Multi-tasking has become a cultural ritual and being "too busy" is now a badge of honor. In a society where the pressure is to do more, faster, it's almost wasteful to do just one thing at a time. Or is it?
Don't confuse being busy with being effective
Recent studies by the Federal Aviation Commission and the University of Michigan have shown that most of us are actually less productive when we multitask. During the study, subjects of different ages, including one as young as 12, were forced to switch back and forth between multiple tasks. In every case -- regardless of how simple or complicated the task -- time was always lost switching gears. Also, as the complexity of the tasks grew, the incidence of mistakes increased. Not a big deal if you're folding laundry while watching TV, but if you're gabbing on the phone as you cruise down the freeway at 70 miles per hour, a one-second response delay could be fatal.
So the next time you find yourself juggling phone calls, text mails and screaming kids as you wait in the fast-food drive-through, step away from the mobile phone, pager, Crackberry and/or fax machine and take a deep breath. If you're ready to accomplish more but spend less time in traffic, waiting in line, playing phone tag and running to the grocery store, read on.
1. Less housework.
Teach your child how to prepare a drink mix, do laundry, empty the dishwasher, clean his or her room and perform other age-appropriate tasks. Bonus: more time for you.
2. Less wasted time and energy.
Don't waste your peak performance time doing menial, repetitive tasks. If your energy level is high in early morning, then tackle the most demanding jobs then. If you tend to be mentally and physically sluggish by mid-afternoon, save the mindless chores--like filing papers and sorting laundry--for that time of day.
3. Less phone tag.
Schedule your important phone calls around your peak performance times. Stop playing telephone tag and be in control of your phone calls. If the person you are calling is not there, rather than leaving a message, find out when they will be available so you can call back.
4. Less paper shuffling.
Handle every piece of paper only once. Remember the 3D rule: do it, dump it or delegate it. The same applies to e-mails.
5. Fewer distractions at work.
Minimize interruptions such as phone calls, unexpected visitors and unscheduled telephone or e-mail socializing. Place your phone on voicemail when you're on deadline or when you simply want some quiet time. Return calls later on a priority basis. Have separate e-mail accounts for work and personal use and save the personal e-mail for personal time.
6. Less driving.
On your way to and from work, run as many errands as possible so you won't have to do them at night or on the weekends. Bonus: more family time.
7. Fewer errands.
Pay bills, transfer money, save money and balance bank accounts online. Bonus: saves gas, money and trees.
8. Less waiting around.
If you're lucky enough to not work 9 to 5 hours, take advantage of being able to grocery shop, get an oil change and hit the gym at non-peak times.
Celeste Gish is a freelance writer based in the Savannah area. Her work has been published in ABA Bank Marketing, Atlanta Journal & Constitution, Health Management Technology, Advance for Health Information Professionals, Realty Success and other professional journals.
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