Intro
What happens when AI and human patience collide? A frustrated user spent an astonishing 72 hours and 147 different prompts trying to get ChatGPT to craft a simple work email. In the end, the moment of exasperation—and the prompt he finally submitted—went viral. This story reveals both the power and the limits of today’s AI tools and offers lessons for anyone who wants to work smarter rather than harder with ChatGPT.
The 72-Hour Marathon
John Evans (name changed for privacy) set out on a mission: ask ChatGPT to write an email introducing him to a key client. He had all the details—tone, length, background, even bullet points of what to cover. Yet every draft left him dissatisfied. Too formal, too long, too vague, too salesy, too robotic. He tweaked his instructions again and again. At first, a few revisions were enough. By hour 24, he had logged 35 attempts. By hour 48, the count reached 100. Finally, he hit 147 and admitted defeat.
What Went Wrong?
In interviews, John explained that his prompts were all over the map. He began with simple requests: “Write a short email.” Then he tried more detailed notes like “Use a friendly but professional tone, reference our last call, and ask for a meeting next week.” Sometimes he asked for bullet points, sometimes for a narrative. He even supplied links to his company website. Nothing matched his vision. Each response felt like it was written by a slightly different author.
The Moment of Frustration
On the third day, sleep-deprived and exasperated, John typed what would become the infamous final prompt:
“Give me the best, most persuasive, heartfelt, concise, friendly, professional, third-person email intro that sounds like me.”
He hit send and watched the cursor spin. When the reply popped up, he sighed—again. But something had changed. It was concise, personal, and warm. It even mentioned a shared joke from his last meeting. Amazed, John realized he might have been overthinking his instructions all along.
Viral Reaction
John posted his journey and the final prompt to an online forum. Within hours, his post racked up thousands of comments. Some users praised his dedication, calling him a “prompt engineer in the wild.” Others laughed at how finicky we can become when AI struggles to read our minds. Tech writers picked it up, casting it as a cautionary tale about prompt overkill. Some critics wondered if AI really saves time, while fans argued that knowing how to prompt is a skill to master.
What Experts Say
Prompt-engineering experts weren’t surprised. “It’s easy to dump every wish list item into your first prompt,” says Dr. Maya Chen, an AI trainer. “But AI responds best to clear, prioritized instructions.” She recommends a three-step approach: 1) State your goal in one sentence. 2) List three must-have elements. 3) Add one style note (tone or length). If the output isn’t right, tweak one thing at a time. This method can save hours.
Tips for Better Prompts
1. Be Specific, Not Overbearing: Focus on the core goal. Too many details can confuse the model.
2. Prioritize: Decide which elements matter most—tone, length, or key points—and highlight only those.
3. Iterate Smartly: Change one instruction per revision. This helps you see which tweak improves the result.
4. Use Examples: Show rather than tell. Provide a sample sentence to guide style.
5. Set Clear Constraints: Limit word count or bullet points to keep the response concise.
Key Takeaways:
• Too Much Information Can Backfire: Overloading AI with every preference can make outputs muddled.
• Simplicity Wins: A short, clear goal plus a few key details often outperforms a laundry list of demands.
• Iteration Is Fine—But Focus It: Tweak one instruction at a time to track what works.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1: Why did the user need so many tries?
A1: He added too many conflicting details and changed multiple things at once. This made it hard for the AI to know what mattered most.
Q2: Can prompt-engineering save time?
A2: Absolutely. With clear, prioritized prompts, you can get the desired result in just a few tries, not dozens.
Q3: What’s the simplest way to start a prompt?
A3: State your main goal in one sentence. Then add one or two must-have points and a style note (tone or word limit).
Call to Action:
Ready to write better emails in minutes, not days? Start by crafting a one-sentence goal for your next prompt. Share your results, tips, or success stories with our community. Let’s master AI together—one clear prompt at a time.
