By skyforbes I've been deep in Ray Dalio's Principles and realized his radical transparency framework translates perfectly to AI prompting. It's like having Bridgewater's culture of truth-seeking in your pocket:
1. "What's the believability-weighted perspective here?"
Pure Dalio. AI evaluates advice based on track record, not just opinion.
"What's the believability-weighted perspective on starting a business in my 40s versus my 20s?"
Gets you wisdom from people who've actually done it.
2. "What are the second and third-order consequences?"
His mental model for seeing downstream effects. AI maps out the ripple effects you're blind to.
"I'm considering a job that pays 40% more but requires relocation. What are the second and third-order consequences?"
Suddenly you're seeing impacts on relationships, career trajectory, lifestyle five years out.
3. "What's the machine here?"
Dalio sees everything as systems with inputs and outputs. AI breaks down the mechanics.
"What's the machine behind why I keep procrastinating?"
You get the actual cause-effect loop, not surface symptoms.
4. "If we're radically transparent, what's really true?"
Cuts through ego and self-deception instantly.
"If we're radically transparent, what's really true about why my last three relationships failed?"
AI gives you the pattern you've been avoiding.
5. "What principles should govern this decision?"
Forces you to build your own decision-making operating system.
"I need to decide between two job offers. What principles should govern this decision?"
AI helps you articulate your actual values, then apply them consistently.
6. "Who's handled this problem better than me and what would they do?"
Dalio's idea meritocracy as a prompt.
"Who's handled career transitions better than me and what would they do in my situation?"
AI synthesizes approaches from people who've solved your exact problem.
The breakthrough: These prompts force uncomfortable truth. Dalio built Bridgewater on the idea that radical honesty beats comfortable delusion. AI won't sugarcoat to protect your feelings.
Power move: Create your own principles document.
"Based on my last 10 major decisions, what principles do I actually operate by versus what I think I operate by?"
The gap is terrifying and useful.
Next level: Use the "pain + reflection = progress" framework.
"Here's what went wrong [situation]. What pain am I experiencing? What should I reflect on? What progress can I make?"
AI becomes your systematic learning machine.
Secret weapon: Ask
"What would change my mind about this?"
Dalio's test for intellectual honesty. Forces you to identify what evidence would actually shift your position, not just confirm your bias.
I've used these for business pivots, relationship decisions, and investment choices. It's like having a team of thoughtful disagreers who actually want you to succeed.
Warning: Radical transparency feels brutal at first. AI will tell you things like "your business idea has been tried 50 times and failed for these specific reasons." Add "help me reality-test this, not demolish my motivation" if you need the truth delivered constructively.
What decision are you making right now that could use Dalio-level clarity?
If you are keen, you can explore our totally free, well categorized mega AI prompt collection.