24 ChatGPT Hacks That Actually Save Hours
Summary of the video “These ChatGPT Hacks Will Make You SO Productive It Feels Illegal” by Dan Martell.
Dan Martell reveals 24 hidden ChatGPT features plus 3 bonus hacks that automate tasks, integrate with apps, and transform productivity. From voice mode and camera features to agent mode and browser integration, these tools turn ChatGPT from a basic chatbot into a full productivity suite.
Personalization & Settings
Custom Personalities
Switch ChatGPT's tone and communication style through custom instructions in profile settings. Options include chatty, witty, encouraging, Gen Z, or direct and ruthless—matching your preferred interaction style.
Tell ChatGPT Who You Are
Add 2-3 lines about yourself in the 'About You' section under personalization. Include occupation, goals, and projects so ChatGPT provides more contextual and personalized responses.
Memory Management
ChatGPT remembers your preferences and projects. Access the memory section under personalization to review, edit, or delete stored information about you. Example: training goals, race dates, and preferences are retained across conversations.
Theme & Appearance
Customize dark/light mode, accent colors, language, and voice settings in the appearance section. Choosing a brand color (e.g., blue) creates visual consistency across your workflow.
Voice & Vision Features
Voice Mode for Conversations
Have human-like spoken conversations with ChatGPT via the wavy icon on mobile. Useful for brainstorming while walking, running, or traveling. ChatGPT detects when you're talking and can be interrupted mid-response.
Camera Mode for Visual Analysis
Point your phone camera at objects, plants, cars, paintings, or anything in your environment and ask ChatGPT to identify, explain, or troubleshoot. Accessible via the camera icon in voice mode when connected.
Organization & Project Management
Projects Folder
Centralize all project information—files, diagrams, emails, conversations—in one folder. Prompt ChatGPT directly with project context; it references all uploaded materials to answer questions and suggest improvements based on industry best practices.
Canvas for Writing & Editing
Write, edit, and perfect outputs directly in ChatGPT's built-in canvas (like Google Docs). Request tone changes, conciseness, research updates, or system prompts. Canvas saves version history and lets you refine iteratively.
Reminders & Schedules
Automate reminders and recurring tasks daily, weekly, or monthly. Example: 'Remind me every morning at 9 a.m. to check new AI tools' or 'Research top AI info for small businesses and email me.' Set up in profile > personalization > schedules.
Calendar Integration
Connect Google Calendar to ChatGPT via apps and connectors. Ask it to analyze time spent on tasks over weeks, identify patterns, or audit your calendar—automating what would otherwise be manual review.
Email Integration
Connect Gmail to summarize unread emails, stay out of your inbox, and focus on priority work. ChatGPT can read and reference emails but cannot yet send them natively (workaround available via Rube.app).
Research & Analysis
Deep Research Mode
Activate deep research by clicking the plus icon and selecting 'deep research.' ChatGPT searches the internet, verifies data, and returns real anecdotes and connections rather than relying only on training data. Used in 70% of Dan's prompts.
Document Comparison
Upload two documents and ask ChatGPT to highlight differences side-by-side. Useful for contracts, service agreements, or legal documents. ChatGPT creates a comparison table showing what changed and evaluates which is a better deal.
Data Interpreter & Visualization
Upload CSV files, PDFs, or code and ask ChatGPT to visualize or analyze data. Create fake datasets for testing, apply theory of constraints analysis, and generate visual representations of bottlenecks or trends.
Learning & Education
Study Mode as Tutor
Access study mode via plus > more > study and learn. ChatGPT teaches any topic at any grade level, quizzes you to verify understanding, and adjusts complexity. Useful for learning alongside children or mastering new subjects.
Model Switching
Enable 'show additional models' in profile > settings > general to manually select different GPT versions. Useful for consistency when testing prompts, comparing outputs, or optimizing for speed on specific tasks.
Automation & Agent Mode
Agent Mode for Task Automation
ChatGPT controls your screen and completes tasks autonomously. Example: 'Find 15 best restaurants in Dubai, build a spreadsheet with addresses, ratings, hours, and Instagram links.' ChatGPT researches, creates a Google Sheet, and delivers it without you touching the laptop.
Code Review & Debugging
Upload code files or paste snippets and ask ChatGPT to review, find errors, or suggest fixes. Works for Python, Excel formulas, Google Sheets code snippets, and any language. Useful for non-programmers troubleshooting broken cells or formulas.
Code & Deploy Web Pages
Ask ChatGPT to code a landing page, preview it instantly, and download the file. Upload to GitHub or a hosting service to go live in seconds. ChatGPT incorporates best practices, features, pricing sections, and testimonials automatically.
App Integrations
Canva App for Design
Connect Canva via apps and connectors. ChatGPT creates full presentations, social posts, and designs instantly. Example: 'Create a 5-slide presentation on AI trends for 2026.' No designer needed.
Spotify App for Curated Playlists
Connect Spotify to generate custom playlists for focus, mood, or events. ChatGPT explains why it chose each song and can create 2-hour gym playlists or work-specific EDM mixes without lyrics.
Coursera App for Interactive Learning
Connect Coursera to find and interact with full courses. ChatGPT pins the course video at the top while you chat, ask questions, and learn interactively—far different from traditional classroom learning.
Booking.com for Travel Planning
Connect Booking.com to plan and book trips directly in ChatGPT. Example: 'Plan a 4-day business trip to Austin under $2,000 including flights, hotels, and activities.' ChatGPT searches, compares prices, and can book via agent mode.
Figma App for Visual Mockups
Connect Figma to create visual mockups, org charts, and design systems. ChatGPT can design interface prototypes, color-code org structures, and generate first-pass designs based on your context and best practices.
Bonus Hacks
Apple Intelligence Integration (iPhone 15 Pro+)
Enable ChatGPT as an extension in Apple Intelligence settings. Say 'Hey Siri, ask ChatGPT to write a 10-minute YouTube script' and save the output directly to Apple Notes. Bridges Siri's limitations with ChatGPT's capabilities.
Rube.app for Custom App Connections
Connect any app to ChatGPT via developer mode and MCP (Model Control Protocol) URLs from Rube.app marketplace. Enables native actions like sending emails and creating calendar entries that ChatGPT doesn't natively support.
ChatGPT Atlas Browser
Download OpenAI's new ChatGPT-powered browser. Search, read articles in a sidebar, ask ChatGPT questions about content, and use agent mode to fill forms, book trips, or run tasks while you browse. Combines AI and web browsing seamlessly.
Notable quotes
Most people are only using 10% of ChatGPT's potential. — Dan Martell
If you're not doing this, you're wasting your time. — Dan Martell
When all of a sudden the button clicks are done by the computer, you just have to be the director. You don't have to be the doer anymore. — Dan Martell
Action items
- Enable custom instructions in profile > personalization to set your preferred ChatGPT personality (direct, witty, encouraging, etc.).
- Add 2-3 lines about yourself in the 'About You' section so ChatGPT personalizes responses to your context.
- Review and manage ChatGPT's memory of you in personalization > memory > manage to ensure accuracy.
- Activate voice mode on your phone and practice using it for brainstorming, running, or hands-free conversations.
- Try camera mode by pointing your phone at an object and asking ChatGPT to identify or explain it.
- Create your first project folder with relevant files, emails, and documents, then prompt ChatGPT with project-specific questions.
- Use canvas mode to write and iteratively refine an email, document, or proposal with tone and style adjustments.
- Set up a daily reminder (e.g., 'every morning at 9 a.m. summarize new AI tools') in profile > personalization > schedules.
- Connect Google Calendar and ask ChatGPT to analyze where you spent the most time over the past 3 weeks.
- Connect Gmail and use ChatGPT to summarize unread emails without opening your inbox.
- Try deep research mode on a real estate, business, or industry question to get internet-verified answers.
- Upload two contracts or documents and ask ChatGPT to compare them side-by-side and recommend the better deal.
- Use study mode to learn a new topic at a specific grade level and take a quiz to verify understanding.
- Enable agent mode and ask ChatGPT to research and build a spreadsheet (e.g., top restaurants with details) while you do other work.
- Connect Canva and request a 5-slide presentation on a topic of your choice.
- Connect Spotify and create a custom playlist for focus, gym, or a specific mood.
- Connect Coursera and find a beginner course on a skill you want to learn, then interact with it via ChatGPT.
- Connect Booking.com and plan a trip under a specific budget including flights, hotels, and activities.
- Connect Figma and ask ChatGPT to design an org chart for your team with color-coding.
- Enable developer mode and connect a custom app via Rube.app to unlock actions like sending emails or creating calendar entries.
- Download ChatGPT Atlas browser and use agent mode to research and book activities while browsing.
- On iPhone 15 Pro+, enable ChatGPT in Apple Intelligence settings and use Siri to trigger ChatGPT tasks.
- Pick one hack from this list and use it daily for 14-21 days until it becomes second nature, then add another.