The multitasking versus single-tasking debate is dead.  The fact is, what we consider multitasking is just single-tasking with multiple focus reboots.  So I’m not here to debate a dead issue, I’m here to help you become much more efficient and effective in your single-tasking efforts.  In this guide to single-tasking success I will be using the good old computer analogy as many can relate to the causes of slow computing and how this is very accurate to our own personal productivity paralysis.

Focus Reboots

A few months ago I published a post called “Minimize Your Focus Reboots“.  The basic premise of the piece was that just like a computer begins to slow down when it is taking on multiple tasks, so too does our focus begin to bog when we bombard it with multiple mental grabbers at one time.  I then took it a step further as I talked about complete focus reboots.  When something completely takes us away from the task at hand, we find that our productivity goes out the window.  Just like a computer can take forever to reboot, our focus can’t just turn off and then back on.  We have to go through the reboot process as we reload our thoughts and memories that are essential to the task in question.

Single-Tasking Success Begins With Belief

If you are not completely convinced that multitasking is a myth and that learning effective single-tasking techniques is the way to productivity progress, than this post is not for you.  The temptation to multitask is stronger than ever as our ADHD mentality tells us to take on ten things at once.  When I try to tackle a particular task and do so in a singular fashion, it is all I can do not to let my focus wander.  Not just out of boredom, but with the unrealistic idea that I can somehow take on more and still maintain my current momentum.  Like anything else, if you’re not completely convinced of the power that is possible with pure single-tasking, you’ll never reach your full productivity potential.

Effective Single-Tasking: Not Possible Without Proper Priorities

One of the reasons we insist on sticking with the myth of multitasking is our fear of forgetting our most important responsibilities.  We convince ourselves that if we keep a finger on each of our daily tasks we will never miss that check mark next to its place on our to-do list.  The problem with this mentality is that it requires that we dull our focus.  One of the great benefits of effective single-tasking is razor sharp focus that breeds our best results.

To combat this fear and ensure that our most important priorities are properly tended to, we must become expert to-do-listers.  I don’t care if you use a pen and paper, a website or a whatever form works.  The bottom line is that if it’s not noted somewhere that task ‘A’ is to be accomplished before task ‘B’ and ‘C’, we run the risk of a sleepless night as we lay in frustration, pining over our misguided efforts.  Take it from me, Mr. ADHD, if I let myself single-task the wrong priority I may find that hours have gone by with no results that needed to occur.

Effective Single-Tasking Requires A Reward

One of the reasons I default to the myth of multitasking is because it allows me to dabble in interests as I also grind out the necessities.  The more I purify my single-tasking efforts, the greater the need for a carrot on the end of the stick.  Depending on the task, if it’s truly being tackled with a singular focus, there is a strong possibility that boredom can swoop in and distract my efforts.  My mythical multitasking ways may be diluted with multiple focus reboots, but at least I keep myself entertained.

• The reward of satisfaction. The more we find single-tasking success, the greater our productivity output will become.  Each day that ends with our own personal pat on the back will be one more reminder of how good it feels to actually GET THINGS DONE.  This satisfaction is an excellent carrot to dangle as we push through the pain of a passionless task.
• Mixing it up. As I mentioned earlier, when attempting to do multiple things at one time, I dabbled in both enjoyable and grueling tasks.  This was a great tactic for sustained stimulation, but terrible for productivity.  So just apply this to proper single-tasking and you’ve got a great balance that will not only knock out the necessary to-dos, but will keep you coming back for more.  (TIP: Try to keep the fun tasks from consuming too much time.  They’re there for a refreshing reward, not a time hungry activity.)
• Clearly define your efforts. Night’s, weekends and vacations.  What do all these have in common?  They represent a clearly defined time to take a break.  Our brains need rest and relaxation to fully focus when required.  When we blur these lines that separate work from play, we inevitably blur the effectiveness of our focus.  Single-tasking, like any other attempt at productivity, will always be performed at it’s greatest potential when the proper balance is accomplished.
• Time. Our greatest recourse, time is a precious commodity we cannot afford to waste.  And yet we waste so much of it by trying to beat the system.  Stick with one thing at a time.  You’ll get it done, out of the way and off your plate.  The reward is easy to see as our time to do what we want will inevitably increase.

Don’t Take It From Me, Take It From Your Dell

Based on the idea that multitasking is a myth and single-tasking is the only way we truly focus, the question turns from ‘multitasking or single-tasking?’ to ‘how to effectively single-task?’  But if you’re not yet completely convinced of the myth of multitasking effectiveness, just look at the computer you’re sitting next to right now (or possibly holding in your hand).

Let’s say you have a stack of bills that need to be knocked out.  You sit down and start hacking away (the computer equivalent to running a virus scan).  Though this is purely busywork and requires zero deep thought, your focus still needs room to effectively get it done.  Now let’s say a friend comes over and starts to chat with you (the computer equivalent to surfing the Internet).  What happens?  As your friend chats away, your ability to efficiently pay your bills goes WAY down.  Each thought and question that comes out of their mouth takes that much more focus away from the task at hand (as you open your web browser and jump from website to website, your virus scan slows, as does your surfing session.)  If you were to tell your friend to come back in a half hour so you could finish your task, you’d be done much quicker and then have a much more meaningful conversation as you are actually able to focus completely on your friend (let the virus scan finish and THEN surf the Net.)

Single-Tasking Benefit: Always Make It To Your Destination

Let’s say you’re driving down the road, headed toward a specific destination.  On the way you decide to take a detour to say hi to a friend.  After leaving your friends house you realize how close you are to your favorite ice cream shop.  So you stop in and get a sweet treat.  A few minutes later, as you start to head back to the main road, you realize that a bathroom break is an absolute must.  Now you’ve got to find the nearest gas station with a bathroom.  Unfortunately it’s in the opposite direction of your original destination and you just realized the time; YOU’RE LATE!

I could go on and on, but you get the point.  Often times when we veer off course, we risk failing to reach our destination.  The attempt to multitask can easily end up this way.  Without the super sharp focus of our target and clarity that only comes from a singular thought process, we’re libel to fall prey to this disastrous cycle of distraction.

The More You Take On, The More Important This Becomes

Recently I launched my affordable web design business.  Already having hundreds of local computer consulting clients and a strong connection with this blogging community, I’ve quickly become busy with business.  Almost instantly I realized the downfall of my past multitasking ways.  Getting very little done while trying to do five things at once, I bit the bullet and began to dictate my duties with a one-at-a-time directive.  All of a sudden my productivity increased substantially as I excitedly checked off my tasks.  Instead of waffling back and forth, feeling overwhelmed with a myriad of focus reboots, I could finally breathe.  Before I began this new venture, I was able to get by with my attempts to take it on all at once, but now I’m sold on the fact that it is with a single-tasking focus that our greatest productivity prevails.

The 5 Steps To Single-Tasking Success

To sum it all up, here are 5 steps to make it happen.

1. Pick Your Priorities: As stated above, when picking a task to single out it’s always best to start at the top of your priorities.  Get done those things that absolutely NEED to get done.  Like I said, your sleep depends on it!
2. Limit Your Tasks: Once you’ve got your priorities straight, it’s time to narrow the days tasks to just a few.  I like to stick with 2 to 4 must-dos and then mix in 1 or 2 light ones for a break in between.  (My ADHD can only handle so much of a single-task.)
3. Remove Distractions: Turn off your phone, email, Twitter, etc…  Check in a few times if needed, but keep it to a minimum.
4. Track Your Progress: Keep yourself driven by seeing the positive results that follow your single-tasking success.  Then, use your charted progress to improve and get more done in the future.  It’s all about momentum!
5. Clearly Define Your Downtime: At the end of the day/week, we all need to clock-out.  Our brains need a clear contrast between work and play.  Keep this line well defined and you will be rewarded with your highest level of productivity.

Eric