Still Overthinking Your Business Idea? These 7 AI Prompts Will Pull It Out of You
You don't hate your job. But you sure don’t love it.
You’ve thought about starting something of your own…but the options feel endless, and none feel “right.”
You’ve got skills. You’ve got ambition. But every time you try to choose a business idea, you spiral.
This post won’t magically hand you a perfect business. But it will help you extract what’s already inside you…with the help of a few smart AI prompts.
If you're stuck between “I want out” and “I don’t know what to build,” this is your bridge. As someone who’s been in your exact situation and built successful online businesses, here’s my best advice on how to use AI to get clear on how to start your business.
Why Clarity Feels So Hard (Even If You're Smart, Capable, and Motivated)
If you’ve been stuck on what kind of business to start, you’re not alone…and you’re not broken.
You’ve likely spent years making yourself valuable to a job, not learning how to think like an entrepreneur.
That doesn’t mean you lack ideas. It means you’ve never had a process to sort them - or a reason to trust your own instincts.
These prompts won’t give you a magic answer. But they will help you think clearly, spot patterns, and feel a whole lot less scattered.
How to Use These Prompts (Quick Start Guide)
Don’t just skim these prompts. Work through them like a conversation with yourself - with AI as the thinking partner.
Here’s how to get the most out of them:
Pick 2–3 prompts to start - the ones that hit hardest.
Jot down your answers in the brackets first - this is where the real gold lives.
Paste your full prompt into ChatGPT or Claude - let the AI find patterns, opportunities, and gaps.
Save the ideas that make you lean forward - ignore the ones that don’t feel right (for now).
Use ChatGPT’s voice feature for this (the microphone in the bottom right-hand corner). This will allow you to think out loud and capture all those extra details you might skip when typing.
The more honest you are, the sharper the results. Now, here are the 7 prompts you’ll want to plug into ChatGPT to get clear on your next business idea.
Prompt 1: Find the Overlap Between What You Love, What You’re Good At, and What Helps Others
Instead of journaling in circles, let AI do the pattern recognition.
Step 1: Fill in the blanks below (don’t overthink it):
10 things I’m good at: [________]
10 things I enjoy doing: [________]
10 things people ask me for help with: [________]
Step 2: Paste this into ChatGPT:
“I’m trying to find a business idea that fits me.
Here are 10 things I’m good at: [insert your list]
Here are 10 things I enjoy doing: [insert your list]
Here are 10 things people ask me for help with: [insert your list]
What patterns do you notice? Suggest 3 business ideas that align with my strengths, interests, and what others value.”
Why this works:
It surfaces ideas you’ve been too close to see…and shows you what your real “value overlap” looks like.
Prompt 2: Turn Your Past Struggles Into a Business You’re Proud to Run
The best businesses solve real problems—and the best founders solve ones they’ve lived through.
You don’t need to be an “expert.” You just need to be one chapter ahead of someone else.
Step 1: List 3–5 challenges you’ve overcome in your life or career. These could be personal, professional, or even emotional.
Example: Burnout from a toxic job, debt from bad financial habits, launching a podcast with zero audience, etc.
Step 2: Paste this into ChatGPT:
“I want to create a business that helps others overcome the same problems I’ve solved for myself. Here are 5 struggles I’ve worked through: [insert your list].
Based on those, what are 3 business ideas I could build that would let me help others in a meaningful way - while staying aligned with my story?”
Why this works:
It anchors your business in something real. That gives you an edge - and makes it easier to create offers that feel authentic.
Prompt 3: Monetize What You Already Know
You don’t have to reinvent yourself to start a business. Often, the most direct path is packaging skills you already use at your 9-5.
The key? Aim for problems that are painful and expensive…because those are the ones people will pay to solve.
Step 1: Describe your current or past roles and top skills. Be honest about what you’re great at - even if it feels boring.
Example: “I work in operations at a SaaS company, and I’m great at building systems, onboarding docs, and workflow automations.”
Step 2: Paste this into ChatGPT:
“I want to start a service-based business using skills I already have.
Here’s a quick summary of my background: [insert your experience/skills].What are 5 high-value problems I could solve for small businesses or solo operators - and what kind of offers could I build around that?”
Why this works:
It flips your focus from “what do I want to do?” to “what are people willing to pay for?”…without losing your zone of genius.
Prompt 4: Mine Real Communities for Real Pain Points
The fastest way to validate a business idea? Go where people are already complaining.
Reddit, forums, Facebook groups…they’re goldmines of unfiltered problems.
Step 1: Pick a topic or niche you care about. This could be personal growth, fitness, freelancing, ADHD, creative work…whatever lights you up.
Example: “I’m interested in helping people with focus and productivity, especially neurodivergent creators.”
Step 2: Paste this into ChatGPT:
“I want to start a business that solves real, common problems in a niche I care about.
The topic is: [insert your topic].
Find 5 active online communities (Reddit subs, FB groups, forums, Discords, etc) where people talk about this.
Summarize 3 recurring pain points that come up often—and suggest 2 business ideas that could solve those problems directly.”
Why this works:
Instead of guessing what people need, you’re now building from actual demand. It’s smarter, faster, and way less risky.
Prompt 5: Build a Creator Brand That Doesn’t Burn You Out
If you’re going to create content, it better be about something you actually care about.
The sweet spot? Topics that you enjoy talking about, are useful to others, and can lead to paid offers down the line.
Step 1: List 2–3 topics you could talk about all day without getting bored. Don’t worry about monetization yet - just follow your curiosity.
Example: “Biohacking, productivity ideas, sports”
Step 2: Paste this into ChatGPT:
“I want to build a content-first business around my real interests.
Here are the topics I’m passionate about: [insert your list]What are 3 niche content angles I could own that combine personal story, useful advice, and long-term monetization potential?
Suggest example content formats (blog, newsletter, podcast), plus 1 product or service I could sell in each niche.”
Why this works:
It sets you up for consistency and momentum - because you’re not faking it for clicks. You’re building from real energy.
Prompt 6: Choose a Business Model That Fits You, Not the Algorithm
You don’t need to copy someone else’s playbook. The best business model is one that plays to your strengths - and how you like to work.
This prompt helps you zoom out and make a strategic choice before you build something you secretly hate.
Step 1: Describe your personality, work style, and energy levels. Be honest. No one’s grading this.
Example: “I’m introverted, detail-oriented, and prefer deep solo work over constant interaction. I like clarity and hate chaos.”
Step 2: Paste this into ChatGPT:
“I want to start a solo business that aligns with how I naturally work.
Here’s a quick summary of my personality and work style: [insert your description]
What are 3 solo-friendly business models (e.g. productized services, digital products, content-based businesses, SaaS, coaching) that fit this profile?
List pros and cons of each, and explain how I could test them quickly.”
Why this works:
Burnout doesn’t come from hard work - it comes from building the wrong kind of work. This prompt helps you avoid that trap.
Prompt 7: Write the One-Sentence Business Idea You Can Actually Say Out Loud
Once you’ve explored the previous prompts, it’s time to bring it all together.
Not into a pitch deck. Not into a 5-year plan.
Just one clear, simple sentence that tells you: this is who I help, how I help them, and how I get paid.
Step 1: Review your favorite takeaways from the previous prompts. Highlight any recurring problems, skills, or audiences that stood out.
Step 2: Paste this into ChatGPT:
“Based on the following summary of what I’ve discovered about myself and my interests: [insert your notes/highlights from the previous prompts],
Help me craft a one-sentence business idea. It should include:
Who I help
What specific problem I solve
How I deliver the value (service, product, content, etc)
**Make it feel clear, confident, and something I could test or share this week.”
Why this works:
If you can say it in one sentence, you can build a landing page, write an offer, or send a test email. Clarity = action.
Clarity Doesn’t Come From More Thinking…It Comes From Action
You don’t need to meditate on this for a month.
You just need to get one idea out of your head and into the real world.
These prompts aren’t about perfection. They’re about progress…getting you from stuck to started, faster than you thought possible.
Pick one prompt. Work through it today. Let the others sit until you’re ready.
👉 Want all favorite AI tools and prompts in 2025?
You’re closer than you think. Now it’s time to prove it to yourself.
