# Make better calls by writing your view before AI weighs in

> It keeps your own judgment in charge and shows exactly where the AI disagrees and why.

Write down your own decision and reasons first, then have AI test them without steering you, so the final call stays yours and gets sharper.

- Page: https://thesolocreators.com/prompts/decide-first-then-let-ai-push-back/
- Category: Make smarter decisions
- Made for: Everyone, Consultants, Coaches
- Works in: Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini
- Time: About 10 minutes
- Effort: Just copy and paste
- Published: 2026-10-28

## How do I use AI for decisions without it deciding for me?

Write your own decision and reasons first, then ask the AI to test them and keep its own opinion out. Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini can all do this, since it's about how you prompt, not a special feature. For a quick personal choice, the five-part check is enough. For a business call with money at stake, ask a second time after you've answered its weak-point questions, and compare what changed.

## The prompt

Fill in the parts in [square brackets], or leave them and the AI will ask you for them.

```text
I've already made my own call, and I want you to test it, not replace it. The decision: [THE DECISION, e.g. raise my rates 20% in January]. My choice: [MY CHOICE, e.g. yes, for new clients only]. My reasons: [MY REASONS, e.g. booked out, prices unchanged for 3 years]. Don't tell me what you'd decide. Instead: 1) restate my reasoning in one paragraph so I know you understood it, 2) list where my reasoning is strongest, 3) list the two or three places it's weakest, with the specific question I should answer for each, 4) tell me what new evidence would make me change my mind, and 5) point out anything in how I framed this that could push either of us toward one answer. Keep your own opinion out of it unless I ask for it.
```

## Step by step

1. Write your decision and your three main reasons before opening any AI
2. Open Claude and paste the prompt with your notes
3. Read where it disagrees and the evidence that would change your mind
4. Make the final call yourself and note what you changed

## What you'll get

Your reasoning played back, its strongest and weakest points, and the evidence that would change the decision, with the call left to you.

## Good to know

**How do I use AI for decisions without it deciding for me?** Write your own decision and reasons first, then ask the AI to test them and keep its own opinion out. Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini can all do this, since it's about how you prompt, not a special feature. For a quick personal choice, the five-part check is enough. For a business call with money at stake, ask a second time after you've answered its weak-point questions, and compare what changed.

**Which AI tools does this work in?** It works in Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini. On this page, Claude and ChatGPT open with your prompt already typed in. No paid plan is noted for this one.

**How long does it take?** About 10 minutes. It's rated "Just copy and paste". There are 4 steps, listed above.

**What do I need before I start?** Just your details for 3 blanks: the decision, my choice and my reasons. You can skip any, and your AI will ask for them.

**What will I get back?** Your reasoning played back, its strongest and weakest points, and the evidence that would change the decision, with the call left to you.

Idea spotted on X, shared by @emollick: https://x.com/emollick/status/2115209786157412397. The prompt is The Solo Creators' own version.

## Go further

Ready-made skills in the Solo Creators AI Studio (https://thesolocreators.com/studio/) that fit this: Board of Advisors (Convene seven AI advisors who debate your decision, vote, and hand back a stress-tested verdict); Fact Checker (Every quote, number, date, and link in your draft checked against its real source, with the fixes handed back as tracked changes you accept or reject).

From AI Use Cases and Prompts by The Solo Creators: https://thesolocreators.com/prompts/. Free to use; please link back to the page when you share it.