Multitasking the RIGHT Way (without losing your mind!)

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Multitasking. Oh, the joys.

It’s a word you hear everywhere. It certainly makes you wonder, in this fast paced and ever-changing world, just how many things are we expected to do at once?

I heard the dreaded word about 1000 times per day at a previous job. I could have been doing two things with my hands, cleaning the floor with my foot, entertaining a patron with my quick sense of humor, plus bumping drawers closed with my butt and I probably still would have been reprimanded for not figuring out sales tax in my head as well.

All the while feeling like some sort of simpleton lacking the brain capacity to be successful at this entry-level job. It didn’t matter what I did. It was never enough. And it was never going to be enough.

Now, I’m not saying multitasking is all evil. It’s can be a very productive way of getting things done in a short amount of time. But there’s a right way to go about it, especially when it comes to blogging.

And I’m going to show you how.

Are you multitasking right now?

I venture to guess that you’re multitasking as you read this post. Perhaps you’re sipping a beverage, listening to the evening news, watching to ensure your child doesn’t eat a crayon, or all of the above.

Congratulations! You’re multitasking, and since you are still reading, I believe you are doing pretty well at it.

You’ve figured out what works for you

The reason why you are succeeding is because you have figured out what works for you.

If you could somehow wash your hair and cook dinner at the same time, let’s be honest, you probably would. But you know that wouldn’t work. So you digress.

This is the first step in learning how multitask without losing your mind.

Action: Think about all the ways you already multitask. Look at the tasks you typically pair together and find similarities among the pairings.

By doing this, you’ll clearly understand what you are comfortable with, and you’ll know before you even start if a multitasking session will prove successful.

Our brains only perform one task at a time

Remember, our brains focus only on one task at a time. Any multitasking we’ve got going on is the result of our brains switching back and forth between two (or more) tasks. You’re not really concentrating on two things simultaneously. You’re rapidly switching gears in an attempt to trick yourself into believing things are getting done faster.

So what does this mean? It means that we think we are being efficient by performing tasks simultaneously, but in reality we’re not performing either task at optimal efficiency.

As described by Hal Pashler of UC San Diego, “The brain is more of a time-share operation. When fractions of a second matter, we’re better off not doing another task.”

Action: Pair tasks unequal in the amount of brainpower required. This way, the more complicated task won’t suffer.

Cut yourself some slack

We quit feeling like we fail at life in moments we aren’t juggling 23 tasks at once.

If you can safely perform several tasks at once, such as reading a lifestyle blog along with some other simple tasks, then that is great, but don’t feel like just because you can do those two things at once, it means you should be able to explain something complicated to someone while writing your first novel at the same time, all while painting a portrait with your foot, sorting laundry with your teeth… okay, I’m getting a little ridiculous here, but you get the idea.

Action: Prioritize your tasks so you feel confident going through them one by one, instead of all at once.

Make lists that perpetuate multitasking

Oftentimes, the reason why I feel the need to multitask is because I don’t know which task is most important, I’m too lazy to figure it out, and my only solution given the confusion is attempting to cross off all the tasks at once.

It’s a popular plan, but it rarely works.

Action: Prepare detailed lists of every task that needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and how long it will take.

When everything is laid out in front of you, the natural order in which things need to be done will practically scream out at you.

Attack those first few important tasks with vigor. And move on when you’re finished. It’s that simple.

For more info on list making, check out this post too >> The Most Underrated Organization Ideas You Need To Know

The war on simplicity

Don’t get me wrong, multitasking is a useful and oftentimes necessary skill. But is it worth it?

We perpetuate this standard everyday. Our continued reluctance to put down our smart phones even when using the restroom insinuates that any task, no matter how necessary, is a waste of time without a partner.

Personally, I refuse to live feeling like I’m never doing enough.

Action: Instead of multitasking for 2 hours, work on two tasks exclusively for 1 hour each.

What this means for bloggers

If anybody knows the multitasking struggle, it’s bloggers. We’ve got so many things going on, plus you know, a life off the internet, it’s almost insanity.

Whether your to-do list includes work task, blogging tasks, or anything else, you can use these tips to streamline your multitasking process.

Let’s recap: Figure out what works for you, make detailed to-do lists, pair tasks accordingly, and acknowledge when focusing on just one task is best, and allow yourself to go that route.

For all you busy beauty lovers out there, I hope this helps you simplify your life so that beauty no longer takes a backseat to everything else you’ve got going on.

So what’s the takeaway?

No task is so important that it is worth selling your sanity for.

Multitasking is a useful tool when you’ve got a million things to do. However, multitasking just for the sake of multitasking proves more of a time-suck than a time-saver. Follow these steps to make sure your multitasking helps, and not hinder your progress.

Prioritize, know when to ask for help, and it will all get done. One step at a time.

Sometimes the best way to multitask, is to focus on one task, and repeat multiple times. Bringing a new meaning to the word, here.

That’s all for today!

Like this post all about multitasking? You’re sure to find this post helpful too >> The Most Underrated Organization Ideas You Need To Know

If you find this post interesting, informative, or just plain entertaining, tell me about it in the comments below! And don’t forget, sharing is caring. Share this post!

Till next time. ♥︎

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FTC- This post is not sponsored by any brands mentioned. I purchase all products myself. All opinions are my own. Some links may be affiliated.