1 · Scenario Hook
A user keeps getting weak AI answers. They type try again, then make it better, then shorter, then no, not like that. Each retry uses more tokens and still does not fix the real problem.
Guided Mission Flow
Follow the path from scenario to Field Guide. No guessing what comes next.
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Read the Scenario
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Study the Visual
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Compare Bad vs Better
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Try the Mini Practice
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Save to Field Guide
Mission 22
challenge
12 min
Avoid the Expensive Loop
Spot a workflow that wastes tokens, time, and money.
Premium Visual Aid · decision
Expensive Loop Breaker
Stop retrying blindly. Diagnose and repair.
Learning Artifact
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Next
Did the output miss the audience?
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Next
Did it miss the format?
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Next
Did it include unsupported claims?
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Next
Was the context too noisy or too thin?
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Next
Name the problem.
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Ask for one targeted revision.
Specific repair saves time and tokens.
2 · Short Lesson
Spot and repair retry loops that waste time, tokens, and attention.
The expensive loop happens when users keep retrying without improving the instruction. This wastes tokens, time, and attention. The better move is to diagnose the miss and ask for a targeted revision. Good iteration tells AI exactly what to change.
3 · Memory Hook
An expensive loop is like repeatedly sending food back to the kitchen while only saying make it better. The chef needs to know whether it is too salty, too cold, too spicy, or the wrong dish.
4 · Weak loop
“Try again. No, try again. Make it better. Try one more time.”
It burns time and tokens without explaining what should change.
5 · Better repair
“The answer is too long and misses the executive audience. Rewrite it in three bullets, use only confirmed facts, and end with one next step.”
It names the issue and gives a clear revision target.
Field Guide Preview
Rule 22: Do not loop. Diagnose and repair.
When AI misses, do not keep saying try again. Identify what was wrong, add the missing constraint, and ask for a specific revision.
6 · Scenario Challenge
Apply your workplace judgment
A user keeps saying 'try again' to AI and gets several weak versions. What is the best repair move?