Multitasking skills are a must-have in today’s fast-paced work environments. However, trying to do too much at once can cause extra stress. Learning to multitask correctly lets you stay focused without feeling overwhelmed.
Juggling seemingly endless to-do lists, phone calls, and interruptions all day can feel like a constant test of your stamina and make you feel like you didn’t get anything done, even after working all day. Try some of these tips to improve your multitasking abilities and get more done every day without feeling spread too thin.
Choose the Right Activities
Multitasking works best when you need to execute specific tasks as opposed to learning new information. If you’re trying to absorb something while splitting your attention between multiple tasks, your brain won’t retain the new information. Schedule tasks that require creative thinking or learning during periods when you don’t have other demands on your time, so you can focus on them uninterrupted.
Pairing tasks that use different parts of your brain can also help you multitask without stress. For example, trying to read or write while listening to music with lyrics can overstimulate your brain and slow you down. Listening to classical music instead allows you to focus on the words on the screen, preventing confusion and stress.
Some examples of multitasking skills that use different parts of your brain include:
- Reviewing documents while on the treadmill or stationary bike.
- Taking a call while you walk outdoors.
- Completing administrative tasks like filing or data entry while on a conference call.
- Checking social media accounts while waiting for documents to print.
Allow Yourself to Focus
Whether trying to complete one task or five, constant interruptions can keep you from getting anything done and increase stress. Schedule blocks of time to focus on completing tasks, and silence or turn off notifications from your email, phone, and messaging apps. After each time block (plan on a minimum of 25 minutes), allow yourself five minutes to check messages and alerts and respond where necessary.
Maintaining focus in a busy and fast-paced environment is an important soft skill and requires tuning out distractions. You may not be able to stop every interruption, but recognizing that they will occur and having a plan to deal with them will reduce your stress.
Prioritize
At the start of each day, identify the task you need and want to accomplish and prioritize them. When you can, delegate tasks to get them off your plate; otherwise, multitask the lower-priority or routine tasks so you can allocate more time and energy toward the most critical work.
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A well-designed and functional office environment can improve productivity and multitasking skills by giving teams the tools and space they need. At 1222 Offices & Executive Suites, businesses can access a prestigious Cape Coral, FL, address with a variety of office space and conference room options. To learn more about how we can support your business, call (239) 673-5110.