How to use ChatGPT’s memory to boost efficiency and save you time
ChatGPT is one of the most powerful tools ever created. It has become a core part of my workflow creatively (writing, ideation, researching, outlining, editing) and for random life-stuff that comes up every day.
And once you learn how to use it, you will never go back.
Because not only does it boost productivity by 100x, it also helps you save time and energy with one of its most underrated features: ChatGPT’s memory function.
Yes - ChatGPT has a memory. Which means if you ask it to remember something - something extremely specific - it will. It’s like having a personal assistant who never forgets.
And lets you focus on what really matters: building more leverage.
So, let’s dive into ChatGPT’s memory function and how to use it.
6 ways to use ChatGPT’s memory to work 10x faster:
1. Tell ChatGPT about yourself.
First, make sure ChatGPT’s memory is turned on under settings→ personalization. Then, on the web-browser version of ChatGPT, find the “Customize ChatGPT” button.
This is where you can tell ChatGPT to remember important info about who you are, what you’re interested in, and how you want it to answer you.
Here’s an example of what my ChatGPT customization looks like:
I gave it some info about myself, my writing, where I went to school and what I’m interested in.
I also gave it some instructions about how to respond to me. Trustworthiness is really important. So I asked it to always cite sources and include URLs so it’s easy for me to click on them and check them out myself.
Have fun playing with this and remember you can change it at any time.
2. Ask ChatGPT to remember your writing style.
One of the best instructions I have ever given is telling ChatGPT to respond to me like we are having an informal chat. I want it to write like I talk. That means no jargon, simple style, short and to the point.
Here are my writing preferences I’ve asked ChatGPT to remember:
Another great instruction was telling it to be brief. No super long answers - just give me the overview and then I can ask specific questions for more details.
And remember, ChatGPT’s memory is dynamic. So you can tell it to forget things that aren’t working and remember new things whenever you want.
3. Ask ChatGPT to remember formatting.
Formatting is something ChatGPT is great with. Once it commits it to memory, it pretty much nails it every time. Be clear and specific, not vague.
Here’s some info I’ve given ChatGPT about headlines for my articles:
With this formatting committed to its memory, I asked it to give me 5 SEO-optimized title options for this article:
See how it drafted the titles using the headline formatting? I even pulled out a few of the keywords it used - namely efficiency and time, for the title of this article.
That’s one of ChatGPT’s greatest strengths: giving you a starting point to work from.
It’s like the old adage never to start writing with an empty page. Always work from something - notes, previous writings, or, in this case, AI generated ideas that you can alter to make it your own.
4. Ask ChatGPT to research and remember best practices.
I first used this when I was playing around with AI generated video with Runway.
Most of the AI programs out there have a “best practices” page. So, you can ask ChatGPT to look online for the best practices - like I did for writing prompts for Runway’s image-to-video generator - and commit those best practices to memory.
Here’s an example:
You can do this for anything that has a “best practices,” like:
Brand guidelines
Formatting for blogs / social media / newsletter
Design layouts
Customer service guidelines
Data management
This is especially powerful for creatives who aren’t sure if there are best practices out there, or don’t know what they are.
Just ask ChatGPT first to search, then summarize, then commit it to memory. Then BOOM, it will format your unique ideas and content using the best practices you’ve specified.
5. Ask ChatGPT to remind you what your goals are.
“A majority of life's errors are caused by forgetting what one is really trying to do.” - Charle Munger
To solve this problem, ask ChatGPT to remind you what you’re working on!
I juggle a lot of different balls, from writing screenplays to this weekly newsletter, to sketch comedy, plus everyday life stuff.
It’s always helpful to have someone remind you what it is you set out to do.
So, I asked ChatGPT to remember what my newsletter is supposed to do so I can make sure the content I’m creating is what you signed up for.
This may seem ridiculous to you. But take it from someone who’s been writing on the internet for over seven years - it is very easy to forget what you’re supposed to be doing! So tell ChatGPT to remember.
You can do this for client notes, project briefs, personal projects - anything where there’s a guiding principle. Hint: for anything you create, there should always be a guiding principle!
Happy goal-setting.
6. Update the memory regularly.
Everything changes. Goals change, deliverables change, timelines change. As your projects evolve, update ChatGPT’s memory to keep it current.
And have fun playing with it. It’s your tool. Your assistant. Your creative partner. Put the effort in to use ChatGPT’s memory to boost efficiency 100x and save you time.
Start now.