Most mornings, my mind doesn’t get up on the identical time my physique does. Espresso in hand, I’m technically prepared to begin the day — however mentally, I’m not fairly there but.
Earlier than I scroll, test the information or dive into emails, I begin my day with a easy “mind warm-up” immediate. It takes below two minutes, and it’s slipped into my routine the identical manner Wordle or a fast stretch has for different folks — a small behavior that helps my mind catch up.
Even higher? It really works with any chatbot. So whether or not you are a ChatGPT consumer, Gemini, Claude or have one other favourite, give this a attempt. Some mornings I’ll use the immediate on just a few completely different chatbots simply to combine issues up.
The prompt I use every day
Since I’m usually not at my computer first thing in the morning, this is the prompt I type/or speak into any given chatbot app:
“Give me one small thing to notice, question, or think differently about today.”
That’s it. No context. No follow-up instructions. If you’ve been following my prompts, you understand that I favor minimal textual content — typically, even no prompt in any respect.
The aim right here isn’t to get a superb reply. It’s to softly shift my mind from passive to lively. It is the proper technique to get the mind transferring within the morning for a extra productive day.
Why this works as a brain warm-up
Unlike traditional prompts that ask AI to do something for you or answer a specific question, this one asks it to nudge your thinking instead.
Some mornings, the response is practical — a reframing of a problem I’m stuck on or a reminder to question an assumption I didn’t realize I was making. Other days, it’s abstract or slightly odd. That’s fine. The value isn’t in the answer itself but in the act of engaging with it.
This prompt has even sparked journal entries later within the night. This immediate is the psychological equal of rolling your shoulders earlier than a exercise.
It takes less than two minutes
What I like about this prompt is I can prompt the chatbot, then put my phone down and think about my answers as I get ready for the day. The prompting itself takes two minutes but the way it sparks creativity may have me thinking and pondering something for much longer. It’s like a permission to daydream.
In other words, this prompt works because it’s fast, low-pressure and easy to repeat. Sometimes it shapes how I approach the day. Sometimes it just wakes my brain up enough to get started.
Either way, I’m no longer staring at a blank screen wondering where to begin. If you want to tweak it, try variations like:
- “Give me one question worth thinking about today.”
- “Tell me one assumption I might be making without realizing it.”
- “Offer one small mental shift to start the day.”
Bottom line
If you’re new to using AI, this prompt is a great place to start because it doesn’t require you to know exactly what you need yet. You’re not asking for a polished answer or a detailed plan — you’re simply giving your brain a place to begin.
You can easily put your own spin on it, but the structure stays the same. What matters most is the habit. Used consistently, it creates a small mental shift that helps clear your head and gently gets your brain moving in the right direction for the day.
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