Have you ever faced a tough challenge and wished you had an expert consultant to help you think it through? This prompt gives you exactly that. It creates Marcus, a strategic consultant who turns messy problems into clear action plans. Whether you’re stuck on a business decision, need fresh ideas, or want to explore new possibilities, this prompt helps you think smarter and faster.
Marcus works like a real consultant. He asks the right questions, challenges your thinking, and generates practical solutions. You get structured brainstorming without the consultant price tag.
The Core Prompt
Copy and paste this exact prompt:
123456789You are Marcus, a 28-year-old strategic consultant with a gift for breaking down complex problems and generating innovative solutions. You approach every challenge with systematic thinking and creative methodology.
Process: You structure brainstorming sessions, ask clarifying questions, identify constraints and opportunities, then generate multiple solution pathways. You think in frameworks but communicate in plain language.
Communication style: Energetic but focused. You use "Let's" language to create collaboration. You challenge assumptions respectfully and build on ideas rather than shooting them down.
You excel at connecting disparate concepts, finding unexpected angles, and turning vague problems into actionable strategies. You know when to diverge (generate options) and when to converge (make decisions).
Your responses always include concrete next steps and ways to test ideas quickly.Why This Prompt Works
This prompt uses several powerful techniques that make AI conversations more effective.
Role-Playing Creates Expertise
The prompt assigns a specific character with defined skills. When AI takes on a role, it responds more consistently. Marcus isn’t just a helper—he’s a strategic consultant with particular strengths. This focus improves response quality.
Clear Process Framework
Marcus follows a defined method: structure the session, ask questions, identify constraints, generate solutions. This step-by-step approach prevents random responses. The AI knows exactly how to tackle your problem.
Personality and Communication Style
The energetic but focused style makes conversations feel natural. The “Let’s” language creates partnership instead of lecturing. This keeps you engaged and makes brainstorming feel collaborative.
Behavioral Guidelines
The prompt tells Marcus what to do and what not to do. He builds on ideas rather than dismissing them. He challenges assumptions respectfully. These rules create productive conversations.
Action-Oriented Output
Every response must include next steps and testing methods. This prevents vague advice. You always walk away with something you can actually do.
The Problem This Solves
Most people struggle with three common challenges when solving problems:
Analysis Paralysis
You have a problem but don’t know where to start. Too many options freeze your thinking. Marcus structures the chaos into manageable pieces.
Surface-Level Solutions
Quick answers often miss deeper issues. Marcus digs into constraints and opportunities. He finds angles you might overlook.
Lack of Diverse Perspectives
Working alone limits your viewpoint. Marcus connects disparate concepts and finds unexpected connections. He brings fresh thinking to stale problems.
This prompt turns AI into a thinking partner who helps you explore, evaluate, and execute better solutions.
How to Use This Prompt
Step 1: Set Up the Conversation
Paste the prompt into your AI assistant. Start by clearly stating your problem or challenge. Be specific about what you need help with.
Example: “I need to increase customer retention for my subscription service, but I’m not sure what’s causing people to leave.”
Step 2: Answer Marcus’s Questions
Marcus will ask clarifying questions. Don’t skip these—they help him understand your situation. Share relevant constraints like budget, timeline, or resources.
Step 3: Explore Multiple Options
Let Marcus generate different solution pathways. Don’t judge ideas too quickly. This is the divergent thinking phase where quantity matters.
Step 4: Evaluate and Refine
Once you have options, work with Marcus to narrow them down. He’ll help you assess feasibility and impact. This is the convergent thinking phase.
Step 5: Create Your Action Plan
Use the concrete next steps Marcus provides. Pick the quick tests he suggests. Start with small experiments before big commitments.
Real-World Applications
Business Strategy Development
A startup founder used this prompt to explore new revenue models. Marcus helped identify three viable options and created testing frameworks for each. The founder validated ideas before committing resources.
Product Innovation
A product manager needed fresh feature ideas. Marcus connected user pain points with emerging technology trends. The team found two unexpected angles that became their roadmap priorities.
Career Decision Making
Someone considering a career change worked with Marcus to map out transition paths. Marcus identified transferable skills and low-risk ways to test new directions. This reduced anxiety and created a clear plan.
Marketing Campaign Planning
A marketing team brainstormed campaign concepts with Marcus. He helped them challenge safe ideas and explore bolder approaches. The result was a more creative campaign that stood out.
Tips for Best Results
Be Specific About Context
Give Marcus details about your situation. The more context he has, the better his suggestions. Include information about your goals, constraints, and what you’ve already tried.
Don’t Rush the Question Phase
When Marcus asks questions, take time to answer thoughtfully. These questions uncover important details that lead to better solutions.
Embrace Wild Ideas
During brainstorming, encourage unusual connections. Some of the best solutions come from unexpected places. Let Marcus push your thinking.
Test Before Committing
Use the quick testing methods Marcus suggests. Small experiments reveal what works without big risks. Validate ideas early and often.
Iterate on Solutions
Come back to Marcus as you learn from tests. Share results and refine approaches. Problem-solving is rarely one-and-done.
Challenge Your Own Assumptions
When Marcus questions your thinking, resist defensiveness. These challenges often reveal blind spots that block progress.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Being Too Vague
Saying “I need business ideas” gives Marcus nothing to work with. Instead, explain your skills, market, and what success looks like.
Ignoring Constraints
If you skip mentioning budget or time limits, Marcus can’t give realistic advice. Share your boundaries upfront.
Jumping to Execution Too Fast
Don’t grab the first idea and run. Explore multiple options before deciding. The best solution might be the third or fourth one.
Expecting Perfect Answers Immediately
Strategic thinking takes iteration. Your first conversation might raise more questions. That’s normal and valuable.
Not Following Through on Next Steps
Marcus provides action items for a reason. If you don’t test ideas, you’ll never know what works.
Customizing the Prompt
You can adapt this prompt for different needs:
For Technical Problems
Add: “Marcus has a background in technology and understands software development constraints.”
For Creative Projects
Emphasize: “Marcus draws inspiration from diverse fields including art, psychology, and design thinking.”
For Team Facilitation
Include: “Marcus facilitates group discussions and ensures all voices are heard before converging on decisions.”
For Personal Decisions
Adjust to: “Marcus asks thoughtful questions about values and long-term goals, not just immediate outcomes.”
For Rapid Problem-Solving
Specify: “Marcus prioritizes speed and focuses on the 80/20 solutions that deliver the most impact quickly.”
The core structure remains the same, but these tweaks make Marcus more relevant to your specific situation.
Understanding the Methodology
Marcus uses divergent and convergent thinking—two essential problem-solving modes.
Divergent Thinking
This expands possibilities. Marcus generates many options without judgment. The goal is quantity and variety. Wild ideas are welcome because they spark better practical ideas.
Convergent Thinking
This narrows to the best solution. Marcus evaluates options against your criteria. He helps you make decisions based on feasibility and impact.
Knowing when to switch between these modes is crucial. Generate first, judge later. This prevents killing good ideas too early.
Marcus also connects disparate concepts—finding links between seemingly unrelated things. This cross-pollination creates innovative solutions that pure logical thinking might miss.
Getting Started Today
The best way to learn is by doing. Pick a real challenge you’re facing right now. Set up a conversation with Marcus and work through it.
Start with something medium-sized—not your biggest problem, but not trivial either. This gives you a feel for how Marcus works without overwhelming stakes.
Pay attention to the questions Marcus asks. Notice how he structures the conversation. These patterns will improve your own thinking even without AI help.
Remember that Marcus is a tool to enhance your thinking, not replace it. You bring knowledge of your situation. Marcus brings structure and fresh perspectives. Together, you’ll find better solutions than either could alone.
The problems you face deserve thoughtful analysis and creative solutions. This prompt gives you a strategic partner who brings both. Copy the prompt, start a conversation, and see where better thinking takes you.