Happy Sunday, y’all! Since my last post on ways to have more time, I wanted to follow-up on a trend/phrase that’s been floating around lately: single-tasking. For so long, we’ve heard that the only way to get anything done is through multi-tasking. Doing as many projects as we can all at once. However, here’s the reality of that: it doesn’t always work. Not only does it not always work, it could actually cause you to be less productive. For me, I have learned that I have a hard time with transitions. Transitions mainly in workload. Once I get home from the office, it’s sometimes hard to mentally shift from office work or side hustle work when everything I need can be accessed from the same computer. My work email and CRM is easily available on my personal laptop if I felt inclined to bring it up.
So what exactly does it mean to single-task? Just as it sounds, single tasking is when you focus solely on one task with no distractions, transitions or competing items. This works great when I need to focus on tasks like writing a sponsored blog post or preparing email copy to send to 6k people. Since both of these tasks require a high level of attention to detail, trying to edit blog pictures in the middle or responding to emails is probably not a good idea. Not only does it knock me off my track, but it increases the chances I will make a mistake on the bigger task. Instead, I set a certain amount of time for these tasks and handle all the small things before and after. The thing is, since I’m writing words that require thought behind them, these are competing tasks. Competing tasks are things that are very similar and/or require the same or more brain power than the first task.
However, it’s most productive to multi-task when you have non-competing tasks. For example, if I’m home writing a blog post, I can multi-task by having my washing machine running and dishes going in the dishwasher. Neither of these tasks require the same attention to detail as my blog post and do not compete with the big task at hand. However, they each help me feel like I’m getting more done by not changing anything involving my main task. Whenever I need a break from writing, I can throw clothes in the dryer or take my dog out while my blog photos are uploading. Once again, these are non-competing tasks that can be done all at once. AKA multi-tasking.
If nothing else, I want to send a reminder that multi-tasking can have tremendous negative impacts on your work flow and energy. I have found that when I try to multi-task to much, I quickly burn out. That’s in small tasks and large ones. Think of big things: work, being involved in your community, having a side hustle, being social, being active, making time for yourself and professional development. If tried to do all these things in the same day, I would be incredibly burnt out. I’m sure you guys know the feeling. You feel like you are running and running, in the car constantly, too many things pilling up on your to-do list and once you get home, you crash and regret not getting more done. What happens is that we’re just trying to check off all the “adults” task boxes but not putting any priority on important tasks and instead spend too much time on non-important, non-urgent tasks.
So, how can you do each effectively in your life? There are tons of time tracking apps and systems out there. If you want something simple, pick up your phone and find the timer section. Start creating timers for at home and at work tasks where you will focus on just that one thing with no distractions. If I know I need to clean when I get home before a workout class, I’ll set a 20 minute timer to get my space cleaned then I stop. Like, hard-stop, drop everything, it’s done. If I’m vacuuming, I’ll give myself 30 more seconds to finish. That’s it. The timer puts the little bit of extra pressure on me that I need to work fast before I walk out the door. When it comes to social media and engaging with my readers and followers, I do the same thing. I’ll set a 30 minute timer to comment, like, read and answer DMs. If I had a new post go live that day, I’ll schedule this 3-4x a day vs 1-2x on non-posting days. This way, I don’t get sucked into a social media black hole. With proper single-tasking, you can find ways to make the hours in the day work best for you with less stress and/or guilt about what you need to get done.
Need a few ways to get started with single tasking? Here are 5 items to try to single task this week without disruption:
- Making dinner with no social media scrolling or texting. Just make your dinner, drink your wine and allow yourself time to decompress after a long day.
- Brush your teeth. This takes just a few minutes but try doing it without picking out your clothes for the day or sorting through mail. Just 2 minutes of one task.
- Answering emails. In the morning, or whenever you prefer to answer emails, spend 20 minutes simply responding and writing emails. Doing any research for your responses is also included in this time.
- Writing your to-do list. I am someone who starts my list then starts doing things in between only causing me to lose track of what needed to go on my list. Spend 5 minutes just writing down your to-do’s with notes on when they need to be completed and what you have done so far. I’ve talked about brain dumping in this post which is another way to get everything you need to do, know, follow-up on and simply get out, out on a piece of paper so you can tackle it.
- Hang out with a friend undistracted. No phones or emails or computers. Simply enjoy the company of your friend without doing anything else.
Have you tried single-tasking? If so, do you feel like you have gotten more done? I would love to know in the comments. Thanks so much for reading! Have a great week – xo, Azanique <3
OK so according to your definition of single tasking….it turns out that I do that ALL the time! Especially when it comes to work. I need to focus on one single thing! It makes me more productive when I do that!
I try to set timers for my single tasking! I seriously feel like it’s helped me immensely
Yes, timers are lifesavers 🙂
I didn’t know single-tasking was a thing, but that’s what I do unintentionally. I find that I work better just doing one thing then moving on. Interesting to learn about non-competing tasks though!
I am multi tasking 24/7 with 3 kids and 89999999 dif jobs. BUT – you are right. When I sit down and knock out one thing I feel so much better and end up getting so much more done. Good reminders babe
I totally understand! Even single-tasking a little is good 🙂
It’s interesting how single-tasking even the small things can make a huge difference. What is it Ron Swanson said? You can’t half-a$$ a bunch of things, you gotta whole-a$$ one thing at a time? Or something like that?! Haha! But anyways, that’s definitely true!
OMG I love that! He was totally right 🙂
Such a good way to look at this topic! Love this post and its something that we all need to hear xoxo sarah
Thanks so much, Sarah!
Interesting point of view. As long as things get done, I’m okay with both ways lol It’s important to know to distinguish when to use one or the other. Thanks for sharing!
That’s so true! Thanks for sharing your thoughts 🙂
I’m always multitasking! Single tasking doesn’t normally happen in my day to day life. That’s super sad and I’m going to try to change that.
Totally understand girl! You can do it 🙂
You are definitely right that multi-tasking can be problematic often leads to getting lots of things done poorly! Focusing your energy on one thing at a time makes so much more sense, we just have to get out of our heads in thinking that ‘doing it all’ is better.
Chic on the Cheap
Yes, we totally have to get that out of our heads!
This is such a great reminder to slow down and focus! I think we’re all so busy that we constantly try to do as much as we possibly can at once, but that’s not always a good thing. P.S. Love the dress on you! 🙂
That is so true! It’s so easy to want to focus on tons of things in our busy world.
Thanks so much for speaking of this subject! I am a single tasking person when i want things done and i actually apply all your tips! So happy to recognize myself in this!
Yes that is awesome! YGG 🙂
I’m all about the single-task and focusing my time on energy on that task until it’s complete. Projects usually turn out much better when I’m able to devote my complete attention to it. Love your tip about using a timer!
LOVE this! I’m so guilty of multi-tasking (in not so good ways.) Great tips girl!
Thanks for reading, Lily 🙂
i’ve been trying to focus on single-tasking as well! great post and great tips!
kileen
cute & little
Thanks so much, Kileen!
This was exactly the post I needed to read today! I feel like I always have so many things on the go and I need to remember to single-task more often
Yay, glad I could help! I’m the same way sometimes 🙂
It’s so true that we are always trying to do sooooo many things at once. I think your list is very do-able, too!
Thank you so much 🙂
These are great tips especially going into holiday season and the new year! Going to try this when I work from home tomorrow!
Let me know how they work for you 🙂
I love the idea of not multitasking and instead just focusing on one task at a time and completing it all the way through.
Xx, Nailil
Thirtyminusone.com
Yes that’s so good!