Meet Your Multi-Passionate Creative Sidekick
I’m talking about AI. (Part 1, with 15 prompt ideas.)
Welcome (or welcome back!) to Multifaceted, a weekly newsletter about finding delight and direction in a creative life made up of many different interests.
Ever feel like you need an extra set of hands – and maybe a second brain – to help manage your many creative interests?
You’re not alone.
I sometimes joke about cloning myself. With a second me tackling the other half of my to-do list, I could get twice as much done, twice as fast.
Plus, she could do all the hard stuff while I do all the fun stuff… right?
The mad scientists may not be ready to replicate our creative brains just yet. (And I wouldn't actually be ready for that, either.)
But, in the meantime, we’ve got easy access to equally revolutionary technology. And, whether you love it or hate it, it's the closest thing you can get to a second brain.
Yep, I'm talking about generative AI. ✨
ChatGPT and me
Over the past year and a half, ChatGPT has become an unexpected ally in my creative journey. Not simply as a writing tool, but as a brainstorming buddy, troubleshooter, cheerleader, and all-around creative sidekick.
If I’m ever stuck in a rut – or so overwhelmed with the ideas whirling around in my brain that I can't see straight – I know I can gain some quick and much-needed clarity after a brief back-and-forth in ChatGPT.
Now, I know what some of you might be thinking: You're not seriously taking advice from a robot…?
But to my eye, it’s not so different from poring over Google search results written by strangers or generic words of wisdom on a magic 8-ball when you’re looking for clarity and inspiration.
In fact, it can be much better. Unlike the generic ideas and advice you might find online, the AI’s responses can be 100% personalized and tailored to your unique blend of interests.
Another big difference is that ChatGPT is dynamic. It follows your lead and adapts as you need it to. If one of its suggestions doesn't quite fit, you can tweak the idea, ask for a different approach, or delve deeper until you land on something that helps.
Since it feeds off whatever info you provide, the chat experiences can feel more like collaborating with an external version of yourself. When you use ChatGPT strategically, it can act like a mirror reflecting your thoughts back at you, helping you see connections you might have otherwise missed.
If you haven’t dabbled in it yet, it’s actually really cool.
Every creative knows it’s helpful to bounce ideas off someone or something else. Aren't we all looking for a great listener who never runs out of coffee, never ghosts us, and always tries to help? That’s ChatGPT.
AI in the creative toolbox
Recently, I’ve noticed attitudes shifting around AI. Creative folks who once felt too frightened, threatened, or overwhelmed by AI to see its potential now say things like this: “Well, I’m not big on AI… buuuut that suggestion was actually really helpful.”
So, I thought this could be a good time to share some of the most useful ChatGPT prompts, tips, ideas, and use cases. I have so many ideas, I can’t fit them all into one post!
This post kicks off a three-part series exploring how ChatGPT can be a wonderful wingman for multi-passionate creatives:
Part 1: Understanding your creative journey and mapping out your future
Coming up in this post, I’ll share how AI can help you find connections among your diverse interests and chart a path forward that's as unique as you are.
Part 2: Strengthening your writing
Many multifaceted creatives wear the writer’s hat, so this topic warrants a separate post, coming next week. Even if you don’t want to use AI-generated copy, setting ChatGPT to work as your critical reader and proofreading pal can spark big breakthroughs.
Part 3: Making your creative work or business more efficient
There’s never enough time to do it all. With a little delegating, AI can shoulder some of the responsibilities, helping you win back time that you can then spend on your other creative passions.
15 ways to accelerate your creative growth with AI
So, ready to see how your friendly AI sidekick can help you get out of the weeds and get back on your multi-passionate track?
Jump into ChatGPT and give these ideas a go.
1. Spot connections across seemingly unrelated interests
ChatGPT is surprisingly good at making unexpected connections. Tell it about some favorite projects and ask it to help you find the common threads that tie them together. You could uncover anything from transferable skills and career possibilities to your core values and creative work style.
Example prompt: “I’m struggling to see how my creative passions and work experiences fit together. I used to be really into music but that’s faded a little over the years. I love drawing, I host a podcast about urban sketching, I work as a graphic designer for a beverage brand, and I’m also curious about mixology. Can you help me find some connections or common themes?”
A quick note on the example prompts I’m sharing here (which are based on a made-up person’s interests): They’re all quite casual and open-ended. Prompting might sound fancy and technical, but really, you’ll get off to a solid start if you write out your thoughts as if you’re messaging a friend or drafting an informal email.
2. Describe where you’re stuck and ask for advice
Whether you’re up against writer’s block, project overwhelm, or decision fatigue, ChatGPT can help reframe your perspective and get you focused on actionable solutions. Explain where you’re at and how you’re feeling stuck, then let the AI walk you through strategies to overcome those obstacles.
Example prompt: "I'm working on season 2 of my podcast, but lately, I've been struggling to come up with new episode ideas and stick to a consistent release schedule. I feel like I’ve run out of ideas, and I’m always behind. How can I get back on track?”
3. Map out a project with step-by-step guidance
If you’re feeling ambitious but a little unsure of your next move, share your end goal or project idea with ChatGPT and ask for a step-by-step guide on how to accomplish it. Within seconds, you’ll see a long-range view of what you’ll need to do. You can also ask to provide more details or sub-steps to clear up important phases that still feel foggy.
This approach can be great for real projects as well as wildest-dream ideas. Maybe taking those first few steps toward your big dream wouldn’t be as complicated as you thought!
Example prompt: "I work full-time as a graphic designer for a beverage brand, but I want to start doing freelance design work for musicians. I don’t know how to break into that industry and start getting clients. Can you create a step-by-step plan for how I can build this up while working my full-time job?
4. Find your ikigai
Struggling to find purpose and alignment in your creative work and life? Try using AI to articulate your ikigai. In simple terms, ikigai is the sweet spot of four elements:
What you love
What you’re good at
What the world needs
What you can get paid for
You can use ChatGPT to examine each of these areas and where they overlap in your life to help you find alignment.
Example prompt: “Help me find my ikigai. I love music, podcasting, urban sketching, and mixology. My skills include graphic design, interviewing, time management, and helping people solve problems. But I’m not sure about the other elements and how those relate.”
6. Set SMART goals
Need help transforming nebulous ideas into achievable milestones? Get your AI accountability buddy to help you create SMART goals – that is, goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Example prompt: "I want to get better at making cocktails at home so I can create unique drinks on the fly. Can you help me set SMART goals for achieving this?"
7. Picture a day in your dream life
This one is making the rounds as a TikTok trend, so I’m told: Turn ChatGPT into your crystal ball and ask it to show you what your life could be like if you ended up following your biggest personal and professional dreams. Reading about your possible future can be hugely inspiring and motivating.
Example prompt: “Describe a day in my dream life, based on this list of things I’d like to achieve: Doing freelance graphic design for the music industry, spinning off my urban sketching podcast into a series of art courses, and having a big garden so I can grow my own cocktail ingredients.
Follow up by asking about what steps you need to take to turn that dream into a reality.
8. Set a 5-year, 10-year, or 50-year vision
When your ideas take you in different directions, it can be hard to hash out a classic 5-year plan. But having a long-range vision – even a loose, flexible one – can ensure you don’t lose track of your growth and other milestones that are important to you.
Example prompt: "Help me map out a 10-year plan for my creative career. Within the first few years, I want to have fully shifted from in-house to freelance graphic design. I’d like to do 2 more seasons of my urban sketching podcast and then switch over into running courses. I also want to get my finances in a better place so I can buy a home sooner than later.”
9. Explore potentially interesting career and creative opportunities
Not sure what opportunities align with your diverse skills and interests? ChatGPT can suggest jobs, industries, projects, and other ideas that might interest you, based on what you enjoy.
Example prompt: "I have experience in graphic design and podcasting, and I love music and urban sketching. Can you suggest some fully remote career options that might be a good fit for my interests?"
10. Explore income streams and portfolio careers
Whether you want to make a little extra cash or completely restructure your work life, an AI-assisted brainstorming sesh can give you a head start. Explore all the possible ways you could monetize your skills and see how different gigs could fit next to each other in your schedule.
Example prompt: “Based on my professional experience and interests, can you help me brainstorm some additional streams of income and ways I can monetize my podcast?”
11. Identify collaboration ideas and potential partners
Creative collaboration opportunities can be fun, challenging, and fulfilling – but they’re not always easy to find. Try generating a big list of collaboration ideas and figure out what types of people you could start reaching out to.
Example prompt: "I want to start collaborating with other creatives to raise my profile in the podcasting community. Can you suggest some collaboration ideas and potential partners I could connect with?"
12. Track down role models
Want to learn from those who have gone before you – but can’t find them? Use ChatGPT to look up names of contemporary creatives who could provide inspiration.
Example prompt: "I want to combine my interests in graphic design and music. Can you tell me about some creatives who are doing this so I can get inspired and see what’s possible?"
13. Learn from your idols
It can be hard to learn from larger-than-life creative idols when fame, fortune, and fabulousness make them appear so far removed from where we’re at. But there are lessons to be learned from their successes – so ask ChatGPT to break it down for you. Soon enough, you’ll have a clearer picture of how they got to where they are now and how they make a living from their creativity.
Example prompt: “I really admire Roman Mars. How did he get started in podcasting, and how does he actually make money?”
14. Create a shortlist of industry events
A quick search on ChatGPT can turn up recommendations for conventions, fairs, and expos that align with your creative goals. You’ll have to check out the event websites for upcoming dates, but this will save a lot of search time up-front.
Example prompt: "I want to attend networking events in Chicago that can help me grow my urban sketching podcast. What industry events would be a good fit for me?"
15. Discover resources that can support your growth
Continuous learning is one of the most exciting parts of a multifaceted creative life. Check in with ChatGPT when you need resources that are closely aligned with your needs and interests. Whether you want a book recommendation, certification course, or creative prompt, you’re sure to find something intriguing.
Example prompt: "I want to learn more about mixology for beginners. Can you recommend some books and YouTube channels I should look into?"
Alright — 15 prompts is enough for one day! 😅
There’s no denying that AI is a big deal for creatives – it’s a tool that can help us cut through the confusion and carve out a path toward our most complex goals and biggest dreams.
If you have any other handy prompt ideas – or experiences using any of the ones above, I’d love to hear from you!
Thanks for providing this very helpful initial dive into ChatGPT. Your suggestions are not only useful for creatives, but for anyone who wishes to make progress along a "multifacted" path.
I’m definitely in the ‘AI is a tool’ camp! I’ve personally had some challenges with it hallucinating or incorrectly attributing quotes/creative work to different people though, so would definitely suggest a sense check when using it for that purpose (re: ChatGPT)