Single-tasking is the process of focusing on
one task at a time. It results in higher productivity, lowers stress levels,
and makes you happier. This is the correct way to achieve almost anything in
life. Multitasking involves performing two or more tasks simultaneously, switching
back and forth from one task to another, and doing a number of tasks in rapid
succession.
Multitasking is more stressful and less
productive. The world you live in is obsessed with getting more done. When you try to do
more with multitasking, you end up doing less. You should forget about the
things you could do and focus on the things you should do, the ones that matter
most. The benefits of single-tasking include:
·
Conserves energy-Our brains consume
more energy than any other part of our body. When you single-task, you
completely direct our attention to the task at hand. Multitasking is more
taxing on the brain’s energy reserves, because you’re constantly shifting
attention. Our short-term memory is also benefitted because you’re not
continuously attempting to remember where you left off, and on what task. This
added benefit also helps to keep our energy levels up.
·
Improves attention span-This should go without
saying, but single-tasking is the aphrodisiac to attention. Yes, it is a
requirement to single-task for a certain period of time before you obtain
noticeable improvements to attention, but it’s better than the alternative. The
average attention of a human is eight seconds.
·
Improves communication-How many of us are
guilty of mentally disappearing mid-conversation? When you practice
single-tasking, you not only give our full attention to another person, you
also are more in-tune with our thoughts. The end result is an individual that
is thoughtful, respectful, and present, all necessary components for one to be
an effective communicator.
·
Improves relationships-What is more important
than our personal and professional relationships? Not much at all. One or more
relationships, at one time or another, have been negatively affected from
multitasking. Picture the parent rushing home and brushing off their children
because of work or something else, or the salesman that neglects to call an
important customer. It’s happened in the past, and it can be prevented if you
commit to single-tasking. Imagine the profitability and enjoyment of our
relationships if you committed.
·
Improves productivity-The human brain is not
designed to multitask. Studies have consistently shown the performance benefits
to directing our attention spotlight onto one thing and one thing only. When
researchers from Harvard, Stanford and the University of London were polled,
they all stated that productivity can be reduced by as much as 40 percent.
·
Increases commitment-When you single-task, you
are laser-focused on what’s in front of us and nothing else. What does this
enhanced focus do? For one, it establishes certain patterns of behavior in the
brain. In essence, a sense of commitment is forged, as single-tasking obliges
us to perform one task at a time. To single-task requires us to stand firm in
our choices and genuinely commit to performing with excellence.
·
Makes us happier-The problem with
today’s culture is that you are expected to be busy all the time. Look at
people on the highway – they’re cutting each other on their commute into work.
In all seriousness, single-tasking can be applied to any area of our life and
can make us happier people. You’ll get maximum enjoyment out of time with
family, with that coveted book, or in our own self-reflection if you’re willing
to devote ourselves to the practice of single-tasking.
·
Promotes self-discipline-Building upon
the commitment benefits of single-tasking, self-discipline is manifested
through conscious, committed effort. Distractions, no matter how pleasant they
may seem at the time, cause us to “give in” to them. When you “give in,” you
are effectively handing over our self-control. It’s quite simple,
really…self-control is built through single-tasking, and self-control is the
sibling of self-discipline.
·
Strengthens against distractions-If
you pay attention, it is quite easy to spot people being distracted. No matter
if it’s the adult driver who texts on the highway, or the co-worker constantly
heading to the break room. There’s no getting around the fact that people are
slaves to distracting thoughts. When you practice single-tasking, you’re no
longer subject to this behavior. You’ve build an impenetrable wall that refuses
to give in to internal or external interruptions.
Below are some exercises to help wean your
brain off multitasking, and to discover the “secret to happiness” that
single-tasking is.
·
Close your email,
social media, turn off notifications, and check them at set times.
·
Don’t check your
e-mails during meetings.
·
Eat without your
phone on the table.
·
Go for a walk
without listening to music.
·
Move your phone out
of the room you are in.
·
Take regular
breaks.[i]
·
When working, focus
on a single task at a time.
Think about time as you would money. You
can’t buy a $20 shirt and $20 pair of pants with the same $20 bill. Each of
them costs $20, and there’s no way to magically condense that. You seem to
accept that basic truth for money, but somehow think that you can skirt around
it as it relates to time. But that’s just silly. If 2 projects each require
about 2 hours of focused concentration, you can’t use the same 2 hours to do
them both.
As anyone familiar with budgets will tell
you, the better you know where your money goes, the better you can work to
manage it. The same holds true for time. The problem is that most of us have
only a vague idea of where our time goes. Toggl
is
the online app that lets you track your time by task, project, and client. It
creates reports, editing entries, and categories easily. Toggl also has a
simple-to-use mobile app. I began tracking my time just over a week ago, and
what I found was astounding.
The biggest benefit of tracking my time was
that it almost immediately stopped my mind from being that source of constant
self-distraction. It used to be that every time I began working on some
project, I’d think I have to check my e-mail to make sure I took care of this
or that. I just thought about this thing I have to check out on Wikipedia
really quickly. But now that I use a time-tracking entry before I begin working
on something, it is much easier to remind myself that I am supposed to be
working on this thing not anything else. I tend to stay focused on that thing.
Because I’m giving whatever I do a name and an amount of time invested, I am
much more invested in it when I’m doing it. I am spending my time on something,
rather than letting it slip by unaccounted for. I’m singularly focused on what
I’m doing, when I’m doing it, and thus I’m reaping the benefits of
single-tasking. I’m now accountable for each minute and hour spent.
“When we think we’re multitasking
we’re actually multiswitching. That is what the brain is very good at doing –
quickly diverting its attention from one place to the next. We think we’re
being productive. We are, indeed, being busy. But in reality we’re simply
giving ourselves extra work.” (Michael Harris)[ii]
[i] To help you to take regular breaks, you might want to try out the Pomodoro technique which involves working for
25 minutes followed by a five-minute break. Then after four Pomodoros
(sessions), you step away from your desk and take a longer break of around 20
minutes. You should benefit from increased productivity, better time
management, and strengthened focus and motivation.
[ii] Sources used:
·
“10 Reasons Single-Tasking Is Better Than Multitasking” by Power of
Positivity
·
“Technology and Distraction: How to Single Task” by Online Casino King
·
“The Benefit of Single-tasking and how to Get Yourself to Do It” by Mike Sturm
·
“The Power of Single-Tasking” by Chris Dunne
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