By Andre666 at English Wikipedia [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
I know you don’t believe me. Right now, odds are high that you are reading this article while developing a new product while listening to an inspirational tape while eating lunch and also planning your weekend.
Yes, it’s physically possible to do more than one thing at a time…however what you’re really doing is toggling quickly among different activities. Doing so scatters your efforts, dilutes your impact and fosters results that are often sub-par if not more unfortunate. Take something relatively common — like talking on the phone while driving. You do so at your peril. The National Safety Counsel reports that 28% of car accidents are triggered by cell phone use or texting while driving.
The science is clear. Studies have shown — repeatedly — that humans are lousy multi-taskers. Our brains are designed to focus on only One Thing at a Time.
Rather than resist our biology, why not use this research to your advantage? You’ve got a lot on your plate. To the extent you can focus your attention and your efforts on only One Thing at a Time, the more you’ll get done, with less drama and less stress. And you’ll accrue other benefits as well.
Go ahead. Try it. Pick your top priority right now. Focus on it –and only it — for at least the next thirty minutes. Witness the uptick in your progress…and the reduction in your stress level.
At the end of the thirty minutes, you can either carry on with that task…or switch your attention to a different priority. Whatever you choose, commit to focus on only this thing for the next thirty minutes.
If you use this technique consistently for a week, you’re apt to find yourself doing more, more effectively and more efficiently, with less stress. Try it and see.
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