Instructions on creating a GPT coach
I've been using ChatGPT as a coach, and have shared my method with a few people who’ve suggested I write it up - so here goes...
First however, I want to caution that I see this as just a tool, and nowhere near as valuable, nourishing or fun as the personal relationships I have in life, whether that's family, friends, a counsellor, or colleagues.
It is a complementary way of thinking about things, and ABSOLUTELY not a replacement for human, real life conversation and connection.
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INSTRUCTIONS:
CREATE:
First you need to create a new GPT - do this on desktop. You need to:
Open up ChatGPT and then click on the ‘GPTs’ icon on the left hand side menu.
Then click the ‘Create’ button on the top right hand side of the page.
On the left hand side of the page at the top you’ll see two buttons, one that says ‘Create’, and one that says ‘Configure’ - click on ‘Create’.
In the text box describe what you want to create, e.g ‘I want to create a life coach / a career coach / a cheerleader / a devil's advocate’...and the tool will build this out further for you in the ‘Configure’ tab.
BRIEF:
You need define what kind of a coach you want.
In the ‘Configure’ tab, look at the ‘Instructions’ box that the GPT has auto created for you - how does it look?
Does it reflect the kind of support and conversation you want to have? If not, amend it so it behaves as the kind of coach you want it to be.
Additionally - if there are specific people whose perspective of life you admire, add those names to your brief and ask the GPT to pull their way of looking at the world into its responses for you. Same goes for schools of thought or theories.
CONFIGURE:
Now you need to upload some materials to the GPT to help it get to know you.
To do this, click on the ‘Configure’ tab, and then at the bottom left hand side you’ll see an upload button.
You can also alter the GPT description name etc whilst in this tab.
Examples of useful material could include (obviously think carefully about what you upload as it all gets sucked into the machine!):
A written description of how you see yourself
A written description of what you'd like your life / career / free time / finances / relationships to look like - imagine yourself 12 months from now living your deem life and describe what it looks like!
Comments from friends, family, work reviews, conversations with Counsellor's, coaches, trainers.
A couple of different versions of your CV.
A description of the practicalities that are important in your life - think about finances, family set up, working patterns, commitments.
Stick your star sign in if you're that way inclined.
Then go and find a few online personality questionnaires, fill them in and upload those too. A strong one to stay with is the VIA strengths survey from Penn State Uni. https://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/testcenter
When you’re happy with the content in the ‘Configure’ tab, click on the ‘Create’ button on the top right hand side of the screen.
At this point you’ll be asked who you want to share your Coach with - click on ’Only Me’.
Now click on ‘Save’
EXPLORE & PROGRESS
You're basically there!
You can now ask your Coach GPT any questions you want to answer - it’ll also suggest some to get you going on the left hand side of the ‘Configure’ tab.
When you get to an answer that sounds good, ask it to give you practical steps toward achieving that goal, shift, or new perspective, for the next 6 months.
If you're looking for motivation as well as guidance, then you can also ask it to create a transcript to listen to which you can upload into another AI platform such as Play.ht, ElevenLabs, or Notevibes. and use as your very own personal motivational soundtrack.
If you want to edit your Coach in the future, click on the GPT name on the top left hand side of the screen, and choose the ‘Edit GPT’ option.
Let me know how you get on 😊