Ah, the myth of multitasking. It sure is an alluring idea, isn’t it? Who wouldn’t want to tackle several tasks at once and save a bunch of time each day?
Unfortunately, as science has continually shown, our brains just don’t work that way. And in fact, when we attempt to multitask – answer emails, watch television, and hold a conversation simultaneously – we’re both wasting our time and producing lackluster results.
As Jason Fitzpatrick explains, “[h]uman beings are, essentially, single-core processors. We can’t effectively check our email, listen to someone asking us for feedback on a project, and take notes simultaneously. We can do it, sure, but everything suffers.”
What’s more, we increase our chance for distraction big time.
Let me give you an example of my own failed multitasking attempt from last weekend, which (unfortunately) demonstrates this latter point quite well.
On Saturday, I was attempting to grade student papers. (Attempting being the operative word here.) You see, I was also making bullet journal stencils to fill an Etsy order, while keeping my eye on the biggest time-suck of all: the dreaded Facebook feed.
About three papers in, I saw something out of the corner of my eye that caught my attention. What was this especially alluring thing, you ask?
A dog video on Facebook, obviously.
After proceeding to watch said video for about 60 seconds, I remembered that I needed to find someone to walk Bruno this weekend.
I then proceeded to do a “quick search” for dog walkers in my area. This search reminded me that I needed new medication for Bruno as well, which took me on yet another google hunt.
Perhaps not surprisingly, this “quick” 60-second dog video snowballed into a massive search for pretty much everything animal related. I essentially jumped down the rabbit hole, learning about everything from the 7 most important dog training skills, to how to help your overweight cat, to discovering there is something called remote healing for pets. I finally emerged about 20 minutes later.
Meanwhile…I hadn’t graded any more papers.
I rest my case.
As evidenced by my rather ridiculous above example, breaking free of the multitasking mindset is HARD. Despite science proving that bouncing between tasks is actually less efficient, society still thrives on the multitasking myth. We want to believe that we can get more done at once.
Well, I’m here to break the news to you. We can’t.
But guess what? That’s okay! Because as it turns out, there’s a better way to maximize your productivity.
And that secret is to practice single-tasking.
Do you want the secret to maximizing productivity? The answer is simple: start single-tasking. #productivity #worklifebalance #singletasking Click To Tweet
Single Tasking
I get it. You’re busy. You have your job, your side hustle, your kids, your partner, your friends, volunteering, the gym, and about 1 million other things to attend to each day. In fact, I can almost hear you now:
You: “That’s great, Paula. You stick with your single-tasking, and I’m going to head back to reality over here.”
I promise, I hear you. In fact, I still struggle with this idea on occasion (as evidenced by my rabbit hole search above). But here’s the deal, on the days that I practice single tasking consistently, they are always – without fail – my most productive days.
How is this possible, you ask?
The answer – like the approach itself – is simple. When I work on a task, I’m putting 100% energy and focus into that project. I don’t have to refocus my thoughts every single time that I shift from one thing to the next. I can get “in the zone” and stay there, plowing through my to-do list with much greater efficiency.
Now, as I’ve mentioned several times already, this practice is hard. And I think it’s especially challenging for those of us who wear multiple hats. But it comes easier with practice. I promise.
So if you’re looking for ways to maximize your productivity, try out my 3 single tasking tips below, and practice them regularly. If you get distracted, that’s okay. Allow yourself some grace. This is a big shift from what we’ve been conditioned to do. So just get back on track, and try again.
You got this.
3 Ways to Practice Single Tasking
Turn off Distractions
I realize this might sound like an obvious suggestion, but I really can’t stress the importance of it enough. Turn off distractions.
Many of us believe that we have the willpower to simply resist email pings and text message notifications. But in all honesty, those alluring promises of distraction wear us down eventually. And even if you manage to resist the temptation, the sheer sound is a means of distraction, and it pulls you out of your focus.
So really, put your phone on do not disturb. Close any excess tabs on your browser. Or alternatively, use a different browser for work vs. entertainment.
Better yet, if you can work away from your computer, do it! In my office I have a “creativity nook,” which is entirely removed from technology. And I mean entirely. I don’t even use my phone as a stop watch to time my work; I have an hourglass that tells me when an hour is up and it’s time for a break.
When I work at my tech-free desk, I can either look out my window, stare at my vision board, or get to work. Seeing as my window looks primarily at my roof, and I can only stare at my vision board for so long, getting to work sounds pretty alluring. I’m telling you, when I sit in the creativity corner of my office, I’m at my most productive.
Prioritize Your To Do List
Before you start work for the day, take some time to make a list of what you need to accomplish. And as a gentle reminder, please keep this list realistic.
You shouldn’t have more than 2 big items to accomplish each day, and if you have a few smaller tasks to include, that’s great too.
You: “Two things?! Are you crazy? I have SO MUCH to accomplish today!”
Me: “Yes. Two things.”
You: Blank stare of disbelief.
Me: “When you dedicate your full attention to these two primary tasks, you will likely accomplish them. Alternatively, when you try to spread yourself thin and attend to 16 different items on your list, you will likely waste time barely starting 16 projects without a sense of completion or accomplishment at the end of the day.”
I like to make a “todo list” for the week on Sunday night. Then, each day, I choose 1-2 big projects from that list and occasionally 2-4 smaller tasks as well (depending on their size.) I tackle the big projects first thing in the morning to ensure that have the time, energy, and mental strength to practice single-tasking. Then, once I’ve accomplished the big stuff, I move on to the smaller projects.
It sounds so simple – and it is – but the payoff is huge.
Budget Your Time
Sometimes we have big projects (writing a book, building a website, writing a major sales pitch etc.) that we cannot complete in one sitting. In situations like this, it’s important to budget your time wisely.
I do this with time blocking, which is essentially a simple way to divide your to-do list into sections of time throughout the day.
For example, my two big items for today are working on my book edits and grading seven seminar papers. I know there is no way I will complete these tasks in one sitting. So I simply budget my time with time blocking, and I allow two hours to work on my book edits and two hours to grade the seminar papers. This brings me to lunch and a much-needed break.
After lunch, I then tend to my smaller tasks of answering emails, grading final tests, and entering grades online. When I block this out, my day looks like this:
8:00-10:00 Book Editing (10 minutes break between 8:55-9:05)
10:10-12:10 Grade seminar papers (10-minute break between 11:05-11:15)
12:10-12:45 Lunch
12:45-1:30 Answer emails
1:40-3:00 Grade tests
3:00-4:00 Enter final grades
By budgeting your time and breaking up your to-do list throughout the day, you reassure yourself that you will tend to each task. This helps relieve the pressure to multitask. What’s more, you’ve set yourself up for success to practice single tasking, which will help you plow through that todo list much more efficiency.
So are you ready to practice single tasking? Great! Then turn off those distractions, prioritize your to-do list, and start budgeting your time.
Remember, this will take practice, so don’t get frustrated. If you get distracted, just reel yourself back in and return to your work. It happens to all of us, and it will get easier with time. I promise!
Also, be sure to download my free time blocking template, which allows you to map out and tackle your to-do list each day. Get it here!
Question:
Do you practice single tasking? What are your favorite strategies to focus on one single task? What do you struggle with when you practice single tasking? Let me know below!
Since last few years I was in the search of this kind of material,at last I found it ,its so simple and easy way,thanks
You’re welcome, John! I hope it helps 🙂
Sounds really great I enjoyed reading your article. I am going to give it a try because multitasking sometimes turns into a disaster 🙂
Yes, multitasking has a way of doing that, doesn’t it? I hope the tips help 🙂 Good luck!
LOL those dog videos always mysteriously and conveniently show up at the worst times!!
I know, right? It’s like they know 🤣
Oh I really need to implement some single-tasking in my life. I always try to do about 13 thousand things at the same time and I end up so overwhelmed!
Yes! That is so easy to do. It’s amazing how much of a difference single tasking makes. Let me know if you give it a try 🙂
I love this! Focus on one and get it done!
What a great way to put it, Autumn – I love that! “Focus on one and get it done!” Perfect!
every now and then I get so overwhelmed that I start to multi-task and that never ends well!
I think many of us fall into that trap – it’s so alluring! But as you said, it never seems to add well :p
Time blocking is awesome and something i recently adopted. I used to pride myself on being able to multitask. But I realized I wasn’t really completing anything, At least not to the degree I wanted to. I also create a list like you said of the top three things I want to accomplish, in order of importance. I will not move on until each task is done. I do this at work and on my side hustle and find it to work great for me. Great post Paula. Thanks!
That’s fantastic! I’m so glad you’ve found strategies that work for you 🙂
The tips on prioritizing your to-do list are my favorite. There’s no need to try to tackle so much in one day! That’s why we are so exhausted.
Yes! Exactly. I think we all try to take on far too much.
This is such great advice. We try to juggle way too many thing and then never get any one thing done. It’s difficult in today’s society with so many distractions, but the most efficient way is to focus on one thing at a time!
Yes! Exactly 🙂
Great list! Prioritizing my to-do’s are probably the biggest help for me. I love using apps like Wunderlist to help me prioritize and set deadlines/goals.
-Bridgid
heybougiemama.com
I haven’t heard of Wunderlist – I’ll have to check it out! Thanks for the recommendation 🙂
I so agree with this! Budgeting your time, and focusing is always more effective that reacting to any and everything. It is hard, but such a valuable skill.
Yes, exactly! Thanks, Jenny 🙂
I like the idea of a creative corner, and dog videos can be distracting, never follow RetriverPuppies on instagram, that paga can keep me busy (not in a good way) for hours… What can I say? Puppies! ahahah
HA! YES! Dog videos are my kryptonite.
I’ve always known that I am better at getting things done, one task at a time, but it is so easy to distracted! Just like you said! And man facebook kills. I have to put my phone in the other room to get anything done.
Yes – the pull of Facebook is unbelievably strong, isn’t it?
Yes! It’s so crazy, but even the developers admit it was designed to be addicting!
So crazy! I know someone who changed the settings on their phone to be monochrome (grayscale) rather than color. She said it made her apps much LESS addicting because the bright colors weren’t there to draw her in. Interesting, huh?
Very interesting! I can see that working though!
Great tips! Turning off distractions makes such a huge difference for me. I will sometime put my phone in a drawer if I really need to focus on a task.
Yes! Out of site, out of mind 🙂
Great tips! I am all about lists and closing myself off from the world to complete items. Sometimes it’s hard but in general I am successful.
That’s fantastic, Lee! I’m glad you found what works for you 🙂
I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks multitasking is impossible! I have a hard time not checking my email every 2 minutes, so it helps when I change web browsers to do my blog work.
You’re definitely not alone! And yes, I’m the same way about my email. It’s definitely helpful to change browsers 🙂
I have always been a fan of single tasking. Like to get one thing done and move onto the next.
Yes, it’s such a great way to get things done:)