Multitasking is a modern
phenomenon—and checking off items from your to-do lists (simultaneously, no
less) are like gold medals worn proudly for recognition. But is it really
possible to complete multiple complex tasks at the same time and do them all well?
Leadership development
expert and author Devora Zack says no. She proposes dedicating time to a
singular endeavor—from writing a report to meeting with a client—fully focused
in the moment and free of distraction. In her new book Singletasking,
Zack explains that multitasking is really just task-switching. And while
seemingly more efficient, moving from task to task can zap creativity and
efficacy. Concentrating efforts, on the other hand, encourages productivity and
quality.
To get started:
·
Commit
to one task at a time—eliminating distractions and ignoring the draw to handle
other pressing work.
·
Practice
clustertasking. Planning chunks of time dedicated to grouped activities (such
as email and returning calls) will alleviate the itching need to take care of
everything immediately.
·
Divert
competing thoughts. Write down unrelated concerns as they crop up, so you can
focus on them later.
While dropping the
juggling act might seem stressful in and of itself, the benefits of
singletasking (especially for your most critical jobs) are tangible. Try it!
No comments:
Post a Comment