ChatGPT as a coach

Your personal guide to growth

Recently, I visited the parents of a French lover for the first time. An exciting moment because although I speak French quite well, I had not actively used the language for a while. And of course I wanted to make a good impression…

I decided to be smart about my preparation and asked ChatGPT to play my ‘mother-in-law’. “Ask me questions like a curious French mother would,” I typed, “and give me feedback on my answers.” Within minutes, I was engaged in a simulated conversation about my trip and my work. When ‘she’ asked me if I could help make her favorite recipe, I knew I was ready for the real test.

Fast forward to dinner: her first question in real life? “How was your trip?” I felt immediately at ease, exactly as I had practiced. And yes, I even helped out in the kitchen. Maybe not exactly the ideal daughter-in-law, but I managed just fine.

Meet the coaching function of ChatGPT

I use ChatGPT as much more than a smart assistant. For me, it can sometimes be like a personal coach, regardless of the area in which I seek guidance. Whether I want to prepare for an important presentation, sharpen my storytelling, or learn to deal with high sensitivity, ChatGPT is always there for me. All I have to do is clearly indicate who or what ChatGPT should ‘be’.

What makes ChatGPT so effective as a coach?

The great thing is that ChatGPT not only processes my input but also estimates my current level. It asks questions, gives suggestions, and doesn’t stop until I have real results. The key? Good prompts. Think of a clear instruction such as:

“You are an experienced coach in [specific field], and you are helping me achieve [concrete goal]. Ask me questions, give suggestions, and continue to guide me until I have a clear plan to achieve my goal.”

With this approach, you can turn ChatGPT into any coach you need. Here are three concrete examples to get you started:

1. Training for a sporting challenge:

“You are an experienced running coach. Help me train for a half marathon, with a realistic training schedule, nutritional advice, and motivation to persevere.”

2. Personal growth and mindset:

“You are renowned mindset coach Dr. Joe Dispenza. Help me transform negative thoughts about [name your pain point] into a more positive mindset so I can confidently achieve my goals [specify].”

3. Improving team dynamics:

“You are an experienced team coach. Ask me questions and give me concrete actions to improve cooperation and communication within my team. Our stumbling block is mainly [name your problem].”

With the right prompts, you will always have a top coach at your fingertips, ready to guide you to success. What will you try first?

For the daredevils among us: Tough love coaching

Want to really get to the heart of the matter? Try this so-called ‘tough love’ approach:

“You are ex-military, and you are helping me discover why I am not reaching my full potential. Ask me sharp questions, look for excuses in my answers, and keep asking until I have a breakthrough. Use tough love and don’t stop until I use the safeword [specify safeword].”

With such an approach, you force yourself to radical honesty. No room for excuses, only progress.

I tried this myself a while ago when I noticed that my schedule was too full and I was being ruled by my appointments. I knew I should slow down, but I had no idea what to cut out. So I commissioned ChatGPT to coach me with ‘tough love’. Within five minutes, I was no longer fooling myself: reluctantly, I decided to stop giving live workshops and cut out a few other regular commitments. As soon as I made that decision, I felt an enormous relief. It even became more fun when we came up with the idea that I could offer the recordings of the last live workshops, together with all my knowledge on the subject, as a digital video package via my website.

And it didn’t stop at that one breakthrough. In the same conversation, I realized that my writing coaching calls were causing too much fragmentation in my week. On the advice of my ‘ex-military’ coach, I bundled all my calls on two fixed days. Since then, my agenda feels much clearer, and I experience much more peace and space. It was confronting, but it worked.

What can you achieve?

ChatGPT as a coach not only helps you achieve your goals but can also be a mirror for you. It asks, reflects, and challenges you in ways you might not expect from an AI. By cleverly using good prompts, ChatGPT becomes a partner in personal growth – always available, always patient.

A bonus: Use voice prompts for even better interaction

Don’t forget to use voice prompts (the microphone icon). When you type, you are often more economical with your input. But when you speak, you can explain more extensively what you mean. ChatGPT then responds with text. Click on the audio icon and you can even talk directly to your coach, like I did with my ‘mother-in-law’.

Give it a try!

You’ll be amazed at what you can achieve with a little guidance – and a good coach who is always there for you.

 What would you like to use ChatGPT for as a coach?

This column was originally published in Dutch in March 2025 on Intermediair.nl. Check out all of Esther’s monthly columns with AI tips.