The `BLUF` Prompt for Quick Decisions

When this helps: Stuck between options, need a recommendation fast, or overwhelmed by too much information when you just want “yes or no.”

One-Tap Reset (If You’re Foggy)

I'm foggy. Please slow down, 3 bullets, plain words.

Real Example (Before → After)

Your situation:

I’m deciding whether to take a new job offer. Current job: stable, remote, good benefits, but boring. New job: exciting work, 20% pay bump, but requires relocating and in-person 4 days/week. I have MS and fatigue is a major factor. What should I do?

What you get with BLUF:

BOTTOM LINE: Don’t take it.

REASON: The in-person requirement (4 days/week) conflicts with your MS fatigue management. A 20% raise won’t offset the physical cost and stress of relocating + commuting + reduced flexibility.

WHAT TO DO: Counter-offer: “I’m interested, but need 3 remote days/week due to a medical condition. Would that work?”

RISK: If you take it as-is, you’ll likely burn out within 6 months and be job hunting again with worse health.

The Prompt (Copy This)

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]

Voice-First Cue (For Dictation)

Say this into your phone or computer:

“BLUF should I take the new job” (then add your context)

What AI Will Give You

After you paste your decision, the AI will:

1. State the recommendation upfront (Option A or B, clear answer)
2. Give you the why in 1-2 sentences (no long explanations)
3. Warn you about the main risk (what could go wrong)
4. Suggest one thing to check (before you commit)

Typical response time: 15-30 seconds

Variations for Different Situations

For Health/Treatment Decisions

BLUF: Should I try [TREATMENT/MEDICATION]?

Context: I have MS, currently on [current treatment], main symptoms are [list]. My doctor suggested [new option] because [reason].

What's the bottom line? What should I ask my doctor before deciding?

For Purchases (Tools/Tech)

BLUF: Should I buy [PRODUCT A] or [PRODUCT B]?

Context: I need it for [purpose], budget is [amount], must-have features are [list].

Give me the bottom line and one dealbreaker to watch for.

For Schedule/Commitment Decisions

BLUF: Should I commit to [EVENT/PROJECT]?

Context: It requires [time/energy], happens [when], and I'm already doing [current commitments]. I have MS and manage fatigue by [your strategy].

Bottom line: yes or no, and what's the risk?

For “Should I Stop Doing X?” Questions

BLUF: Should I quit [ACTIVITY/COMMITMENT]?

Context: I've been doing it for [duration], costs me [time/energy/money], gives me [benefits], but lately [what's changed].

Bottom line and what I'd lose if I quit.

Pro Tips

Make it more decisive: Add: “Force yourself to pick one. No ‘it depends’ answers.”

For high-stakes decisions: Add: “What would you tell your best friend in this situation?”

When you’re overthinking: Add: “Pretend I have to decide in the next 5 minutes.”

For binary yes/no: Add: “Answer in one word first (YES or NO), then explain in 2 sentences.”

Quick Reference

Why This Works

The “BLUF” trigger:

• Military communication standard = maximum clarity, minimum words
• AI knows to cut fluff and get to the point
• Forces a clear recommendation (not “pros and cons, you decide”)
• Identifies THE main risk (not a list of 10 risks)

The psychology:

• When you’re foggy, decision paralysis is real
• Having someone say “Do this” reduces cognitive load
• You can always override it, but starting with a recommendation is easier than starting from scratch

Works across all AI platforms:

• ChatGPT (free or paid)
• Claude (free or paid)
• Microsoft Copilot
• Google Gemini

Troubleshooting

“AI says ‘it depends’ instead of recommending”

• Add: “I need a recommendation, not a list of factors. Pick one.”
• Or: “Force yourself to choose. Which option would you pick if it was YOUR decision?”

“The answer is too long”

• Add: “Maximum 50 words total”
• Or: “Twitter-length answer only (280 characters)”

“AI won’t commit to health advice”

• Reframe: “Based on general principles, which option seems lower-risk?”
• Add: “I’ll verify with my doctor, but I need a starting point.”

“I need to see both sides”

• Use pros cons prompt instead of BLUF
• Or: “Give me BLUF recommendation, then list 2 pros and 2 cons of the opposite choice”

When NOT to Use BLUF

Don’t use for:

• ❌ Decisions requiring professional advice (legal, medical, financial) - BLUF is for framing, not replacing experts
• ❌ Decisions with irreversible consequences - use deeper analysis
• ❌ When you want to explore all options - use SWOT or pros/cons instead

DO use for:

• ✅ Daily decisions (what to eat, what to wear, which task first)
• ✅ Low-stakes choices (which app, which method, which approach)
• ✅ Breaking decision paralysis (get unstuck, then verify)
• ✅ Framing questions before consulting an expert

Combine with Other Prompts

BLUF → ELI5:

1. Get BLUF recommendation
2. If you don’t understand the reasoning: “ELI5 why [recommended option] is better”

BLUF → steps:

1. Get BLUF recommendation
2. Then: “Give me 5 steps to implement this decision”

BLUF → pros cons:

1. Get BLUF recommendation
2. Then: “Now give me weighted pros/cons for this choice so I can verify”

Next Steps

Just learned BLUF? Try these next:

1. The pros cons Prompt for Career Choices - Deeper comparison
2. The steps Prompt for Overwhelming Tasks - Execute the decision
3. The ELI5 Prompt for Medical Documents - Understand complex info

Want more decision prompts?

• “Compare these two options side-by-side”
• “What am I not considering?”
• “Pre-mortem: why might this fail?”

See the full library at /prompts/

Note: BLUF prompts help frame decisions, but always verify important choices with relevant professionals (doctors for health, lawyers for legal, etc.). This is a cognitive tool, not a replacement for expertise.

Part of the MS & AI resource library. Built by someone who gets it, for people who need systems that work on hard days.