The Myth of Multitasking [Slow Down Challenge: Day 3]
Distraction. It’s one of the fastest ways to lose our focus and start — uh, what was I saying? Sorry, I had to check my email real quick. Anyway, where was I?
Photo Credit: RLJ Photography NYC via Compfight cc
Oh yeah, distraction…
You and I are called to important work that not just anyone can do. And the biggest obstacle to accomplishing this is a million little distractions that we encounter every day.
Recently, Erik Fisher interviewed me for his podcast, Beyond the To Do List, which focuses on productivity and getting things done. We were talking about my new book, The In-Between, and he asked quite candidly,
What does slowing down have to do with productivity?
Great question. On the surface, it may seem that the two have nothing in common. But nothing could be further from the truth.
In many cultures, have this idea that if we accomplish more things, then that equates to better work. Doing one thing at a time often feels inefficient, so why not combine things? We sometimes call “multitasking,” and when it works we feel like we did something right.
But what if it never worked? What if multitasking was a myth?
The costs of multitasking
Every time you put your hand to accomplish something, you’re communicating (internally and externally) the priority of that task. You’re saying it’s just as important as whatever else you’re trying to do.
But what happens when you multi-task during family time? Or when you mix chatting with friends with a little bit of work time? And how about that bright idea of catching a movie while you should be writing your next book or blog post?
Not good ideas, right? So why do we think we can get away with other forms of multi-tasking? We don’t realize what it’s costing us.
When you try to do more, you accomplish less. When you multitask, you’re not only communicating a priority; you’re diluting your focus.
Confucius once said,
Man who chases two rabbits catches neither.
There is a cost to our constant productivity, and that is we end up doing both things poorly.
Staying productive is good. But busyness robs us of the gift right in front of us (tweet that). It distracts us from the most important things in life and often steals our joy.
Don’t let it. Instead, learn how to pay attention and find the freedom that comes with focusing on what matters now.
Challenge: Focus
What if today you stopped trying to fit more things into smaller blocks of time and instead took your time trying to do fewer things? How much better could you do your work and how much more present to it would you be?
That’s what we’re going to do today: we’re going to try to focus. Here’s your assignment:
Pick one task you need to accomplish today; write it down.
Also, list the distractions that stand in your way.
Share your list with one person who can hold you accountable.
As you work, glance at your list and remind yourself what really matters.
Try turning off your phone or other pieces of technology. Leave it in the other room and see how much better your work is when you can focus.
My task is to type the addresses of 100 people that I spoke to last weekend. They gave me their contact info at an event, and I promised to send them something this week. But I’ve been busy day with appointments, so I keep procrastinating.
Distractions include email and social media that I check in between meetings. Instead of doing that, though, I’m going to remember these people are counting on me and I can’t let them down.
For more about learning to focus, check out my new book, The In-Between, which is a call to pay attention to what’s right in front of us (it’s currently 40% off on Amazon).
What’s your one thing you need to accomplish today? Share in the comments.
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