Everyday productivity
Turn an expert’s public material into a personal study guide
You will have a source list, a cited study guide and a short list of questions for a qualified person.
Before you start
- An expert whose public work you trust
- Time to read the summaries and check sources
- A topic where you are not seeking a diagnosis or legal advice
What you are making
A study guide is a summary of one expert’s published views, with links back to where each came from. It is not the expert, and it does not know your circumstances.
Step 1: Collect public sources
- Use only material that is public and that you may use.
- Choose ten pieces, with a mix of old and new.
- Note the date of each. Advice changes.
Step 2: Build the guide
Prompt you can copy
Using only my sources, write a study guide on [topic] with: the main ideas, any points where the sources disagree, and a short glossary. Cite the source for each point. Say when a point rests on only one source.
Step 3: Apply it carefully
- Pick two ideas to try.
- Write what you will watch for.
- Check with a qualified professional before acting on health, legal or money topics.
Step 4: Prepare for a real conversation
Prompt you can copy
From this study guide, list five questions I should ask a qualified professional about my situation: [describe briefly, without private details].
Respect the expert
- Do not publish their content as your own.
- Do not present the guide as endorsed by them.
- Check their terms before reusing material.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating a summary as personal advice
- Sharing it as if it were the expert’s own words
- Using outdated sources
- Skipping the professional check
Final checklist
- Every point has a source
- I checked dates
- I plan to confirm important points with a professional