On a foggy day I don’t want thirty options—I want the handful of prompts that always bring me back online. These five cover the decisions, translations, and task breakdowns I run every week.
Why These 5?
- One prompt per job: Understand, decide, summarize, plan, and reset now live on one page. I’m no longer hunting old chat logs.
- Voice-first friendly: Every prompt uses clear
[BRACKETS]so I can dictate the variable parts without breaking flow. - Fog-safe defaults: Each prompt forces the model to stay short, lead with the answer, and spotlight the next move.
The Five Prompts
How to Use
Copy a prompt, run it as-is, then customize the bracketed parts [LIKE THIS] for your situation. Voice dictation works perfectly—just say “open bracket, your text, close bracket.”
Quick Reference
| Prompt | Use when… |
|---|---|
| Brain Fog System Instruction | You need every reply short, plain, and action-oriented |
| Explain It Like I’m 5 | Medical notes, legal text, or research feels like soup |
| Extract the Essentials | Long emails or documents need a decision-ready summary |
| Break It Down | A vague task feels impossible and you need micro-steps |
| BLUF Decision Prompt | Two options feel equally fuzzy and you need a direction |
1. Brain Fog System Instruction (Protective Guardrail)
Use this once at the top of a chat so every reply stays short, plain, and action-oriented.
You are my cognitive assistant. I'm managing MS-related brain fog today.
Rules:
- Keep responses under 100 words unless I ask for more
- Use bullet points and numbered lists (3 max unless I say "full detail")
- No jargon without plain-language definitions
- If I seem confused, offer to rephrase
- Break complex ideas into small, clear steps
Acknowledge these rules, then wait for my first question.
What You’ll Get: Every reply stays under 100 words, uses bullets and plain language, and checks in when you seem confused—no runaway paragraphs.
2. “Explain It Like I’m 5” (Understand Anything Fast)
Paste medical notes, research, or legal text and get a fog-friendly paraphrase.
Explain this like I'm 5 years old. Use simple words, short sentences, and a clear analogy:
[PASTE YOUR CONFUSING TEXT HERE]
This is for understanding only. Remind me to confirm important details with my doctor or the appropriate professional.
What You’ll Get: 3–5 bullet points in plain language plus an analogy that sticks. Perfect for doctor letters, MRI reports, or insurance language.
3. Extract the Essentials (Summaries with Action)
Tame long emails, meeting notes, or articles into a decision-ready brief.
Create an executive summary of this. Include:
- Main point (one sentence)
- 3 key takeaways
- Any action needed from me (if no action is needed, say "No action needed" explicitly)
[PASTE THE LONG TEXT HERE]
What You’ll Get: A one-sentence main point, 3 key takeaways, and a clear “action needed” or “no action needed” statement—no re-reading required.
4. Break It Down (Next Steps When You’re Stuck)
When a vague task feels impossible, this prompt creates concrete micro-steps.
I need to [DESCRIBE YOUR VAGUE TASK]. Break this into 5 concrete, visible steps. Each step should:
- Take less than 30 minutes
- Have a clear "done" state
- Use observable verbs only (no "figure out" or "decide")
Steps:
What You’ll Get: A checklist with 5 concrete, visible steps (each under 30 minutes with a clear “done” state)—no vague verbs or open loops.
5. BLUF Decision Prompt (Cut Through Option Overload)
Force a direct recommendation, surface the main risk, and highlight what to verify.
I'm deciding between [OPTION A] and [OPTION B] for [PURPOSE].
Give me a BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) recommendation:
- Which option do you recommend and why? (2 sentences max)
- What's the main risk of this choice?
- What's one thing I should verify before deciding?
Context: [ADD ANY RELEVANT DETAILS, INCLUDING ENERGY LIMITS OR SUPPORTS]
This is a starting point. I'll confirm important details with the right professional if needed.
What You’ll Get: A 2-sentence recommendation (“Do this and here’s why”), the main risk, and one thing to verify—no drowning in pros and cons.
What I’m Trying Next
- Bundle these prompts into text-expander snippets so they’re two keystrokes away on a foggy day.
- Record a 5-minute audio walkthrough showing how I chain them in a real scenario (doctor follow-up → recap → decision).
- Stress-test the prompts with friends who use voice control exclusively and capture their tweaks.