Let me help you for a moment reduce stress and keep your life on track, by successfully juggling multiple tasks and responsibilities. Today it’s not a question of whether you can multi-task or not – we all have to multi-task if we are going to do life well.
The skill of multi-tasking is not so much about doing 2 or 3 things at the same time but more about carrying multiple responsibilities at the same time and handling it well.
4 simple guidelines:
1. Make lists: when an action or an idea comes to mind or is agreed upon then put it in a list. There are apps and software available for this that will even remind you when it needs to be done (alternatively put a reminder note in your agenda)
2. Do it now: where possible do it now. An simple email pops in, reply now. Reading it, making a note to action it, coming back to it and then replying takes a lot longer and consumes brain space. Where you can make decisions there and then in the meeting, on the phone and when it happens. This again prevents making a note, coming back to it, thinking it through later and then communicating a decision.
3. Block time: book out blocks of time for certain activities. This will help important tasks get done. This doesn’t mean you are inflexible. These times can always be moved or over-ridden. However, by blocking time you ensure important responsibilities are given space. Do your emails and calls ‘on the run’, this also frees important space during the day.
4. Processes: create a process to handle all your re-occurring tasks or actions. This reduces thinking time and sheds another weight. Let the process do the work, however simple.
Sleep well at night!