When I first tried ChatGPT three years ago, I thought it would be useful for anyone who needed writing assistance, and not much else. Years later and thousands of prompts and hundreds of tests later, I know better.
ChatGPT has changed a lot over the years. Today, I still don't use ChatGPT to write, but I have found plenty of uses for it. In fact, I've started relying on OpenAI's chatbot for everything from planning trips and organizing my schedule to comparing products before I buy them.
If you've only been using ChatGPT to write emails or summarize documents, you're missing out. These are the 13 tasks that completely changed how I use AI every day.
1. Planning entire vacations from scratch
Whether you're looking for day trip, weekend getaway or full family vacation, simply tell ChatGPT what you want. I tell ChatGPT where I'm going, how many days I'll be away, who's traveling with me and my budget. Within seconds, I have a day-by-day itinerary, restaurant suggestions and rainy-day alternatives.
Pair with ChatGPT apps like TripAdvisor, Booking.com or Alltrails for customized experiences.
Tom's Guide Tip: Always double-check reservations and opening hours before you head out, as AI can still occasionally hallucinate operating hours.
2. Unbiased product comparisons
Shopping online can feel overwhelming, especially when every review claims a product is "the absolute best." Now, I feed ChatGPT the specific products I'm considering, what features matter most to me and my budget limits. Rather than reading dozens of conflicting review pages, I get a clear, bulleted breakdown of the pros and cons of each option.
Using in-platform apps like Target and Shop can make shopping online easier than ever.
3. Demystifying complicated tech jargon
Whether it's a new AI model, a piece of software or a confusing scientific concept, ChatGPT has become my personal translator. Instead of pretending I understand complex jargon, I'll ask it to explain a concept as if it's teaching someone with no background in the subject.
Full disclosure, I've even used this prompt when everyone around me is talking about sports or a Netflix show that I am not familiar with. It helps me catch up quickly.
Prompt to try: "Explain [insert concept] like I'm 10 years old, using a sports analogy."
4. Building custom workout plans
I've been a runner most of my life and love to hit the trails. But the July heat has been brutal so I've relied on ChatGPT to help me come up with pool workouts to beat the heat.
Using ChatGPT means I don't need a personal trainer every time I want to switch up my fitness routine. I tell ChatGPT what equipment I have at home (or if I'm doing bodyweight only), how much time I have, and my fitness goals. It quickly suggests workouts, warm-ups, and even ways to modify exercises if I'm dealing with an injury.
5. Organizing messy, chaotic notes
We've all been there — pages of random thoughts scribbled down in a rush that somehow made sense in the moment, but look like gibberish later. I paste my chaotic brain-dumps into ChatGPT and ask it to organize the information into neat categories, actionable bullet points, or a clean outline.
6. Brainstorming thoughtful gifts
What do you get the person who has everything? Or, the person you don't really know very well, but want to make a kind gesture? Instead of scrolling through generic online gift guides, I describe the person's niche hobbies, personality and my budget to ChatGPT. The suggestions usually feel much more thoughtful and tailored than anything I'd find on a retail homepage.
7. Creating a personalized learning syllabus
Whenever I want to understand a new skill whether it's learning a new crochet pattern or photography fundamentals, I ask ChatGPT to build me a structured learning plan.
Instead of dumping a wall of information on me, it breaks the subject down into manageable, week-by-week lessons and explains concepts one step at a time.
Tom's Guide Tip: Try pairing it with NotebookLM to turn the information into a podcast.
8. Smarter meal planning (and reducing food waste)
As a mom of three cooking for a family of five, I'd be amiss if I didn't rely on AI for cooking advice once in a while. Because, some weeks, decision fatigue hits hard and I simply don't know what to cook. I’ll tell ChatGPT exactly what ingredients are lingering in my fridge, how many people I'm feeding, and whether I need something quick or healthy. It helps reduce food waste while saving me from making the same three dinners on repeat.
9. Troubleshooting frustrating tech issues
Before spending an hour digging through ancient tech support forums, I explain my exact gadget issue to ChatGPT. Whether it's a Windows error code, a strange phone setting or smart home software that refuses to cooperate, ChatGPT often helps narrow down the problem much faster than a standard search engine.
Tom's Guide Tip: Use ChatGPT Voice and Vision to get real-time support while naturally chatting.
10. Breaking massive projects into micro-tasks
Large projects can induce immediate procrastination. Instead of staring blankly at a giant to-do list, I ask ChatGPT to break a massive project into bite-sized, sequential steps.
It's amazing how much more manageable a goal feels when you know exactly what micro-task to tackle first.
11. Creating to-do lists
Sometimes I just don't know where to start. That's why I'll dump my schedule and messy notes into ChatGPT and ask it to put a to-do list together. It knows exactly what to prioritize and works within my mood, energy levels and time frame to help me stay productive.
Tom's Guide Tip: This trick also works with packing lists so you don't forget anything on your next trip to the store or around the world.
12. Acting as a sounding board
Constructive feedback isn't always easy to get, especially from friends or family. If I'm working through a dilemma, need constructive feedback or a different perspective, I'll prompt ChatGPT to help me look at my situation from an opposing perspective. Doing this often helps me make a much more well-rounded decision.
13. Coming up with ways to keep my kids busy
On the weekends or in the evenings when my kids have extra energy, I'll reach out to ChatGPT for screen-free ideas. I'll ask it for indoor crafts, outdoor games or quick ways to pass time when we are waiting in the lobby of the doctor's office.
Surprisingly, ChatGPT is great at coming up with ideas for any age range, including games that my kids (ages 5, 9, 11) can all play together.
Bottom line: Treat Al like a partner, not just a writing tool
Writing is still one of ChatGPT's biggest strengths, and it's an incredible tool for editing. But treating it strictly as a text generator means you're only scratching the surface of what the chatbot can do.
The more you experiment, the more you'll realize ChatGPT functions best as a thinking partner that can help you organize your life, solve daily annoyances and win back your time.
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