Want to get more done? Stop Multitasking

Have you ever noticed yourself multitasking in your business?

Have you checked in to see if you get more done you when you focus on just one thing? Well, to save you time, I know that if you want to get more done – stop multitasking!

When I multitask I tend to follow a pattern that involves checking social media – a lot. I know that it happens because I haven’t been specific about what I need to do, and I end up random scrolling and pfaffing around!

Here’s how it goes: I check Facebook, I check Instagram, I check email, I spend a few minutes looking at what I’m meant to be working on. It’s seems to hard, because I’m not actually concentrating. I haven’t engaged my brain (because I’m multi-tasking!).

If I’m flitting between too many things, I can’t have one focussed (or insightful, or creative) train of thought.

I know this because when I do actually focus – holy cow–  I can get so much done, it blows my mind every time.

So what happens when you multitask?

Multitasking actually forces your brain to switch backwards and forth and this comes at a mental cost and an energetic cost.

The stop/ start means you have to re-focus every time you switch back…. every single time. So you know when you say “Now where was I?” That’s your brain having to remember what train of thought you had, what you were doing and what you need to do. It can take minutes out of every hour and hours out of your week.

It’s also interrupting your creativity and it is making you push harder for longer #notsustainable, self sabotaging your need to get everything done and be productive and build your business

Multitasking is a myth. I know we are capable of it, but when you need to get more done, stop multitasking. It’s not effective.

Fearless Focus

Instead I want to suggest fearless focus.

This is when you trust yourself enough to give yourself permission to prioritise & do one thing at a time.

Doing one thing at a time does not mean you get less done it actually means you do it better.

Want to test it out? Try this:

– your first task is to email a client or customer about reaching out to them

– your second task is to draft a blog

– your third task is to check in on your social media every five minutes

Firstly, try and do that concurrently for 60 minutes and see how much you get done! Then try one at a time for 20 minutes each.

Which one do you think will be more productive and have a better outcome?

Which one will result in better quality work?

So how do you do that in real life? I use my Daily Planning To Do List that I’ve talked about before – how to nail you to do list.

Take away actionable:
When you plan your day, write out your tasks, prioritise them to ensure you’re getting the most important work done, set a time limit for each one, schedule them into your day and start with #1!

One thing at a time, one day at a time. Solopreneurs know we can’t build our business doing everything at once but with fearless focus, and trusting yourself – you can do one thing at a time and build your momentum sustainably.

Your Next Step

 

 

 

 

Aerlie Wildy is a business designer. business coach and mother based in the Adelaide Hills. I specialise in designing and systemising business for growth. You can connect with me on Facebook, join my Chief Executive Entrepreneurs Facebook Group, check out my Youtube Channel or Pin with me on Pinterest.