The way we interact with AI is evolving fast. If you’ve been dabbling with ChatGPT lately (and who hasn’t?), you’ve probably wondered: Should I start a new chat every time? Or keep the old one going?
Spoiler alert: it matters. Especially now that ChatGPT remembers things.
Whether you're crafting social media posts, troubleshooting a spreadsheet, or even outlining your yearly IT roadmap (we know some IT pros who can help with that), knowing how to use ChatGPT is just as important as knowing what to ask. Let’s break down how to get the most out of your AI and how this smart tool is getting even smarter.
What’s the Deal with ChatGPT’s Memory?
Think of ChatGPT’s brain like your office whiteboard:
- Chat context = whatever you’ve written during this current meeting (it remembers this very clearly).
- Memory = what you’ve written in past meetings and asked ChatGPT to remember. That could be your name, tone, preferred writing style, or that ongoing client proposal you've been tweaking for a week.
This memory feature is only available to paid users (like ChatGPT Plus), and you can turn it on or off. You can also manage what it remembers, just like choosing what stays pinned on your whiteboard and what gets wiped clean.
But here’s where it gets tricky. Sometimes, ChatGPT can surprise you by recalling things you didn’t expect it to, especially if you’re jumping between tasks.
When to Stick With the Same Chat
If you’re:
- Editing a document
- Refining a proposal
- Drafting a blog or social media post
- Troubleshooting a recurring technical or business issue
…stick with the same chat.
This is like having a teammate who’s been in the room the whole time. They already know what you’re working on, remember past feedback, and won’t ask you to re-explain yourself. Efficient and smart.
Example: Let’s say you’re using ChatGPT to write an internal SOP for onboarding new employees. You get the intro outlined, ask for formatting help, and then need to adjust it for your Arizona HQ office. Same chat. It remembers the flow, the details, and the tone. Less rework. More coffee.
When to Start a Fresh Chat
But sometimes, that same helpful teammate won’t stop talking about the last thing you worked on. That’s when it’s time to hit “New Chat.” Use it when:
- Switching topics (from IT security policies to planning your family road trip)
- You want a totally different take on something
- ChatGPT starts clinging to outdated context
- Things just feel… off
Example: You were working on cybersecurity checklists yesterday, and now you're brainstorming team-building ideas. But ChatGPT keeps bringing up firewalls. Start over. Get a clean slate.
Bonus Tip: Use Projects (If You’re a Power User)
If you’re a paid user, you’ll notice a fancy new option: Projects. These are like folders that remember everything; files, chat context, goals, so you can pick up where you left off, days or even weeks later. Perfect for:
- Multi-step marketing campaigns
- Operational policy rollouts
- Company handbooks
- Or even that internal IT security audit you’ve been “meaning to get to”
At Computer Dimensions, we love this feature. It means less duplication, less uploading, less "Wait, where were we again?" Projects let you keep momentum without chaos.
Great Tools Need Great Strategy
Just like deploying a new cloud solution or rolling out Microsoft 365 across two offices, tools work best when you use them well. That’s our job as your IT partner, helping your team use smart tools (like AI, Teams, SharePoint, and more) the right way. So you're not just checking boxes; you're getting actual business value.
- Want help implementing AI safely across your business?
- Need better SOPs or secure document collaboration tools?
- Curious how to onboard staff faster with automation?
Let’s chat, human to human. We’re here for all the real-world IT support and consulting your growing business needs. At Computer Dimensions, we help small businesses, especially builders, get real results from their IT. From setup to training to compliance, we make your tools work smarter, not harder.
Until next week, keep your memory sharp, your prompts clear, and your chats tidy.
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