| Multitasking is one of those things that look | | | | needs, i.e.: Tackle small tasks on project 1, work |
| oh-so-good on the outside, but when you really | | | | on project 1, a breather room. Then do small |
| tally up the time, number of tasks accomplished, | | | | tasks on project 2, work on project 2, take a |
| and the quality of them, you would soon see that | | | | lunch break. And so on and so forth. |
| multitasking is not so productive. In general, there | | | | 2. DISCIPLINE |
| are 2 nature of work: Those that require very | | | | Discipline your action, discipline your mind. Focus on |
| little interaction with your clients, and those that | | | | task at hand. Be really present and pay attention. |
| depend mostly on interaction with them. In this | | | | Attempt to get the job done right the first time. |
| first part we'll speak about type of works that | | | | Stick with the plan. Put your cell phone into |
| require little interaction with clients. | | | | vibrate mode, or if you're expecting very |
| These type of works normally yield outcomes in | | | | important phone calls, make a special ringer for |
| project formats, i.e. design, writing, invention, | | | | that specific phone number. Or set a special ringer |
| accounting and finance, lab researches, new | | | | anyway for your child's daycare, or your spouse, |
| construction, engineering, mining and land | | | | considering they know not to call your cell phone |
| surveying, painting and other type of creative | | | | from a specific number unless it's emergency. |
| arts. These type of works require high focus and | | | | Organizing is a small task, so as tempting as it is |
| concentration, and in this case, multitasking is a big | | | | to be nitpicky and perfectionist about everything, |
| no-no. Not only multitasking hurts your | | | | remember that most of your time should be |
| productivity, but also cause frustration because | | | | dedicated to be working on the project. If you |
| when you're working on projects, you need to be | | | | find yourself dwelling on small tasks, there is a |
| "in the zone". And it's hard to focus when you are | | | | good chance you're procrastinating. |
| doing more than two things at a time. There are | | | | Find out way and get back in the zone a.s.a.p. |
| 2 ways to avoid multitasking when you work on | | | | Lunch time or breathing room have their own |
| projects: | | | | purposes: To refresh. So use it to unwind. When |
| 1. PLAN | | | | you reply to e-mails on your lunch time, it defeats |
| Plan your work and work your plan. How many | | | | the purpose. Take a break. Half an hour or an |
| projects you have on your plate? What are the | | | | hour break will go a long way towards your daily |
| deadlines? Do you need to warm-up or you're | | | | productivity, and your health and success in the |
| ready to fire-up first thing in the a.m.? If you're | | | | long run. To wrap up this part, when you need to |
| only taking one project at a time, estimate how | | | | be "in the zone" to work, avoid multitasking to |
| much time would you need to finish this project. | | | | increase your productivity. Your projects will finish |
| Break down your day into 3 sequence: Work on | | | | in no time, you're not frustrated because of the |
| project, tackle small tasks, and make a breather | | | | needs to keep switching focus, and your projects |
| room. Do this everyday until you're done with | | | | will most likely turn out perfectly the way you |
| every single project. Chances are you would have | | | | want it the first time. Next week we'll talk about |
| more than one projects on your plate at any | | | | how to avoid multitasking -or trick it, in order to |
| given time. Apply the same principle, except break | | | | be more productive- when your type of work is |
| down your day into however many sequences it | | | | dealing with direct clients most of the time. |