Prompt · Productivity

Task Estimate Calibrator

Compares your time estimates against reality to fix chronic underestimation.

Have ready: Paste recent tasks with estimated vs. actual times

Fill in · 2 fields

paste 5-10 recent tasks with: what I estimated, what it actually tookpaste upcoming tasks with your gut estimates

Your prompt

Calibrate my time estimates.

COMPLETED TASKS:
[paste 5-10 recent tasks with: what I estimated, what it actually took]

Do the following:
1. For each task, compute the ratio (actual ÷ estimated).
2. Calculate my personal multiplier, the average ratio, and note whether I'm consistently optimistic on certain task types.
3. Identify patterns: which kinds of tasks do I underestimate most? (e.g. writing, admin, anything involving other people)
4. Give me my calibration rule, e.g. "multiply writing estimates by 1.8", broken down by task type if patterns differ.
5. Apply the rule to these upcoming tasks and give me corrected estimates:
UPCOMING: [paste upcoming tasks with your gut estimates]

Be blunt about what the data says. End with one habit that would improve my estimating (e.g. breaking tasks down first, tracking for 2 weeks).

Paste it into Muse or any assistant. Blank fields stay as [brackets].

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