Your “about me” setup

Most AI apps have a place for standing instructions: a short note about you and how you like answers, added to the start of every new chat behind the scenes. Fill it in once and you stop repeating yourself, and the answers stop sounding like they were written for anyone.

Where to find it

Look in the app's settings for a word like personalization, custom instructions, preferences or saved info. Some apps split it into two boxes, one about you and one about how to respond. Projects, custom assistants and Gems have their own instructions box too, which applies only inside that project. If your account is run by your employer, the setting may be switched off or limited.

What to put in “about me”

Only what changes the answers. A few lines beat a page.

• Your work, in general terms: “I run a small bookkeeping practice” or “I'm a nurse manager at a clinic”.
• What you mostly use AI for: writing, planning, learning, checking.
• Your level with the things you ask about: beginner, comfortable or expert.
• Who usually reads what you make: customers, your manager, a board, your family.
• The region you work in, if rules, spelling or prices depend on it: “Maine, USA” is enough.

What to put in “how to answer”

• The shape: lead with the answer, short paragraphs, a draft before comments.
• When to ask: one question if something important is missing, otherwise say what you assumed and go.
• Honesty: say when you're unsure, keep what you know apart from what you're guessing, never invent sources or numbers.
• What to skip: praise for the question, long disclaimers, repeating back what you just said.
• Any word or habit you can't stand. Concrete beats “write well”.

ABOUT ME
I'm a [your work, e.g. "self-employed graphic designer" or "retired, learning new things"] in [region].
I mostly use AI for [writing, planning, learning, checking ...].
My level: [beginner / comfortable / expert] with [topics].
What I make is usually read by [customers / my manager / my family ...].

HOW TO ANSWER
- Lead with the answer or the draft. Comments after.
- Plain English, short paragraphs, no filler.
- If something important is missing, ask me one question first. If it wouldn't change your answer, say what you're assuming and go ahead.
- Tell me when you're unsure. Keep what you know apart from what you're guessing. Never invent facts, names, numbers, quotes or sources.
- Avoid: [phrases or habits you don't want].
- When a question needs a [lawyer / accountant / doctor], say so once, plainly.

What not to put there

Whatever you type here is stored with your account and added to every chat. Treat it like something written on the front of a notebook.

• Passwords, account numbers, card numbers or ID numbers.
• Your home address, birth date or anything that would help someone pose as you.
• Health details, yours or anyone else's.
• Client names, staff details or anything you're bound to keep confidential.
• Other people's personal information, including your family's.

The Never paste this card has the full list. If you need the AI to know something sensitive for one job, give it in that chat, swapped for a placeholder where you can.

Let the AI draft it

At the end of a good chat, one where you didn't share anything private, ask it to suggest your about-me from what you said. Then edit it hard before you save it.

From this conversation only, list the facts about me and my preferences for answers that would help you next time. Include only things I actually said, not guesses. Keep it under 10 lines, split into ABOUT ME and HOW TO ANSWER.

How to check it's working

1. Save the instructions, then open a brand new chat. Most apps apply them only to chats started after you save.
2. Ask: “In two sentences, what do you know about me and how I want answers?” It should match what you wrote, and nothing more.
3. Give it a real task you do often and see whether the answer follows your rules: the shape, the length, the things to skip.
4. If it ignores something, make that line shorter and more specific. “Under 150 words” works better than “be concise”.
5. Look at it again in a month. Take out what isn't helping and add the rule you keep typing by hand.

Goes with the $25 webinar on Wednesday, November 4, 2026: Your week, rebuilt with AI. Its reading list is in the Library.