I use the ‘Springboard’ prompt every morning to protect my deep work — here’s how it works

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

I like mornings — especially when I feel prepared for the day ahead. What I don't like is opening my laptop and immediately reacting to emails, Slack messages and whatever felt most urgent. Because when everything comes in at once, it all feels urgent.

Now I spend the first 10 minutes preparing for my day using a simple routine with ChatGPT — or whichever chatbot I’m using that day — to start with clarity.

What is the 'Springboard' prompt?

Man at computer — (Image credit: Future/Amanda Caswell)

Before I open my inbox or even check Slack, I paste prompt into the chat box:

“Here’s what I need to accomplish today: [task list]. My energy is highest between [time] and [time]. I have [X] hours of uninterrupted time available. Please map out 2–3 focused deep work blocks, tell me what to tackle in each one and flag anything I should push to tomorrow.”

That's it and what comes back reshapes my entire day. More than create a to-do list, it sequences my thinking. AI doesn’t reorganize my tasks, it plans how everything should come together for the smoothest day possible.

It places cognitively demanding work inside my peak energy window, groups related tasks so I’m not context-switching, and calls out when I’ve overloaded myself.

The 'springboard' prompt

Writer typing on keyboard — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Here's why it works

Google Calendar on a phone — (Image credit: Gioele Piccinini / Shutterstock)

Sometimes it responds with something like:

You have five priority tasks but realistically three hours. Here’s what I’d protect today — and what can wait.

That kind of feedback eliminates extra planning and saves time with an active to-do list in two minutes. Instead of starting the day without a plan, I’m launching from a real starting point.

The hard decisions are already made regarding what to tackle first, how long a task should take and what can wait. I use this for my professional and personal life. By making the springboard prompt a daily habit, I've noticed:

I actually eat lunch before 3 p.m.
My deep work blocks are actually protected now
I’ve gotten better at estimating how long tasks take
I start the day more focused

Because I feed AI time estimates daily, I can see where my predictions go wrong — and improve them. AI occasionally suggests a sequencing I tweak, and I always reserve the right to override it. But that’s the point.

I like this prompt beause it gives me something concrete to react to — which is far easier than starting from a blank slate each day.

How to try the Springboard prompt yourself

If your mornings feel a little too scattered, try this for one week:

Keep the prompt simple. Don’t overcomplicate it.
Be honest about available time. Wishful planning defeats the purpose.
Protect the deep work blocks. Treat them as real appointments.
Refine as you go. Adjust based on what you actually get done. Then, save the rest for another day.

The real benefit isn’t even becoming more productive, it's intention. I think you'll find that this prompt helps move you beyond "hustle culture" and more towards doing more with intention instead of inertia.

For me, that shift has made all the difference. And it begins before I even open my inbox.

The takeaway

By letting AI handle the cognitive heavy lifting of prioritizing your day, you preserve your mental energy for the high-impact work only you can do.

But here is the best part, this doesn't just apply to your 9-to-5. I’ve started using a variation of this prompt to manage my weekends and personal goals, too. Whether you're trying to find time for a hobby, planning a home renovation project or just trying to navigate a busy family schedule without losing your mind, the principle is the same.

AI can't do everything for you (and we wouldn't want it to!) but it can certainly help you build the scaffolding to make it feel more manageable. Try it tomorrow morning — before you open your email. You might find that once the chaos is organized, the day feels a whole lot shorter and much more rewarding.

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Amanda Caswell is an award-winning journalist, bestselling YA author, and one of today’s leading voices in AI and technology. A celebrated contributor to various news outlets, her sharp insights and relatable storytelling have earned her a loyal readership. Amanda’s work has been recognized with prestigious honors, including outstanding contribution to media.

Known for her ability to bring clarity to even the most complex topics, Amanda seamlessly blends innovation and creativity, inspiring readers to embrace the power of AI and emerging technologies. As a certified prompt engineer, she continues to push the boundaries of how humans and AI can work together.

Beyond her journalism career, Amanda is a long-distance runner and mom of three. She lives in New Jersey.

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