I am truly inspired by Tim Ferriss and based on his legendary productivity principles from “The 4-Hour Workweek” and his other works, here are his top productivity hacks that I converted into AI prompt engineering strategies with practical examples. And now I use them daily, I know you will too.
The 35 AI Prompt Engineering Hacks
1. Single Most Important Task to Single Most Important Prompt Goal
Tim Ferriss Hack: Identify your single most important task for the day and do it first
AI Prompt Hack: Identify your single most important prompt goal and prioritize clarity over quantity
Example: Instead of: “Help me with my work.” Try: “As a project manager, create a prioritized task list for launching a mobile app, focusing on the single most critical milestone first.”
2. 80/20 Rule to 80/20 Prompt Elements
Tim Ferriss Hack: Use the 80/20 rule (Pareto principle): identify the 20% of activities that yield 80% of your results
AI Prompt Hack: Use the 80/20 rule: identify the 20% of prompt elements that yield 80% of your desired results
Example: Instead of: “Write about marketing.” Try: “Identify the 20% of marketing activities that typically generate 80% of customer acquisition, then provide 3 specific examples for SaaS companies.”
3. Task Batching to Prompt Type Batching
Tim Ferriss Hack: Batch similar tasks (emails, errands) together to save mental energy
AI Prompt Hack: Batch similar prompt types (summaries, analysis, creative tasks) in dedicated sessions
Example: Instead of: “Help with different tasks.” Try: “I’m batching all content creation prompts today. Please: 1) Write 5 blog headlines, 2) Create 3 social media captions, 3) Draft 2 email subject lines.”
4. Outsourcing to Prompt Templates & Variables
Tim Ferriss Hack: Outsource or automate anything that doesn’t need your direct involvement
AI Prompt Hack: Automate repetitive prompts with templates and variables for consistent outputs
Example: Instead of: “Write an email.” Try: “Create a template for customer onboarding emails that can be automatically customized with [CUSTOMER_NAME], [PRODUCT_NAME], and [SIGNUP_DATE] variables.”
5. Morning Intentions to Prompt Session Intentions
Tim Ferriss Hack: Record your intentions each morning (5-Minute Journal approach)
AI Prompt Hack: Record your prompt intentions each session: define desired outcome, format, and tone upfront
Example: Instead of: “I need help with stuff.” Try: “Daily Intention: Create a content calendar for Q1. Desired outcome: 12 blog topics with headlines. Format: Simple list with brief descriptions.”
6. To-Do/Not-To-Do Lists to Prompt Pattern Lists
Tim Ferriss Hack: Create a daily to-do and a not-to-do list to avoid time-wasting activities
AI Prompt Hack: Create a ‘prompt-to-do’ and ‘prompt-not-to-do’ list to avoid inefficient prompt patterns
Example: Instead of: “Help me be productive.” Try: “Create two lists: 1) Prompt types that consistently give me valuable outputs (TO-DO), 2) Prompt patterns that waste time or confuse the AI (NOT-TO-DO).”
7. Morning Block to Dedicated Prompting Time
Tim Ferriss Hack: Block 60 minutes in the morning before checking email for your most important task
AI Prompt Hack: Block dedicated time slots for complex prompting before checking other AI outputs
Example: Instead of scattered prompting: “I’m dedicating 9-10 AM to strategic planning prompts only. Please help me create a business strategy framework without checking other AI outputs.”
8. Email Limits to Prompt Iteration Limits
Tim Ferriss Hack: Limit email checking to set times each day
AI Prompt Hack: Limit prompt iterations to set intervals: test, refine, then move forward
Example: Instead of constant prompting: “I will iterate on prompts only at 10 AM and 2 PM today. Between these times, I’ll execute on the outputs without further AI consultation.”
9. Pomodoro to Focused Prompt Sprints
Tim Ferriss Hack: Use the Pomodoro technique: work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break
AI Prompt Hack: Use focused prompt sprints: work on one prompt type for 25 minutes, then break
Example: Instead of: “Help me with this.” Try: “Focus Sprint: For the next 25 minutes, help me create a complete customer survey. After 25 minutes, I’ll take a 5-minute break before the next prompt session.”
10. Distraction-Free Tools to Clean AI Interfaces
Tim Ferriss Hack: Use apps/tools that minimize distractions
AI Prompt Hack: Use prompt optimization tools and distraction-free AI interfaces
Example: Instead of cluttered interfaces: “I’m using a clean AI interface with only essential features enabled. Please respond without suggesting additional tools or features.”
11. Note Capture to Prompt Libraries
Tim Ferriss Hack: Use Evernote for capturing ideas, notes, and reducing paper clutter
AI Prompt Hack: Use prompt libraries and templates to capture effective patterns and reduce reinvention
Example: Instead of starting from scratch: “Using my saved template: Create a [TYPE] document for [TOPIC] following the structure: Introduction, 3 main points, conclusion, with [TONE] voice.”
12. Good Enough to Functional First Drafts
Tim Ferriss Hack: Instead of aiming for perfection, aim for ‘done’ (‘good enough’ is often sufficient)
AI Prompt Hack: Instead of aiming for perfect prompts, aim for ‘good enough’ that delivers results
Example: Instead of: “Make this perfect.” Try: “Create a good enough first draft of this proposal. I need functional content I can refine later, not perfection now.”
13. Touch It Once to Complete Prompts
Tim Ferriss Hack: Practice ‘touch it once’: complete an action once you begin it
AI Prompt Hack: Practice ‘prompt it once’: complete your instruction fully rather than iterating endlessly
Example: Instead of endless edits: “Please complete this entire blog post draft in one response. I will not request revisions until I have the full piece to evaluate.”
14. Timeboxing to Prompt Time Limits
Tim Ferriss Hack: Timebox your work: set a timer and work within its limit for focus blocks
AI Prompt Hack: Timebox your prompt engineering: set limits to prevent over-optimization
Example: Instead of open-ended prompting: “You have exactly 15 minutes of my attention. Create a comprehensive marketing plan outline within this timeframe.”
15. Essential Meetings to Essential Prompt Elements
Tim Ferriss Hack: Limit meetings to what is essential; refuse or delegate unnecessary meetings
AI Prompt Hack: Limit prompt complexity to essentials; refuse or simplify unnecessary constraints
Example: Instead of complex prompts: “This prompt should only focus on customer retention strategies. Do not include acquisition, pricing, or product development advice.”
16. Single-Tasking to Single Prompt Goals
Tim Ferriss Hack: Avoid multitasking—focus on single-tasking for quality results
AI Prompt Hack: Avoid prompt multitasking—focus on single prompt goals for quality results
Example: Instead of: “Help me with marketing and sales and operations.” Try: “Single focus: Create only a content marketing strategy for B2B SaaS companies.”
17. Night-Before Prep to Template Preparation
Tim Ferriss Hack: Prep the night before: define your top priorities for tomorrow
AI Prompt Hack: Prep prompt templates the night before: define your key prompting priorities
Example: Instead of morning chaos: “Tonight I’m preparing 3 key prompts for tomorrow: 1) Morning strategy session, 2) Midday content creation, 3) Evening review and planning.”
18. Batch Processing to Prompt Creation Batching
Tim Ferriss Hack: Batch cooking, cleaning, chores, and shopping
AI Prompt Hack: Batch prompt creation: write multiple prompts for similar tasks at once
Example: Instead of scattered creation: “Batching session: Create 10 different email subject lines for our product launch, then 10 social media posts, then 10 blog headlines.”
19. “What If Easy?” to Simple Prompt Solutions
Tim Ferriss Hack: Frequently ask: ‘What if this were easy?’ to find simple solutions
AI Prompt Hack: Frequently ask: ‘What if this prompt were simpler?’ to find elegant solutions
Example: Instead of: “This is complicated.” Try: “What if creating this marketing campaign were simple? Give me the 3 most essential steps, nothing more.”
20. Artificial Deadlines to Prompt Constraints
Tim Ferriss Hack: Use artificial deadlines to exploit Parkinson’s Law
AI Prompt Hack: Use artificial constraints to exploit prompt focus (word limits, format requirements)
Example: Instead of loose deadlines: “Artificial constraint: Create a complete project proposal in exactly 200 words. This limitation will force clarity and focus.”
21. Saying No to Prompt Focus Discipline
Tim Ferriss Hack: Say ‘no’ to requests that don’t serve your top objectives
AI Prompt Hack: Say ‘no’ to prompt features that don’t serve your core objective
Example: Instead of: “Sure, I can help with that too.” Try: “This prompt request doesn’t align with my core objective of improving customer onboarding. I need to decline and focus.”
22. Delete Postponed Tasks to Remove Failed Prompts
Tim Ferriss Hack: Delete or uncommit from tasks that repeatedly get postponed
AI Prompt Hack: Delete or simplify prompt elements that repeatedly don’t improve outputs
Example: Instead of keeping failed prompts: “This prompt pattern repeatedly produces unclear outputs. I’m deleting it and creating a simpler version.”
23. Two-Minute Rule to Two-Iteration Rule
Tim Ferriss Hack: Use the two-minute rule: take action or delete it if it takes less than two minutes
AI Prompt Hack: Use the two-iteration rule: if a prompt doesn’t work after two tries, redesign it
Example: Instead of endless tweaking: “If this prompt doesn’t work after 2 iterations, I’ll completely redesign my approach rather than continue minor adjustments.”
24. Prolific Quality Output to Prolific Quality Prompts
Tim Ferriss Hack: Define your Prolific Quality Output (PQO) for each week
AI Prompt Hack: Define your Prolific Quality Prompts (PQP) for each project or week
Example: Instead of scattered goals: “This week my PQP focus is: Create 3 high-converting landing page templates. All other prompts are secondary.”
25. Minimize Notifications to Minimize Prompt Noise
Tim Ferriss Hack: Minimize all notifications on your devices
AI Prompt Hack: Minimize prompt noise: remove unnecessary words and conflicting instructions
Example: Instead of: “Please also consider… and maybe… or perhaps…” Try: “Write a product description. Include benefits, target audience, and call-to-action. Nothing else.”
26. Start Imperfectly to Begin Prompting Now
Tim Ferriss Hack: Never let perfectionism prevent starting a project
AI Prompt Hack: Never let prompt perfectionism prevent starting your AI task
Example: Instead of: “I want this to be amazing.” Try: “I need a functional first draft to start with. Progress over perfection. Begin the task now.”
27. Distraction-Free Environment to Ready Prompt Environment
Tim Ferriss Hack: Set up your work environment to reduce distractions
AI Prompt Hack: Set up your prompting environment with templates and examples ready
Example: Instead of starting unprepared: “I have my prompt templates loaded, examples ready, and clear objectives defined before starting this AI session.”
28. Limited Work Hours to Limited Prompt Time
Tim Ferriss Hack: Limit your daily work hours to avoid diminishing returns
AI Prompt Hack: Limit daily prompt iterations to avoid diminishing returns on optimization
Example: Instead of all-day prompting: “I limit myself to 2 hours of prompt engineering daily. After that, I execute on the outputs without further AI consultation.”
29. Money for Time to AI for Manual Work
Tim Ferriss Hack: Substitute money for time when you can ‘throw money at the problem’
AI Prompt Hack: Substitute AI tools for manual work when you can ‘throw AI at the problem’
Example: Instead of manual work: “Rather than writing this report manually, I’ll use AI to generate the first draft, then spend my time on strategic review and refinement.”
30. Visual Timers to Chain-of-Thought Timing
Tim Ferriss Hack: Use a visual timer for ‘sacred’ focus sessions
AI Prompt Hack: Use prompt timing: give AI space to ‘think’ with chain-of-thought instructions
Example: Instead of rushing: “Let me think step by step about this problem. Walk through each decision point methodically before providing your final recommendation.”
31. Clear Meeting Agendas to Clear Prompt Structure
Tim Ferriss Hack: Force meetings to have a clear agenda, or don’t attend
AI Prompt Hack: Force prompts to have clear structure and objectives, or don’t use them
Example: Instead of vague meetings: “This prompt session has a clear agenda: 1) Create content outline, 2) Review key messages, 3) Define next steps. No other topics.”
32. Daily Satisfaction Check to Output Satisfaction Check
Tim Ferriss Hack: When overwhelmed, ask: ‘If I only completed this task today, would I be satisfied?’
AI Prompt Hack: When overwhelmed by outputs, ask: ‘If this AI only completed this one task well, would I be satisfied?’
Example: Instead of overwhelming options: “If I could only get one perfect output from this AI session today, what would make me most satisfied with the time invested?”
33. Clean Environment to Clean Prompt Context
Tim Ferriss Hack: ‘Clean up desk’ or environment cue to clear physical and mental space
AI Prompt Hack: Use ‘clean slate’ prompting: start fresh when context becomes cluttered
Example: Instead of cluttered context: “Starting fresh: Ignore all previous context. Focus only on this new task: [specific clear instruction].”
34. Weekly Review to Prompt Performance Review
Tim Ferriss Hack: Review weekly—what worked, what didn’t, what should you stop/start/continue?
AI Prompt Hack: Review prompt performance weekly—what worked, what didn’t, what should you stop/start/continue?
Example: Instead of assuming success: “Weekly prompt review: Which prompt patterns worked well? Which wasted time? What should I stop/start/continue doing?”
35. Complete Shutdown to Prompt Boundaries
Tim Ferriss Hack: ‘Switch off completely’ at the end of your workday to recharge
AI Prompt Hack: Create ‘prompt boundaries’: separate AI work time from other activities to maintain focus
Example: Instead of mixing work: “AI work hours: 9 AM – 11 AM. After 11 AM, no more prompting. Clear separation between AI-assisted work and independent execution.”
Core Principles Summary
- Effectiveness over Efficiency: Focus on the right prompts, not just better prompts
- Batch Similar Work: Group related prompt types for mental efficiency
- Set Constraints: Use limitations to force clarity and focus
- Template Everything: Automate repetitive prompt patterns
- Review and Iterate: Continuously improve your prompt performance
- Boundaries Matter: Separate AI work from execution time
- Start Imperfect: Progress beats perfection in prompt engineering
Getting Started
- Choose 3-5 hacks that resonate most with your current AI usage
- Implement one hack per week to build sustainable habits
- Track which prompt patterns work best for your specific needs
- Build your personal prompt library based on successful patterns
- Review and refine your approach monthly
Remember: The goal isn’t to use all 35 hacks, but to find the 20% that give you 80% of your prompt engineering results!
A special thanks to Tim Ferriss, you are an inspiration to lot of my work habits.