Stop Settling for Generic AI Replies

Most people dump everything into one long prompt.

But AI models have a limited context window… a memory cap. The longer your prompt, the more tokens (words/characters) are wasted on setup instead of solving the problem.

 It’s not the AI, it’s how you ask.

So what should you do instead?

Use these lines after your prompt to make the model ask clarifying questions first. This gives you more tailored, accurate results.

1. “Ask me clarifying questions until you’re 99% sure you understand what I need.”

Most people stop at one prompt and settle for a guess. This line makes the model slow down, ask, and get your context right, before replying.

2. “Think step by step and give me the reasoning behind your thinking.”

This is chain-of-thought prompting. Forces the model to reason like a human, not just reply like a chatbot.

3. “Think like the top 0.1% would solve this.”

Pushes the model to think like elite decision-makers… not average internet advice.

4. “Explain this to me like a Harvard professor would, but in simple language.”

You get high-level insight with zero jargon. Expert clarity, not textbook confusion.

5. “Don’t answer yet. First, list out the variables or unknowns involved.”

Perfect for complex problems. The model breaks it down before rushing to a generic solution.

6. “Assume this problem is worth $10,000 to solve. How would you approach it?”

It changes the tone. You’re no longer getting “meh” ideas - you’re getting premium output.

7. “Before writing anything, tell me your game plan or structure first.”

Useful for writing, strategies, plans, outlines. You get control of the flow before it generates.

8. “Give me 3 proven frameworks you’d apply here. Pick the best one and explain why.”

For strategy, marketing, content… this gives you depth + structure in one go.

9. “Think like an operator who has done this 100+ times. What would they do first?”

Skips the surface-level reply. You get execution-first thinking.

10. “Identify what I might be missing, then help me fill the gap.”

Most prompts only solve what’s visible. This prompt promotes critical thinking. You’re not just solving the visible issue, you’re going deeper

The bottom line

Generic AI replies aren’t a model problem… they’re a prompt problem.
Use these lines. Make AI ask, reason, and think harder.

The difference? Night and day.

Next time, don’t just prompt. Engineer it.