Your Efficiency Upgrade for 2026

🕓 Read time: ~5 min

You're asking AI to summarize. You like what you see.

And that's where you stop.

And honestly? I get it. It's fast, it's easy, and it feels productive. You paste in a long article, a client transcript, or a research report, and boom - three bullet points or even a couple of paragraphs appear. Done.

Nice huh? It is but let me be honest here: if that's what you're doing, you're just scratching the surface. And you're missing out on some real value add. That's exactly when AI stops being a glorified highlighter and starts becoming a strategic thinking partner.

To demonstrate what this is all about and help you experiment without all too much trial and error, here are 7 simple prompts that will shift how you use AI and the value you get from it.

1. Extract Key Insights

Don't just summarize the information. Filter out the noise.

Try this:
"Act like a strategy consultant. Identify the 5 most valuable insights from this content and explain what decisions each one informs."

You're not looking for a recap. You're looking for what matters and why.

2. Uncover Hidden Assumptions

Every argument, strategy, or plan rests on assumptions. Most of them are invisible. This prompt makes them visible.

Try this:
"Reveal the unstated assumptions or blind spots stopping this argument and what changes if they're wrong."

This is gold when you're reviewing a business plan, a marketing strategy, or even your own thinking.

3. Challenge Conventional Wisdom

Combine "compare opposing views" with "extract contrarian takeaways." Find the insights that go against the grain but still hold weight.

Try this:
"Map this idea against two competing perspectives. Show where they align, where they differ, and which context fits each. Then find insights that would challenge smart peers in credible but unexpected ways."

This is how you avoid groupthink and find the angles no one else is exploring.

4. Turn Insights Into Action

Information without action is just noise. This prompt forces clarity and accountability.

Try this:
"Translate this into a 5-step plan with clear owners, quick wins, and measurable results."

Ownership and accountability is a key ingredient for lasting results.

5. Distil for a Specific Role

Here's the one that's especially powerful for coaches and consultants: filter everything through the lens of who you're serving.

Try this:
"Filter this through the lens of a [role]. For example: a business coach focused on client retention, or a consultant helping founders scale operations."

Same content. Completely different takeaways. This is how you make generic information relevant to your clients.

6. Build a Reusable Model

Coming across a good post or article about a framework in action? Extract the repeatable framework so you can use it again and again.

Try this:
"Extract the repeatable framework in this text. Label each stage, its input, and its output."

You're not just solving today's problem. You're building a system.

7. Identify Leverage Points

Where can small actions create outsized results? This is about focussing your time and effort where it matters.

Try this:
"Highlight the 3 leverage points where small actions could create outsized results. Explain why each one matters."

This is how AI can help you prioritize.

The Real Power? Combining One or More of These Prompts.

Here's where it gets even better: stack these strategies.

Try this combo:

• Start with #1 (Extract Key Insights)
• Then run #2 (Surface Hidden Assumptions)
• Finish with #3 (Challenge Conventional Wisdom)

You'll go from surface-level summary to a deeper analysis in just three prompts.

Or try:

• #5 (Distil for a Specific Role) + #4 (Turn Into Action)

Now you've got a role-specific, actionable plan to run with.

The combinations are endless. And that's when AI stops feeling like a tool and starts feeling like that really useful co-worker you always wished for.

Key Takeaway

AI doesn't need to be complicated. You don't need to be a prompt engineer or spend hours learning complex techniques. A few well-crafted prompts can really save you time and increase the value you get.

The difference between "summarize this" and "extract the 5 key insights" is just a few words, but the impact? Night and day.

A Quick Challenge For You

Pick one strategy from this list. Just one. Use it on something you were about to ask AI to "summarize."

See what happens.

Then, stack two or more together and watch the value multiply.

Here's to working smarter in 2026!

Elena

P.S. My free AI Deep Dives will be back soon. First session to take place on 27 Jan, 17:00 CET. Save the date and keep an eye out for the registration mail 🤓

"AI is the most powerful tool of our time.

It's not here to replace you. It's here to free you, so you can focus on high-impact work, serve your clients better, and finally get your time back."