The Dangers Of Multitasking
We are the masters of multitasking, ever at the ready to add yet another task to our already bursting schedules. For some reasons we can’t seem to stop and keep adding more and more pressure to our lives. Multitasking is definitely the curse of modern living.
Today we have lost the ability to live truly in each moment. Instead our minds are like shreds, fragments of bits and pieces, thrown together by our inability to let go.
Why multitasking stops you from getting what you really want
If you want to see massive results from any of your actions you first need to step back a few paces and observe your behavior. Most of us tend to cram as many things as possible into our lives because we feel it helps us claim more free-time.
The irony is that the more we do this, the farther we actually end up from our original goals. If you want to see results, you must stop right now and learn to focus on a step at a time. Much like building a house where we lay brick upon brick, we need to apply the same principles in life.
The following steps will help you to reclaim your focus.
Get rid of noise
Noise is ever present in our environment. It starts in the morning with the alarm clock, followed by the TV blaring out the latest news, followed by the radio in the car to work, followed by the iPod while jogging through the park, followed by… I think you get the point.
All day long we get bombarded with noise but luckily there is a cure!
When was the last time you switched off ALL distractions?
In order to focus we need to find the peace within. It is only then that we can really appreciate our own ability to find workable solutions to life’s puzzles.
Stop writing those awful to-do lists
I’m sure we’ve all been there. We think that in order to get things done we need long lists. So we write those lists and hope for a magical solution to get them crossed off.
The secret here is to CUT those lists right down. Only write down up to 3 major tasks you want to achieve each week and fill the rest with smaller, but necessary items. Doing this has doubled my income within the space of three months!
When you take the pressure off yourself, wonders truly start to happen.
Remember to take time out
This is a “biggie” and certainly what I personally struggle with the most. I love my business so much that I forget to take time out. But doing this is not smart because we only end up getting burned out long-term. No matter how passionate we are about what we do, we need regular breaks to refresh our mind and recharge our batteries.
I’ve had to learn this the hard way. Today I’m much more inclined to “break out”. These days I make an effort to step out of the office on regular occasions or even go mobile altogether. It is the benefits I get to enjoy by working for myself – so why not use them.
Do one thing at a time
The best way to stop our habits of multitasking is by doing one thing at a time. You will get more done and the results will be far superior than ever before.
Stop trying to chase the fast life. Living – true living is all about living in each moment.
Getting more things done through multitasking isn’t the answer; it’s actually the counter productive evil to success. Spend the next month by applying my suggestions and you shall see how much fun life becomes again.
Monika
About the Author: I'm a passionate freelance writer and problogger. To further build my business I'm also in the process of building my own niche empire which pays me residual income.
Matthew Stibbe | Apr 14, 2009 | Reply
I am very easily distracted. Twitter, FeedDemon, Email, my wife’s technical support problems, Digg etc. etc. Yet, the only way to write is to “set oneself doggedly to it” as Samuel Johnson said. Readers may be interested in my article: How to concentrate on writing where I go through the techniques I find help me focus.
Brett Legree | Apr 14, 2009 | Reply
I saw a quote a couple of years ago, and I liked it so much, I printed it out and put it up at work.
“Multitasking is a moral weakness.”
The funny thing is, it so offended people with conventional thinking that people actually defaced it! So I printed another one, and laminated it.
My old “to-do” list is a “might-do” list or a “could-do” list. Then I take my “big rocks” and put them on my small “to-do” list that I carry around with me all the time.
Two or three things, max.
Distraction and noise are biggies too. Full screen programs like Q10 and so forth are great for writing. Chat programs or Twitter should also be turned off or at least set to not pop up balloons or make noises.
And a big one for me was switching to my Macbook Pro. It makes no noise at all. Perfect…
This really works, doesn’t it!
-Brett
spleeness | Apr 14, 2009 | Reply
I was multi-tasking when your post came into my inbox… thank you for the sage advice. I’ve been ready to snap recently, feeling that the hamster wheel I’ve turned my life into is spinning too fast and yet I’m going nowhere. Thank you.
BTW something called “gravatar.com” on your site made the act of posting a comment so intolerably slow that I almost abandoned the task.
Writer Dad | Apr 14, 2009 | Reply
One of the things that’s really helped me over the last few weeks is to not eliminate my lists, but make them smarter. I’d have to agree, the impact has been TREMENDOUS.
Venkat | Apr 15, 2009 | Reply
Forget about multitasking, I struggle to concentrate on a single task
.
Monika | Apr 15, 2009 | Reply
@ Matthew Stibbe: Thank you for pointing us in the direction of your article. I’ve just read it and I totally dig your advice. I use many of those tips myself but have yet to enjoy noise canceling headphones. I was wondering whether they really be as good as they appear to be. I’d love your input on them because my birds have been driving me crazy as of late (they are in mating mode) and just wouldn’t shut up. One can only escape from the home office so often.
Monika | Apr 15, 2009 | Reply
@ Brett: Yep it sure does. When I really want to get work done efficiently I even pull the USB modem from my laptop or if I’m home I pull the broadband connection. It works a treat and I’m consistently amazed at how much I really get done in those hours.
I love Q10 myself as you can remember I wrote a post about it last year I think.
Love your quote. Funny how people react when they are not ready to hear the truth. I had a similar experience about 12 odd years ago. I put up one of my favorite quotes by Eleanor Roosevelt because I was sick of all the gossiping that was going on at work. It never even lasted one day! The head chef in person ripped it off. Guess who was the biggest fan of gossip??
Monika | Apr 15, 2009 | Reply
@ spleeness: Hmm, gravatar is the pics you see in the comment section. I wonder whether other people have the same issues?? Anyone please…..
I’m glad my post helped you in some ways. I know how it feels when we keep spinning and nothing seems to get accomplish, been there before. BTW, glad you chucked those prunes…I would have done the same thing.
Monika | Apr 15, 2009 | Reply
@ WD: Good to see you are seeing results by applying new strategies. It works, simplifies our lives AND takes the pressure off us big time. Thanks for sharing this Sean, always happy to see you stopping by.
Monika | Apr 15, 2009 | Reply
@ Venkat: LOL, at least you are honest enough to admit this.
Jenny | Apr 16, 2009 | Reply
“Remembering to take time” I have forgotten this step many many times, however this year, the best thing happened, I did not get cast in the kids show with my community theater. I was bummed because we did Wizard of Oz, but not getting cast allowed me to take time for myself and work on some goals that were being ignored. Thanks to taking time, I have lost 14 pounds and now that I am back working on a show, the goal isn’t being ignored, I simply have learned to work things around it!
Thanks Monika!
Monika | Apr 16, 2009 | Reply
@ Jenny: Wow! This is so cool. I’m really happy for you Jenny. It’s great how an adversary can turn into something positive isn’t it? I also think you have to take full credit for those results because you chose to keep a positive mindset rather than feeling sorry about not being cast. Well done Jenny and keep up that fighting spirit.
Brett Legree | Apr 30, 2009 | Reply
@Monika,
I also use an app called Think (on my Mac) that lets you do this kind of thing (sort of) with any application.
Once you get your Mac you might have a look and see if you like it.
http://freeverse.com/apps/app/?id=7013
Monika | Apr 30, 2009 | Reply
@ Brett: Looks good. Thanks for pointing me in that direction. As for my Mac, well, that’s and will be an ongoing story as right now I’m actually toying between a lower cost model (Asus 14″) that is light, easy to carry and has everything I need for business to keep me mobile but comfortable, or the 13″ Macbook that costs more than double the prize of the Asus but will not run half of the software I have installed on my Windows computer and which some of them I need for business.
It’s hard because I really do want a Mac but maybe right now I have to just stick with the cheaper option and not worry about compatibility issues and spend time learning the new OS. Yes, I could run it in dual boot mode but to be honest I don’t buy a Mac to run Windows on it to me that defeats the purpose of going Mac in the first place. I’m still thinking and haven’t made up my mind just yet….
Brett Legree | May 1, 2009 | Reply
@Monika,
The main thing is to get something you will be happy with that will do what you need it to do.
I love my Mac, no doubt – and then again, whenever I am faced with needing a new purchase next time, I may pick up a ThinkPad (awesome keyboards!) and run with Ubuntu Linux.
And then again, Windows 7 is starting to look pretty good too!
Whatever you decide will be just right for you.
(And, if you go with that Asus, there is some free software for Windows that works sort of like Think…)
Ecommerce Help - Tyrone Shum | May 4, 2009 | Reply
Usually in online marketing or simply blogging, we tend to multitask. True, just like what this post has said, multitasking is almost a part of modern living, and I couldn’t diasgree with that. But with multitasking, you can get pressured and stressed. Not to mention that if you manage to peek at your to do list, procrastination will follow. And then, when the deadline is approaching, you are so immersed with the ‘jobs’ that you have to finish that you aren’t functioning properly anymore.
This article has summed up the must-dos if you ever find yourself multitasking. And get some rest! Especially after a long hectic day. I couldn’t agree more with ditching the to-do list. I used to get those lists a lot, and sometimes I just end up piling things up for another day.
Nathan Hangen | Oct 13, 2009 | Reply
I know I’m late to the party, but thanks so much for sharing the Dharma