Multitasking can equal multifailing.
My organizing theme for March is saving time. Multitasking is often used to try to accomplish this. Have you tried this approach of multitasking only to fail to reach goals and complete tasks? Have you then blamed yourself convinced you did not try hard enough or did not juggle enough to make it work? The problem here is not you, it is the flawed idea that you can focus simultaneously on different things at the same time. You can do things in quick succession but you can only pay attention to one thing at a time. As you try to focus on multiple directions and tasks your attention is scattered, your energy is scattered and you repeatedly start and stop projects, causing you to lose time and momentum. As you switch gears while multitasking you lose time with each switch. If you do this all day long you are losing time all day long.
I recently read the book “The One Thing” by Gary Keller with Jay Papasan (2013). This book discusses multitasking plus other key concepts to improve your ability to get things done, meet goals and achieve the success you are seeking. This book is worth a read, and a reread, as the concepts help you change habits which are holding you back. The book begins by outlining 6 common misconceptions that cost you productivity and cause you stress.
The 6 lies between you and success:
1. Everything matters equally. Truth – there are things which are priorities and things that are not so important.
2. Multitasking. Truth – this causes you to do multiple things poorly as you cannot focus on 2 things at once.
3. A disciplined life. Truth – you cannot and do not need to be disciplined in everything, just the right things.
4. Willpower is always on will-call. Truth – willpower is limited and you need to spend it wisely and rest in between.
5. Balanced life. Truth – if you try to attend to everything (find balance) everything gets shortchanged. There are times you need to go to the extreme and times you need to focus on the middle. Seek counterbalance instead of balance.
6. Big is bad. Truth – thinking big helps you to achieve extraordinary results. Think big and act boldly.
Take some time to check this book out. It is worth the effort and can help you to do more in less time, with less frustration. For additional information and tips to save time and get your home, work and life more organized contact Open Space Organizing. Schedule your FREE assessment and begin to open your possibilities today!
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