Leadership
The importance of being unplugged.
The pressure to be responsive, to instantly check messages and reply is intense and constant. Sometimes you just need to take action—and that means unplug.
single-tasking.
A simple strategy to being more productive.
I have this one teensy flaw (no comments, please), and it’s that, well—I’m just going to say it. I have the attention span of a cat chasing a laser pointer.
I’m famous for having hundreds of ideas in my head and projects on the go. To me, a bright shiny object is always the first thing I gravitate towards. And yes, I can’t deny that has been extremely advantageous to me in the marketing industry.
When I’m being a multi-tasking machine, the high is real. Shit gets done. Ideas get fast-tracked, my energy is high, customers are happy. But there’s a dark secret that no Type A, laser chasing, multitasker has ever told you—the lows are undeniably mentally breaking.
When your brain is tuned to high for so long, it’s inevitable that burnout will follow, and for me it often manifests as feeling inadequate, restless at my job and unhappy with myself and others for not picking up my slack. I can be a task burning machine one day, and a complete hot mess who hates my job the next.
I need a solution that evens out the highs and lows, would still allow me to be agile, but also gives me the ability to do get multiple things done quickly without the inevitable burnout.
The answer came to me in a little cube (more on that later), and a concept called single tasking.
What is single tasking?
Single tasking is the practice of focusing solely on one task until completion. Sounds simple, right? But in reality it’s a learned habit that requires you to remove interruptions and digital distractions, allowing you to completely focus your energy on one detail.
Single tasking will elevate the quality and end result of a project, meaning that if you can master it, you’ll produce better work. Let’s get started on how to make it happen.
Step 1. Organize large projects into small bite-sized tasks.
Let’s say you’re working on a new blog. Split that into tiny tasks, for example: Research keywords, find images, write outline, write 300 words. Write down all the steps that would result in one finished project, making a mini-outline. As you complete each step, cross it off your list.
Step 2. Give yourself 20 uninterrupted minutes.
Like, actually. This means turning off all devices, email, chat apps and social media. These 20 minutes are key to making an impact on your tasks, as higher concentration will give you clarity, focus and improve production.
Step 3. Look at your list and grab one bite-sized task.
Let’s go. You have 20 minutes to get one task done. Don’t look up, don’t move, don’t talk to anyone, don’t check Slack. Nothing. Focus purely on that task and only that task. At the end of that 20 minutes, cross one thing off the list. Keyword research. Done.
Step 4. Give yourself permission to be messy.
I laugh as I write this because I’m the worst at this one. But, would you rather cross something off your list or have it hanging around, weighing you down for the next two weeks? A (little) messy, completed single tasking project is better than a pile of never finished tasks stressing you out and ruining your mojo. This is your permission to be a little messy. It’ll be okay. No, better than okay. I promise.
Step 5. Recharge and repeat.
When your 20 minutes are up, they’re up. Push your chair back from your desk and take a 5-10 minute break. Make a coffee, play with your cat, say hello to your boss, check your social. When your break is up, back you go for another 20 minute sesh. Repeat.
Bonus step. Set a firm deadline.
Look, I know you. I AM you. You’re going to do three tasks on that list and then switch to another project or idea. Nope, not good enough. Set these tiny tasks to a firm deadline for the entire project. Write it in your calendar as a final deadline for you to have all tasks completed.
How to leverage single tasking to make you more productive.
As a business professional, your day encompasses a wide variety of skills and tasks. You might need to answer emails one second, write a proposal the next, find time to give feedback to an employee, or run reports and review financials, all in one day. There are a lot of moving parts, and people.
That’s why, by creating structured 20 minute single tasking time slots, you will actually enable yourself to do each of those things better. A focused 20 minutes to clean out your inbox is much more productive than answering emails as they come in. And your proposals or meetings? They will become much more clear, perceptive and meaningful.
Yes, this makes you work smarter. Not only will the quality of your work improve, but it will be accompanied by that absolute glorious feeling of accomplishment. You know what else will improve? Your sanity. The highs and horrible lows of being a frantic, stressed, multitasking cat with a laser pointer will be significantly reduced.
Oh, and you know that cube I was talking about. They’ve actually made a tool that will keep your furry little paws on the goal. It’s called a cube timer, and they go for around $15 on Amazon. This little thing simply starts timing when you flip it on its side, you can use it to time your single tasks and your breaks.
So, my challenge to you, my multitasking friends, is to give this single tasking thing a try. Give it a legit run for one week, and I promise that your productivity, focus and results improve. Like all things, it takes focus and work.
And if you’re lucky, you’ll finally be able to do away with that laser pointer.
