So many people leave periodic comments on this blog or by email and ask me how I get so much done. The particularly repeated quote is "Do you sleep?" The answer is yes. And I am now going to share my secret.
I am a mono-tasker.
(as opposed to a multi-tasker)
(as opposed to a multi-tasker)
I don't do multiple things at one time or I get overwhelmed. And for me, being overwhelmed leads to paralysis. I don't even know where to start...so I don't start. This is how I explain the dirty dishes which constantly fill my sink.
So instead I organize my life quite efficiently by doing one project at a time, do it well, and to its completion, based on it's due date. I have a nifty little desktop calendar that I bought at Walmart for a buck or two. And I write everything down and only work on the next task. Never more than that. I don't think about what is due tomorrow....only what needs to get finished today. When I am finished, I move onto the next one.
I have found, based on my personality, that this is the very best way for me to organize my time and get things done. Although, I can talk on the phone and do almost anything....except write journaling on a layout.
People say women are great multi-taskers. Are you?
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*Bedroom set image from Pottery Barn online.
17 comments
I am one who multi-tasks! Like, doing laundry while I scrap.
The older i get, i find multi-tasking does not work. I can't remember where i left off when i return to the task :) I'd prefer to tackle things one at a time but sometimes that does not happen.
It depends on the project whether or not I can multitask. I tend to work on something while I watch TV with my husband in the evening. If I sit still I fall asleep. :) I have learned that I can't talk on the phone and do other thing. Children end up on top of furniture or I mess up whatever I'm working on. It's not pretty. :)
I'm a multi tasker my hubby doesn't know how i do it since he can only do one thing at a time. SOmetimes I mess something up while multi tasking so I slow down a bit. Great post I always wondered how you do it all.
That is such a GOOD idea. So many times I have started multiple tasks and then never get anything done! I am trying your plan from now on!!
Most of the time I am great at multi-tasking, but some days it just does NOT work. It all depends on what I am doing.
I think that I am a pretty good multi-tasker. But I do find that if I get a project to work on that I am not really interested in, I will put it on the backburner indefinitely. And that just doesn't seem to work out so well for my boss...imagine that!
So, not be bring research in to the discussion but,. . . The most up to date research says that nobody is actually a good multitasker! That includes even the most capable of CEOs and the highest producers in our society. Most of us multitask and get by but, to very few people do so and actually excell at what they are doing.
Yes, I think I'm an okay multitasker, UNLESS I'M ON THE PHONE. How weird is that? If I'm on the phone I have a hard time doing anything else. I just can't focus. I suppose I look like an idiot saying yes after Matt's comment. Oh well.
i think im going thro a transition.....some days i can multi task productively other days i multitask so badly i have to restart from the beginning!! lol
I try to multitask, but I get distracted and float from one thing to the next. Sometimes I feel like I have ADD! LOL! :) I'll pass by something I started working on and I'll say, oh, yeah....
I should really try this monotasking thing! :)
love how you made reference to the photo :-) but I REALLY like how you organize yourself ... when I do focus on one thing at a time, life if much better ... only thing is that I get nothing done but deal with the boys ... they are full time full blown full power 100% go-go-go ... so I'm going back to work part-time - yea for me!! :-)
that is complete craziness! one thing at a time?!? i am fully & totally impressed. so impressed that i might just try it...might:)
One of my favorite ex-bosses taught me one of the best lessons in life and you've just touched on it. Multi-tasking has become such a buzz-word that everyone thinks it's good to have to ability to multi-task. But, when your attention is divided among 5 different tasks, you're only giving 20% to each task and the results reflect the amount of effort exerted. Mono-tasking, as you say, is the best way to accomplish everything. If something you're doing doesn't deserve 100% of your effort, why bother? Do you really want to give poor results that represent you, even in the smallest amount? Not at all :o) I like "Mono-tasker". It should be the new buzz-word.
Oh my gosh! I am totally going to try that approach. I too get very overwhelmed when I have too much to do and so wind up doing a lot less. I bascially shut down so I think I need to change my thinking. Thanks for the idea!
Kim B
I don't know if I'm a GREAT multi-tasker, but I can't seem to stop!
I don't seem to manage doing more than one thing at a time. Which is not a good thing considering that I want to become an interpreter... Well, we'll see how it goes. I often get overwhelmed by the sheer number and size of things I still have to do. So I get paralyzed and I often have a hard time getting started at all.
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