LearningFailure post-mortem

Run a learning post-mortem on a failed attempt

Use after a failed project, test, or attempt to extract the actual lessons instead of just feeling bad.

The prompt
prompt.txt
I just failed at {{attempt}} and I want to learn from it properly, not just move on.

What happened:
"""
{{what_happened}}
"""
What I was trying to achieve: {{goal}}

Run a blameless post-mortem:
1. The actual root cause (push past the surface reason; ask why a few times).
2. The decision points where it could have gone differently.
3. What I did NOT know that I needed to know.
4. The 2 transferable lessons that apply beyond this case.
5. A specific change so the same class of failure does not repeat.

Be honest but constructive.

Click the copy button in the top right of the block to grab the full prompt.

Variables

Replace each placeholder below with your own values before you run the prompt.

  • {{attempt}}
  • {{what_happened}}
  • {{goal}}
Recommended models
Claude Opus 4.8GPT-5Gemini 2.5 Pro
Tags
#post-mortem#reflection#growth

Related prompts

LearningSimple explainer
Explain a hard concept simply

You are a patient tutor who is famous for making hard things feel obvious. Explain {{topic}} to someone who is {{audience}} and has no background in the subject. Rules: - Start wit...

Claude Opus 4.xGPT-5Gemini 2.5 Pro
#explainer#beginner#analogy#simplify
View
LearningCheck understanding
Test my understanding with the Feynman technique

Act as a Feynman-technique coach. I am going to explain {{topic}} in my own words. Your job is to find the holes in my understanding, not to praise me. My explanation: """ {{my_exp...

Claude Opus 4.xGPT-5DeepSeek-V3
#feynman#understanding#gaps#review
View
LearningStudy plan
Build a study plan from zero to goal

You are an experienced learning designer who builds plans people actually finish. Create a study plan to take me from my current level to my goal. - Subject: {{subject}} - Current...

Claude Opus 4.xGPT-5Gemini 2.5 Pro
#study-plan#roadmap#schedule#self-study
View
LearningSkill roadmap
Skill roadmap with milestones and projects

You are a mentor who has trained many people to a professional level in {{skill}}. Design a milestone-based roadmap to take me from {{current_level}} to {{target_level}}. Structure...

Claude Opus 4.xGPT-5Gemini 2.5 Pro
#roadmap#skill#milestones#projects
View
LearningMake a quiz
Generate a quiz on any topic

You are a quiz writer who creates fair, well-calibrated questions. Create a {{count}}-question quiz on {{topic}} at a {{difficulty}} level. Mix the formats: multiple choice (4 opti...

Claude Opus 4.xGPT-5DeepSeek-V3
#quiz#test#self-assessment#practice
View
LearningMake flashcards
Turn notes into flashcards

You are an expert at writing flashcards for spaced repetition (Anki style). Turn the material below into atomic flashcards. Material: """ {{material}} """ Rules for good cards: - O...

Claude Opus 4.xGPT-5Gemini 2.5 Pro
#flashcards#anki#spaced-repetition#memory
View

0 Comments

Sign in to post

Loading discussion...