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Myth: ChatGPT Memory Is Where Your Work Rules Belong

Myth vs fact2 slidesChatGPT

By Robert Breen · Published · From the free lesson ChatGPT Projects: Keep Your Brand Voice, Files and Instructions in One Place

Myth vs fact: ChatGPT memory is not where work rules belong. Put standing rules in custom instructions and one client's rules in its Project.

  1. ChatGPT memory: myth vs fact. Myth: Memory is where your work rules belong. Fact: ChatGPT decides what memory saves, and it may carry an old detail into a new task. Write the rules you always want in custom instructions, and one client's rules in that Project's instructions, which win over custom instructions.
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  2. Put one business's rules and files in a ChatGPT Project. Lesson: ChatGPT Projects: Your Brand Voice in One Place, about 9 minutes. Free at learn.ynteractive.com.
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The guide in text

The myth

Memory is where your work rules belong.

The fact

ChatGPT decides what memory saves, and it may carry an old detail into a new task. Write the rules you always want in custom instructions, and one client's rules in that Project's instructions, which win over custom instructions.

From the Stepthrough AI glossary: ChatGPT memory, Project instructions

The full definition: What is ChatGPT memory? in the AI glossary, with an example from a free lesson, common confusions and tips.

Businesses and people in the examples are made up. The steps, screens and wording come from the free lesson and the Stepthrough glossary and prompt library.

Do it yourself, free

ChatGPT Projects: Keep Your Brand Voice, Files and Instructions in One Place. Set up a ChatGPT Project with your brand voice instructions, your price list and your style guide, so every new chat already knows your business. You do every step yourself in a practice copy of ChatGPT, it checks your work as you go, and “Do it for me” finishes any step you get stuck on. Free, and nothing touches your real accounts.

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Or read the full step-by-step guide

Plain-English definitions, each with an example from a free lesson.

ChatGPT memoryCustom instructions (ChatGPT)Project instructionsPersistent agentChatGPT pluginStyle matching

The full AI glossary

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Stop re-explaining each client to ChatGPT. Give every client one Project with instructions, files and project-only memory. Setup steps and upkeep.

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ChatGPT Create project dialog for Brightwater Cleaning with the Project-only memory optionDoes ChatGPT Remember Other Chats? Chat History vs Memories

ChatGPT can remember other chats through saved memories and the Reference chat history setting. What each one does, and how to control both at work.

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Mistake to avoid. Explaining the same client in every new chat. Without a project, each new chat starts cold. You paste the same background again, and a wrong price slips out the day you forget a line. Instead: make one Project per business or big client, with instructions for how to write, the few files ChatGPT should always check, and project-only memory so its chats stay in their own lane.Mistake: Re-Explaining the Client in Every ChatGPT Chat

A common ChatGPT mistake: explaining the same client again in every new chat. Give each client one Project with its own instructions and files.

Mistake to avoid 2 slides

ChatGPT privacy: myth vs fact. Myth: A new chat is a private chat. Fact: A new chat starts blank, but it is saved in your history like any other, and memory can carry saved details if it is on. For a sensitive job, use Temporary Chat and remove names and numbers first.Myth: A New ChatGPT Chat Is a Private Chat

Myth vs fact: a new ChatGPT chat is saved like any other and memory can carry details. For a sensitive job, use Temporary Chat and remove names first.

Myth vs fact One graphic

Law firms: myth vs fact. Myth: An AI draft that sounds reassuring is safe to send. Fact: In the lesson, ChatGPT's friendly first draft told the client she'd win by default, called a scheduling conference her court date, and predicted she'd be paid before the holidays. A claim-by-claim check against the firm's numbered facts flagged all three. Stepthrough, free at learn.ynteractive.com.Reply to case update emails with ChatGPT, safely

"Did they respond? When is our court date? Are we going to win?"

Myth vs fact One graphic

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