Alternatives to multitasking

 

Nan Berrett Word Solutions Alternatives to multitasking so you can stay focused

If multitasking doesn't work - 

what can you do instead?

Last week I wrote about the perils of multitasking, but I don’t believe it’s at all useful to illustrate a problem without offering a solution – so here are some suggestions which will help you stay focused and get the job done – one job at a time!

Single-tasking – create a priority list and prioritize one task at a time. Give this task your full attention, complete it or make significant progress, and then move on to the next one on your list. Working this way can lead to deep work, where you’re immersed in a task and can get a lot done.

Time Blocking – try scheduling specific blocks of time for different tasks or groups of tasks. This can reduce the mental load of deciding what you must do next and helps ensure that important tasks get the time they need.

The 80/20 rule – The Pareto Principle where 80% of results come from 20% of the work you put in. Focus on the 20% of your to do list which are the most important and do them one at a time.

Eat that tomato! – The Pomodoro Technique suggests you work on a task for 25 minutes (a Pomodoro) and then take a 5-minute break. After four Pomodoros take a longer break. This can help you maintain high levels of focus and give your brain time to rest and recharge. You can buy little tomato shaped kitchen timers to help you time-keep!

"The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at once."

— Samuel Smiles

Batching – group similar tasks together and tackle them all in one go. For example, rather than randomly checking your email inbox and responding to emails several times in a day, set aside specific times to manage your inbox.

Prioritise – Not everything which demands your attention is urgent or important. Prioritise tasks based on their urgency and importance. Tools like the EisenhowerMatrix can be helpful.

Limit distractions – set up a dedicated workspace, use apps like 'Focus@Will' for background music that can help concentration, or use tools like ‘Freedom’ or ‘Cold Turkey’ to block distracting sites.

One of the most useful tools I’ve used to help me do deep focused work is free and is ‘Focusmate’ – this app pairs you with others all over the world where you commit to working without distractions for a period of time. You connect via Zoom, say hello, announce what you will work on and then get down to work. The website counts down the time and at the end you can ask each other how you went, and then log off! It’s amazing how much you can get done when you have an accountability partner.

Nan Berrett Word Solutions alternatives to multitasking will create a calm office life


Take breaks – our brains need time to rest and recharge. Having regular short breaks can increase our productivity by giving our brains a chance to refresh.

Mindfulness and meditation – practice being present. Mindfulness can help train our brains to stay focused on our current tasks and not get sidetracked by shiny objects! Read my blog about shiny objects here if you missed it!

Delegate – if there are jobs others can do, then delegate them. This frees up your cognitive space and will allow you to focus on what you do best.

Use technology wisely – Although tech can be a source of distraction it can also be harnessed to help in organising tasks, setting reminders and tracking our time. Tools like Trello, Asana and Todoist can be helpful.

Review and reflect – at the end of each week, review your tasks and reflect on what went well and what didn’t. You will gain insights into how to plan and prioritise your time better into the future.

Remember, the aim is not just to be busy, but to be effective. It’s about completing important tasks and making progress towards your goals instead of juggling many tasks at once.

Nan Berrett Word Solutions Have a Virtual Coffee with Me

Have a virtual coffee with me!

Want to chat about how I can help you or your workplace be more organised let's connect over a virtual coffee.

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Nan Berrett creates visibility for small business as well as mentoring small business owners and startups to help them navigate the mountain of knowledge which seems to be part of our everyday life in a digital world. She is based in regional South Australia in the beautiful Clare Valley and is happy to travel to meet clients or chat over Zoom. Find out more or book some time to chat: www.wordsolutions.com.au

Nan Berrett Word Solutions is a small business mentor and visibility specialist



 


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