Some methods to stop multitasking
To stop multitasking there are a variety of different methods that you can take which might be beneficial to change the way in which you work. These include:
- LISTING PRIORITIES – The main problem with people who multitask is that they often don’t know which task is the most important. This results in them doing as many tasks as possible as they create an uncertainty about their workload. By creating a list of your top priorities, that uncertainty is washed away as you set yourself the goal of doing a particular task on one day, and not worrying about the others. Once you’ve finished that task, you move onto the next. This removes feelings of uncertainty, and feelings of stress too, as you create a simple, easy to follow workload that you stick to. Have a listen to our Project Management podcast, which describes how to plan and schedule milestone achievements to achieve the required goal within the time limit.
- MAKE A SCHEDULE – The word ‘tasks’ doesn’t have to mean assignments, reports, homework etc. It can mean something as simple as responding to an email, however something as seemingly insignificant as that can easily throw your focus off course. By creating a strictly timed schedule, you force yourself to work within those timed intervals. Reward yourself for successful completion, celebrate between tasks, This can promote focus and help you to achieve your tasks in a quicker, more effective and more positive manner. We’ll talk about Homework load and test revision in another programme, so look for our Study Skills podcast.
- BLOCK SOCIAL MEDIA – One of the biggest issues with the advancement of technology today is the fact that fun distraction such as YouTube or TikTok are only a few clicks away. We all know how addictive memes can be, and we have all gone down rabbit holes of pointless fun interludes that can last for hours, when we shouldn’t have done, but that can be prevented. Thankfully, there are apps nowadays that can block you from going online for a certain amount of time. Obviously breaks and rests from the work are as equally important as the work itself, but the knowledge of a distraction being a few clicks away can seriously damage your ability to focus, and so in order to avoid that from happening, you need prevent yourself from being distracted, such as a driver putting his phone into the boot of the car so he can’t be distracted when it rings. So, leave your phone downstairs when you go up to do your homework.
- REST AND RE-ENERGIZE – Taking a break is good for you. It doesn’t need to be a three-hour long binging session of your favourite TV show, ten minutes should do the trick. Getting up and walking around, getting fresh air, oxygen back into your bloodstream rather than scrunched up at your desk for three hours. doing something that calms you down can help alleviate any difficulty that you might be having, as well as help your brain to realise when you’re working and when you’re relaxing, resulting in potentially more focus when you require it. Work Smart,, not hard. Music is another aspect of focus that many people turn to in order to help them centre their attention on the task at hand. It might not help you to focus, but we all work differently and some quiet gentle soothing background music for some will go a great way in focusing our minds, helping to negate other external distractions.