Jam packed days are the norm. We want to be as efficient as possible with our time. “Good multi taskers” are applauded for their ability to power through their to-do list in rapid time. The secret to doing more may actually lie in monotasking – the practice of putting our focus on just one thing at a time.
Benefits of Monotasking
In today’s society, many feel they don’t have a choice but to multi task. We often have several tabs open on our computers, are thinking about work when cooking dinner, and are tempted to perform several tasks at once in the hope of getting it all done in record time. In reality, though, you are just slowing yourself down. Tackling two jobs at once often takes longer than doing one after the other. What’s more, you could end up making twice as many mistakes when handling two or more tasks at once. Having a singular focus allows your brain to perform optimally rather than being distracted between two or more tasks.
Perhaps it’s time to stop juggling. Monotasking may seem like a dated way of working in our tech-filled lives, but it can actually help to clear your headspace and perform better. Monotasking means working in a linear fashion – doing one thing then moving onto the next. To start this, plan your schedule by identifying extended slots for focused work and block out the necessary allotted time for each task.
At the end of each day, write a to-do list of all your goals for the next day and prioritize them from most to least critical to be done that day. Once that day has started, avoid letting a significant new item sneak onto the list to throw you off track. Take one task at a time and avoid overlapping them. Once you put a higher value on your time, you end up with a tidier and calmer mind.
For more information on how to obtain your health and fitness goals, and lifestyle coaching for optimal performance, contact Genesis Performance. We will help you fit in exercise and wellness practices, and strategies for efficient work practices, into your current schedule and inspire you to reach optimal health. We look forward to getting started!
