Brain-Friendly AI Prompting: A 6-Format Guide

Get the right answer from your AI, even when brain fog makes it hard to ask the right question. This guide gives you 6 copy-paste formats that work every time.

The 6 Essential Prompt Formats

Here are 6 essential prompt formats you can use to get better results from any AI tool.

1. The “Start Here” Brain Fog Instruction

When to use: Start every AI conversation with this. It sets protective rules so AI responses stay clear, brief, and useful.

Example: You paste the system instruction and add your question:

“…then help me with: I need to write an email declining a meeting but I can’t figure out how to word it professionally.”

Template:

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
- No jargon without plain-language definitions
- If I seem confused, offer to rephrase
- Break complex ideas into small, clear steps

Acknowledge these rules, then help me with: [YOUR QUESTION]

Output:

Subject: Unable to attend [Meeting Name]

Hi [Name],

I won’t be able to attend [meeting] on [date]. [Optional: brief reason if needed, like “schedule conflict”]

Could you share the notes afterward? I want to stay updated.

Thanks, [Your name]

2. The “ELI5” Simplifier

When to use: Reading something dense or technical? Paste it in and get a plain-language version.

Example: What you’re trying to read:

“Coordination of benefits provisions apply when the subscriber maintains concurrent coverage under multiple group health plans…”

Template:

Explain this like I'm 5 years old. Use simple words, short sentences, and a clear analogy:

[PASTE THE CONFUSING TEXT HERE]

Output:

If you have health insurance from two different places (like your job and your spouse’s job), this rule decides which insurance pays first. It’s like having two gift cards - the rule says which one you use first.

3. The “TL;DR” Extractor

When to use: Long emails, meeting notes, or articles you need to understand quickly.

Example: What you’re trying to read:

[15-paragraph email about a project update with timeline changes, budget updates, team assignments, vendor issues, and action items buried throughout]

Template:

Create a TL;DR summary of this email. Include:
- Main point (one sentence: what does this email need from me?)
- My actions (bullet list with deadlines if mentioned)
- Key dates (chronological list)
- Others' actions (who is doing what and when)
- Reply draft (2-3 sentences, only if email asks for response)

Keep total summary under 100 words. Use bullets. Bold any dates.

Email:
[PASTE YOUR EMAIL HERE]

Output:

Main point: Confirm landing page copy deadline and approve webinar title by tomorrow.

My actions:

• Confirm landing page copy final by Oct 18
• Approve webinar title by tomorrow EOD

Key dates:

• Oct 18: Final marketing copy due
• Oct 20: Design asset handoff
• Nov 1: Slides due (team)
• Nov 3: Launch date
• Nov 4: Webinar dry run
• Nov 7: Customer webinar

4. The “Steps” Decomposer

When to use: Facing a vague or overwhelming task and don’t know where to start.

Example: Your vague task:

“I need to plan next week better”

Template:

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
- Be specific (no "figure out" or "decide")
- Start with an action verb

Steps:

Output:

Steps:

1. Open your calendar - Done when: You have next week (Oct 16-22) visible on screen
2. List your 3 must-do items - Done when: You’ve written down 3 specific tasks that absolutely must happen next week
3. Block 1 hour per must-do - Done when: Each of the 3 tasks has a specific time slot on your calendar
4. Add one buffer block - Done when: You’ve scheduled one 30-minute “catch-up” slot for unexpected issues
5. Set Monday alarm - Done when: You’ve set a phone reminder to review this plan Monday morning at 9am

5. The “BLUF” Decider

When to use: Stuck between options and need a clear recommendation.

Example: Your decision:

I’m deciding between Trello and Notion for tracking my writing projects.

Context: I have 5 active projects, need mobile access, and brain fog makes complex interfaces hard.

Template:

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]

Output:

Recommendation: Choose Trello. Its visual board layout requires less cognitive processing than Notion’s nested pages, and the mobile app works offline.

Main risk: Limited text formatting might frustrate you if you need detailed project notes.

Verify: Test both apps on a low-energy day to see which interface feels easier when you’re foggy.

6. The “Shorter” Condenser

When to use: You wrote something but it’s too long or rambling. Need to cut it down fast.

Example: What you wrote:

Hi team, I wanted to reach out and let everyone know that I won’t be able to make it to tomorrow’s meeting because I have a doctor’s appointment that I scheduled a while ago and can’t reschedule. I apologize for any inconvenience this might cause. If there’s anything important discussed, please feel free to send me a summary or let me know if there’s anything I need to follow up on. Thanks so much for understanding!

Template:

Make this shorter while keeping the main point. Cut filler words and get straight to what matters:

[PASTE YOUR TOO-LONG TEXT HERE]

Output:

Hi team, I can’t attend tomorrow’s meeting due to a doctor’s appointment. Please share any action items. Thanks!