You ever feel like you’re using just 10% of ChatGPT’s brainpower?
I did — until I fell headfirst into the rabbit hole of secret prompts and hidden behaviors.
Turns out, ChatGPT isn’t just a glorified Q&A machine.
It’s more like a shapeshifting genius that only shows its full potential when you ask the right way.
And that’s the kicker.
The “right way” often looks like secret codes that almost no one talks about.
Not programming syntax.
Not developer tools.
Just human-readable prompts that unlock completely different layers of intelligence.
Some mimic personalities.
Some stretch reasoning.
Some are just… weird.
All of them? Game changers.
What Even Are These “Secret Codes”?
First, let’s clarify the word code.
This isn’t hacker green text on a black screen.
In conversational AI, a “code” is simply a carefully framed instruction that nudges the model into a specific cognitive mode.
Think of it like a verbal cheat code.
Instead of unlocking God Mode in a video game, you unlock:
- Hemingway-style writing
- Step-by-step reasoning
- Business strategies in two languages
- Explanations that actually make sense
ChatGPT runs on things like tokens, context windows, and system instructions — stuff most users never touch directly.
These prompt formats let you influence all of that without a computer science degree.
1. ELI5 — Explain Like I’m 5
Skip the fancy prompts.
Just type:
ELI5: [topic]
You’ll get a simple, intuitive explanation for complex ideas in seconds.
Perfect for:
- Learning new concepts
- Teaching others
- Breaking through confusion fast
2. TL;DR — Instant Summaries
Got a wall of text?
Paste it and write:
TL;DR
Boom.
Clean summary. No fluff.
Great for:
- Articles
- Research papers
- Long emails you don’t want to read twice
3. Jargonize — Professional Mode
Want your writing to sound smarter?
Ask ChatGPT to:
Jargonize this
Suddenly your text looks ready for:
- LinkedIn posts
- Investor updates
- Corporate decks
Use sparingly. Overuse makes you sound fake.
4. Humanize — Kill the AI Voice
Tired of:
“Revolutionary”
“Game-changing”
“Introducing…”
Just say:
Humanize this
You’ll get text that sounds like a real person wrote it — not a marketing bot.
5. The Feynman Technique — Real Understanding
This goes deeper than ELI5.
Ask ChatGPT to:
Explain using the Feynman Technique
It will:
- Explain simply
- Identify gaps
- Re-explain
- Refine until it’s clear
This is how you actually learn, not just memorize.
6. Socratic Method — Interactive Learning
Instead of dumping information, make ChatGPT teach you properly.
Try:
Teach me [topic] using the Socratic method
It will ask you questions first, then adapt the lesson based on your answers.
Feels like a private tutor.
7. Rewrite Like [Specific Person]
Generic rewrite prompts are weak.
Try:
- Rewrite like a sarcastic Redditor
- Rewrite like Alex Hormozi
- Rewrite like Steve Jobs
The tone becomes native to the platform instantly.
8. Inverse Prompt — Reverse Engineering Genius
Found a great piece of writing?
Paste it and ask:
What prompt would generate this response?
This is insanely powerful for:
- Studying viral posts
- Learning good copy
- Improving your own prompts fast
9. Temperature Control — Creativity Dial
You can control how wild or precise ChatGPT gets.
Ask it to:
- Respond with high creativity → bold ideas
- Respond with low randomness → precise answers
Same model. Completely different output.
10. Self-Critique — Auto Improvement Mode
Never accept the first draft.
After any response, say:
Now critique your response and improve it for clarity and tone
You’ll often get a noticeably better version — instantly.
Why This Actually Matters
These aren’t “nice-to-know” tricks.
They change how you:
- Learn
- Write
- Think
- Teach
- Build ideas faster
Most users never go beyond basic prompts.
Now you’re not most users.
Final Thought
You don’t need to be a coder.
You don’t need to be a prompt engineer.
You don’t even need to be a tech geek.
You just need curiosity — and a willingness to experiment.
I’ve tested hundreds of prompts.
These ten genuinely changed how I think, write, and teach.
So the next time someone says:
“It’s just a chatbot.”
Smile.
You know something they don’t.
Thumbnail credit: https://www.internetmatters.org/
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