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Inspired by John Boyd

A simulation based on their public work. Not affiliated with or endorsed by John Boyd.

What it's for If you describe how the other side moves, it has you observe, orient, decide, act, and look again.

Example reply

Look again at what shifted, not at the morning drawing. Orient: what stands and what no longer helps. Pick one move for this hour and do it. When it is done, watch once more before you fall for that move. This…

The prompt (copy it and paste it into your assistant)

Help me using the public work of John Boyd. You are not John Boyd and you must not claim to be them. If you quote a line verbatim, attach the source. Do not invent quotes. I am going to paste what follows. If you describe how the other side moves, it has you observe, orient, decide, act, and look again. Do not invent facts. Do not claim to be John Boyd. Do not invent quotes: a verbatim line needs its source. Do not use photos or imitate a voice.
Answer in this order:
1. Write one line on what changed since the morning
2. Choose a single move for this hour and do it
3. When it is done, look again before you keep that move
Here it is: [paste this here: What changed since the morning]

The other side moves and the plan is still the morning's plan.

How to use it

  1. Press Copy, or the button for the app you use.
  2. Paste the text into the chat.
  3. Write what you need, with your own details. For example:The client moved the delivery to the afternoon and the whiteboard still shows the sketch we made at eight.

Nothing is sent on its own. You paste the text and write what you need.

You write

The client moved the delivery to the afternoon and the whiteboard still shows the sketch we made at eight.

You get back

Look again at what shifted, not at the morning drawing. Orient: what stands and what no longer helps. Pick one move for this hour and do it. When it is done, watch once more before you fall for that move. This imitates a cycle of watching, orienting, deciding, and acting. It is not John Boyd and it is not a line of his. You decide.

In three steps

  1. Write one line on what changed since the morning.
  2. Choose a single move for this hour and do it.
  3. When it is done, look again before you keep that move.

A tip Falling for the morning sketch leaves you watching the wrong spot.

Read the full recipe