Effective Multitasking

Multitasking can be extremely difficult for a lot of us. Hopefully, your business is successful enough that you are swamped on a regular basis with a lot on your plate. That can be a really great feeling. However, attempting to juggle everything in your life, or work on multiple projects at the same time can be a major headache.

So, what do you do to overcome your multitasking inabilities? Do you just attempt to work on one task at a time? Do you keep a million windows open simultaneously on your desktop? Is there even a great way to multitask?

Being a great multitasker depends on your system. It’s inevitable that you’re going to need to multitask at some point each week. Currently, I’m writing this blog to you, working on a cover profile, listening to Jack Johnson, doing a little IT work and editing our September issue.

Do all these tasks stress me out? Well, if I don’t have my system, I’m up the creek without a paddle. There isn’t a significant amount of coffee I could consume to keep up with all the tasks without a system.

Typically, my system begins with a list. I know people that like to develop pages and pages of lists, but that never gets me anywhere. I end up spending more time on the list than the tasks on that list. Plus, with a giant list, I never feel like I’m getting anything accomplished. I try and keep my lists short. Each day I’ll create lists of about 10 or less items. If I get everything accomplished, then I’ll add more. However, the reasoning behind the short list is to continually make you feel like you are moving along, and not just slowly meandering through an endless world of tasks.

Once I make my lists, I begin to work. During the week I don’t shut down my computer at night, I just put it to sleep. This allows me to open up each morning and have work already in progress on my desktop.

I will create the list, and then start working — not from the top of my list — but from the first thing on my desktop, or wherever my mind wants me to go. I’m not restricted to working down the list, just accomplishing the tasks on the list. This gives me a little freedom.

For example, this morning, doing design work was first on my list, but my IT work was first on my desktop. Currently, our IT tasks have me engaged. It’s a great way to start out my day. I can throw myself into the tasks immediately and grab a quick sense of accomplishment. This is crucial to being highly effective throughout the day.

Once the IT work was finished, I then started working on my blog, because it had to get done by noon. Typically, I’ll write my blog days in advance, but I got wrapped up in other things this week and the blog came down to my deadline. Sometimes that happens when you have a lot on your plate.

Staying out in front of tasks is the best way to help you multitask. If you let a bunch of deadlines creep up on you and you have one day to finish all the tasks you are working on, things can get hectic. The best idea you can have is to set personal deadlines that may differ from your club’s deadlines. This will help you to get things done early and stay less stressed.

If you become stressed over your work, you won’t be able to multitask. You have to keep as much stress out of your day as possible. With mounting deadlines, customers and employees needing your attention, stress is going to occur. You need to find a way to keep yourself mellow. Remember, nothing is worth getting worked up over. Find a certain type of music that keeps you calm, or have pictures in your office that help you stay relaxed.

Remember, multitasking is inevitable. You need to figure out the best way for you to multitask without pulling your hair out. Stay calm, make lists, create personal deadlines and start churning out your work. Hopefully, you can become a phenomenal multitasker!