You're Not Bad at AI, You're Just Missing This Trick

You type a prompt into ChatGPT. It gives you something… weird. Off-brand. Totally missing the point.

So you try again. Still not quite right. You start to wonder: Am I just bad at this?

Nope. You’re not bad at AI. You’re just missing one crucial piece of information: prompting is a skill, not a superpower.

Prompting Is a Skill (And That’s Great News)

Here’s the thing nobody tells you when you first start using AI: getting good results isn’t about being “naturally good with computers” or having some secret tech gene. It’s about learning a few simple techniques and practicing them.

Think about it like learning to cook. Your first omelet might be a rubbery, crispy disaster. But once someone shows you how hot the pan should be and when to flip it? Suddenly you’re making breakfast like a pro.

AI prompting works the same way. The tool is incredibly powerful, but it needs clear instructions. And learning how to give those instructions is a skill you can develop, fast.

Why Your Prompts Aren’t Working (Yet)

Most people start with AI by typing the way they’d search Google or text a friend. Short. Vague. Assuming the AI can read their mind.

Here’s what that looks like:

write a blog post
make this better
help with my resume

These prompts technically work. But they’re like asking a chef to “make food.” Sure, you’ll get something edible, but it probably won’t be what you wanted.

The trick? You need to give AI more context, more direction, and more specificity.

And here’s the best part: you don’t need to be a “prompt engineer” or learn some complex system. You just need to start adding a few key details.

The Simple Trick: Add Context, Format, and Tone

Want better results right now? Try this:

Instead of saying write a blog post, try:

Write a 500-word blog post about time management tips for freelancers.
Use a friendly, conversational tone. Include 3 actionable tips with examples.
Format it with clear headings and bullet points.

See the difference? You just told the AI:

What to write (blog post about time management)
Who it’s for (freelancers)
How it should sound (friendly, conversational)
What it should include (3 tips with examples)
How to format it (headings and bullets)

That’s not wizardry. That’s just clear communication.

Use Cases: Where This Trick Shines

This approach works for basically anything you’re asking AI to do:

Writing emails:

❌ write an email to my boss
✅ Write a professional but friendly email to my manager requesting feedback on my recent project proposal. Keep it under 150 words and express appreciation for their time.

Brainstorming ideas:

❌ give me content ideas
✅ Generate 10 Instagram post ideas for a small bakery that focuses on gluten-free desserts. The tone should be warm and inviting, and ideas should highlight both products and behind-the-scenes content.

Editing and improving text:

❌ make this better
✅ Revise this paragraph to be more concise and engaging. The audience is busy professionals who want actionable advice, not fluff. Keep the friendly tone but cut unnecessary words.

Learning something new:

❌ explain React
✅ Explain React hooks to someone who knows JavaScript but has never used React before. Use simple analogies and a short code example.

The pattern is always the same: be specific about what you want, who it’s for, and how it should be delivered.

Real Examples You Can Try Right Now

Let’s put this into practice. Here are two prompts you can copy, paste, and customize:

Write a LinkedIn post (200 words max) about the importance of taking breaks
during the workday. The tone should be professional but relatable, and include
one personal anecdote. End with a question to encourage engagement.

Example 2: Simplifying Complex Information

Explain the concept of compound interest to a 10-year-old. Use a simple
analogy involving something kids understand, like video games or allowance.
Keep it to 3 short paragraphs.

Try these exactly as written, or swap in your own topic. Notice how much more useful the output becomes when you’re specific.

You’re Learning a New Language (Sort Of)

Here’s what’s actually happening when you “get better at AI”: you’re learning how to communicate with a tool that thinks differently than you do.

AI doesn’t have common sense. It doesn’t know your preferences. It can’t read between the lines.

But it’s really good at following instructions, when those instructions are clear.

So yeah, it takes practice. Your first few prompts might still feel awkward. You might over-explain or under-explain. That’s normal. That’s part of learning.

The good news? You get better fast. Every time you refine a prompt, you’re training yourself to think more clearly about what you actually want. And that’s a skill that pays off in all kinds of ways, AI or not.

The Bottom Line

You’re not bad at AI. You’re just at the beginning of the learning curve.

Prompting is a skill like cooking, writing, or learning to code. It feels clunky at first, then suddenly clicks. The trick isn’t some secret formula, it’s just being specific about what you want and giving the AI enough context to deliver.

So next time you get a weird response from ChatGPT? Don’t blame yourself. Just add a little more detail and try again. You can also check out a prompting framework, which organizes your context in ways useful for AI to get the results you want.

Your turn: Pick one prompt you’ve used recently that didn’t quite work. Try rephrasing it with today’s tip, add context, format, and tone, and see what happens. You might be surprised how much better it gets.

Now go make some AI magic. (The learnable kind.)