3 AI Habits So Powerful It Feels Like Cheating

Key Concepts

AI tools, productivity, friction, low-effort habits, global keyboard shortcuts, launcher apps, text expanders, prompt engineering, prompt multiply method, AI triggers, Notion database, high-stakes vs. low-stakes tasks.

1. The Everywhere AI Shortcut

This section focuses on using global keyboard shortcuts to quickly access AI tools, reducing context switching and friction.

• Main Point: Accessing AI tools should be seamless and immediate.
• Process:
  1. Install a launcher app (Alfred or Raycast for Mac, PowerToys for Windows).
  2. Configure custom web searches within the launcher app.
  3. Use specific URL strings for each AI tool (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini).
• Specific Details:
  • Alfred (paid) and Raycast (free) are recommended for Mac users.
  • PowerToys is a free option for Windows users.
  • The URL string for ChatGPT includes a dynamic search query: https://chat.openai.com/?q={query}.
  • Claude's URL brings you to a new chat with the text prefilled.
  • Gemini requires a static URL, opening a new, empty chat.
• Pro Tip 1: Add &search=true to the ChatGPT URL to enable web search: https://chat.openai.com/?q={query}&search=true.
• Pro Tip 2: For paid ChatGPT users, force extended thinking mode by adding "think hard about this" to the end of the prompt.
• HubSpot AI Agents Unleash Playbook: Mentioned as a resource for understanding AI agents, especially for non-technical users. It includes a decision tree graphic to determine when an AI agent is appropriate.

2. Use Text Expanders

This section explains how to use text expanders to quickly insert frequently used prompts, saving time and effort.

• Main Point: Text expanders automate the insertion of frequently used prompts.
• Process:
  1. Identify frequently used prompts.
  2. Set up shortcuts in a text expander app (Alfred snippets, Raycast extension, Beef Text for Windows).
  3. Assign a keyword to each prompt.
• Specific Details:
  • Alfred users can use the snippets tab.
  • Raycast users can enable the text expander snippet extension.
  • Beef Text is a free and open-source option for Windows users.
• Example Prompts (shared in the video description):
  • Clear and concise writing improvement prompt.
  • Email writing prompt.
  • Formatting prompt.
• Recommendation: List 3-5 prompts specific to your workflow and use them daily for 2 weeks.
• Pro Tip 1: Text expanders offer flexibility through bracketed options within prompts, allowing for on-the-fly adjustments.
• Pro Tip 2: Chain launcher apps and text expanders together for more complex workflows (e.g., using the launcher to open Claude and then using a text expander to insert a prompt).
• AI Toolkit: A free resource offered by the video creator to help master essential AI tools and workflows.

3. The Prompt Multiply Method

This section introduces a method for generating better prompts for high-stakes tasks by using AI to optimize the initial prompt.

• Main Point: For high-stakes tasks, use AI to generate optimized prompts.
• Concept: While modern AI models can produce decent results even with weak prompts, optimized prompts yield significantly better outcomes.
• Prompt Formula (mentioned): Task, Context, Example, Persona, Format, and Tone.
• Process:
  1. Input a "lazy" or basic prompt.
  2. Ask AI to generate multiple variations of a better prompt, optimized for the specific AI model being used (e.g., GPT-4).
  3. Use the generated prompt for the high-stakes task.
• Example: Refinancing a mortgage is presented as a high-stakes situation.
  • Lazy Prompt: "The bank is offering a 4.2% interest rate for my mortgage. What are the factors I should consider?"
  • AI-Generated Prompt: (Much more detailed, including persona, tone, context, and format).
• Recommendation: Save the optimized prompt in a text expander for future use.

Bonus Tip: Embedding AI Triggers

This section discusses embedding AI touchpoints directly into existing workflows to encourage consistent use.

• Main Point: Integrate AI prompts and tools into your existing workflow for easy access and consistent use.
• Method:
  1. Create a Notion prompts database (or similar system) to store useful prompts.
  2. Hyperlink to specific prompts from relevant locations in your workspace (e.g., meeting notes, calendar reminders).
• Examples:
  • Linking a "refine unstructured thoughts" prompt in meeting notes.
  • Adding a direct link to a ChatGPT project in a weekly calendar reminder.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The video provides actionable strategies for integrating AI tools into daily workflows to enhance productivity. The key takeaways are: (1) use global keyboard shortcuts for quick access, (2) leverage text expanders to automate prompt insertion, (3) optimize prompts for high-stakes tasks using the prompt multiply method, and (4) embed AI triggers within existing workflows to encourage consistent use. By implementing these low-effort habits, users can overcome the friction associated with AI tools and maximize their potential.