I would like to talk about the myth of multitasking. In today’s fast-paced world, people have convinced themselves that multitasking is the sure-fire way to accomplish their goals and achieve success.
Think again.
A recent article published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) by three Stanford University researchers have proven that ‘doing it all' gets nothing done.
In their study, they found that those who rated themselves as chronic multitaskers made more mistakes, could remember fewer items, and took longer to complete a variety of focusing tasks than those self-rated as infrequent multitaskers.
If you can relate to these findings, it may be time to re-think your habits. The reality is that multitasking is simply a way to make overly stressed-out people feel as if they are being hyper-productive. Multitasking is actually slowing you down.
Are you ready to learn some tips for how you can more effectively manage tasks and maximize your productivity?
Do you want to learn how to create a morning ritual that will help you be more productive, healthier, and happier? CLICK HERE to join my Morning Ritual Mastery program!
In his best-selling book, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, Greg McKeown explains how the meaning of the word “priority” has shifted over time – “The word priority came into the English language in the 1400s. It was singular. It meant the very first or prior thing…Only in the 1900s did we pluralize the term and start talking about priorities. Illogically, we reasoned that by changing the word we could bend reality.”
Multitasking can be a challenging habit to break. However, with commitment and practice, anything is possible. The result? Healthier thought patterns, improved cognitive functioning, and higher productivity levels. It’s a win-win. Here are 4 tips that will help you focus on your most important tasks of the day, and be more productive as a result:
1. Focus On One Task At A Time
The solution to multitasking is single-tasking. Instead of spreading out all of your mental energy on multiple tasks, focus 100% of your attention on mastering one task.
This involves adopting a more minimalist way of thinking. Learn how to slow down and be more deliberate and thoughtful with your actions. Doing so will allow you to move throughout your day with greater ease and accomplishment.
When asked about how focusing on one thing at a time helped Apple become more effective at delivering innovative products consistently, Steve Jobs, Co-founder of Apple said, “People think focus means saying yes to the thing you've got to focus on. But that's not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully.”
2. Use A Notebook
When it comes to productivity, I suggest using a tool like the Productivity Planner, which is designed to help you accomplish your most important tasks so that you don’t feel overwhelmed throughout your day.
The Productivity Planner uses a Pomodoro Technique, which is a time management method that uses a timer to break down work into intervals (25-minutes in length), separated by short breaks. This simple tool has allowed me to narrow down the most important tasks of my day so that I feel more organized and get more done in the process.
3. Tune Out Distractions
When it comes to accomplishing tasks, the Internet has become the ultimate distraction. Do whatever it takes to eliminate all distractions when you work, whether that means turning off your phone, putting in earplugs, or logging out of social media. In 2010, researchers estimated that distracted workers were costing businesses $650 billion per year and that interruptions can take up as much as 6 hours of our day.
If you are able to give your full attention to a task at hand, you will maximize the accuracy and speed with which you accomplish it. Mastery requires consistency, commitment, and focus. In the end, if you commit to nothing, everything will appear as if it’s a distraction.
4. Start Your Day With A Morning Ritual
I am a firm believer that the best way to achieve more during your day is by adopting a morning ritual. By establishing a routine in the morning, you train your mind to focus on doing one thing at a time.
A morning ritual is the quickest way to prime your brain for success. Take some time every morning to nurture yourself. This simple activity has transformed my entire life and it can do the same for you.
The myth of multitasking is a real thing. When you jump from task to task, you overload your brain, making it less efficient and more prone to errors. Take back your time by slowing down and focusing on one task at a time. It may feel as if you are going slower, but you are actually making more progress in the long run.
Take it from Sir Richard Cecil, who said, “The shortest ways to do many things is to do only one thing at a time.”
Do you want to learn how to create a morning ritual that will help you be more productive, healthier, and happier? CLICK HERE to join my Morning Ritual Mastery program!
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Image courtesy of Pixabay.