Mind + Machine - EP 9
Hello, and welcome to episode 9 of Mind and Machine. If you’ve been using ChatGPT for personal growth, you’ve likely discovered its amazing ability to validate your feelings and ideas. It can provide perspective and grounding when you’re struggling with self-doubt. But have you tried using ChatGPT as a devil’s advocate? Today, I’ll share prompts to help you know when to use ChatGPT for validation and when to challenge your ideas.
Validation
ChatGPT can validate your feelings and ideas, especially when you’re uncertain or feeling self-doubt. It can also help articulate ideas in their early stages. Here are some example prompts for validation:
- Can you help me feel better about this situation? What are some reasons why my feelings or perspective are valid?
- What are some positive aspects of my decision, idea, or action that I might not be noticing?
- I’m struggling with self-doubt about X. Can you highlight reasons why I might actually be capable or on the right track?
- What are some encouraging thoughts or affirmations for someone feeling [emotion] about [situation]?
- Can you reframe this problem or challenge in a more empowering or positive way?
Devils Advocate
Validation is helpful, but sometimes what we need is a different perspective. This is where devil’s advocacy can play a key role. ChatGPT can identify blind spots, risks, or areas for improvement. Here are some example prompts:
- What are the potential downsides or risks of [idea/decision] that I might not have considered?
- If someone disagreed with me about X, what might their arguments be?
- What are some flaws or blind spots in my current approach to [situation/goal]?
- Can you list reasons why [action/plan] might not work as intended?
- If I were to prepare for the worst-case scenario in [situation], what would it look like?
Combining Validation and Devil's Advocacy
Sometimes, you might need a mix of both approaches. Here are prompts that integrate validation with constructive critique:
- Can you validate my feelings about [situation], but also help me see what I might be missing or overlooking?
- What’s good about my approach to X, and what could be improved or reconsidered?
- Can you give me both the positives and negatives of this decision or idea to help me think it through?
- What are the reasons I should feel confident about this situation, and what are the areas I should be cautious about?
- Can you help me weigh the pros and cons of [action/idea] to make a more informed decision?
When You’re Not Sure What You Need
If you’re feeling uncertain or stuck, it can be hard to know if you need validation or a new perspective. Here are some prompts for introspection:
- I’m not sure how I’m feeling about [situation]. Can you ask me some questions to help me figure it out?
- I’m feeling stuck but don’t know why. Can you help me explore what might be going on?
- What are some common reasons people might feel [emotion] in a situation like this?
- Can you help me brainstorm what might be holding me back from [goal/decision]?
- I’m not sure if I need validation or a new perspective. Can you help me sort through my thoughts?
Building Self-Awareness
These prompts can help you become more self-aware and better understand your needs over time:
- What questions could I ask myself to better understand how I’m feeling about X?
- How can I recognize when I need support versus when I need a challenge to grow?
- What signs might tell me I’m being too hard on myself or too lenient with my decisions?
- How can I get better at noticing my own blind spots or assumptions?
- What are some ways to become more in tune with what I really want or need?
The more we understand ourselves, the more we can ask for what we want—in life and from ChatGPT.
If you haven’t tried using ChatGPT as a devil’s advocate yet, I highly recommend it. It’s a powerful tool for personal growth, planning, and even preparing for feedback in professional settings.
That’s all for today. Let me know if anything resonated with you—I’d love to hear your thoughts. See you next time!