Summary:
Focusing on the common myths around productivity, Singletasking looks at the positive aspects that can sometimes be pushed to the side as we all try to get more done in less time by multitasking.
Related Books:
7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen Covey – Book Summary
Zen Mind, Beginners Mind – Shunryu Suzuki – Book Summary
Book Notes:
- Multitasking only succeeds in dividing your attention.
- Stanford University neuroscientist has shown that the brain is incapable of focusing on multiple things at the same time, instead it simply switches from one to the other and those switches can cost you both time and momentum.
- A Harvard study in 2011 found that multitasking while dividing your attention, also hampers your cognitive abilities. Abilities such as memory can become hindered while attempting to multitask.
- Single-tasking is a evolutionary trait designed to keep us alive and alert while we were keeping an eye out for predators.
- Multitasking can lead to stress and over stimulation if used too frequently.
- Single tasking allows you to become fully absorbed in an activity and can help to activate the useful ‘flow state’ to facilitate getting things done.
- Multitasking doesn’t have to involve you working on multiple things at once, the same drawbacks also occur if you are simply not present in the moment.
- Mediation or even a short break for a walk can help to re-centre a wandering mind and help you to regain your focus.
- You can use activity clusters to keep focused. The idea is to keep all similar activities together, such as email for example, and sit down at a particular time to simply focus on nothing but clearing and responding to all the relevant emails. You can even set up an auto responder to reply to incoming email that you only check email between x and y times each day to begin to train your colleagues not to expect an answer right away.
- Make sure to schedule some empty time blocks in your day as well. This can help if you fall behind on a task or if a meeting runs over.
- Single-tasking is especially important in social situations where you need to give the other person your full attention. To not do so would be considered rude and even potentially hurt your relationships.
- Above all else people are happiest when engaged in a single task, not multiple at once.
