Without even realizing it, many of us multitask. It may be talking on the phone while preparing supper, folding laundry while on a zoom call, or listening to music while writing an essay — we can all multitask a little.
But, if you want to improve your multitasking skills and become more productive, what can you do?
Multitasking is a valuable professional ability to have in the office. Learning how to multitask efficiently is essential, and when done right, you will see a significant improvement in your work performance.
If you want to become a good multitasker, you need to:
Prepare ahead of time.
A good method to manage your workload and create reasonable goals is to plan ahead of time. We're all guilty of putting things off till the last minute, but you may improve your time management and organizational abilities by using a productivity planner or a simple to-do list.
Building a weekly plan with micro and macro goals and then constructing a daily schedule that will allow you to fulfill your objectives is a wonderful place to start.
Make use of online resources.
If you require additional assistance, there are numerous online tools available to help you stay on track. They will not only assist you in organizing your workload, but you will also be able to view your plan online from anywhere. If you're frequently on the travel or want to utilize your plan on many devices, this is a good option.
List out what you need
Take some time before you leave to prioritize your chores and make a plan. Perhaps you have an urgent task that needs your attention, or a coworker is waiting for you to finish a report before they can go about their errands.
In either case, understanding where to begin and focus your attention is critical, and knowing how to prioritize well and prioritize where to focus your energy first is a good method to improve your multitasking abilities at work.
Remove any jobs that aren't necessary.
Before you begin, go over your to-do list and cross off any items that aren't necessary. What tasks can be allocated to others? What can be postponed for another day? Have you jotted down anything more than once?
You will avoid feeling overwhelmed by keeping a brief and manageable list and will be able to focus entirely on vital and urgent tasks.
Combine assignments that are related.
You'll notice a decline in productivity, energy, and focus if you transition between tasks frequently. This is owing to the fact that moving between tasks on a regular basis can be mentally exhausting.
Instead, group related jobs and work on them all at the same time. This will keep you from stuttering and will allow you to multitask more effectively.
Another reason to plan ahead is to look at your goals first and then organize your schedule by integrating any chores that are related.
Manage any potential distractions.
While you should do everything possible to prevent distractions, some may be unavoidable. If you find yourself procrastinating or losing focus at work, try cleaning your workspace and removing any distracting stimuli.
While professional distractions are sometimes unavoidable, try your best to be in control of your surroundings. To keep you off social media during designated hours, consider investing in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones or an app blocker.
Take pleasure in what you do.
It's no secret that when we enjoy what we're doing, our productivity increase.
As a result, whatever you can do to make your tasks more pleasurable is worthwhile. If you can't find a way to make the work itself more enjoyable, rewarding yourself everytime you complete a task is another wonderful technique to make juggling many responsibilities a more positive experience.
Quality should take precedence over quantity.
Multitasking reduces the effectiveness of your brain, resulting in more errors and poorer information retention. So keep in mind that multitasking might have a detrimental impact on the quality of your job if done incorrectly.
As a result, be sure that the jobs you choose to multitask are finished with care, so that the quality of your work does not suffer as a result of the quantity of work you do. To avoid rushing through two or three tasks, you may need to devote more time to multitasking two or three of them.
Be kind with yourself.
When it comes to multitasking, there is a time and a place for it. While overworking yourself can be a very useful tool for increasing productivity, it can also quickly lead to burnout.
Always remember to check in with yourself and to be gentle to yourself. If you're feeling overwhelmed, it's a good sign that you need to rethink your tasks and workload.
Drink enough of water, eat well, and get plenty of sleep to keep your body healthy and your mind bright.