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multi-tasking

When being efficient…isn’t

Sarah · Apr 30, 2015 · Leave a Comment

I love efficiency. I really love crossing things off my list. One of my favorite way to be efficient is to multi-task by incorporating a brain-focused task when I’m doing otherwise less-engaged physical tasks.

Do Less. Be more efficient. | strategysarah.com

I listen to podcasts while I’m driving – and doing the dishes – and sometimes while I’m working. (Well, except when certain little ones protest too loudly.)

I was working this morning and planned to fully maximize my time. By which I mean that while doing some compiling and formatting, I had a great podcast on in the background.

When I’m working on something easy for me, like compiling and formatting, this usually works fantastic. I have learned quite a bit while doing what is otherwise not extremely mentally engaging tasks.

BUT…

(You saw that coming, right?)

Today it wasn’t working. 

I was so distracted that I realized:

1) I wasn’t getting anything out of the podcast and

2) the interview was actually causing me a higher level of stress than I already had.

What was up?

Well, I stopped working for a minute to think about that. Actually, I tried to push through it for a good 30 minutes. All I got was limited productivity and extreme frustration.

So once I did stop and think, I realized something that should have been obvious:
My brain was already consumed by some major changes in our lives.

And I had an epiphany:

I can only do one brain-engaged task at a time. (I know, stop the presses, this really is new information).

I did know that already, but I’d never stopped to consider the nuance of what that meant.

My brain was already engaged in working through our life changes. There wasn’t room for more input, without shutting down what I was thinking about. And in this instance, that wasn’t going to happen.

So I turned off the brain-focused information, and turned Pandora on to Jazz Holidays (because there is never a time that holiday background music is a bad thing).

Suddenly I was free to work again. Quiet is a good thing. If it’s not efficient in that moment, don’t do it.

Sometimes the way to be the most efficient is to do less – even of the things that are typically productive.

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Welcome!

Sarah Parsons Hi, I'm Sarah and thanks for joining me! I believe that as working moms, we don't have to be exhausted trying to have it all. Sure, we juggle a lot. That just makes us expert project managers, problem solvers and simplifiers. And if you feel like you're not an expert at any of that, well, you're in the right place. It is possible to manage our time well and thrive - at work, home and play. Let's do this!
#3 is key.
This has been a game-changer for my afternoons! I'm so much more productive when I manage my energy and don't try to just power through the slump. #workingmom #manageyourenergy #timemanagement
31 Timesaving Tools, Tips & Templates | strategysarah.com

31 Timesaving Tips, Tools & Templates

Disclaimer

The views expressed on this site are those of Sarah Parsons only, and do not represent those of any employer or client past or present with whom I have worked.
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