Guest post by Surabhi Surendra.

Our over ambitious world admires people who juggle multiple things at the same time. This multitasking gets rewarded, revered and recognized. Multitasking has taken over our lives to such an extent that if we are doing just one thing at a time, we feel we are slacking.

We all have this ever-present pressure of accomplishing more with limited resources. As our lives get super busy with increasing ambition, we try to cram more into each moment. The world is so inundated with fast and faster gadgets that anybody who does not use these is considered a bumpkin.

Ironically, the more such gadgets come and the more a person tries to handle multiple tasks at a single time, the more inefficient their brain becomes. The human brain is not wired to be an expert juggler. It works harder when switching between tasks frequently. As a result, the brain simply slows down.

Where Multitasking Kind of Works

It is possible to perform a few tasks simultaneously and successfully. Mothers have been doing it forever – picking berries while carrying an infant on their back, cooking and watching the baby.

Yes, a few tasks can be done together. For example, taking coffee from a vending machine and talking on the phone. Or folding clothes (or chopping veggies) while watching TV or maybe glancing through a magazine while sipping coffee. But it is not possible to watch a serious art movie and read non-fiction at the same time. Why? Because in the latter case, both the activities need concentration.

We can perform two tasks successfully at a given point of time, when at least one of them is a routine job or does not need our full attention. In this case we can take our focus from one task and divert it to another thus completing them both successfully at the same time. But when both the tasks need equal attention, it becomes extremely difficult to do justice to both.

Where Multitasking Completely Breaks Down

In multitasking, the mind goes back and forth between tasks trying to complete a little bit at a time. In the end, when the two tasks are done, we feel we accomplished two things. We ignore the fact that maybe if we had done one task at one time, we could have taken a bit less time or we could have done it more efficiently.

Completing a task means not just getting it done. When a job is done without errors, only then it is considered to be truly complete. To avoid error, one has to concentrate. You need to give your undivided attention and focus to actually finish a job that does not come back for revision.

It is for this reason that many countries have prohibited talking on cell phones while driving. This is evidence that our brain can concentrate only on one complex task at one time. When driving, one must focus on driving. Talking on the phone or text messaging causes a serious distraction.

The Truth About Being More Efficient

The key is to do things mindfully. In other words, work on a task without distractions. Real efficiency is found in mono-tasking not multitasking. Here are some pointers to help you truly be more efficient:

Only Combine Easy or Routine Tasks

In times of hurry, combine only two routine tasks like chopping veggies and giving direction to the kids or talking on the phone while taking a stroll. If one task is a routine job, you are habituated to doing it and chances are you will make fewer mistakes.

Reduce Distractions and Be Disciplined in Productivity

The main time consuming activities in any task are the distractions that occur. A study at Microsoft revealed that each interruption required its employees to take an average of 15 mins to refocus on challenging mental tasks. So reduce distractions to bring more efficiency at work. The study suggests that starting with forty minutes of uninterrupted and focused project time allows for complete ideation and concept maturation which results in better efficiency. After these forty minutes of focus, you can attend calls, respond to messages etc.

Prioritize

Planning in advance saves you time later. The time you spend deciding what really needs your attention will make you more efficient in the long run. Making a prioritized to-do list helps a great deal in keeping you focused on the important things.

Delegate

Delegating tasks is an effective way of saving time and enables you to focus on one thing at a time. One way of delegating is to travel by public transportation (or hiring a driver) in which case you outsource the task of driving so you can use the commute to read, write, talk on the phone or plan.

Have Downtime

Having short periods of downtime or breaks helps tremendously in relaxing the mind. When at rest, the brain synthesizes all the inputs received and converts them into next action steps.

Stay Healthy

This is the most important rule. Sound sleep and healthy food keep you in good shape and consequently increase your concentration and alertness. An improved focus helps to bring more attention to your work and thus saves you time. By completing work faster, you leave more time for your remaining tasks.

About the author: Surabhi Surendra, a happily married woman and a homemaker, blogs at womanatics. She quit her lucrative day job to settle down peacefully after marriage and currently lives in Andaman. You can contact her here.

Photo: Copyright PhotoXpress.com

Most of us probably feel too busy to pause for such an activity.  We feel rushed, hurried and behind.  Have you ever stopped to consider where these feelings come from?

I assert that most of it is just a bad habit that we have let take root in our lives.  The stress and anxiety that results from habitual busyness wears on our health, relationships and enjoyment of life.  It robs us of much that is truly good and creates joy.

Overcoming busyness is a worthy goal we should all pursue!

How do you start simplifying and overcoming busyness?

It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: what are we busy about?
~ Henry David Thoreau

Overcoming busyness requires a little discipline.  You have to bust a cycle of behavior that has become a habit.  This can be difficult, but these strategies will help.

1.  Start small and learn to calm yourself

I challenge you to take 5 minutes to be still and quiet.  This will likely be harder than you think.  Find a place where you can be alone with no distractions.  Be sure the television and radio are off.  Sit in a chair or on the bed, close your eyes, still your mind and just sit there for five full minutes.  Increase the time each day until you can spend a full 30 minutes in this calm state.  This is detox for your busyness!

2.  Stop multitasking!

Do one thing at a time.  Focus all your attention on that one task.  Drink in the full experience of it.  You can do this even with the mundane chores you have to do.  For example, when you are washing dishes make yourself fully present in that moment.  Examine your five senses and mentally note how the warm water feels on your skin, the scent of the dishwashing soap, the look of the dishes when wet, how the water sounds as it fills the sink and the taste of the soapy water. 

3.  Cut out the non-essential stuff

Okay, once you’ve practiced the first two strategies for awhile, your awareness is going to be much higher.  This is when you can start cutting a lot of crap out of your life.  Our days are full of things that don’t really matter.  Doubt me?  Stop doing all but what you think is absolutely essential.  Does anyone notice?  Probably only 20% of what we do is really necessary.  This jives with the 80-20 rule which you should become familiar with.  This strategy will help you cut a lot of the busyness from your life.

4.  Learn the secret ancient word that was almost lost forever

There is an ancient word that has almost mystical power to help you overcome your busyness.  It has practically become archaic because it is used so infrequently.  It isn’t politically correct to use it with your kids, your boss or your spouse.  Many have paid a high price for using it, but I think now is the time to once again bring it out into the light!  What is the ancient word?!?  It is, “No!”  Use it often and use it mercilessly to simplify your life!

5.  Extend what you’ve learned to the rest of your life

The strategies so far have focused mostly on the habit of hyperactivity (excessive restlessness, not the medical disorder), but now that you’ve made it this far you can learn to use what you’ve learned in other areas as well.  This will help you to further simplify.  For instance, decluttering your life will eliminate possessions that lead to unnecessary busyness.  See how far you can take it.  You might be amazed!

Overcoming busyness will set you free to live a full life!

The man who has nothing to do is always the busiest.
~ French Proverb

Unnecessary busyness is draining and unproductive.  It will steal your health mentally and physically.  In addition, you might wake up one day and realize your life is spent and for what?  Don’t let that happen!  Use the strategies above to focus your life on what is significant!

How do you conquer busyness in your life?

Photo by *Zara