| SolveYourProblem Article Series: Time Management
How Can I Manage My Time Better?
Multi-Tasking:
Good or Bad? Helpful Or Not?
Multi-tasking is one popular technique taught
by time management experts, but does it make your life
easier, or more stressful? That will depend on several factors, such
as the type of person you are, the tasks and activities unique
to your situation, how strong your level of focus is, as well
as your ability to handle pressure.
Some people are great at multi-tasking because they thrive
on challenges. The more complex and intensive a task is, the
better they are able to master it. They have no problem focusing
on more than one thing at a time and completing them easily.
Other people simply get overwhelmed when they’ve got too much
to do at one time, and they end up feeling pressured and irritable.
As a result, they accomplish very little.
Also important to consider
are the types of tasks you’re working
on. Multi-tasking may be easy if the work you’re doing isn’t
mentally intensive. For example, you would probably find it
easy to fold laundry while helping your child with his homework.
One task can be done on “autopilot” while the other requires
concentration. If you tried to balance your checkbook while
helping your child with his homework, however, you might end
up feeling scattered.
There is no right or wrong way to multi-task, only what works
for you. If you find yourself feeling frustrated and confused,
it’s a sure sign that you’re trying to do too many things at
once.
But what do you do when you have no choice but to multi-task?
When you’ve got a ton of things that need to be done and only
so much time to do them, you might be faced with the necessity
of overlapping activities.
Here are a few simple techniques that can help keep you focused:
1)
Try to stay organized.
When
you’re working on multiple projects or tasks at one time,
it’s easy to get confused and
lose your place. You may find it helpful to keep organized
lists and files for every project or task you have to complete.
Keep detailed notes about what has been done already and
what still needs to be done. When you switch to a new activity,
give your notes a quick review so you can refresh your memory
and pick up where you left off.
2)
Avoid getting stressed.
One
major cause of stress in relation to multi-tasking is a feeling
of panic or urgency. This happens
because you feel the weight of two or more tasks that must
be done and you worry that you won’t be able to complete
them properly or on time. However, that very panic can erode
your
focus. Do your best to stay calm and focus only on the task
at hand. Take it one moment at a time and don’t worry about
what comes next. The calmer and more focused you can stay,
the more easily you’ll be able to get more done.
3)
Pause and breathe periodically.
Sometimes
just a two-minute pause to clear your head and refocus your
attention can do
wonders. Do this at least once every hour; more often if
you can.
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by SolveYourProblem.com
: 2009
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