Single-task to increase productivity
Multi-tasking was a buzz word in the 1990’s and early 2000’s. Technology was making huge advances, productivity was going through the roof, and the internet was becoming a part of our lives - both at work and at home. People who could multi-task were seen as tremendous assets to their organizations.
I had a boss one time use computer talk to explain to me that “we want to be able to work parallel, rather than serial.” This was a boss whom I respected immensely, and I spent the next several years working on my ability to multi-task. The problem is, I’m just not very good at it - my quality and quantity are better when I work on one thing at a time.
A couple of years ago I finally accepted the fact that single-tasking is better for me than multi-tasking. The funny thing is, once I started talking about this with other business professionals, I’ve heard scores of similar stories - people from all different types of business have come to the same conclusion!
When you step back and think about it, it’s really just common sense. Do you know anybody who can type an email while talking on the phone, and do a good job at both of them? Most people end up pausing and stammering on the phone, while typing their phone conversation into the email.
| * Harvest Point * |
If you want to get the most out of your productivity, embrace Single-tasking. Determine what you’re going to do right now. Then focus on that task with all your energy until it’s done (or until you’ve worked on it for a pre-allotted amount of time). Then move on to your next task. You’ll find that you get through your tasks faster, while simultaneously increasing your quality of work!
Posted: September 25th, 2008 under Productivity.