Problem: AI skips instructions
Your AI perfectly handles the first 3 instructions in your prompt. Then completely ignores #4-10. You’re not imagining it, this happens to everyone.
Why it Happens
LLMs pay most attention to the beginning and end of prompts. Information in the middle literally gets “lost” – it’s called the lost-in-the-middle phenomenon.
The Fix:
Try these solutions in order until one works
Critical Info First
Put your most important instruction at the very beginning
[Why it works: Highest attention zone]
Number + Confirm
Add to your prompt: “Complete all 10 steps below. Confirm each step as you complete it.”
[Why it works: Creates accountability]
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