Do you feel that doing one thing at a time is not enough anymore? So that you can multitask and save time, you have to be careful and pay attention to a few things.
Step
Step 1. Define your goals
The saying goes, "If you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there."
Step 2. Schedule a time when you will focus on a difficult or complex task
Make sure the people around you know that you will need an hour or two of alone time each day to do something that requires full concentration.
Step 3. Do one thing at a time, but alternately
Step 4. Get rid of tasks that are not important
If you multitask to be more efficient, don't waste time doing extra tasks. The exception is only background activities to fill spare time. For example, if listening to the radio can help you concentrate, then this is fine.
Step 5. Select compatible tasks
For example, reading and listening to the radio both use the same type of focus. Perhaps you can combine a physical task, such as ironing clothes, with a mental task, such as listening to the radio.
Step 6. Select a task that can be interrupted
Especially if this multitasking activity involves constant interruptions (e.g. while taking a call), choose tasks that can be easily delayed when the interrupt occurs.
Step 7. Keep a selection of small projects or easy tasks to fill in the gaps between big projects
That way, make big projects a priority, but do small tasks every time you have to wait for information or inspiration for big projects.
Step 8. Use waiting time efficiently
Bring something to work with everywhere, especially where you have to wait (airport, post office, or dentist's clinic). Reading is one example of an easy and portable activity. Bringing a notebook to write down ideas is also one thing that is useful.
Tips
- Don't overwhelm you. If you can't do two things at once, try breaking it up into sections and working on a little at a time.
- Take the time to make a plan. Even though planning is not an activity, a good plan can make activities run smoothly.
- Pay attention to what can be done and what can't. If doing homework in front of the TV takes twice as much time as doing homework and watching TV separately, don't combine the two activities.
- Bring something else to do to the meeting, especially if the meeting will cover a fair amount of topics that you don't involve yourself in.
Warning
- Concentrate on something that has safety consequences. Never multitask while driving.
- Do not exaggerate. Don't do so many things at once that nothing gets done. Also, don't let yourself feel exhausted.
- Remember that multitasking can make the quality of your work decrease and can make you forget about other tasks. Only do multitasking as a last resort.
