Posted June 21st, 2016
By Kris Powers
Multitasking? No problem. Or so I thought. Juggling two jobs, two children, two offices and a husband gives me ample opportunity to stretch my multitasking muscles. I used to brag about how much I could handle at one time. And I always thought that I was saving time by doing multiple tasks at once. However, I’ve learned that multi-tasking actually makes me less efficient in the long run, affects my short term memory and honestly creates quite a bit of stress in my life.
When you are fully immersed in a task, whether it is studying, reading a report, etc., Psychologists report that you can get into a mental state called “flow”. When you are in the state of “flow”, you are able to work at your best. But distractions such as your phone, a radio in the background or even the voices of those around you can prevent you from fully embracing this state. It’s important that we train ourselves to turn off distractions and allow ourselves to work in an optimized state.
For online students, the temptation to be “logged in” to multiple accounts at one time can be great. You may think, I’m already online, why not? However, if you are logged into your classroom, writing a report or researching an important topic; do not also have your email or social media accounts up. The temptation to check in to see the latest on Twitter or Instagram is too great; and will stop you from achieving your best work. Try turning off the radio or television while you're at it. Find a quiet spot where you can hear your own thoughts and focus.
That being said, it is a good idea to reward yourself after a few hours of hard work or studying. Take a walk outside, make a phone call, or allow yourself a few moments to check for messages, updates, etc. Whatever you choose as a reward, simply do that one thing and fully enjoy it. And at the end of your break; turn off all distractions and get back to work!
For tasks that involve my undivided attention - researching, reading and retaining knowledge; it’s best for me to focus on one task only. I believe that learning to concentrate is a skill that many of us have to relearn. We’ve been coached to do more than one task at a time. But in order to be at our best, we have to learn to focus on the now – rather than always thinking of what’s next, trying to do two things at once, or reacting to the stimuli around us.
By allowing ourselves to focus on the now, we not only may become more productive, we may possibly reduce the amount of stress we feel every day. We need to learn to take a moment to feel a sense of accomplishment when we have truly mastered a new task, technique or been able to recall an important piece of information. Not multi-tasking can allow us to be “present” and to fully explore and appreciate what that means. My new mantra is “slow down, take it one step at a time, and savor the moment”. There is a tremendous feeling of peace when you are focused on one thing and one thing only – whether that is studying, your job, or your family. Some things just deserve our undivided attention.
