Have you ever tried to multitask, only to find yourself feeling frazzled and unproductive? You’re not alone! In today’s fast-paced world, we’re often encouraged to do more, be more, and achieve more – and that often means trying to do multiple things at once. But what if I told you that there’s a better way? What if I told you that by focusing on one task at a time, you could actually get more done, feel less stressed, and have more fun? That’s the power of single tasking.
History of Monotasking
The concept of single tasking is not new. In fact, it dates back to ancient Eastern philosophies like Zen Buddhism, which emphasize the importance of being fully present in each moment. The idea is simple: when you focus on one task at a time, you give it your full attention and energy, and you’re more likely to do it well. Over time, this can lead to increased productivity, better quality work, and a greater sense of satisfaction
Examples of Monotasking
So, what does single tasking look like in practice? Here are a few examples:
- Writing: If you’re a writer, you know that it can be tempting to check your email, browse social media, or do other tasks while you’re supposed to be writing. But by focusing solely on your writing during a set period of time, you can increase your productivity and creativity. Try setting a timer for 30 minutes and writing without any distractions – you might be surprised at how much you can accomplish!
- Exercise: When you’re working out, it can be tempting to watch TV or listen to music, but by focusing on your body and your movements, you can actually get a better workout. By paying attention to your form, your breathing, and your muscles, you’ll be able to push yourself harder and achieve better results.
- Cooking: If you’re a foodie, you know that cooking can be a fun and relaxing activity – but it can also be stressful if you’re trying to do too many things at once. By focusing solely on the cooking process, you can enjoy the experience more and create better-tasting dishes. Try turning off your phone, putting on some music, and immersing yourself in the cooking process – you might be surprised at how much you enjoy it
Examples of Monotasking
So, what does single tasking look like in practice? Here are a few examples:
- Writing: If you’re a writer, you know that it can be tempting to check your email, browse social media, or do other tasks while you’re supposed to be writing. But by focusing solely on your writing during a set period of time, you can increase your productivity and creativity. Try setting a timer for 30 minutes and writing without any distractions – you might be surprised at how much you can accomplish!
- Exercise: When you’re working out, it can be tempting to watch TV or listen to music, but by focusing on your body and your movements, you can actually get a better workout. By paying attention to your form, your breathing, and your muscles, you’ll be able to push yourself harder and achieve better results.
- Cooking: If you’re a foodie, you know that cooking can be a fun and relaxing activity – but it can also be stressful if you’re trying to do too many things at once. By focusing solely on the cooking process, you can enjoy the experience more and create better-tasting dishes. Try turning off your phone, putting on some music, and immersing yourself in the cooking process – you might be surprised at how much you enjoy it!
- Writing: If you’re a writer, focus solely on writing without any distractions. This means turning off your phone, closing all tabs on your computer except for your writing document, and setting a timer for a specific amount of time. During that time, your only goal is to write.
- Design: If you’re a designer, focus on one project at a time. Rather than trying to design multiple projects simultaneously, dedicate your time to completing one project before moving on to the next. This approach will help you create higher-quality designs in less time.
- Cooking: When cooking, focus on one dish at a time. Rather than trying to cook multiple dishes at once, focus on completing one dish before moving on to the next. This will help you avoid mistakes and ensure that each dish is cooked to perfection.
- Exercise: When working out, focus on one exercise at a time. This means dedicating your full attention to each exercise and not getting distracted by your phone or other people around you. By focusing solely on your workout, you’ll get the most out of your exercise routine.
- Studying: When studying, focus on one subject at a time. Rather than trying to study multiple subjects in one sitting, dedicate your time to studying one subject before moving on to the next. This approach will help you retain information better and avoid burnout
Using Monotasking to help your business
A business executive was attending a meeting with several colleagues, including one who was notorious for constantly multitasking during meetings. While everyone else was fully engaged in the discussion, this colleague was checking email on his phone, typing on his laptop, and even taking a phone call.
Feeling frustrated by his colleague’s lack of focus, the executive decided to demonstrate the power of single-tasking. He reached into his bag and pulled out a small plant, which he set down in front of the multitasking colleague.
The colleague looked confused, but the executive explained, “I want you to water this plant for me. But here’s the catch: you can only water it while you’re fully focused on the task at hand. That means no checking email, no texting, and no phone calls. You have to give the plant your full attention.”
At first, the colleague was skeptical. But as the meeting went on, he found himself drawn to the plant, eager to water it and watch it grow. As he watered the plant, he found that he was able to fully engage with the meeting discussion and contribute more meaningfully.
In the end, the plant became a symbol of the power of single-tasking, and the entire team became more focused and productive as a result.
How the Greats use Monotasking
- Elon Musk: The founder of Tesla and SpaceX is known for his intense focus on single-tasking. He has said that he tries to focus on one task at a time and avoids multitasking as much as possible.
- Warren Buffett: The billionaire investor has famously said that he only invests in companies that he understands well and can focus on for the long term. He also avoids multitasking and tries to devote his full attention to each task at hand.
- Tim Ferriss: The author of “The 4-Hour Work Week” is a big proponent of single-tasking. He suggests breaking down tasks into small, manageable chunks and focusing on one chunk at a time to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
- Cal Newport: The author of “Deep Work” advocates for single-tasking as a way to achieve greater productivity and creativity. He suggests setting aside dedicated blocks of time for deep, focused work without any distractions.
- Steve Jobs: The late co-founder of Apple was known for his intense focus on one project at a time. He famously said, “People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully.”
How to Use Monotasking Effectively
Now that you know the benefits of single tasking and some examples of how to do it, how can you use it effectively in your daily life? Here are a few tips:
- Prioritize your tasks: Make a list of the tasks you need to accomplish, and then prioritize them based on their importance and urgency. Start with the most important task and focus solely on it until it’s complete.
- Eliminate distractions: Turn off your phone, close your email, and eliminate other distractions that might take your focus away from the task at hand.
- Take breaks: Single tasking doesn’t mean working for hours on end without a break. In fact, taking short breaks can help you stay focused and productive. Try taking a five-minute break every hour to stretch, walk around, or do something else that refreshes your mind.
- Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in each moment, and it can help you stay focused on your single task. Try taking a few deep breaths before you start working, and then focus solely on the task at hand. If your mind starts to wander, gently bring it back to the task.
- Use a timer: Set a timer for a specific amount of time, such as 25 minutes, and focus solely on the task at hand until the timer goes off. This is known as the Pomodoro technique, which we talked about earlier.
- Delegate tasks: If possible, delegate some of your tasks to others. This will free up your time to focus on more important tasks and complete them with greater attention.
Remember, the key to single-tasking is to focus on one thing at a time and avoid multitasking. By doing so, you’ll be able to complete tasks more efficiently and with greater accuracy.
If you liked this article on Single Tasking and want more productivity tips, check out our other blog posts here:
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And if you want more information, click here: Paula Cardini’s Ted Talk- Forget Multitasking, try monotasking.
In true Next Few Steps style, what one takeaway will you apply to your life immediately to help you become a demigod of productivity?
And if you have any other tips, tricks or comments, be sure to leave them below.