Podcast Summary: Ep 55 - Projects in ChatGPT

Podcast Information:

• Title: The ChatGPT Experiment - Simplifying Chat GPT For Curious Beginners
• Host: Cary Weston
• Episode Title: Ep 55 - Projects in ChatGPT
• Release Date: January 23, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 55 of The ChatGPT Experiment, host Cary Weston delves into the feature of "Projects" within ChatGPT. This episode is particularly valuable for users who engage frequently with ChatGPT and seek efficient ways to manage and organize their numerous conversations.

Challenges with ChatGPT Conversation Management

Kerry Weston opens the discussion by addressing a common frustration among frequent ChatGPT users: the difficulty in searching and retrieving past conversations. Despite having hundreds of chats, finding specific interactions remains challenging due to the lack of an effective organizational system.

Kerry Weston [01:00]: "One of the things that has irked me and others in using ChatGPT, especially if you use it quite frequently, has been the inability for chat to be searchable, to find previous chats easily, and to really go back to the work that you've been doing."

Introduction to the Search Feature

Kerry notes a recent update introducing a "Search Chat" feature. While it represents progress, the functionality remains inconsistent, particularly when searching for specific words within chats.

Kerry Weston [01:45]: "They do have a search Search chat feature. Now I haven't found it to be perfect. It does search names, but if you're looking for words inside chat, it could be inconsistent. But at least it's a start, right?"

Renaming Chats: A Practical Tip

To mitigate the search limitations, Kerry emphasizes the importance of renaming chats with meaningful titles. This practice enhances the ability to locate conversations efficiently.

Kerry Weston [03:30]: "Renaming your chats something meaningful so that you can come back and find them. Especially if you want to use it over and over again and use the memory that's in it."

Exploring the "Projects" Feature

The core of the episode revolves around the "Projects" feature, which Kerry initially misunderstood as a complex tool. Upon further exploration, he clarifies that Projects function similarly to folders in a file system, providing a straightforward method to organize conversations.

Understanding Projects

• Definition: Projects act as folders that can contain one or multiple conversations.
• Functionality: Allows users to group related chats, making it easier to manage and revisit them.

Kerry Weston [05:20]: "Projects is no different than a folder. It literally is a folder. There's no extra functionality at all. But it is super helpful."

Using Projects Effectively

Kerry provides a step-by-step guide on utilizing Projects:

1. Creating a Project:

   • Navigate to the left sidebar under "Custom GPTs."
   • Click the plus sign next to "Projects" to create a new folder.

2. Naming Projects:

   • Choose descriptive names that reflect the content or purpose of the conversations within.

3. Adding Conversations to Projects:

   • Use the three dots next to a conversation.
   • Select "Add to Project" and choose the appropriate folder.

Kerry Weston [07:10]: "The easiest way to use projects is to simply create one... anytime you have a new conversation, just simply use those three dots to the right side of the name and you can add it to that particular project."

Practical Applications

Kerry shares how he leverages Projects for client work, grouping related conversations to streamline repetitive tasks and enhance productivity.

Kerry Weston [08:25]: "If I have a client and I'm doing repetitive work, whether it be the same kind of thing, or I'm coming back to the same conversation, or whether I am building upon it in another, you know, another task and using another conversation, I will group it up underneath the client work."

Benefits of Using Projects

• Organization: Simplifies the management of numerous chats by categorizing them into relevant folders.
• Efficiency: Reduces the time spent searching for specific conversations.
• Continuity: Facilitates the continuation of work by grouping related discussions.

Kerry Weston [10:00]: "Projects might be a path for you to find some way of organizing and finding benefit in here."

Additional Resources and Workshops

Kerry highlights the availability of workshops and guides designed to help users maximize their use of ChatGPT. These resources offer hands-on sessions and tailored advice for specific challenges.

Kerry Weston [10:45]: "I've got 90 minute sessions that I'm working with people on specific problems around ChatGPT... also, I've got a five Tips for Beginners guide that's free for you."

Upcoming Features and Future Insights

Looking ahead, Kerry mentions exploring new functionalities such as scheduling repetitive tasks within ChatGPT. Although still in the experimental phase, these features promise to further enhance user productivity.

Kerry Weston [11:30]: "There's been a lot of advancements with ChatGPT. I'm digging into some of the new ones now. I'm looking at the scheduling tasks."

Conclusion

Kerry wraps up the episode by reinforcing the value of small but impactful tips, like using Projects, which can significantly improve the ChatGPT experience. He encourages listeners to stay curious, engage with available resources, and share their experiences to foster a collaborative learning environment.

Kerry Weston [12:00]: "Stay curious... Let’s talk again, stay curious."

Key Takeaways

• Organize Conversations: Utilize the Projects feature to categorize and manage your ChatGPT interactions effectively.
• Meaningful Naming: Rename chats with descriptive titles to enhance searchability.
• Leverage Resources: Take advantage of workshops and guides to deepen your understanding and usage of ChatGPT.
• Stay Updated: Keep an eye out for new features that can further streamline your workflow.

Notable Quotes

• On Projects Being Simple Yet Effective:

  "Projects is no different than a folder. It literally is a folder. There's no extra functionality at all. But it is super helpful." — Kerry Weston [05:20]

• On the Importance of Organization:

  "Projects might be a path for you to find some way of organizing and finding benefit in here." — Kerry Weston [10:00]

• Encouraging Continuous Learning:

  "Stay curious... Let’s talk again, stay curious." — Kerry Weston [12:00]

Additional Resources:

• Workshops and Sessions: Available at chatgptexperiment.com
• Beginner's Guide: "Five Tips for Beginners" downloadable from the podcast website.
• Contact: Reach out to Kerry at me@chatgptexperiment.com for questions, ideas, or to be a guest on the show.

Stay Connected: Engage with the community by sharing your experiences and strategies for using ChatGPT. Your insights not only help you refine your skills but also assist others in their AI journey.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of Episode 55, capturing the essential discussions, insights, and practical advice shared by Kerry Weston on effectively utilizing the Projects feature in ChatGPT.