Say Goodbye to Multitasking and Hello to Monotasking
Most of us have heard of multitasking but have you heard of monotasking? If you haven't, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised due to its lack of popularity. So many of us have been multitasking since we can remember, and it's no surprise because it's presented as a desirable asset in many situations, like resumes and job postings. However, multitasking is not all it's cracked up to be. When multitasking, you may think you are working on multiple tasks simultaneously, but instead, you are constantly switching between them. Multitasking can put a tremendous amount of stress on your brain as you switch back and forth between tasks causing brain drain and mental fatigue. In fact, most multitaskers struggle to organize their thoughts and find it hard to focus.
What is Monotasking?
Monotasking is defined as the act of focusing on one task at a time instead of attempting to work on multiple tasks at once. At first glance, you might think that monotasking is counterproductive. That you would never get enough done by focusing on a single task at a time, but that is not true! Multitasking can leave you feeling efficient because you cross off multiple items from your to-do list. But monotasking leaves you feeling effective because you crossed off the right things! Which would you prefer? If you choose to be effective over efficient, I have some helpful suggestions to help you start monotasking today!
Where can you start?
Declutter Your Brain: When you first start monotasking, you may find it hard to focus when you have so many things going through your head. When this happens, take a few minutes to clear and organize your thoughts via a brain dump. Grab a piece of paper and a pen and write down anything, and everything, that comes to mind; when you're done, set it aside and come back to it later to organize the information. As Erika Oppenheimer says, "Having a clear mind and a clear space allows you to think and act with purpose." This exercise will free up space in your brain, allowing you to focus on the task at hand.
Deep Work: If you eliminate distractions while monotasking, you can push your cognitive capabilities further, allowing you to work smarter, not harder. This state of distraction-free concentration is called deep work, which encourages your brain to function at its maximum potential. Deep work is a learned skill that needs to be developed over time and requires consistency. You can start by scheduling 1-2 hours of deep work daily. It may be challenging initially, but once you start reaping the benefits, you will find it rewarding.
Plan for Monotasking: Planning your day is crucial because it helps you understand what tasks are essential and why. If you know a task will take hours to complete, you can break it up over a few deep work sessions. This allows you to set clear goals and employ a plan that keeps you on track. You will not only crush your deadline but also produce better-quality work.
Remove Distractions: Let's face it – whether it's your cell phone, email, or the kids –most of us are in a perpetual state of distraction! These are the very things that encourage you to multitask by giving you a false sense of productivity. Monotasking requires focus; therefore, eliminating distractions is essential. When you can focus without distractions, you engage in deep work. It also allows you to be mindful and invite calm into your life by avoiding the chaos of multitasking. You can start by turning your phone on airplane mode and silencing your email notifications.
The bottom line is that having the ability to monotask (focus) is a precious asset when it comes to achieving your goals. I understand that letting go of multitasking is difficult, but I encourage you to let go of the chaos and invite calm by giving monotasking a try. It takes time and consistency but building your own monotasking practice can pay off in the long run.
Ciao for now,
Sandra
