How Using Gemini Gems Improves Your Use of AI: A Beginner's Guide

If you have ever used an AI chatbot like ChatGPT or Google Gemini, you have probably felt this frustration: every single time you start a new conversation, you have to re-introduce yourself. Your preferences. Your constraints. Your goals…all the stuff you need or want it to know before you go prompting away. Even with the tool’s “memory” setting turned on, using AI for tasks you might repeat with any frequency can feel like having a personal assistant with amnesia.

After getting let go from Google a few months ago (yes, one of the biggest AI companies on the planet), I suddenly had the time to dive deep into using AI tools in everyday life instead of just for work. And this repetitive re-explaining problem with AI chats drove me nuts.

That was until I stopped being lazy about learning basic functions and started using Gemini Gems, which ironically allow you to be even more lazy with how you use AI. But more on that later…

In this guide, I am going to walk you through exactly what Gems are, why they’re useful, when you should use them, and how to create your first one today.

The Problem: Why Routine AI Chats Fall Short

Let me paint you a picture of my typical routine before I knew about Gems:

Me, opening Gemini: "Hi, I need a workout plan. I have 30 minutes. I work out at home with dumbbells (10, 15, and 25 lbs), resistance bands, and a yoga mat. I have a bad shoulder, so no overhead presses or anything that puts too much strain there. I want to focus on legs today. Can you give me a warm-up, a main workout with sets and reps, and a cool-down?"

That is 60+ words. Every. Single. Time. And it wasn't just with workouts. The same thing happened when I needed new activity ideas for my two-year-old daughter, meal planning help, or even content writing assistance.

AI chatbots can forget a lot of the detailed context you’ve previously shared the moment you close the chat window. Unless you feel like searching through your chat history to find a previous conversation to pick up from, which can be messy or time consuming, you’ll almost always be starting from scratch. That’s annoying. And unnecessary. 

The Solution: What Are Gemini Gems?

Here is the simplest way I can explain Gems:

A Gem is a custom version of Gemini that you have pre-informed with your specific context, preferences, and rules for the task you want it to do. It remembers who you are, who you want it to be, and what you need, so you never have to re-explain yourself.

Think of it like this: Imagine you go to your favorite coffee shop every morning, and every time you have to re-explain your order to a new barista: "Oat milk latte, extra shot, with two pumps of vanilla, and light foam. Also, I’ll be staying for a little while so may I please have a cup of ice water, with lemon." But then one day, a barista finally remembers you. You walk in, and they just say, "The usual?"

That is what a Gem does for you with AI. You teach Gemini your context once. Then every time you come back, it already knows what you want it to know.

When Should You Use a Gem?

Not every task needs a Gem. Here is the framework I recommend using to decide when it makes sense or not.

Gems work best when both of these are true:

1. The task is personally complex or involved (it requires context that is specific to YOU)

2. The task is moderately or highly repetitive (you ask AI for help with the task regularly, even if there are slight tweaks to each request or chat)

Let me show you what I mean with a simple diagram:

Examples that are NOT good for Gems:

• "What is the weather today?" (Simple + one-time)

• "Summarize this group of articles and research in a bullet point format" (Complex but one-time)

Examples that ARE perfect for Gems:

• Daily workout plans based on your equipment and injuries (Complex + repetitive)

• Meal ideas for a picky toddler with specific dietary needs (Complex + repetitive)

• Activity planning for a specific time window and child's age (Complex + repetitive)

• Writing content in your specific voice and style (Complex + repetitive)

If you find yourself typing long context into your AI chats over and over again, and usually in an unstructured way, that is your signal to create a Gem.

Real Example 1: My Toddler Activity Planner Gem

Let me show you exactly how I’ve used a Gem in real life.

The Situation

Every weekday, I pick my daughter up from daycare around 4:30 PM. We have about two hours before dinner. And honestly? Coming up with engaging, age-appropriate activities every single day was mentally draining. I get bored with doing the same few things over and over and I got the sense that my 2 year old felt the same.

Then I figured AI could help me with brainstorming, so I would open Gemini and type something like:

"My daughter is 2 years old. She loves animals, music, and water play. Can you give me 3 activities we can do at home or in the backyard that take 20 to 30 minutes each, use stuff we already have, and help with her development? Also, no screen time. And give me one backup option for days when we are both tired."

That’s annoying to have to type or remember to say, each time.

The Gem Solution

So I created a Gem called "Daddy / Daughter Daily"

Here's exactly what I gave the Gem for instructions:

You are my daily activity planner for my 2-year-old daughter. Every time I ask for ideas, provide three age-appropriate activities that:

- Take 20-30 minutes each

- Can be done indoors or in our backyard

- Use common household items or toys we already have

- Balance between educational (colors, counting, motor skills) and pure fun

- Consider her current interests: animals, music, solving puzzles, and water play

- Avoid screen time

- Always include one backup option for low-energy days

Format each activity with:

- Activity name

- Materials needed

- Simple steps

- Tell me what skill it develops, based on medical and behavioral science research

How I Use It

Now, every single day, I just open this Gem and type:

"Let’s go!"

That’s it. Two words. And it gives me exactly what I need. See? I told you this allows you to be lazier 🙂

Example output:

Activity 1: DIY Animal Band Materials: Pots, wooden spoons, empty containers Steps: Let her "conduct" a band by banging different containers, talk about loud/soft sounds, add animal sounds between beats Develops: Rhythm, cause-and-effect, auditory processing

Activity 2: Backyard Water Transfer Materials: 2 buckets, plastic cups, sponges Steps: Set up buckets 5 feet apart, let her transfer water using cups or sponges, count scoops together Develops: Fine motor skills, counting, problem-solving

Activity 3: Color Sorting Safari Materials: Stuffed animals, colored bowls or bins Steps: Scatter animals around the room, sort them by color into bins, make animal sounds as you go Develops: Color recognition, sorting, animal identification

Low-Energy Backup: Calm Animal Storytelling Materials: Her favorite stuffed animals, blanket Steps: Sit together, let her pick animals, create a simple calm story where each animal goes to sleep Develops: Listening skills, imagination, winding-down routine

Now, I don’t always get the best ideas on the first go, but I can keep asking for revisions until I get one I like. Otherwise, there’s no re-explaining her age. No re-listing her interests. It just works. And I can revise the Gem instructions over time, if I wish.

Real Example 2: My Workout Coach Gem

Here is another one that’s been a solid game-changer for me. The outputs from AI keep me engaged with new exercises that have helped prevent boredom from my same old routines. Best of all, the process is fast and easy. Adapt this for yourself or use the same setup for a different task.

The Situation

I don’t have a gym membership; I workout at home. Here’s the equipment I have: adjustable dumbbells from 5-50 pounds, resistance bands, TRX straps, an adjustable bench, door-mounted pullup bar, jump rope, and a yoga mat. I also have a small set of steps (3) leading to the backyard that I can use for “box jumps” or step-ups.

I also have a recurring shoulder injury, so I have to avoid overhead movements and be careful with anything that puts too much strain on that area. And here is the thing: my available time and energy change everyday. Some mornings I have 45 minutes and full energy. Other days? I’ve got 20 minutes and I’m running on fumes.

Before using Gems, I would type a giant paragraph when I got motivated enough to workout and wanted some fresh ideas instead of my usual winging it:

"I need a home workout routine right now. I have dumbbells in 10, 15, and 25 pound weights, resistance bands, and a yoga mat. I have a bad shoulder so no overhead presses or heavy shoulder work. I have 30 minutes today and medium energy. I want to focus on legs. Can you give me a warm-up, main workout with sets and reps, and a cool-down? And guide me on proper form to avoid injury."

The Gem Solution

Instead of repeating myself or saving a blurb somewhere to copy/paste and modify, I created a Gem called "Workout Coach." Here are the instructions I gave it:

You are my personal fitness coach. I work out at home with limited equipment:

- Dumbbells: Adustable from 5-50 lbs

- Resistance bands

- Yoga mat

- Jump rope

- Pull-up bar

- Small set of steps (3)

- Adjustable workout bench

- TRX straps

I have a recurring shoulder injury, so:

- Avoid overhead presses

- Limit shoulder-heavy movements

- Provide modifications when needed

When I ask for a workout:

1. Ask me how much time I have (20, 30, 45, or 60 minutes)

2. Ask me about my energy level (low, medium, high)

3. Ask which muscle group I want to focus on

4. Remember my last 2-weeks of workout history. Don't let me neglect a muscle group for too long

5. Then provide:

   - A 3-5 minute warm-up

   - Main workout with specific exercises, sets, and reps

   - A 3-5 minute cool-down and stretch

   - Guide me through the specific stretches I should do

   - Reminders about proper form for injury prevention

Keep the tone motivating but realistic. I am not training for a competition. I just want to stay consistent and healthy.

How I Use It

3-4 times each week, I open the Gem and type something simple like:

"I have 30 minutes and medium energy today. Let's do legs."

And it gives me a complete, personalized workout plan.

Example output:

Great! Let's build a solid 30-minute leg workout. Here's your plan:

Warm-Up (4 minutes):

• Bodyweight squats: 15 reps

• Walking lunges: 10 per leg

• Leg swings: 10 per leg

• Hip circles: 10 each direction

Main Workout (22 minutes):

1. Goblet Squats (25 lb dumbbell)

   • 4 sets x 12 reps

   • Rest: 60 seconds

   • Form note: Keep chest up, weight in heels

2. Bulgarian Split Squats (15 lb dumbbells)

   • 3 sets x 10 per leg

   • Rest: 45 seconds

   • Form note: Front knee tracks over toes

3. Resistance Band Glute Bridges

   • 3 sets x 15 reps

   • Rest: 30 seconds

   • Form note: Squeeze glutes at the top

4. Walking Lunges (10 lb dumbbells)

   • 3 sets x 12 per leg

   • Rest: 45 seconds

5. Calf Raises (25 lb dumbbell)

   • 3 sets x 20 reps

   • Rest: 30 seconds

Cool-Down (4 minutes):

• Quad stretch: 30 seconds per leg

• Hamstring stretch: 30 seconds per leg

• Figure-4 glute stretch: 30 seconds per side

• Child's pose: 60 seconds

Note: Since you have medium energy today, I kept the rest periods moderate. If you feel stronger mid-workout, you can reduce rest by 15 seconds. If you need more recovery, add 15-30 seconds. Listen to your body!

The outputs from the Gems have been perfect for my needs. No re-typing my equipment. No re-explaining my shoulder limitation. It just remembers. Not only that, but I get solid guidance based on what I’ve done recently. AI has really proven itself to be a helpful, inexpensive exercise coach.

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And if you want to get started with creating your own Gemini Gem, check out the how-to in the next article: How to Create Your First Gemini Gem (Step-by-Step)