Tag Archive for: multitasking

Boosting Productivity and Better Ways to Multitask

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BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? CLICK HERE to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.

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I used to multitask all the time, and it totally undermined my productivity. So I became completely anti-multitasking — until I realized that in some situations, multitasking is actually the key to reducing stress and getting more done. 

I shared some of my top tips for multitasking more effectively and intentionally on PIX11 News in New York City (you can check out the video here).

Want to join me and reclaim multitasking? Here’s how:

1) Not every task is created equal. 

Reading and talking on the phone, texting and driving — those tasks don’t play well together. 

Why? Each pair uses the same part of your brain. Reading and talking both require language comprehension. Texting and driving both use motor control and attention to detail.

You can’t complete two tasks that activate the same parts of your brain. We’re just not wired that way!

2) Put the right tasks together. 

Instead, pair tasks that use different parts of your brain. Doing this can boost productivity by keeping you engaged.

We actually do this naturally — that’s why so many people doodle in meetings. Drawing helps keep you focused! You’re using two different skill areas that complement one another. 

3) Repetitive tasks are ideal for multitasking.

The best times for intentional multitasking are when you’re doing repetitive tasks.

Gardening, for example, is a great time to listen to language lessons. You’re using your hands for gardening and your brain to learn the language, so there’s no competition between tasks. And the repetition means you can get into a flow state, which is great for productivity. Cooking while listening to a podcast and organizing files while listening to an audiobook work just as well for the same reasons. 

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4) Walking goes well with big decisions. 

If you do it in the right situations, multitasking can boost productivity. And the same is true for making decisions. Putting low-intensity physical activity such as walking with a decision-making moment can help you stay focused on what you need to think about.

Moving your body into new spaces can help you get perspective and feel energized. This is a great trick when you have a decision coming up — multitask walking with mulling it over. You might be surprised how well it works!

Multitasking has a bad reputation — but in some situations, it can actually boost your productivity!

For more tips, you can check out my full segment on PIX11 News in New York City.

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BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? CLICK HERE to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.

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Stop Multitasking and Practice Kotsu-Kotsu

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Do you ever find yourself answering texts or emails during Zoom meetings? If you do, you’re not the only one.

Multitasking seems like a great way to get more done in less time. But it’s actually undermining your productivity and causing more stress if you do it all the time.

Why? Because humans are just not wired to multitask. 

Read more

Do Less to Get More Done

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The more I write about productivity the more I realize that good time management isn’t about rushing around trying to get everything done.

When it comes to productivity, less is more.

Disorganization is often a result of misguided attempts at efficiency.  Meaning, trying to cram as much into a day as possible instead of being strategic about what you can get done with the time and resources you have.

I value quality not quantity and for me the best approach is to do less and do it better. But how does that actually work? Read more

5 Time Wasters to Get Under Control

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(Photo Credit: www.fitlike51.com)

(Photo Credit: www.fitlike51.com)

I go to a lot of conferences and meetings and when I ask people “how have you been?” they often say “busy.”  I get it – we are all busy but some people are addicted to this idea and this mentality.  They say busy as a place holder and it becomes their story.  But when you really think about it — all that busy time could probably be a lot more productive if you canceled out the time wasters.  While those extra commitments can help fill up your time, it doesn’t always mean that you’re using your time wisely. Most people waste time each day without even realizing that they’re doing it!

Here’s a list of time wasters that tend to sneak up on us:

1.     E-mail: While e-mail can be a quick and easy way to communicate, there are times when a phone call can get the job done quicker. I love e-mail, but sometimes it can be a pain waiting around for someone to respond—and sometimes people forget and never do! When needed, it can be more effective to pick up the phone or meet in person to get a question answered faster.

2.     Multi-tasking: It’s great to be eager and take on as much as possible, but there comes a point when enough is enough. When you take on too many projects at once, it often results in nothing getting done. By prioritizing your tasks (with a to-do list!) you’ll be able to focus and plan out what task to do when to make sure it gets accomplished. Plus, I don’t believe in multi-tasking, it’s impossible.

3.     Meetings: Nothing is more frustrating than unproductive meetings! There are so many times when meetings lose focus and nothing gets accomplished. It’s important to make sure there is an agenda that is being followed at all times. If you’re going to be using any kind of technology in the meeting, be sure to set that up ahead of time so people aren’t waiting around. Plus, write down a few key points that you hope to get across so when it’s you’re time to speak you can be succinct and efficient.

4.     Using your computer mouse: Who knew that something as simple as reaching for the mouse can waste your time! By using keyboard shortcuts, tech experts say you can save two seconds per minute. While it may not seem like a lot—believe me, it can add up! When the clock never stops ticking, even the smallest things make a difference.

5.     Social Media: Probably what we’re all most guilty of– wasting time on the Internet. Quickly checking your notifications on Facebook or Twitter can lead to hours of wasted time—even when we don’t mean for it! It’s natural to click from one thing to the next and end up with no progress on your work at the end of the day. If you find yourself guilty of this, there’s an app called SelfControl that lets you block specific websites for up to 24 hours.

What’s your biggest time waster?

Here’s What You Missed While You Were Multitasking

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Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
Fast Life #2 (NYC 2006)

Fast Life #2 (NYC 2006) (Photo credit: Zohar Manor-Abel)

 

That’s one of my favorite movie quotes of all time!  Recognize it? If not — it’s from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.  Of course, Ferris (Matthew Broderick) was talking about skipping school and canoodling with his girlfriend.  But the high school delinquent does have a point.

Just yesterday I decided that my 10-minute walk to the subway would be better spent looking around — instead of fixated on my iPhone.  And just like that — there were no emails read, texts sent, songs listened to or lists made.  It was just me, my sneakers and New York City. Read more