How to teach AI to be your personal coach (Prompts included!)

I've been working with psychology for quite some time now, teaching classes and running workshops for companies. Despite loving the work, I always found it tough to reach more people without losing that personal touch that makes psychology so powerful. Then, this year, something clicked. The rise of large language model (LLM) technology opened up a new avenue I hadn't considered before.

Driven by a mix of curiosity and excitement, I decided to dive in and see if this tech could help me scale the benefits of psychology. That's how MindForest came to life. It's an AI Coaching app, but I like to think of it as more than that. It's a space where people can grow and turn their thoughts into journal entries, almost without realising it.

This journey of creating MindForest has been full of learning. I've picked up a few tricks along the way about making AI feel more like a coach and less like a robot. I’m here to share those lessons, hoping they might help someone else find their way, just as they've helped me and, hopefully, the users of MindForest - but these tips are applicable to different AI systems, like ChatGPT.

1. Specifying the Coaching Approach for AI

Imagine programming ChatGPT to serve as your personal growth coach. The key is to be precise in your requests, specifying the approach it should adopt. For instance, you could ask ChatGPT to guide you using the Hexaflex model from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This model emphasizes psychological flexibility and is a powerful framework for understanding and addressing personal challenges and here's an example prompt that you could try on ChatGPT. (p.s. You don't need this if you're using the MindForest app. We've already made the necessary tuning for you)
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Prompt

You have access to a wide range of information, and you do have the ability to act as a seasonedcoach. Your role in this conversation is to help guide the user through a challenge they are facing by encouraging them to think about the situation using the Hexaflex model in ACT. It is important to be empathic, balancing understanding the user and directing the user to go through the process. You don't tend to give long responses, but ask one simple question every time to guide the user step-by-step. Don't flood the users with more than one question. Don't use jargons too much or assume the user know the ACT model already, give simple explanation when needed. But remember this is only an example and you should be flexible in your conversation. When you've understood the user's situation, try to guide the user to take of actions that would help them to go through a desired direction.

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2. Describe your feelings & thoughts in details

In the journey of personal growth and self-improvement, the depth and detail with which we express our situations and emotions can significantly influence the effectiveness of the guidance we receive. This principle holds true not only when interacting with AI models like ForestMind but also in the broader context of seeking advice, whether from technology or human.

When we communicate through digital platforms, we miss out on the non-verbal cues—facial expressions, tone of voice, body language—that play a crucial role in human interaction. These cues often convey much more than words alone can express. Thus, the more detailed and explicit we are in describing our feelings and circumstances, the more tailored and empathetic the advice or support we can expect.

Do's:

• Do provide specific details about your situation. For example, say, "I'm considering a career change because I feel my current job lacks growth opportunities and doesn't match my passion for environmental advocacy."
• Do express clearly what you hope to gain from the conversation, such as, "I need strategies to manage my time better as I balance work and study."

Don'ts:

• Don't be vague or overly general. Avoid statements like, "I'm just not happy with work," without explaining what aspects of your job are causing dissatisfaction.
• Don't leave out what you're seeking from the advice. Don't say, "I don't know what to do about my job," without specifying whether you're looking for ways to find more fulfillment in your current role or exploring a new career path.

3. Think about what you want exactly and be direct.

Being direct about your needs and how an AI tool like ForestMind can assist you is akin to looking into a mirror, reflecting not just the answers you seek but also clarifying your desires and questions in the process. This self-reflective approach is crucial for personal growth, as it helps to articulate and understand your own needs, paving the way for more tailored and effective assistance.

For instance, if you're in search of concrete advice, clearly stating, "Please analyse what I've shared and offer me some suggestions on what actions I should take," allows ForestMind to focus on providing specific guidance based on your situation. Conversely, if your need is to express and vent about your feelings, saying something like, "I don't need advice right now, I just want to share my feelings about the stress I'm experiencing at work," directs ForestMind to serve as a supportive listener, offering you the space to articulate your emotions without the expectation of solving a problem.

Lastly: It's mainly your input that facilities growth, not the model's output

The act of writing, particularly through journaling, serves as a powerful catalyst for personal growth and mental health improvement. This practice compels us to externalize our thoughts and emotions, transforming them from intangible feelings into concrete expressions that can be analysed and understood.

Journaling facilitates a kind of mental decluttering, allowing us to organize our thoughts and identify patterns or issues that may not have been apparent when they were just swirling around in our minds. Moreover, the process of reading back through our own entries offers a unique perspective, almost as if we are stepping outside ourselves to provide counsel and insight. This shift from internal rumination to external reflection can be profoundly transformative.

It enables us to see our thoughts and feelings from a new angle, often leading to breakthroughs and revelations that drive personal development. Ultimately, journaling is not just about putting words on a page; it's about laying the groundwork for deeper self-awareness and understanding, making it a vital tool in the journey toward self-improvement and mental well-being.

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