Does Your GPT Have a Split Personality? It’s Your Conflicting Instructions

Have you ever felt like your GPT is confused about what you want? One moment it’s writing a polished blog, and the next it’s spitting out a list of bullet points like it forgot the assignment. You’re not crazy. Your GPT isn’t malfunctioning. What’s really happening is this: your instructions are fighting each other.

This “split personality” effect happens when your custom GPT is trying to obey two (or more) rules that don’t line up. And just like a person who gets pulled in opposite directions, it ends up producing results that feel muddled, inconsistent, or completely off-brand.

A Real Story From the Field

I worked with a Realtor who wanted their GPT to create blogs in their speech style guide. The problem? Their natural way of speaking was quick, concise, and bullet-point heavy. So every time the GPT wrote a blog, it came out short and list-like.

The agent was frustrated: “This isn’t a blog. It’s just a bunch of bullets!”

What had happened was simple: two conflicting instructions. On one hand, the GPT was told “write in my exact speech style” (which leaned bullet-heavy). On the other, it was told “write a blog” (which requires storytelling and depth). The GPT was doing both — and the result wasn’t what the agent wanted.

The solution? We separated tone from format. Instead of demanding it copy the entire structure of their speech style, we told it: “Use my tone of voice, but format the content as a full blog.” Suddenly, the output shifted from bullet lists to flowing blog posts that matched the Realtor’s brand and resonated with their ideal audience.

Spotting the Signs of Conflicting Instructions

So how do you know if your GPT is caught in this tug-of-war? Look for these signs:

• Contradictory length: “Keep it short” vs. “Explain in detail.”
  

• Format battles: “Always use bullet points” vs. “Never use formatting.”
  

• Mixed tone: “Be formal and professional” vs. “Stay casual and friendly.”
  

• Undefined terms: Words like “helpful” or “creative” without clarification.
  

If your GPT’s responses swing wildly between extremes, chances are it’s not broken. It’s just trying to follow rules that don’t fit together.

How to Rewrite Conflicting Instructions (Step-by-Step)

When you catch your GPT showing signs of “split personality,” here’s how to fix it:

Step 1: Define your outcome. Do you want a blog, an email, a property description? Be clear.
Step 2: Scan your instructions for contradictions. (Is “concise” clashing with “detailed”?)
Step 3: Simplify. Pick one directive at a time. Don’t overload.
Step 4: Separate tone from structure. (Tone = friendly. Format = blog post.)
Step 5: Test, refine, repeat. Add complexity only after the basics are working.

Think of it like giving directions. You wouldn’t tell someone to “drive slowly” and “get there as fast as possible.” Your GPT works the same way — clarity is everything.

The Emotional Shift You Need

For Realtors like Taylor, the ambitious but overwhelmed agent, conflicting GPT instructions can trigger more than just frustration. They can spark self-doubt: Am I doing this wrong? Will I ever get this right? Am I falling behind while others race ahead with AI?

Here’s the truth: you’re not failing. The problem isn’t your ability; it’s the setup. Once you learn how to write clear, non-conflicting instructions, your GPT stops fighting itself and starts producing exactly what you need.

This is where I step in. My role isn’t just to fix the tech , it’s to guide you through the learning curve so you feel confident, capable, and in control. You’re not left behind. You’re moving forward with clarity.

From Confusion to Clarity

Your GPT doesn’t have a split personality. It’s simply trying to obey everything you’ve told it at once. By learning to identify and rewrite conflicting instructions, you give it the clarity it needs to deliver consistent, professional results every time.

This is the shift from frustration to freedom.

And in the next blog of this series, we’ll tackle another hidden problem: how to stop your GPT from ignoring your uploaded knowledge and make it pass the “open-book test.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my GPT keep giving me inconsistent answers?

Because vague or conflicting instructions leave it guessing which rule to follow.

How do I know if my instructions are conflicting?

Look for outputs that feel contradictory:  too short, too long, too formal, too casual.

What’s the fastest way to fix conflicting instructions?

Simplify. Pick one directive at a time, then layer in complexity later.

Can my GPT still follow my brand voice without confusion?

Yes , separate the tone (how it sounds) from the format (how it’s structured).

Do I need to rebuild my GPT if it’s confused?

Not usually. Most of the time, a rewrite of the instructions solves the issue.