Have you ever found yourself staring at your phone, trying to decide what to cook for dinner with the random ingredients left in your fridge? Or maybe you’ve needed a last-minute study guide, a brainstorming partner, or even someone to tell you, “Hey, that’s a terrible idea, don’t do it”?
Yeah. Same.
That’s where ChatGPT comes in. It’s like having an ultra-knowledgeable, sometimes hilariously offbeat, always-available assistant at my fingertips. And no, I’m not just using it for basic stuff like checking grammar (though, let’s be real, we all need that). I’ve found some truly game-changing ways to make it work for me—whether it’s helping me cook, study, plan, or even trade stocks.
So grab a coffee (or bubble tea, no judgment), and let’s talk about how AI can make your life easier, more creative, and maybe even a little more fun.
1. Brainstorming Like a Pro
Ever had that moment when you’re trying to come up with ideas, but your brain just goes, Nah, not today? Whether I’m planning content for A Tiger Cub, coming up with cool Instagram post ideas, or trying to figure out a unique birthday gift, ChatGPT is my go-to idea generator.
Instead of staring at a blank page, I’ll type something like:
➡ “Give me 10 creative blog post ideas about Asian parenting that haven’t been done to death.”
➡ “Help me come up with an Instagram storytelling series that feels like a Studio Ghibli movie.”
It’s like having a brainstorming partner who never runs out of ideas, never gets tired, and never judges you for your wildest thoughts.
(Well… except when it randomly refuses to help with something weirdly harmless. Looking at you, ChatGPT safety filter.
2. Summarizing Long Videos(Because Ain’t Nobody Got Time For That)
We’ve all been there—clicking on a YouTube video, thinking it’s a quick 5-minute watch, only to realize it’s an hour-long deep dive. (Looking at you, finance and self-improvement channels.)
When I don’t have the patience to sit through the entire thing, I copy the transcript into ChatGPT and ask it to summarize the key points. Works like a charm.
It’s also great for: ✅ Breaking down long podcasts into quick takeaways
✅ Turning TED Talks into bite-sized lessons
✅ Summarizing lectures when I don’t feel like reviewing my own notes
It’s basically cheating, but legally.
3. Making Excel Sheets Without Wanting to Cry
I’ll be honest—I hate spreadsheets.
But as someone who juggles multiple projects (blogging, trading, planning events, etc.), I need them. Instead of spending hours Googling formulas, I just ask ChatGPT:
➡ “Can you create an Excel template for tracking stock trades with automatic calculations for profit/loss?”
➡ “What formula do I use to color-code overdue tasks in Google Sheets?”
It even explains things like a patient friend who actually wants me to understand—not like those robotic help forums that assume I already know what an “absolute cell reference” is.
(For the record, I do now. Thanks, ChatGPT.)
4. Cooking With Whatever’s in My Fridge
I love cooking, but I hate meal planning. Half the time, I look at what I have and think, What am I even supposed to do with this?
Enter ChatGPT.
I literally type:
➡ “I have chicken, spinach, eggs, and rice. What can I make?”
➡ “Give me a 15-minute dinner idea using salmon, avocado, and tortillas.”
It’ll not only suggest full recipes, but also give step-by-step instructions like a virtual chef. And if I don’t like the first suggestion? I just ask for another.
(It’s saved me from so many last-minute food delivery splurges. Highly recommend.)
5. Decomplicating Complicated Topics
Have you ever tried to learn something new and felt like your brain just… shut down?
Sometimes I’ll read about machine learning, finance, or even Asian history and get completely lost. That’s when I turn to ChatGPT and say:
➡ “Explain this to me like I’m 5.”
➡ “Give me a super simple breakdown of [insert topic] in 3 sentences.”
It’s unbelievably helpful when studying, prepping for interviews, or even just winning debates with my overly confident friends.
(Yes, I absolutely used ChatGPT to settle an argument about why some people can roll their tongues and others can’t.)
6. Randomly Generating Fun Things to Learn
This is one of my favorite weird ways to use ChatGPT.
When I feel stuck in a routine, I’ll type something random like:
➡ “Give me an obscure fact about Chinese history.”
➡ “Teach me a cool word in Tagalog.”
➡ “What’s a mind-blowing science fact?”
It’s like having a curiosity button that never fails. Keeps my brain engaged, sparks fun conversations, and makes me feel like I’m learning for fun, not just for school or work.
7. Trading (And Keeping Myself Accountable)
I day trade stocks, and ChatGPT has been surprisingly useful for analyzing market trends and—more importantly—keeping me disciplined.
I’ve set personal trading rules (like only buying stocks with certain indicators), and when I’m feeling impulsive, I’ll ask ChatGPT to check me.
➡ “Based on my rules, should I enter this trade?”
➡ “What are the risks I might not be considering?”
It’s like having a super rational, no-emotions trading buddy who prevents me from making dumb decisions.
(Do I always listen? No. But at least I try.)
8. Planning Literally Anything
From travel itineraries to study schedules to event planning, ChatGPT helps me map things out quickly.
Need a week-long Japan itinerary? Done.
Want a gym workout plan based on body goals? No problem.
Need a realistic study plan for an exam in 2 weeks? Easy.
It’s a great way to turn vague ideas into structured plans without wasting hours trying to figure it out myself.
Final Thoughts: ChatGPT is My Ultimate Productivity Hack
At the end of the day, ChatGPT isn’t just a chatbot—it’s a tool that makes life easier, more creative, and way less stressful.
I use it to: ✅ Save time (summarizing, planning, brainstorming)
✅ Learn faster (explaining things simply, generating practice questions)
✅ Be more creative (writing, cooking, random fun ideas)
✅ Stay accountable (trading, studying, planning)
If you’re not using it beyond basic Google searches, you’re missing out.
So now, I’m curious—how do YOU use ChatGPT in creative ways? Drop a comment below and let’s swap ideas! 🚀
Loved this post? Share it with a friend who needs a productivity boost!
