August 23, 2014

10 Top tips to succeed in preventing multi-tasking!

1. Relax. A 'fun' mood is better than stress, and always helps make things better, especially for kids. If you are so stressed from your current exploding task list , take a deep breath , count to 10 , relax yourself and only than start deal with your tasks using the following tips.

2. Visualize your tasks. Visualization enables you to put things in order, get things done and feel in control. Use a task board. For first-timers, take the time to draw a list and place all your tasks on the board.  

You don’t need a special visualization or order just yet. The first small step will be Just – visualize.

The second step , a small one , will be to separate  1-3 tasks out of the entire tasks list, and visualize them. Our brain deals better with small lists then large once , but it can also be fooled thinking you have a small list of tasks only by separating visually , with a simple line,  a bunch of tasks from the entire wish list.




3. Scope Only On the Important. 
Even if it means not doing something else!

4.  Prioritize. 
Prioritize the things you need to do. If you can not complete everything, that's OK. Complete the important things. 


5.  Use a Time Frame. That means giving yourself a short set of time limits and perform your tasks within those limits. The Time Timer  can help. 
Choose one start point and one end point and aim to hold tasks within this time frame. Nothing else goes in at that time as a task.

Timeframe objectives help get things done! When the Timeframe is small and controllable, you increase your sense of control and reduce stress – one of the major causes of multi-tasking.  It also help us scope on a small portion of work and get it done.

6. Pull one task. Complete it. Then pull the next task in line. 

7. When pulling more than one task if needed, make sure one of the tasks is familiar!
"It's not that we can't do some tasks simultaneously. We can all chew gum while walking, and most of us can drive a car and carry on a conversation. But if we are lost in heavy traffic in an unfamiliar part of town, then the radio goes off and the talking stops. If two tasks are performed at once, then one of the tasks has to be familiar." - Sound Advice for Helping Kids Grow Smarter, Healthier and Happier, by David Walsh, Ph.D.

8. Divide big assignments into smaller ones that have value. 

This will help you reduce the multi-tasking into scoped and small practice outcomes. 

9. Stop and Assess. 
What do you NEED to do? Stop and asses once in a while. You can use the timeframe for that. When a Timeframe is up, the next bulk of tasks can be placed for review and priority. 

10. Stuck? Get Help! 

When you are stuck with a task, ask for help first before starting a new task!