In a recent LinkedIn post, Ruben Hassid explores a strategic shift for professionals looking to maximize their efficiency with AI tools, particularly Claude. Hassid argues that many users are spending excessive time on repetitive tasks and ineffective prompting, likening it to “spending a year getting good at the wrong corner.” He proposes a method to “leave the bottom-left” of inefficiency and move towards a more productive “right corner” by building reusable AI skills and commands.
The Pitfalls of Ineffective AI Interaction
Ruben Hassid begins by highlighting a common trap: engaging with AI tools like Claude without a clear strategy for long-term efficiency. He suggests that the default approach of continuous prompting and re-explaining context is a significant time sink. Hassid emphasizes that true productivity with AI comes not from becoming a master prompter, but from developing systems that reduce the need for constant, manual instruction.
“You spent a year getting good at the wrong corner. Here’s the one that would’ve saved you 11 months: Don’t read this & nod. Do it tonight. Block 10 mins.”
According to Hassid, this “wrong corner” represents the cycle of repeatedly performing the same tasks or providing the same information to the AI. He advocates for a proactive approach, urging users to dedicate a small amount of time upfront to set up more permanent solutions.
Building Reusable AI Skills and Commands
Hassid outlines five key strategies to transition from inefficient prompting to building lasting AI capabilities. These strategies focus on leveraging Claude’s advanced features, such as its “Cowork” and “Skills” functionalities, to automate repetitive processes and reduce the need for constant re-instruction.
1. Optimizing Claude’s Core Settings
Hassid recommends using the Claude desktop app and configuring specific settings for higher performance. He advises enabling “Thinking” and setting “Effort” to High, utilizing the “Cowork” feature to generate final documents directly. This, he notes, is a fundamental step in moving away from basic interactions.
2. Shifting from “Prompting and Praying”
A core piece of Hassid’s advice is to reframe prompts to make the AI solicit necessary context. Instead of trying to anticipate every need, users should prompt the AI to ask questions first. Hassid suggests a prompt like: “Help me [your real task] – Ask User Questions first.” This, he argues, turns the user into a “power user” by letting the AI guide the information gathering.
“Stop prompting and praying.”
3. Establishing a Persistent “About Me” Profile
Hassid addresses the frustration of repeatedly explaining one’s background and preferences. He proposes creating a simple markdown file containing essential information – job role, mission, writing style, and pet peeves – and saving it as a Claude skill. This “about-me” skill can then be invoked when needed, saving significant time and ensuring consistency.
4. Creating Custom Skills for Repeated Tasks
To combat the inefficiency of rewriting the same briefs, Hassid advocates for using Claude’s skill creator. By teaching Claude a repeated task using a prompt like, “Teach Claude to [your repeated task] the way I like it. Ask me questions first,” users can create a custom command. This command can then be used repeatedly, streamlining workflow.
“Stop writing the same brief over and over.”
5. Delegating Complex Tasks with AI Assistance
Finally, Hassid suggests using AI for complex planning. By providing a clear goal, such as building a one-page plan for a specific objective, and instructing the AI to ask for necessary information, users can achieve results much faster than traditional methods. He states, “Give it the goal: ‘Build me a one-page plan to [real goal]. Ask me what you need first.’ Watch it do in 4 mins what your brief would’ve taken an hour to write.”
The “Right Corner” Strategy
Ruben Hassid frames his advice as a choice between repeating work daily (the “left corner”) and building systems that allow for “shipping forever” (the “right corner”). He has compiled his strategies into a free Claude skill library, available via a link in his post, which users can download and upload to their Claude settings to immediately implement these efficiency gains.
“Left corner = you repeat the work daily. Right corner = you build it once, then ship forever.”
Hassid encourages readers to download and upload the provided skills to “skip the year I wasted” and begin operating more effectively with AI tools from the outset.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Ruben Hassid on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on June 26, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →