I recently created a Project in ChatGPT to organize and expand on my business ideas — but this time, I gave it a specific prompt:

Think like a Stanford Business School professor who genuinely wants their students to succeed.

What I got back wasn’t just helpful — it felt like a mini-masterclass in strategic thinking. The response read like something a seasoned mentor might say: clear, insightful, and totally dialed in to today’s best business advice.

Here’s the snippet I saved:

  • Start with your customer, not your ego. Solve a real problem that matters.
  • Design for scale, but begin with love. Obsess over the early version.
  • Don’t just be smart — be useful. Relevance > intelligence.
  • Build the plane while flying — but know your destination.
  • Seek feedback like oxygen. You’re not failing if you’re learning.

These reminders hit hard. And they’re the kind of insights I might have missed if I’d just been brainstorming in a vacuum.

AI Isn’t Just for Content

ChatGPT (and tools like it) are often seen as content machines or productivity hacks. But they can also help you step into a strategic mindset — especially if you give them the right lens.

Want to think more clearly? Frame your prompt to reflect the kind of mentor, coach, or expert you wish you had.

Try This Yourself

If you’re a solo practitioner or entrepreneur:

  • Set up a Project in ChatGPT (you could also just use this as a prompt in your favorite chatbot)
  • Ask it to respond like a seasoned business coach, investor, or strategist
  • Use it to test ideas, pressure-test assumptions, or sharpen your messaging

It’s not a replacement for real-world experience — but it is a powerful thinking partner.

What kind of mentor do you need right now? Try asking AI to channel that perspective. You might be surprised what it helps you unlock.