Start Here

Your First 3 Real Tasks

Cody Simpson

— 2 min read
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Your First 3 Real Tasks
Photo by Zach M / Unsplash

You've got the foundation. Now it's time to actually use it. Pick any AI tool (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini — doesn't matter which for these) and work through these three tasks. Each one uses a habit from Lessons 1-4.

Task 1: Write a real email you've been putting off

Think of one email you've been avoiding — asking for something, following up, or saying no to someone.

Try typing:
"Help me write an email to [who]. I need to [what you need to say]. Here are the real details: [paste them in]. Tone: [pick one — direct, warm, professional, apologetic]."

Then correct it once, out loud style: "Shorter" or "Less formal" or "Add a specific day I'm available."

That practiced giving context, giving raw material, and correcting plainly (Lesson 3).

Task 2: Summarize something long you've been putting off reading

Find a long article, a set of instructions, or a document you own (skip anything with sensitive numbers — Lesson 4).

Try typing:
"Summarize this in 5 bullet points, plain language, no jargon: [paste the text]"

Then ask a follow-up: "What's the one thing I actually need to act on here?"

That practiced using AI for what it's good at — summarizing (Lesson 2).

Task 3: Get organized on something messy

Think of something you've been meaning to plan but haven't — a week of dinners, a weekend project, a list of errands.

Try typing:
"Help me turn this into a simple plan: [describe the messy situation in a sentence or two]. Give me a short checklist I can actually follow."

That practiced using AI to organize, not decide — you still choose what goes on the list (Lesson 2).

What you just proved to yourself

  • AI didn't need a "perfect prompt" — plain, specific language worked
  • You stayed in charge of the final decision every time
  • Nothing sensitive left your hands
  • The back-and-forth correcting felt more like a conversation than "programming"

That's the whole skill. Everything from here is just applying this same pattern to more specific situations — which is exactly what the Task Library on this site is for.

Quick recap

Write a real email → Lesson 3, how to talk to AI

Summarize something long → Lesson 2, good fits for AI

Organize something messy → Lesson 2, organize, don't outsource the decision

You've finished Start Here. From this point on, browse the Task Library for the specific situation you're facing — meal planning, medical bills, tough conversations, and more.

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