Not a computer person? Start using AI in 10 minutes

Steps

1. 1

   Get one app (2 minutes).

   On your phone or computer, get ChatGPT (chatgpt.com) or Claude (claude.ai). Sign up with your work email if your company allows it. The free version is fine to start.

2. 2

   Type like you text (1 minute).

   There's one box. Type what you want in plain words. No special codes. If it asks a question back, just answer it.

3. 3

   Try job one: an email you owe (3 minutes).

   Paste an email you need to answer and the facts. Ask for a short reply. Read it. Change what's wrong.

4. 4

   Try job two: explain something (2 minutes).

   Paste something confusing, like a contract paragraph or a spreadsheet note, and ask "explain this like I'm new here".

5. 5

   Try job three: plan your day (2 minutes).

   Type your to do list, messy is fine, and ask it to put it in order.

6. 6

   Do it again tomorrow.

   Use it for one job a day for a week. By Friday it's a habit.

Prompts you can copy

Answer an email

Here's an email I need to answer: [paste email]
Here's what I want to say: [your answer in your own words, messy is fine]
Write it as a short, friendly reply. Under 80 words. Sound like a normal person, not a company.

Explain this to me

Explain this to me in plain words, like I'm new to it. Then tell me the one thing I should do about it.
[paste the confusing thing]

Sort my to do list

Here's everything on my plate: [type your list]
Put it in order: what makes or saves money first, what someone is waiting on second, everything else last. Give me the top 3 to do before lunch.

What not to do

• Don't paste passwords, bank numbers or private employee info.
• Don't send anything without reading it first. AI can get a fact wrong and sound sure about it.
• Don't try to learn everything. One job a day is enough.

Example

This is a made-up example. Linda has run the front office of a plumbing supply company for 25 years and doesn't like computers. She opens ChatGPT on her phone and types: "A customer wants to know why their order is late. The truck broke down, it ships Thursday. Write a short nice reply." She gets 4 lines, changes "Hello" to "Hi Mike", and sends it. Total time: one minute.

FAQ

Do I have to pay for AI?

No. ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini all have free versions that are fine for emails, explaining things and planning your day. Paid plans add more use and features.

What if I type it wrong?

You can't break it. If the answer is off, type "that's not right, I meant [what you meant]" and it tries again.

Which one should I pick?

Pick the one your company already uses or allows. If there isn't one, try ChatGPT or Claude for a week and keep the one you like.

Rather have it done for you? We build the system that handles your outreach, one time, and you own it. See how it works.

First posted October 28, 2026. Last updated October 28, 2026. Free to copy and use, CC BY 4.0.