Troubleshooting Your AI Puppy

A simple 3-step rescue for when things go sideways

L;DR: When things get weird, do this: reset the brief → lock the format → reapply your voice. Most issues fix themselves in minutes.

Why this matters

Sometimes your AI Puppy wanders: it ignores your table, sounds like a brochure, or “fills in” facts. That’s normal. Instead of rewriting the whole request, run this short rescue to get back on track—calmly and quickly.

Keep your Voice Board and Prompt Patterns Cheat Sheet handy.

The quick rescue (3 steps)

1) Reset the brief (30 seconds)

Ask it to restate the plan before writing more.

Restate the brief in 3 bullets you will follow.
Then show a 5-line outline. Wait for my OK before drafting.

Why: A shared plan prevents more off-track words.

2) Lock the format (30 seconds)

Be explicit when you want structured output.

Return table only. No preface, no notes, no code fences.
Return CSV only with headers: [HEADERS]. No commentary. No extra lines.
Return JSON only that matches this schema: [SCHEMA]. No other text.

Why: “Only” is the magic word. It stops “helpful” paragraphs.
(CSV = spreadsheet-friendly text. JSON = app-friendly data.)

3) Reapply your voice (60 seconds)

Paste your Voice Board, then ask for a small rewrite.

Use my Voice Board (warm 8/10, direct 7/10, plain 9/10).
Rewrite the last section only. Keep length within +/-5%.

Why: Local fixes keep momentum and prevent tone drift.

The 4 common glitches (with one-line fixes)

1. Format drift (you wanted a table/CSV; it wrote a paragraph)
   Fix: “Return CSV only with headers […]. No commentary.”
2. Tone miss (too formal, hypey, or robotic)
   Fix: “Use my Voice Board. Short sentences. Same meaning.”
3. Guessing facts (confident but wrong)
   Fix: “If unknown, say unknown and list the evidence you’d need.”
4. Too long / rambly
   Fix: “Max 150 words. Remove prefaces and caveats.”

Quick before → after

A) Format drift

Before (wrong):

“Here is your helpful summary and some ideas…” (paragraphs instead of CSV)

Prompt:

Return CSV only with headers: Task, Owner, Due, Acceptance.
No commentary, no extra lines.

After (right):

Task,Owner,Due,Acceptance
Outline draft,Amy,Fri,H2/H3 only + 1 example
Email summary,Sam,Mon,120–160 words + 1 link

B) Tone miss

Before (stiff):

“Leverage synergies to maximize stakeholder alignment.”

Prompt:

Use my Voice Board (warm 8/10, direct 7/10, plain 9/10).
Rewrite to keep meaning in <= 18 words.

After (plain):

“Work together on one plan we can actually follow.”

Copy-and-paste prompts (keep these handy)

Tone & Clarity Check

Voice Board: [paste].
Score this draft 0–2 on Clarity, Warmth, Directness, Plain-language, Fit.
List 5 fixes, then apply them. Length +/-5%.

Format Lock

Return [CSV/JSON/table] only. No preface, no notes, no code fences.
If you cannot comply, say "cannot comply" and stop.

Facts & Uncertainty

Highlight any claim that needs a source with (needs source).
If unknown, say unknown and list the evidence to find.

Recover the Brief

Restate the brief in 3 bullets you will follow.
Then show a 5-line outline. Wait for my OK.

Tiny checklist (pin this)

• Brief restated in 3 bullets
• Format locked (table/CSV/JSON)
• Voice reapplied (sliders noted)
• Unknowns marked instead of guessed
• Continue one section at a time

Download the printable

Prefer a one-pager with all prompts and examples?
Download the Troubleshooting Flow (PDF)

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This resource is for educational and lifestyle inspiration only. While I share how I personally use tools like ChatGPT, I am not a certified tech expert. Use AI at your own pace and comfort level, and consult a professional for technical advice as needed.

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