Productivity: Resist the Urge to Multitask

At my very first job I remember my boss advising me that I would be wise to learn how to do more than one thing at a time.  This advise, like many other ideas passed down upon my youthful ears, I absorbed without question.  Now, I do the opposite, and I get more done.  With these tools, I’ve helped to untrain years of practice.

Recognize and Release Urges

I had a meditation teacher once tell me how to deal with arising thoughts while meditating.  When deep in meditation, ideas will naturally pop up.  Instead of trying to stop them by clenching the mind, recognize that they are there, and let them go.  Envision the idea as a chain floating out of the head.

This can easily be used on urges to multitask.  When deep in a project and the thought comes to check email or open a chat window with a friend, recognize the urge but don’t act on it.  See it as a chain and let it float out of the head.  Continue with focus on the project.

Write Down the Urges

Another approach to dealing with urges is to simply write them down.  Keep a notepad nearby, write down every urge to move to a different task.  Put these urges into a list of desires and act  later when the current project is finished.  It will also help with getting with accomplishing the most important urges.

Take a Break

New urges while often are merely distractions from the task at hand, may very well be the minds way of encouraging a break.  Take 5 minutes away and go for a walk, breath with the eyes closed, or simply grab a drink of water.  This short interruption may be all the mind needs to regain focus.

Please feel free to comment with any other tips to resisting urges.