Example:

“HUMANIZE: Rewrite this so it sounds like a thoughtful business owner wrote it.”

HOOK

Have a good idea but a weak opening?

Use HOOK to generate stronger headlines, email subject lines, video openings, or first lines for a social post.

Example:

“HOOK: Give me 10 compelling opening lines for this LinkedIn post. Avoid hype and clickbait.”

COMPARE

Use this when you need to evaluate different products, strategies, proposals, or decisions.

Tell ChatGPT exactly which criteria matter:

“COMPARE these two options based on cost, risk, implementation time, likely return, and long-term value.”

REDTEAM

This may be the most valuable one.

Instead of asking ChatGPT to agree with your idea, ask it to challenge you.

Example:

“REDTEAM this strategy. Identify weak assumptions, overlooked risks, opposing arguments, and the most likely reasons it could fail.”

That turns ChatGPT from an agreeable assistant into a much more useful thinking partner.

And here’s where it gets really interesting:

You can combine these instructions.

“REDTEAM this proposal. ELI10 the biggest risks. COMPARE the available solutions. LISTIFY the next steps. HUMANIZE the email explaining my recommendation.”

That is when ChatGPT stops feeling like a novelty and starts becoming a serious working tool.

I’ve put together a complete ChatGPT Cheat Code Sheet with additional shortcuts, explanations, examples, and practical ways to get better results from AI.

For more information, feel free to schedule time here.