Hi {{first name|there}},

Welcome back to Retire & RISE.

This week we are talking about learning one thing at a time - not everything at once.

In the last issue, I shared why trying to learn everything is what kept me stuck for years.
Today, I want to make that idea practical.

Just one small task.
That is it.

🌱 Learning Does Not Start With Mastery

For many people, ChatGPT feels like something they should “learn properly” before using.

Menus.
Settings.
Prompts.
Features.

That mindset alone is enough to make people stop before they start.

Here is the truth I learned the hard way:

You do not learn ChatGPT first.
You use it first.

And you only need it to do one simple thing to begin.

🍳 A Small, Real Example

A few days ago, I had a very ordinary problem.

I had leftover mini chicken meatballs.
I had Brussels sprouts.
And I had no idea what to do with them.

So I asked ChatGPT to find a recipe that used both, with an Asian-style flavor.

It came back with a surprisingly good idea: a filling for lettuce wraps.

Out of curiosity, I asked a follow-up question:

“Where did this recipe come from?”

The answer caught me off guard - even though it probably should not have.

ChatGPT said, very plainly:
“I created it.”

That moment mattered.

Because it reminded me of something important.

.

🤔 What That Taught Me About ChatGPT

ChatGPT is not pulling answers from a recipe book.
It is not searching a database the way Google does.

It is creating responses based on patterns, context, and what you ask — almost like brainstorming with a very patient assistant.

That is why small, practical questions work so well.

You do not need to understand how it works.
You just need to give it something real to respond to.

🧭 One Simple Way to Use ChatGPT Today

Here is a simple task almost everyone can use immediately:

Ask ChatGPT to explain something that already confused you.

That is it.

No new topic.
No new system.
No pressure to understand AI.

Just something that made you pause recently.

A sentence you did not understand.
An email that felt unclear.
A website that sounded complicated.
A tool description that felt overwhelming.

You already have the material.

✍️ A Simple Prompt to Try

If it helps, you can try typing something like this into ChatGPT:

Explain this to me like I am brand new to technology.
Please keep it slow and simple.

Then paste the confusing text underneath.

That one action does several important things at once:

  • It puts you in control

  • It removes the feeling of being “behind”

  • It shows you that ChatGPT responds to you, not the other way around

Most importantly, it proves something quietly but powerfully:

You do not need to know how ChatGPT works to benefit from it.

What You Do Not Need

A lot of people believe they need a list of prompts, or a system, or a lesson plan.

You do not.

You only need permission to start small.

One question.
One explanation.
One moment of clarity.

That is how confidence actually grows.

⭐ A Small Win to Notice

Did something make more sense than it did before?

That counts.

Even if it only helped a little.
Even if you still have questions.
Even if you stopped after one try.

Understanding is progress.

🤝 Gentle Close

We will keep this slow and steady.
There is no finish line you are late to.

See you at the bank. 💰
Bob

P.S. You may notice ads in this newsletter. I include them so I can keep Retire & RISE free for everyone. They help cover the basic costs of running the newsletter, and there is never any obligation to engage with them.

🔁 Hashtags

#RetireAndRise #ChatGPT #AIMadeSimple #Over50Learning SmallWins #SeeYouAtTheBank

Reply

Avatar

or to participate

Keep Reading