Ways to quit multitasking and get more organized – How to improve your concentration and be more productive
Multitasking sounds like a good idea, but it actually hurts us in the long run. While there’s so much that needs to be done in our day to day lives, and it seems like multitasking is the only way to do it all, it’s more often than not the reason you can’t focus.
We’re always looking for ways to accomplish more and do it at a faster pace. However, as counter-intuitive as it sounds, if you were to stop multitasking you may find that you can actually accomplish more in your life. For an interesting in depth look into why our brains work like this, check out this article from INC.com.
From partially completed jobs to completing them incorrectly, multi tasking sets us back in many ways. Our brains work best if we apply as much attention as we can to completing one thing at a time. After all, your brain is already subconsciously multitasking by doing things like breathing, processing outside information, and keeping your organs working. So don’t add to the chaos by trying to consciously focus on multiple things at the same time.
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Time Blocking for Enhanced Focus
One excellent way you can accomplish more every day is by time blocking. This is setting aside specific blocks of time to complete certain tasks. For example, from 7am-8am you may decide to mark for exercise. That means during that time frame, you only focus on exercising and nothing else.
Phone calls, making breakfast, and doing laundry can all wait until you are outside of that time block. Then from 8am-9am you could schedule for doing things like having breakfast, getting ready for/getting to work. 9am-10am can be reserved for taking phone calls, answering emails, and so on.
This way, everything has a designated time, and you are not overwhelmed by needing to do it all at once. Consider using a scheduler like the one below to help keep yourself on track.
Eliminating Distractions and Multitasking
Do you ever sit down to do a task, and find yourself picking up your phone “just to check something” and then suddenly realize it’s been 45 minutes and you haven’t even started the task you originally sat down to do? Smartphones are amazing, a true marvel of modern technology. However, they are terrible for your concentration!
So best practice when you are trying to focus on accomplishing something, is to set a timer and forbid yourself to do anything but the desired task. This means no phone, no internet surfing, no TV. Not even to check something for “just a minute”.
It’s difficult to create that discipline, but that’s where the timer helps. Tell yourself you can check whatever it is (write it down if you’re afraid you’ll forget) when the timer goes off. I find this helps free up my mental space so as to just focus on the task.
If you are someone who needs music in the background make sure that it really is necessary for everything and not actually distracting you in some circumstances. You may not need it for every task, so test it out with different kinds of activities to be sure.
Create Ambiance to Increase Productivity
Sometimes you can’t focus because the space that you’re in is not optimized for concentration. Counteract this by creating an environment that encourages you to focus. One excellent way to do this is to put on some ambient music in the background.
Whether that’s just nature sounds or a non-interrupting music track like below, having some soothing sounds in your area can lead to being more productive.
Don’t Over-Complicate the Task
Try to boil it down to just the main objective when choosing your one task to focus on. Don’t overwhelm yourself by thinking of the 50 steps surrounding the task you are trying to complete. Just take it one step at a time and recognize that the step you are currently doing deserves all of your focus just as much as the next one will.
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Remember to Rest/Take Breaks Between Focusing Periods
Part of the reason you should stop multitasking is because it drains too much of your energy too quickly. You need to take regular breaks to give your mind time to wander.
Just like when you work out a muscle, that muscle needs rest time in order to recover. Talking a walk, getting outside, or just a few minutes of unscheduled thinking is all it takes every few hours to ensure you’re ready to keep going.
Pay Attention to When You Are Naturally Most Productive
Some people are morning people, others are best in the evening. Take note of when you usually feel most productive and schedule your important tasks that need the best focus for those times. Hint: it definitely won’t be after lunch around 2pm, as most everyone is least productive at this time!
Celebrate Your Wins in Productivity
Remember that you are doing the best you can, and reward yourself when you accomplish milestones. No one can be 100% productive all of the time, so aim to get done what’s most important and let it be okay if some things roll over.
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