Want to lower your stress, be happier, and get more done? You can when you master the art of doing one thing at a time. Embrace single-tasking.

I didn’t  embrace single-tasking until later in life. I’m still a work in progress.

I was a master multi-tasker. Drafting emails during meetings, reading while watching television, working while on a phone call, creating documentation while my kids played ball.

It really wasn’t until my brain had had enough and started messing with my multi-tasking skills that I began to explore single-tasking.

I got tired of forgetting things, of being sure I’d written something on a topic but not being able to find it, of being late for appointments, listening to a podcast or course lesson and at the end not remembering a word that was said. Now I can’t even take notes during a meeting or webinar without missing something! Sound familiar? 

This is where my interest in single-tasking came in. I’m still guilty of doing a Sudoku puzzle while listening to a podcast or having my phone notifications on when I’m writing, but I do make an effort to spend more and more time single-tasking.

Focusing fully on a single task gets me through those days when you just don’t know where to start. Depending how strong I feel, I pick the easiest or the hardest task on my list, take a deep breath and focus on that one thing. 

When even that is overwhelming, I go back to my priorities. I pick one task that that matches my top priority and start there. Using this method, even on a “bad” day, I can still get lots done.

“The quickest way to do many things is to do one thing at a time.” – Christopher Westra

What is Single-tasking?

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Single-tasking is the art of focusing on one thing at a time. Giving it your full attention and ignoring all the other things calling your name.

Multi-Tasking is a Myth

Multi-tasking isn’t really getting two or more things done simultaneously, it’s your brain quickly (or maybe not so quickly…) switching back and forth between tasks.

You’re actually training your brain to work in a fragmented way and that fragmentation reduces your attention span.

What’s so good about single-tasking?

Want to get more done? Produce better quality results? Less stress? Be more creative? Single-tasking is for you.

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When you focus on one thing at a time, you can actually get that thing done and crossed off your to do list. Then you’re free to move on to the next thing. 

Momentum will carry you through your day and, at the end of it, you’ll see you’ve made amazing progress.

Putting all your attention on the task at hand gives you better results. Your work isn’t broken up, less things are forgotten. You may even gain new insights!

By giving yourself permission to focus on one thing, you give yourself permission to, temporarily, ignore any other task on your list. 

If you place all your focus on a task, you might just find that you come up with better, more creative solutions. Single-tasking lets your mind dig deeper to come up with new ideas.

Single-tasking lets you feel good about getting your chosen task done – or just making progress on it, reducing stress and bringing more positivity in to your day. And who doesn’t need some of that!

Still need convincing? Here are 10 benefits courtesy of Power of Positivity…

10 Benefits of Single Tasking

  1. Single-tasking conserves energy.
  2. Single-tasking improves productivity.
  3. Single-tasking increases commitment.
  4. Single-tasking promotes self-discipline.
  5. Single-tasking strengthens us against distractions.
  6. Single-tasking improves our attention span.
  7. Single-tasking makes us happier.
  8. Single-tasking improves our communication.
  9. Single-tasking improves our relationship.
  10. Single-tasking gives us an advantage.

Source: Power of Positivity

How to Single-task

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We say we’re single-tasking but, how often are you working on something with your phone nearby flashing notifications or have your email app open and dinging at you? Or get distracted by some random thought and find yourself knee-deep in Facebook… again.

So, how do you single-task? Try these tips to get you started:

  • Single-tasking requires the discipline to turn off all distractions. Put your phone on silent, close lose the door, and warn people around you that you’re unavailable for the next hour or whatever time period you choose. Now you have the space to single-task.
  • Gather any tools you’ll need. Breaking your concentration to dig out that stack of purple sticky notes will slow you down.
  • Clear your desk of anything you don’t need for this task.
  • Grab your water, tea, coffee, whatever.
  • Go pee. There’s nothing worse than being in the flow then getting the urge to go. Be proactive, go pee.
  • Adjust your chair so you’re comfortable. You don’t want a cramp or ache to derail your productivity.
  • Close your eyes, take a deep breath, throw a prayer up to whoever you choose.
  • If you’re a timer type person, set your timer for whatever time you’ve planned.
  • Get to work!

Is there any good multi-tasking?

Yes! Definitely. Some things fit together. Like:

  • Taking the dog for a walk and making a phone call.
  • Doing something around the house and while you catch up with family or friends on the phone.
  • Listening to a podcast or audio book when you go somewhere.
  • Reading while you walk on the treadmill.
  • Reading while you eat lunch.

Multi-tasking does have its place as long as the two or more things you’re trying to do don’t require full brain-power!

Not quite ready to embrace single-tasking?

Intrigued by the idea but not ready to jump in with both feet? Maybe baby steps will work better for you. Try these tips to gently move towards single-tasking…

  • Drive to your destination without music, news, or podcasts. Focus on your surroundings, pay attention to your route.
  • Sit through a webinar without drafting an email or reading an article.
  • Take email and social media breaks throughout your day.
  • Go for a walk and leave your phone at home.

Even if you can’t fully embrace single-tasking, it’s worth incorporating as much as you can in to your life. Less stress, increased productivity, and better quality results are worth the effort.

And, yes, the benefits are real. I actually do get more done, get better results, and I’m less stressed at the end of the day. If I am stressed during the day and I take a minute to think about it (not always easy…), I usually find that I’m trying to do too many things at once. If I rein myself in and focus on one task, the stress eases up. And yet, knowing this? I still try to multi-task. Maybe I’m a slow learner…

Check out these other posts for even more information!