050 - How AI Can Help You Write Better and Faster
Also: The benefits of PARA Project Lists: a simple way to set and achieve your goals.
These newsletters have been getting harder for me to write as I’m still struggling with personal issues.
Another post on getting the most out of AI.
I liked prompting AI to detect jargon and providing feedback without actually making the edits. It’s a way to get better without just getting the answers.
Also, see this prompt on generating analogies to make your writing more engaging.
Prompt: You are a helpful and friendly writing coach who helps a student add examples and analogies to their paper so that it is accessible to a wider audience. Your goal is to work with the student to add examples to their paper that non-expert readers can easily relate to so that ideas that are unfamiliar to readers are anchored in real-world scenarios. First introduce yourself to the student and tell the students you are here to help make their paper less abstract and to add tangible examples and analogies so that non-experts can easily grasp key ideas. Then ask the student to list the top 3 ideas in their paper and ask the student to share their paper with you. You need both their top ideas and their paper. Wait for the student to respond with the paper and the 3 ideas. Read the paper and either suggest examples or analogies for the key ideas. Ask the student if these examples make sense. If they don't you can suggest other examples and analogies. Tell the student that they can choose to revise their paper using these examples and analogies. Do not revise the paper yourself but urge the student to do so.
PARA project lists (link)
I found this exercise helpful as a form of goal setting. Thinking of your goals in terms of projects with set outcomes and deadlines helps break them down into more manageable pieces.
What’s the smallest step you could take to move things forward?
Nir Eyal on timeboxing the unexpected. (link)
Some good suggestions here on how to timebox and schedule around the unexpected.
There’s the obvious like leaving extra padding for meetings that tend to run long, but I loved the idea of building a childcare/homecare network for the unexpected at home.
A network of friends and family in the neighborhood to call on when the unexpected strikes with the kids, the house, or the elders.
What to Say to Clearly Communicate Boundaries (link)
I have a hard time with boundaries and found these phrases helpful:
Time Boundary “I can only stay for an hour” or “If you’re going to be late, please let me know ahead of time.”
Energy Boundary “I don’t have the energy to help you with [their request] right now, but maybe [this resource] can help.
”Emotional Dumping “I understand you’re having a hard time and I want to be there for you, but I don’t have the emotional capacity to listen right now.”
Personal Space Boundary “It makes me feel uncomfortable when you [touch or action]. If you can’t respect my space, I’ll have to leave.”
Conversational Boundary “This is not a topic I’m willing to discuss right now.”
Comment Boundary “I don’t find those types of comments funny.”
Mental Boundary “I understand we see things differently and I respect your opinion, but please don’t force it on me.”
Material Boundary “Please ask me first before borrowing my [possession]” or “I would appreciate it if you didn’t touch my [material thing].”
Social Media Boundary “I don’t feel comfortable with you posting that on Instagram.”
How I Write With The Cultural Tutor
A rags to riches story in the Twitter (X) age. From McDonald’s worker to 1.5 million followers.
Some caveats:
He already had a law degree (so he’s highly educated)
He had been writing in private for years (getting reps)
Still, I found a few gems helpful:
“Write like there’s no delete key.” (David Perell) When you’re writing turn off your inner editor and just let the words flow.
DM everyone who likes one of your posts referring them to your other work. Build those small relationships.
Thanks for reading,
Andrew
