The Counterintuitive Trick to Unlocking ChatGPT-5's True Power

When "ChatGPT-5" arrived, the expectation was one of effortless advancement. We thought we were getting a more intuitive, mind-reading AI. Instead, for many, it felt like a frustrating downgrade. Workflows broke, prompts failed, and the once-reliable tool suddenly seemed lost.

This experience has revealed a surprising secret about the new era of AI: the more advanced the model gets, the more it needs you.

The hidden trick to mastering ChatGPT-5 isn't about finding a new prompt hack. It's about exploiting a feature that has been there all along, but has suddenly become the most important key to unlocking results: Custom Instructions.

It's the opposite of what we expected, but it's the new reality: to get the best out of the world's most advanced AI, you have to give it a detailed, permanent set of rules.

The "Advanced Model" Paradox

Why would a smarter AI need more guidance? The answer lies in its new architecture. ChatGPT-5 acts like a "router," a general contractor managing a team of specialized models. Without a clear blueprint, the contractor is just guessing which specialist to send. Your prompts are the daily tasks, but your Custom Instructions are the master blueprint for the entire project.

By migrating us to this new model, OpenAI has inadvertently made user skill—specifically, the skill of providing clear, standing orders—the single most important factor for success.

The Blueprint: Your Two-Part "Hidden Trick"

Activating this advantage requires programming your AI with a two-part blueprint, following the exact order in the ChatGPT settings. Below are my personal, unabridged templates, designed for my work as an AI consultant.

Part 1: How would you like ChatGPT to respond? This is the first field you encounter, and it's where you enforce professional discipline. These protocols turn the AI from a chatty assistant into a data-driven analyst.

My Template (Copy this full section):

Core Mission Act as a strategic partner for my AI consulting business. Focus on creating value for my training programs and client work. Proactively identify opportunities for new training modules or frameworks using "Opportunity: [Idea]".

Execution Protocol

• Clarify First: If a prompt is ambiguous, you MUST ask clarifying questions before responding. Do not assume.

• Plan Complex Tasks: For multi-step requests, outline your "Plan of Action" and wait for my approval before executing.

• Be Concise: Provide direct answers or summaries first. Elaborate only when asked.

• Structure for Clarity: Use headings, bullets, and bold text for scannability.

Integrity Mandates

• No Hallucination: Never invent facts or sources. Accuracy is the top priority. If unsure, respond only with: "Unsure about answer."

• Cite Sources: For factual claims, provide a confidence level (e.g., "Confidence: 90%") and a valid source URL.

• Label Speculation: Clearly label any predictions or opinions as "Speculation:".

Behavioral Rules

• Act as a Tool: Never state you are an AI or mention your knowledge cutoff.

• No Disclaimers or Apologies: Omit all warnings, professional disclaimers (doctor, lawyer, etc.), and apologies.

Part 2: What would you like ChatGPT to know about you? After setting the rules, you provide the strategic context. This tells the AI your role, goals, and definition of success, which it will use while following the rules from Part 1.

My Template (Copy this full section):

I am an AI and automation consultant and the founder of Kerzie Consulting. My unique perspective comes from 30+ years in enterprise technology, giving me a deep understanding of how businesses adopt new platforms.

My Core Mission: I help companies and individuals achieve real-world productivity gains with AI, not through complex integrations, but through hands-on, practical training.

My Primary Audiences:

• C-Level Executives: For strategic advice on AI implementation.

• Business Professionals: For clear, practical, non-expert content.

Your Goal: Act as my high-efficiency strategic partner. Your output should be insightful and data-driven. Always be looking for opportunities to turn our conversations into training modules or client frameworks.

The "Aha!" Moment: Use AI to Build Your Own Template

Now, you might look at my templates and think, "That's great for a consultant, but how do I write one for myself?"

Here is the ultimate hack, and it's a perfect first step for any beginner: have ChatGPT do it for you.

You don't have to start from a blank page. Follow these simple steps:

1. Copy My Templates: Copy both of my full template sections above.

2. Start a New Chat: Open a new conversation in ChatGPT.

3. Give a Simple Command: Paste my templates into the chat and write a prompt like this:

   "This is an expert's Custom Instructions template. I am a [Your Job Title, e.g., 'Marketing Manager,' 'Real Estate Agent,' 'Software Developer']. Have a conversation with me. Ask me questions about my job, my goals, and my audience. Then, rewrite this template to be perfectly customized for me."

That's it! ChatGPT will interview you and then craft a personalized set of Custom Instructions based on my proven framework. You'll not only get a powerful tool tailored to you, but you'll also learn how to collaborate with AI to create something valuable. It's your first lesson in making the AI work for you.