10 Ways I Use AI to Make Context Switching Lighter
When you’re in the middle of agency life, or just balancing a mix of projects, there’s no way around context switching. One moment I’m deep in analytics for a client, the next I’m debugging code, then an hour later I’m mapping out a content strategy. I used to think this was a liability—like I should feel guilty for not locking into one thing all day. What I’ve learned is that context switching can actually become a strength, if you have the right supports in place.
For me, AI has become that support system. It’s like having a second brain that can hold state for me, keep track of threads, and lighten the load when I jump between worlds. Here are ten ways I lean on it in my day-to-day.
1. Capturing “Where I Left Off”
Whenever I stop working on a project, I’ll drop a quick note into AI about what I just did and what’s next. It might be as simple as: “Wrapped up edits on the deck, next step is to validate stats on Slide 5.” The next time I come back, I don’t waste ten minutes re-orienting. It’s like leaving myself a sticky note, but smarter—AI can expand that note into a mini roadmap when I need it.
2. Generating “Where Are We / Where Are We Heading?”
A lot of the time I’ll hand AI a chunk of context—like a code file, a document, or even a transcript from a call—and just ask: “Where are we right now, and where are we heading?” That framing is so simple, but it gives me clarity in seconds. Instead of rereading, I get a concise state-of-play plus a forward-looking path. It feels like checking a compass before continuing a hike.
3. Using Audio Transcriptions as Conversation
I’ve started recording little audio reflections throughout my day, whether it’s after a client meeting or just me talking through my own ideas. Running those through transcription and then asking AI for key themes gives me a mirror of what’s really on my mind. It’s less about “notes” and more about dialogue—I can literally talk through my day and have AI hand back the insights that matter.
4. Quick Re-Entry Points
One of the most exhausting parts of switching is opening a blank page and thinking: “Where was I?” AI helps me by generating entry prompts like: “You’re working on the booking flow—last time you paused at integrating Stripe, and the next thing is handling error states.” That little nudge is often enough to get me back into flow without burning energy on recall.
5. Thread Holding for Research
When I’m researching—whether that’s tools, frameworks, or competitive landscapes—I tend to open way too many tabs. Instead of juggling them all, I’ll let AI hold the thread. I can say: “Remind me later what I found about multi-tenant Stripe setups,” and it’s there when I return. It’s not just storing links; it’s stitching them into a narrative I can jump back into.
6. Snapping a “Project Save State”
I treat AI like a save file in a video game. If I’m in the middle of something big, I’ll create a snapshot of the current state: goals, blockers, people involved, and recent progress. Later I can just load that save instead of reconstructing it from memory. This is especially helpful when bouncing between different clients or products, each with their own ecosystem.
7. Offloading Repetitive Frontal Lobe Work
There’s a ton of small stuff that clogs up mental bandwidth—summarizing emails, formatting notes, or reframing tasks into a plan. I let AI handle those so my brain can stay focused on the creative or strategic parts. It’s not glamorous work, but it’s the stuff that normally leaves me drained after a day of switching contexts.
8. Curiosity Resets
Sometimes the barrier to switching isn’t about information—it’s emotional. You don’t feel like jumping into the next thing. In those moments, I’ll ask AI for a curiosity reset: “Show me an angle I haven’t considered yet.” That spark of novelty turns the switch into exploration instead of drudgery. It keeps the day fresh, even when the work is heavy.
9. Mapping Cross-Client Patterns
One underrated move: I use AI to surface themes across clients and projects. For example, if I’ve been working with two companies that both struggle with onboarding flows, AI helps me recognize that pattern. Then I can bring solutions from one domain into another. It makes switching valuable, because the cross-pollination creates insights I wouldn’t get by staying siloed.
10. Debriefing at the End of the Day
At the end of a long day of bouncing around, I’ll do a quick debrief with AI. I might paste in notes, transcripts, or just ramble in audio. Then I ask for a daily summary plus tomorrow’s jump-start prompts. This way, I don’t carry everything in my head overnight, and I start the next morning with momentum. It’s a way of closing loops so that switching tomorrow feels lighter.
Closing Thought
Context switching doesn’t have to be a tax. With AI, it becomes less about losing momentum and more about handing off momentum between different tracks. Instead of carrying everything in my frontal lobe, I let AI act as the connective tissue. The result isn’t just less fatigue—it’s actually more creativity, because I’m free to jump between worlds without fear of losing my place.