Multitask Less and Accomplish More

Remember when the multitasking movement began and we all proudly declared how much we were accomplishing all at once? Well, think again. Not only are we worn out and frazzled as a result, the University of Michigan has conducted a study that shows we are 20 to 40% less productive. Our poor brains have to focus and refocus every time we switch gears. If you’re ready to get back to completely crossing things off your list before moving on to the next, here are some tips to get you started:

1. Teach yourself to wait before you move on. Of course it’s nice to peak into your email account periodically to see what’s going on, but it’s not exactly easy to pull yourself back into the mindset of finishing the task you were on originally. Start this new habit by setting a desk timer for two hours and force yourself to focus on one thing during that time.

2. Plan each day in time blocks. If you prioritize every morning, it’ll be easier to measure your productivity at day’s end. Be sure to put the most important tasks in the beginning of your day and don’t let anything get in the way of you crossing it off of your list. While flexibility is important on some days, it’s also important to keep yourself on track by creating deadlines.

3. Take regular breaks. You set yourself up to fail if you don’t allow a little breathing room in your day. Little things are always going to creep up that need your attention, that’s life. But if you stick to time blocking for major things and allow breaks in between, you have some built-in time to handle the little things. Email and social networking, for example, are among them.

4. Keep a little notepad handy. Until you get your brain trained to focus for two hours in a row, it’ll likely interrupted you with scores of little “to do” items. Simply jot them down and keep your nose to the proverbial grindstone. Then, when you are satisfied that you’ve accomplished something, check your notes for what popped into your head.

It’s been said that breaking a habit takes nearly a month, so don’t be too hard on yourself if you flounder during the first month. It’s worth the effort in the end. All anybody really wants is a good quality of life, right? Increasing your productivity so that you can move on to leisure activities is the best way to go about it.

Alan Greene writes for the American Educational Guidance Center, which develops websites on online degree programs, online colleges, and scholarships.

No related posts.