Week 8: Single Tasking
KEY POINTS:
1. If we focus, we can do more in less time, which makes better use of our energy.
2. Single-tasking is picking the most important task to work on first and performing that task as exclusively as possible until it is either complete or we are out of whatever time we allotted for the job.
3. There are multiple specific tips you can use on how to better single task.
“The man who chases two rabbits, catches neither.”
In the Work Mastery module, we touched on how inefficient multitasking is for our brains and how you can implement single tasking into your work time. Week 8 is the time to really learn how to do this.
According to the Harvard Business Review, “focused managers aren’t in reactive mode; they choose not to respond immediately to every issue that comes their way or get sidetracked from their goals by distractions like email, meetings, setbacks, and unforeseen demands. Because they have a clear understanding of what they want to accomplish, they carefully weigh their options before selecting a course of action. Moreover, because they commit to only one or two key projects, they can devote their full attention to the projects they believe in.” This same principle applies to all of us, in all areas of life. If you can lay out your priorities, avoid distraction, and tackle the job at hand, you will be much more successful than those who constantly have several projects and tasks going on simultaneously.
Try to build the right environment to single-task on the most important things that you need to get done. Once you do, you will see amazing efficiencies emerge and be able to do world class work with less effort.
Start by identifying one hour of every single day when you can work with no distractions. If that is successful, move on to finding a second hour block. In time, this practice will become routine.
Some tips for single-tasking include:
Organizing your tasks before you start the day
Setting aside specific times to focus solely on the high-priority activities
Batching emails and phone calls
Turning off notifications
Meditating for a few minutes before starting focused work
Putting measures in place to stave off any anticipated interruptions
Scheduling walks or other rewards throughout the day
There are some deeply held beliefs about the value of doing many things at once. But, if you understand the energy and efficiency loss associated with managing several things at the same time, you can help yourself and others around you dramatically improve their efficiency and well-being.
Based on this week’s discussion on why multi-tasking is a myth, your exercise for this week is to first become aware of the extent that you do engage in multi-tasking, and then implement strategies to minimize it. See pages 36 - 37 of The Focus Effect Workbook or click Here to download the exercise. First, you’ll track how often you find yourself multi-tasking each day, before implementing at least 3 of the several suggested techniques to avoid multi-tasking and increase single-tasking.
Bonus Article on why the notion of multi-tasking, is in fact, a myth
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