AI FOR THE REST OF US
10 Things to Ask AI When You Don’t Know What to Ask
A plain-English starter guide for using AI in real life—without feeling overwhelmed, guilty, or left behind.
WELCOME
You are not behind.
You are beginning.
Opening an AI tool can feel like walking into a huge hardware store when you only came for one tiny screw. The hardest part is often not the technology. It is knowing what to type.
Choose one prompt that fits your real life today. Replace the words in brackets, press send, and keep the conversation going.
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
Start small. Stay curious. Keep your judgment.
- Choose one prompt. You do not need all ten.
- Replace the brackets. Add useful context.
- Read critically. AI can sound confident and be wrong.
- Continue. Say “make it shorter,” “give me an example,” or “what did you assume?”
ONE USEFUL THING TO ASK
Explain this in plain English
When to use it
When a document, message, or topic makes your eyes glaze over.
“Explain [topic/document/message] to me in plain English. Assume I am smart but brand new to this. Avoid jargon. Give me the main idea, why it matters, and what I should do next.”
Try it in real life
Try a school email, insurance letter, workplace policy, or unfamiliar AI term.
ONE USEFUL THING TO ASK
Help me write the hard text
When to use it
When you know what you mean but cannot find words that are kind and clear.
“Help me write a message to [person] about [situation]. I want it to sound [kind/clear/firm/professional]. Keep it short and respectful.”
Try it in real life
A boundary with a relative, a follow-up to a teacher, or a calm customer response.
ONE USEFUL THING TO ASK
Make a plan from my messy thoughts
When to use it
When your brain has twelve tabs open and no obvious first step.
“I am trying to figure out [situation/goal/problem]. Here are my messy thoughts: [paste thoughts]. Organize this into a simple plan with the next three steps.”
Try it in real life
A birthday, side project, or crowded week.
ONE USEFUL THING TO ASK
Prepare me for an appointment
When to use it
Before a medical, school, legal, financial, or work conversation.
“I have an appointment about [situation]. Help me prepare a list of questions to ask, information to bring, and notes to take. Keep it practical and easy to follow.”
Try it in real life
A pediatric visit, teacher conference, or contractor estimate.
ONE USEFUL THING TO ASK
Help me learn without feeling dumb
When to use it
When every explanation seems written for someone who already understands.
“Teach me the basics of [topic] like I am a beginner. Use plain English, everyday examples, and a simple summary at the end. Then give me one small thing to try.”
Try it in real life
A budgeting term, Canva feature, Bible-history topic, or AI concept.
ONE USEFUL THING TO ASK
Help with the invisible mental load
When to use it
When a routine lives entirely in your head and keeps dropping details.
“Help me create a simple checklist for [task or routine]. Make it realistic for a busy person. Break it into small steps and include anything I might forget.”
Try it in real life
A school morning, trip packing, or caregiving check-in.
ONE USEFUL THING TO ASK
Make dinner from what I have
When to use it
When everyone is hungry and grocery shopping is not the plan.
“I have these ingredients: [list ingredients]. Suggest three simple meal ideas. Keep them realistic, family-friendly, and not too complicated.”
Try it in real life
Add dietary needs, appliances, time, and number of people.
ONE USEFUL THING TO ASK
Help me check my thinking
When to use it
When you want perspective without handing over the decision.
“I am considering [decision]. Help me think through the pros, cons, risks, and questions I should ask before deciding. Do not decide for me. Help me think clearly.”
Try it in real life
A purchase, job change, family schedule, or business offer.
ONE USEFUL THING TO ASK
Help me create something
When to use it
When you need possibilities—not a finished answer dropped in your lap.
“Give me 10 ideas for [thing you want to create] for [audience]. Make the ideas practical, creative, and realistic. Then tell me which three are strongest and why.”
Try it in real life
A church event, homeschool activity, Facebook post, or product idea.
ONE USEFUL THING TO ASK
Help me know what to ask next
When to use it
When the blank box is the problem.
“I want help with [topic/problem], but I do not know what to ask. Ask me five simple questions so you can understand what I need, then help me find a good next step.”
Try it in real life
Use this for planning, learning, writing, or untangling a problem.
THE SIMPLE PROMPT FORMULA
Five lines are enough.
I am [who you are].
I need help with [specific thing].
Here is the context: [details].
Please give me [type of answer].
Make it [tone, style, or length].
WHAT NOT TO TYPE INTO AI
Keep private things private.
- Social Security numbers
- Banking information or passwords
- Confidential work information
- Private medical records
- Sensitive identifying information
- Another person’s details without permission
USE AI WISELY, NOT WASTEFULLY
Concern and curiosity can live at the same table.
AI can be useful and still have limitations. It can save time and still use real resources. It can support creativity and still raise fair questions about work, ownership, privacy, energy, water, and data centers.
You do not need blind enthusiasm or total panic. Use it with purpose. Check important claims. Protect people’s information. Choose human judgment and relationships when they matter most.
YOUR MOM KNOWS AI
The guide is only the beginning.
I’m writing the friendly AI book I wish more people had: practical enough to use, honest enough to trust, and plain enough to understand.
Join the early book list →You are not behind. You are beginning.