Multitasking is getting bad raps from lots of circles these days, but I have found multitasking time to be one of the most productive and satisfying ways to spend an hour.
Not only do I get a lot done effectively and efficiently, when I’m finished I feel current and unencumbered, like I’ve just relieved myself.
This kind of multitasking is done with three important factors,
1. You are awake
2. You are intentionally multitasking
3. The tasks have completion points, where you can say, ‘done!’
Let’s look at each of these more closely.
Multitasking While Awake
To be awake means you are aware of what you are doing, as you are doing it.
It means your attention is energetically connected to your present experience, you are focused and alert.
To be awake is to be present, full, and alive.
Often times, when you are practicing being awake, it is best to try to stay focused on the one task at hand. In this case, you are going to successively shift attention from task to task, but always giving the one thing you are doing all of your attention.
Multitasking With Intent
The problem with what we often call multitasking is that we usually find ourselves accidentally doing it, rather than having consciously planned it. It is a reaction to a feeling of overwhelm, and it becomes an unfocused attempt to get caught up.
This, as you may know, often produces less than spectacular results.
Instead, set aside a specific hour when you plan to multitask. Set a timer for 1 hour, and when the alarm goes off you are finished.
Another part of multitasking with intent is to have a specific set of tasks that you are going to work on. This means it’s important to know the tasks you are going to give your attention to, in alternating and successive bursts.
For me that means putting together 4 tasks that are a mixture of creative, simple and physical. For example, here is my Sunday evening Multitasking task list.
1. Create a new ‘to do’ list (long): this is always a good part of any multitasking session, because the energy of multitasking is often conducive to discovering when you need to do.
2. Clean my (gigantic) office: this is a task that allows me to get up often and move all throughout a large space. This keeps my energy flowing.
3. Prepare the weeks food: this is always extremely satisfying to accomplish, fills my office with good smells and demands that I stay focused. (I’ve turned a $27.00 flat of chicken breasts into crusty pucks only once)
4. Write/research/brainstorm: Again, the energy of multitasking in the way I’m suggesting here is useful when trying to outline, brain dump, list generate, or otherwise create and/or organize information.
Multitasking With A Set Goal
A goal is useful to keep your multitasking focused and energetic, but it also makes it more interesting.
Knowing there is a set time allows you to relax into the tasks, because you know it will soon be over. This isn’t a marathon, but a short, focused and productive burst of creative and organizational energy.
Beyond that, having a goal is important for a sense of completion and accomplishment. The last thing you want at the end of a multitasking session is to feel like you opened a bunch of cans of worms and now you feel incomplete and dissatisfied.
I come home from work, put on some Multitasking Music (Tool), get out of my work clothes (naked), prepare the four things I am going to multitask, set the timer and plan to finish them all.
While I alternate short bursts on these four tasks, I will also allow myself to do other simple, one touch tasks if they arise.
I keep a small awareness of where I’m going, but most of my attention is connected to the task at hand.
I’m doing what I’m doing fully, while also preparing to transition to the next task.
I also like to think out loud, which means self talk, which means asleep, which means I’m failing #1 above.
I like to think out loud, because that’s the sound of being asleep, which in turn immediately wakes me up.
I like to think out loud, because it allows me to catch myself in those moments whenI’m not walking my walk.
