Five minutes of setup means every prompt after it works harder. Here is how to tell your AI assistant who you are and how you like to work, so you stop repeating yourself.
When your assistant already knows your role, your industry and how you like answers, you do not have to explain it in every message. You get more relevant replies, in your preferred shape, with far less typing. Think of it as the standing context that sits underneath everything you ask.
Most assistants (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and others) have a place to save persistent instructions that apply to every conversation. It is usually under settings, often called something like "Custom instructions", "Preferences" or "Personalisation". The exact location and any length limit change over time, so check your tool's current settings. Set it once and it applies automatically from then on.
Start with the essentials, then say how you like your answers:
Instructions land better with an example. If you want plain language, give one: "Instead of 'leverage synergies', say 'work together on'." If you want brevity, name a limit. If you need a particular format, paste a small example of it. A couple of concrete examples beats a paragraph of adjectives.
Copy any of these into your assistant's custom instructions and edit them to fit you.
I am an operations manager (adjust to your role). I like answers that are practical and concise, roughly 150 to 300 words unless I ask for more. Write for a busy professional, not an academic, and use plain language over jargon.
If you are not sure about something, say so rather than guessing. Skip filler like "it is important to note" and anything that sounds like marketing. Write like a knowledgeable colleague giving advice.
When I ask for analysis, give me a one-line summary, then the three most important findings, then one or two recommended actions. Use bullets for lists and do not repeat my question back to me.
Use British spelling and phrasing (organise, colour, prioritise). Keep it natural and conversational rather than stiff.