If you have been hesitant to multitask because you’ve heard it will decrease your productivity, you are not alone. This doesn’t have to be the case though! Learning how to multitask the right way will allow you to make the most of your time without negatively affecting your productivity.
Multitasking the right way is not difficult, it just takes a bit of planning. It is important to only include simple tasks, and save more complex things to do on their own.
This article is all about how to multitask the right way. Continue reading to learn the essentials to make the most of your time!
Multitasking the Right Way
If done correctly, multitasking can help you save tons of time and can sometimes even boost productivity. The following tips will help you learn the best strategies and give you insight into the benefits of multitasking:
1. Understand the limits of what your brain can process at one time
2. Group simple tasks that lend themselves well to multitasking
3. Link an activity that you have to do with one you want to do
4. Write specific to-do lists
5. Avoid distractions
6. Allow yourself to take breaks to keep your mind fresh
7. Learn when you should stop multitasking
8. Multitasking can actually help you complete tasks more quickly
What is multitasking?
The dictionary definition of multitasking is, “the performance of multiple tasks at one time.” There are varying opinions on whether or not you should multitask.
Personally, I believe there is a right and wrong way to multitask, which is very dependent on which tasks you plan to do while multitasking.
1. Understand the limits of what your brain can process at one time
According to this article, our brains are actually wired to think about one thing at a time. This can make multitasking very challenging. If you try to multitask with two complex tasks, it will absolutely decrease your productivity.
If done incorrectly, multitasking can take longer than simply doing one task after another. Understanding the capacity of what your brain can effectively process will help you in planning which tasks to save for later and which ones you can do together. To learn more about the limits of what your brain can process at one time, take a look at this article.
2. Group tasks together for multitasking
Planning which tasks you can do together will allow you to stay productive when multitasking.
For example, if you know you have a podcast you want to listen to, maybe save it for the drive to work. This is better than listening right away while you are trying to concentrate on something else. If you try to focus on two things at once, you will find your focus shifting between the two which will reduce your productivity.
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3. Try linking an activity that you look forward to doing with one that you have to do
This will increase the likelihood of you doing that activity you weren’t looking forward to and make it more enjoyable. Sometimes runners will create a playlist that they only listen to during their harder or long runs.
While they initially may have been dragging their feet to get out the door on that run, this is the only time they allow themselves to listen to this playlist so they are more motivated to go on the run. In a way, it makes it feel like a reward for getting out the door to go on the run.
4. Write specific to-do lists
Keeping your to-do list in your brain will take away some of the processing power and therefore make you more likely to forget something.
For example, if you need to clean the house and want to catch up with a friend or listen to a podcast, it may be more difficult to move from one task to another. You also may forget to clean something in your house.
In this case, you should write a very specific list of everything you want to clean before multitasking. This will allow you to glance at the list to know exactly what to start on next without having to take your thoughts away from your conversation/podcast.
5. Avoid distractions
When you are multitasking, you are already using more brain power and therefore will be more affected by distractions. For this reason, you should try to create an environment where you do not have to fight off distractions. If you find that you struggle with distractions, take a look at the article below for tips on how to avoid distractions!
{ Related post: Learn How to Avoid Distractions With These 9 Effective Strategies }
6. Allow yourself to take breaks
Taking breaks will help keep your mind fresh which is essential for multitasking. There are many different strategies for the best times to take breaks. Take a look at this article for information on the best ways to take breaks to increase your productivity.
7. Know when you should stop multitasking
Sometimes you may think a task is going to be simpler or more straightforward than it turns out to be. If this is the case and you find yourself struggling to make progress, then stop multitasking.
It is not worth trying to continue to multitask because you will be more likely to take longer and possibly make mistakes.
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8. Some tasks can actually be completed faster by multitasking
This may seem counterintuitive, but multitasking can actually improve your productivity in some cases. For example, walking can improve your creativity. You can use this to your advantage by using a walking desk while creating a presentation that really requires your creativity. Another way to take advantage of this is by taking meetings outside on a walk rather than in a conference room.
In addition, music can be a good way to help you focus on a difficult task. Just be sure to choose music to help you focus and stay away from anything that will be a distraction.
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