By Lianda Ludwig
Busy, Busy...
It's the word we use to describe our lives. It's almost a boast disguised as a complaint. Overachievers brag about multi-tasking, and how much they've gotten done. Many entrepreneurs are trying to pack many different activities into one time
slot to "save time". But it is efficient? Are you doing all the various activities at your best level of output? Is your performance at the level you would achieve if you were doing one thing at a time? Are you in danger of overwhelm? Are you working yourself to death?
slot to "save time". But it is efficient? Are you doing all the various activities at your best level of output? Is your performance at the level you would achieve if you were doing one thing at a time? Are you in danger of overwhelm? Are you working yourself to death?
Multitasking is actually responsible for many deaths!
Don't believe me? Consider how many people have died texting or reading incoming texts while driving a car. Your brain can NOT do multiple activities at the same time without each one of them suffering.
Actually, you may think that you are doing them all simultaneously, but your brain is actually shifting quickly between focus. You are not actually driving while you are texting. You are doing one thing, and then another. Your car is NOT equipped with autopilot!
The newest multi-tasking combination that is being touted as the cure for overweight or getting your exercise "over-with, is a combination of work and exercise: the walking or biking desk. The concept is, you walk or ride slowly while working on your computer. And maybe this is fine if you are doing light reading, or even having a conversation with someone.
But it doesn't work when you have to do intense work with your brain. These are the brain's most "heavy lifting" activities:
- Understanding- learning
- Deciding- this can be about prioritizing, and goal setting
- Recalling - we call that memory
- Memorizing- learning and storing facts
- Inhibiting (keeping other thoughts and things from intruding and distracting you)
It uses a tremendous amount of energy to do these activities effectively. If you were walking up a hill and answering complicated questions, it would take too much brain energy to keep your body moving at the same time! You'd have to stop one or the other activity.
So, do you really HAVE to multi-task? The answer is NO. You work more efficiently and effectively; your performance is enhanced when you FOCUS:
FOCUS:
- Fix your attention - to align your sight to a focal point
- Objective - the goal of your actions
- Concentrate - intensify your efforts to fulfill the mission
- Unambiguous - no uncertainty or doubt as to the desired outcome
- Strategy - The plan to accomplish the mission
Focus on one activity at a time is actually better for your mental and physical health. And research has shown that when you are focused, you actually save time and improve your productivity. There is a loss of time in shifting activities; ending one, and picking up on another. This doesn't happen when you follow on path to the end.
For many creative Type A personalities, distraction is a huge challenge. Bright Shiny Object syndrome is constantly pulling your attention away from what you are doing and keeps you from finishing anything in a timely fashion.
By maintaining focus, and taking short breaks from what you are doing, you lessen the chance of getting overwhelmed and burned out. If you find yourself taking a detour, remind yourself of the FOCUS acronym, and get back to the task at hand. Write down your idea, and put it in a folder that's entitled: Back Burner. You can revist that when you've finished your project.
You'll find that focus, and taking breaks are great stress relievers. You'll feel a sense of accomplishment when you finish as well!
So give your brain a break; stop multi-tasking, and do one thing at a time WELL. You'll feel a better sense of accomplishment. Then cross it off your list, and do the next one just as well!
Amazon Best selling author, Lianda Ludwig, M.S. specializes in working with overachieving Type A entrepreneurs who are overwhelmed, and overworked. Discover how to boost your productivity and prevent burnout with 5 simple steps. Get her Free report: http://bit.ly/XLHBp8, and get your life back! http://www.ConfidentMindset.com
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