Are you a multi-tasker? Does it really work for you? Or do you end up working on various tasks but never completing any?
Multi-tasking is when 2 or more tasks are attempted at the same time. Many of us are tempted to multi-task to get more done. After trying to handle phone calls, cooking, doing the dishes, and walking my treadmill I found I was burning more energy but never completing any task effectively. Not to mention the background noises while fending phone calls. That was not good for business. As a Network Marketer I am frequently making and/or receiving phone calls. And while it would seem I need to multi-task, it doesn’t work effectively. Only on a short term, like setting an appointment I just received via phone on my iPhone calendar. That’s a quickie. But if you are trying to maximize your productivity by doing 2 or more things at one time, you will exhaust yourself and get nowhere. In most cases, you will have start over if you’re on a project that demands much concentration.
According to a study at the University of Sussex, you are damaging your brain. It may seem like you can split your attention but it’s really damaging the lower brain density in the region that is responsible for empathy, cognitive control and emotional control.
The good news is the damage can be fixed if you work on one thing at a time, in a place where you can really concentrate. I tend to work at my kitchen table – right when and where I drink my coffee. Working in a open, busy spot in my home made me notice other things that needed to be done and off I went, doing those other chores. Only to return to my initial task to have to backtrack to catch up. However, working in my home office, at my desk, is much more relaxing and effective. No distractions.
Multitasking does not make you super-productive. It only means you backtrack a lot. Every time you switch tasks, you have to repeat a little more to see where you last left off. It takes more time to switch tasks than sticking with them until completion. Many studies have found multitasking reduces your productivity by 40%.
Timothy Ferris, researcher, recommends you focus on a maximum of two goals/tasks per day to ensure your productivity and accomplishments are in alignment.
And every once in a while, take a break – take a vacation!
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