Break a big task into first steps

Splits an overwhelming task into small, concrete steps, and gives you one step you can start in the next five minutes.

Prompt, 2 blanks to fill
I keep putting off this task: {{TASK}}
Time I have today: {{TIME_AVAILABLE}}

1. Break it into steps that each take 30 minutes or less. Each step starts with a verb and has a clear "done" point.
2. Order them so early steps are easy and build momentum.
3. Flag any step where I need information or help from someone else.
4. Tell me the single step to start in the next 5 minutes, and make it very small.

Keep it short. No motivational speeches.

Example output

Task: "sort out my taxes" Step 1 (5 min): find last year’s return and put it in one folder. Step 2 (15 min): list every income source this year. Step 3 (20 min): download bank statements for April to March. Start now: step 1.

How to use

Write the task as vaguely as it feels in your head; the model will make it concrete. Come back after each step and ask for the next one if the full list feels like too much.

Why it works

Big tasks stall because the first step is unclear, not because they are hard. A tiny first step lowers the cost of starting, and the rest of the list keeps momentum going.

Find a prompt for the task in front of you.

96 prompts in 8 categories. Copy one, fill in the blanks, paste it into any model.

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Promptlexity is a free library of 96 AI prompts and 8 downloadable AI skills across 8 categories, plus a glossary of 64 AI and prompting terms. Each prompt shows the exact text to paste, the variables to fill in, an example of what comes back, and why it works. Each glossary term has a plain-English definition, an example and a common mistake. 6 step-by-step guides cover the basics. No signup, works with ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and other models.

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