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🤖 AI Prompt - Use This Prompt to Unlock Breakthrough Thinking

Stuck on a problem? Don't just ask AI for a solution, ask it to challenge your assumptions. Use this mega prompt to think deeper, not just faster.

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Anfernee
Sep 26, 2025
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Most of us turn to AI like ChatGPT when we’re stuck.

We hope it’ll spit out the perfect answer.

But what if you’ve been doing it all wrong?

The real power of generative AI isn’t in giving answers, it’s in helping you ask better questions.

This post dives into one powerful prompt that transforms ChatGPT into a critical thinking coach, helping you uncover hidden assumptions, spot faulty reasoning, and unlock breakthrough insights.


When You’re Stuck, Don’t Ask for Answers, Ask Why You’re Stuck

When you hit a wall with a problem, it’s tempting to offload the thinking to ChatGPT or any other AI assistant.

You type in a question and hope it’ll pop out a magic fix.

But here’s the catch:

Most of the time, you’re not stuck because you lack information.

You’re stuck because of how you’re thinking about the problem.

And guess what?

AI can’t give you a breakthrough if you’re asking the wrong question to begin with.

I know, because I was like this before…


A Mindset Shift - From “Give Me the Answer” to “Help Me Think”

Here’s a little mental flip that can change everything:

Instead of asking: “How do I solve this?”

Try asking: “What assumptions am I making that might be wrong?”

Boom.

That’s where the magic happens.

Because when you zoom in on the underlying assumptions, like those sneaky thoughts beneath the surface…

You start to see the real problem.

The best solutions often live on the other side of better questions.

It’s a little hard to get around this, let’s try to understand.


Why This Works: The Psychology of “Stuckness”

Let’s break this down for a sec.

When you’re stuck, it’s usually not because you’re lazy or clueless. It’s because:

  • You’re too close to the problem.

  • You’re operating on invisible assumptions.

  • You’ve narrowed your thinking too early.

  • You’re framing the problem too rigidly.

By bringing in an AI with this prompt, you force the system to:

  • Hold up a mirror to your thinking.

  • Show you the edges of your mental box.

  • Offer perspectives you hadn’t considered.

  • Slow you down, so you can go faster later.

It’s like having a Socratic coach in your pocket.


Real-World Examples: How This Prompt Can Be a Game-Changer

For Startup Founders:

Problem: “Our user growth is slowing, we need to launch a new feature.”
AI says (with prompt): What if the assumption is that features drive growth, not retention or onboarding clarity?
Breakthrough: It’s not a feature problem, it’s an activation bottleneck.

For Writers:

Problem: “I don’t know how to end this article.”
AI asks: What assumption are you making about what the reader wants or needs right now?
Breakthrough: Shift from summarizing to offering next steps. Boom! Ending done.

For Developers:

Problem: “This function feels clunky, but I’m not sure how to simplify it.”
AI surfaces: You’re assuming it all has to live in one method. Why not abstract it?
Breakthrough: Refactor into cleaner, testable components.

For Students:

Problem: “I don’t know what to write for my thesis question.”
AI reveals: You’re assuming the question must be original. But what if it just needs to be useful or contextualized differently?
Breakthrough: Clarity in direction and reduced anxiety.

My Case:

My Problem: I want to revamp all my digital products and package them together with my Solopreneur Code paid subscription, not sure if it’s a correct move.

AI:


How to Use This Prompt Like a Pro

Using the prompt is one thing, integrating it into your mental toolkit is where the real magic happens.

Here’s how to make it part of your workflow:

1. Stop and Write the Problem as You See It

Be honest. Write the problem exactly as it feels in your head.

2. Drop It Into ChatGPT with the Prompt

Paste in your problem after the critical thinking prompt. Let AI chew on it.

3. Read the Response Slowly

Don’t skim. Read it line by line and ask yourself: “Is this true?” or “Where have I seen this play out?”

4. Pick One New Angle and Explore It

You don’t need a full reframe—just one insight to move forward. Take action on it.

5. Repeat When You Hit Another Wall

This isn’t a one-time trick. Make it a ritual whenever you feel mental friction.


Why Better Questions Beat Better Answers

AI has millions of answers.

But only you have the context, the intuition, and the skin in the game.

So the goal isn’t to replace your brain.

The goal is to upgrade your question-asking muscle.

And that’s exactly what this prompt does. It helps you:

  • Notice your blind spots.

  • Spot weak logic.

  • Frame problems more usefully.

  • Think with more precision.

In short, it helps you think better so you can do better.


TL;DR - Use This Prompt When You’re Mentally Jammed

If you’ve ever felt like:

  • “I should know the answer by now.”

  • “Why can’t I move forward?”

  • “I keep solving the wrong thing.”

… then this prompt is your new best friend.

It flips ChatGPT from an “answer machine” to a “thought partner.”

And honestly, that’s what we all really need.


Conclusion

Thinking clearly is hard work.

But it doesn’t have to be lonely work.

Generative AI, when guided properly, can be the sounding board we all wish we had.

So next time you’re stuck, don’t just type in a question and hope for the best.

Challenge your thinking.

Pull apart your assumptions.

Invite a deeper dialogue.


Want More Thinking Tools Like This?

Unlock the power of strategic thinking with our comprehensive 101 Mental Models - your ultimate guide to better decision-making and problem-solving..


Over to You!

Try this prompt today.

Don’t wait until you’re stuck in a spiral.

Use it to sharpen your thinking now.

Drop it into ChatGPT the next time you’re facing a tricky problem.

Don’t forget to share this with someone who’s always “overthinking everything.”

This might be the tool they didn’t know they needed.

Share


The Critical Thinking Prompt That Unlocks Insight

Below is a powerful prompt designed specifically to turn ChatGPT (or any Gen AI) into a world-class critical thinking coach.

It doesn’t give you answers, it helps you think clearer, deeper, and smarter.

Use this prompt when you’re mentally stuck…

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Š 2025 Anfernee Tan
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