Forget Multitasking! Do One Thing at a Time
Self-management

Mutlitasking: Forget Multitasking! Do One Thing at a Time. Copyright 2010. Karsten Noack Berlin, Germany

Overview

Forget Multitasking! Do One Thing at a Time
6 Tips

Less haste, more speed.

Saying

Forget Multitasking!
Do One Thing at a Time

Nowadays juggling tasks has gained a strong foothold in how we work and live.
Despite the advantages of working on one thing at time, we all tend to multitask today, perhaps even more than we care to admit.

At home, some surf the internet whilst watching television, some eat while they read and some talk on the phone whilst simultaneously checking their emails.

Usually, there is no real harm in multitasking.
As long as you are not driving a car and speaking on a cell phone or operating heavy power equipment, you are probably okay.
But does it make sense?

So what happens when you jump between different tasks?
Yes, you may feel dynamic, but after all, you’re exerting lots of energy. There’s a loss of productivity.
If you read at the kitchen table while you eat, you don’t taste and enjoy your food to the same extent that you could and you don’t absorb your reading material at your usual retention rate.
At work you will make more errors if you don't concentrate solely on the task at hand.

In reality carrying out multiple tasks at the same time seldom saves time nor provides any benefits.

The most efficient way, however, to cope with a number of different projects is to begin working on one thing until its completion, then go on to the next project, then the next, until you are finished.
From the standpoint of effectively initiating a task, multitasking is not a great idea nor even a sensible one.
You want to give your full and undivided attention to the task at hand.
That way you have the best chance of doing a good job, staying focused, and finishing it on time.

Quantity isn't the same as quality!

6 Tips

Tip 1: Do the same tasks in a block
It makes a lot of sense to do tasks in blocks.
For example carry out all necessary telephone conversations in one block, write & send all emails in a block instead of spreading the workload out by processing a couple every hour or processing individual messages as they arrive in your inbox.

Tip 2: Prioritize and be aware of the bigger picture
Prioritizing is easier when you know the bigger picture.
This enables you to understand which task has the biggest influence on the desired outcome. Do the most important thing first.

Tip 3: Set realistic goals
Define your goals in detail.
Concentrate on what you want to achieve and make sure the necessary resources are available.
You need to set yourself realistic goals.

Tip 4: Be consistent
When you know what to do, do it!
Remain consistent until the task is done.
Don't stop halfway.
You will feel better after you have mastered a challenge but leaving tasks unfinished results in depleted energy resources.
Concentrating on one task at a time will improve the quality of your work.

Tip 5: Good preparation
It isn't true that we are more effective under pressure, it is, in fact, the contrary.
Some people finally start with a task when the pressure is too intense.
But working under such intense pressure doesn't make them performance the tasks any better.
Tasks can be carried out much more successfully when prepared in a timely manner i.e. when preparations are started at a early stage.

Tip 6: Know your personal performance curve
Know your own preferred work pattern.
When are you most creative?
When are your concentration levels at their highest or lowest?
In order to achieve your best results, carry out individual tasks at their most optimum time in accordance with your own individual work pattern.

Keywords

time management, multitasking, task, performance, procrastination procrastinator, progress, brain, improving, resources, priorities, consulting, decision-making, coaching, management, personal development, business, private life, success

Copyright

© 1998 - 2012 NOACK Consulting, Coaching & Training Berlin
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Updated 05/10/12 - LBR

Forget Multitasking! Do One Thing at a Time Self-management

Overview

Keywords

Forget Multitasking! Do One Thing at a Time
Self-management