Can You Transfer What You've Learned?
Hey Alchemists,
Yesterday I showed you how to guide AI's thinking instead of just asking for answers. How chain of thought prompting gets you deeper insights by making AI work through problems step by step.
Today we're doing something different: The Transfer Test.
This is where we find out if you actually understand prompt crafting or if you've just been following templates.
Because here's the thing: Anyone can copy a prompt. But can you craft one from scratch for a situation you've never seen before?
Why Transfer Matters
I've been teaching people to use AI for months now. And I've noticed a pattern:
People get really good at using prompts for the exact situations I show them.
Marketing emails? Nailed it.
Content planning? Perfect.
Business strategy? They've got it down.
But then they hit a situation that's slightly different maybe they need to use AI for research, or data analysis, or creative problem-solving and they're stuck.
They learned the examples, but they didn't learn the principles.
That's what we're testing today. Can you take everything we've covered clarity over creativity, structure, context, guided thinking and apply it to something completely new?
The Remix Challenge
Here's how this works. I'm going to give you 5 completely different scenarios. For each one, your job is to craft a prompt using the principles from Days 7-10:
Structure makes you dangerous (Day 8): Use the GAFF framework or similar
Context isn't optional (Day 9): Add real stakes and constraints
Guide thinking (Day 10): Make AI work through the problem step by step
Ready? Let's see what you've got.
Scenario 1: The Career Pivot
Situation: You're 28, work in accounting, but want to transition into UX design. You have no design experience but you're willing to learn. You need AI to help you create a realistic 12-month transition plan.
Your challenge: Write a prompt that gets AI to think through this career change strategically, not just give you generic "follow your dreams" advice.
Think about:
What context does AI need about your situation?
What constraints matter (time, money, current responsibilities)?
How can you structure this to get a practical roadmap?
What thinking process should AI follow?
Take 5 minutes and actually write the prompt. Don't just read and move on.
Scenario 2: The Research Deep Dive
Situation: You need to understand the competitive landscape for AI-powered productivity tools. Not just a list of companies you need strategic insights about market gaps, pricing strategies, and where opportunities might exist.
Your challenge: Craft a prompt that gets AI to conduct actual analysis, not just give you a surface-level overview.
Consider:
What specific information do you need?
How should AI structure its research process?
What context about your goals matters?
How can you avoid generic market research output?
Scenario 3: The Personal Relationship Challenge
Situation: You're having ongoing conflict with a family member about money. Every conversation turns into an argument. You need help figuring out how to address this without damaging the relationship.
Your challenge: Write a prompt that gets thoughtful relationship advice, not generic "communicate better" tips.
Think about:
What context helps AI understand the real dynamics?
How do you structure this for practical guidance?
What constraints exist (family dynamics, cultural considerations)?
What thinking process leads to actionable advice?
Scenario 4: The Learning Optimization
Situation: You're trying to learn Spanish but keep giving up after a few weeks. You've tried apps, classes, and YouTube videos. You need a completely different approach that works with your specific learning style and schedule.
Your challenge: Create a prompt that gets AI to design a personalized learning system, not just recommend more resources.
Consider:
What information about your previous attempts matters?
How do you structure this for a custom solution?
What context about your lifestyle and goals is relevant?
How can AI think through what went wrong before?
Scenario 5: The Creative Problem
Situation: You want to surprise your partner for their birthday, but you're not naturally creative and you're on a tight budget. You need ideas that are personal and meaningful, not expensive or generic.
Your challenge: Write a prompt that generates genuinely thoughtful gift ideas based on your specific relationship and constraints.
Think about:
What context makes ideas personal rather than generic?
How do you structure this for creative but practical output?
What constraints shape realistic options?
What process leads to meaningful rather than obvious suggestions?
The Real Test Questions
For each scenario, ask yourself:
Did I include specific context? (Not just "I want to change careers" but actual details about your situation)
Did I structure the thinking process? (Not just "give me advice" but "first analyze this, then consider that, then recommend...")
Did I add real constraints? (Time, money, relationships, other limitations that matter)
Am I asking for analysis or just answers? (Making AI think through the problem vs. just giving quick solutions)
What Good Transfer Looks Like
Here's how I'd approach Scenario 1 (career pivot):
You are a career transition coach helping someone move from accounting to UX design. Here's the situation: 28 years old, 5 years in accounting at mid-size firm, no design experience but strong analytical skills, can dedicate 10-15 hours per week to learning, has $3,000 budget for courses/tools, needs to maintain current income for at least 8 months.
Walk through creating a 12-month transition plan: 1. First, analyze what transferable skills from accounting apply to UX work 2. Then map out the essential UX skills needed and realistic timeframes to develop each 3. Consider different transition paths: freelance vs. junior role vs. career change program 4. For the most viable path, create month-by-month milestones with specific deliverables 5. Identify potential obstacles and contingency plans
Focus on practical steps and realistic timelines. Don't give generic advice—create a specific roadmap for this exact situation.
See how this uses all four principles? Clear context, structured thinking process, real constraints, and guided analysis rather than quick answers.
Your Turn
Pick 2 of the 5 scenarios above. Actually write prompts for them using what you've learned.
Don't copy my style exactly use the principles to craft prompts in your own voice for your own situations.
Because that's what transfer really means: Taking principles and making them your own.
Tomorrow: The final test. Teaching others is how you know you've got it explaining prompt crafting concepts in your own words.
Drop a comment: Which scenario did you choose? Share your prompt and let's see how you applied the principles.
One more day and you'll never need to copy someone else's prompts again.