I’m always mentally multitasking and intermittently do things of lower priority when I should be doing higher priority things. Am I crazy? It’s liek a need a break from the higher priority task.
No, Angela, you’re not crazy. Multitasking is something that we as human beings just aren’t made to do. Our brains are not wired to multitask; we’re wired to focus on one thing. We are not wired to do two independent things that require conscious thought especially when they involve different goals.
Multitasking limits the kinds of information the brain can process and actually changes brain activity. When we focus on more than one activity at a time, there is a 20-30% loss in the total time it takes to complete two separate things. It ends up taking longer to do those separate things while multitasking than it would if we focused on them one at a time. We loose our precious time and have less quality of work.
When it comes to priorities, once you know the priority of each task, focus your time on the high priority things. Break the tasks into smaller pieces and block out specific times to spend on them and stick to it. I would suggest 3-4 hours at a time. Take breaks during the course of your work day. Get up and stretch, walk to the kitchen to get a snack (one that’s quick or already prepared so you don’t spend time making it) or step out for some fresh air. This will keep you from burning out on the high priority tasks. After you’ve spent the time you set on your higher priority task, you can focus on those with priority.
I’m always mentally multitasking and intermittently do things of lower priority when I should be doing higher priority things. Am I crazy? It’s liek a need a break from the higher priority task.
No, Angela, you’re not crazy. Multitasking is something that we as human beings just aren’t made to do. Our brains are not wired to multitask; we’re wired to focus on one thing. We are not wired to do two independent things that require conscious thought especially when they involve different goals.
Multitasking limits the kinds of information the brain can process and actually changes brain activity. When we focus on more than one activity at a time, there is a 20-30% loss in the total time it takes to complete two separate things. It ends up taking longer to do those separate things while multitasking than it would if we focused on them one at a time. We loose our precious time and have less quality of work.
When it comes to priorities, once you know the priority of each task, focus your time on the high priority things. Break the tasks into smaller pieces and block out specific times to spend on them and stick to it. I would suggest 3-4 hours at a time. Take breaks during the course of your work day. Get up and stretch, walk to the kitchen to get a snack (one that’s quick or already prepared so you don’t spend time making it) or step out for some fresh air. This will keep you from burning out on the high priority tasks. After you’ve spent the time you set on your higher priority task, you can focus on those with priority.