Switch Log by Superhuman’s Founder
Why did context switching get such a bad name?
Most productivity advice treats context switching as the enemy. You often hear “focus on one thing at a time” and “protect deep work by minimizing switching.” Studies are frequently cited showing that it can take around 23 minutes to regain full focus after an interruption. So we have learned to design days that suppress switching wherever possible.
But that stance has limits. First, modern knowledge work lives inside a torrent of messages, emails, and notifications. Perfect immersion is rare. Second, plans collide with reality. The schedule you made in the morning can be obsolete by afternoon. Third, our brains are not strictly linear. An idea that pops up unplanned can be more valuable than the task currently on deck.
That is where Superhuman founder Rahul Vohra offers a counter-intuition: the Switch Log. Instead of resisting every switch, you notice it, use it, and capture it.
What is a Switch Log?
A Switch Log is less a trick and more a philosophy of working. It starts from two questions: Is sticking to the plan always best? And is it productive to ignore what your mind is surfacing right now?
Rahul explains his personal approach this way:
“I call it a Switch Log. A calendar shows what I intended to do, not what I actually did. So I asked, how could I run my day without depending on the calendar? The answer was to do whatever feels most important in the moment, and every time I switch, send my EA a quick DM in Slack that notes what I am doing now. For example, ‘TS: short note of the current task.’”
Rather than drifting into chaos, the act of logging each transition creates a factual record you can review. Planned structure meets live intuition.
Core elements of a Switch Log:
- Free switching when it truly matters
: You allow yourself to act on what is most salient or valuable in the moment. - Lightweight transition notes
: Each time you switch, you jot a short line about what you moved to. Those lines become your dataset. - Regular review
: At week’s end you scan the log to see where time actually went and what that says about priorities.
Why can a Switch Log work so well?
While traditional time management emphasizes control and planning, Switch Log values flexibility and in-the-moment intuition. There are several reasons this approach can be effective.
First, Switch Log respects how our brains naturally work. Rahul Vohra, who practices Transcendental Meditation (TM), says he learned that it’s better to listen to what comes up in your mind than to ignore it. Cognitive science suggests our brains generate thoughts continuously—and sometimes those “interruptions” deliver key creative insights or solutions.
Second, this method helps you adapt to the rapid change and uncertainty of modern workplaces. Instead of rigidly sticking to a schedule all day and then missing urgent issues, you can respond to what matters as it emerges.
Third, Switch Log can reduce stress. Without the pressure to obey a strict timetable, you focus on whatever is most important or most compelling in the moment.
“With this method, you don’t have to keep staring at your calendar wondering, ‘Should I stop this and do that now?’ You just do what you want to do in that moment. For example, ‘Oh, preparing for Lenny’s podcast is urgent—let’s do that now,’ and eight minutes later if something else pops up, you think, ‘There must be a reason that came up,’ and you lean into it.”
Of course, this isn’t pure improvisation. As Vohra emphasizes, you still honor key meetings and commitments; you just use the time around them more fluidly. It’s a kind of “structured freedom,” a balance between strict time-blocking and total spontaneity.
Implementing Switch Log with Arch Calendar
Rahul Vohra, as a CEO, asked his EA to log each task switch—but not everyone has an EA. With Arch Calendar, which integrates tasks, schedule, and knowledge, anyone can practice Switch Log. Its intuitive interface and Spaces make it ideal for this philosophy.
You can implement Switch Log in two big steps: (1) log each switch by attaching tasks to the relevant Space, and (2) review those logs regularly to generate insights.
1.Log switches by linking to Spaces
Use Arch Calendar's Spaces and Tasks to systematically record task switches. Each time you start something new:
- When creating a Task, link it to the appropriate Space.
- For example, tie research tasks to Trend Research Space, and skills work to Enhancing Data Analysis Skills Space.
- You can visually distinguish work by Space and see how much time you spent in your calendar at a glance.
2.Review weekly
Switch Log only works if you review the record. Each week, examine your Arch Calendar logs to understand your time-use patterns:
- See how your time breaks down by Space.
- Check how much unplanned work appeared.
- Confirm whether you spent enough time in your core Spaces.
- Use the weekly retro to set direction for the coming week.
As Vohra notes, these reviews surface real insights:
“One day I realized I was spending only about 5% of my time on hiring—below target, so I needed to increase it. And only 6–7% on product/design/engineering/marketing—even though that’s my strength—so I decided to devote more time there.”
Benefits of Switch Log
- Respects intuition: Prioritizes what feels most important right now over a rigid plan.
- True visibility into time: You manage based on what you actually did, not just what you intended.
- Preserves natural flow: Less pressure to force-finish tasks; more sustained, organic focus.
- Data-driven improvements: Weekly reviews let you adjust time allocation with evidence.
Who Switch Log Fits
As with any productivity method, Switch Log won’t work the same for everyone. It tends to be especially valuable for people like:
People with ADHD tendencies who struggle with fixed schedules
Allowing natural switching while recording what you’re doing provides structure without friction. The act of logging “what I’m doing now” itself supports focus.
Leaders/managers juggling many responsibilities
When rapid decisions across domains are required, flexibility can matter more than strict blocks—while still keeping a high-level view of time.
Creative professionals (designers, writers, researchers).
Strict schedules can dampen inspiration; Switch Log lets you jump on ideas while maintaining long-term balance.
Fast-changing environments (startups, crisis response, media).
Morning plans can be obsolete by afternoon. Switch Log keeps you agile and self-aware.
In highly structured roles with hard deadlines (e.g., law, accounting, some medical fields), classic time-blocking may still be the better fit.
Getting Started
- Set up Spaces. Identify your main work areas and create 5–7 core Spaces in Arch Calendar (e.g., Product, User Research, Team Management, Stakeholder Comms).
- Make Task-to-Space linking a habit. Each time you start something, create a Task and attach it to a Space. Keep notes brief but clear enough for future review.
- Run a one-week experiment. Try to log every switch for a week. Don’t aim for perfection—the act of logging teaches you about your patterns.
- Do a weekend review. Spend ~30 minutes examining Tasks by Space: Where did time actually go? What surprised you? Use those insights to adjust next week.
Use these insights to set direction while preserving Switch Log’s core: flexible, needs-driven switching in the moment. Over time, it will settle into a natural rhythm.
Context switching isn’t the enemy—it’s flexibility
Switch Log is a provocative alternative to conventional time management. It isn’t a perfect solution, but for modern knowledge workers with complex, shifting responsibilities, it offers a flexible, intuitive way to manage time.
Try experimenting with this approach in Arch Calendar and find the style that fits you best. Context switching may not be a productivity villain at all—it might be an important signal from your mind.